Black Ember Forge Max vs. Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Black Ember Forge Max
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 1.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×31×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 94% |
| Price | $343 |
Feature by feature
| Black Ember Forge Max | Feature | Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | N |
| 30L | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| back | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 16in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | N |
| Material | |
| 500D CORDURA re/cor RN66 AIR TEXTURED MATTE FINISH 1000D HYPALON | 100% recycled Dura Lite nylon |
Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30L
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×36×12 cm |
| Airline fit | 84% |
| Price | $199 |
Key differences between the Black Ember Forge Max and Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30L
- Compression straps: 4 on the Black Ember Forge Max; No on the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30L.
- Passport pocket: Back on the Black Ember Forge Max; Top on the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30L.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the Black Ember Forge Max; 16in on the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30L.
- Water resistant: Yes on the Black Ember Forge Max; No on the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30L.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, built-in organizer.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 158 accept both. 19 accept only the Black Ember Forge Max, and 0 accept only the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30L.
Only the Black Ember Forge Max fits
Aerolineas Argentinas, Air France, Air India, Air Mauritius, American Eagle, Boliviana de Aviacion, Cayman Airways, easyJet, flybe, Indigo, InselAir, Jet Airways, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Sky Airlines, Virgin Australia.
Black Ember Forge Max vs. Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30L: which should you pack?
The Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30L carries 10L more than the Black Ember Forge Max (20L vs. 30L), while the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30L is the lighter pack at 1kg (vs. 1.6kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Black Ember Forge Max fits 94% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30L; if you want to travel lighter, the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30L is the better call.