Black Ember Forge Max vs. Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 38L
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 38L |
|---|---|---|
| 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 38L
| Capacity | 38 L |
| Weight | 1 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×37×17 cm |
| Airline fit | 60% |
| Price | $230 |
Key differences between the Black Ember Forge Max and Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 38L
- Compression straps: 4 on the Black Ember Forge Max; No on the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 38L.
- Passport pocket: Back on the Black Ember Forge Max; Top on the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 38L.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the Black Ember Forge Max; 16in on the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 38L.
- Water resistant: Yes on the Black Ember Forge Max; No on the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 38L.
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. 114 accept both. 63 accept only the Black Ember Forge Max, and 0 accept only the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 38L.
Only the Black Ember Forge Max fits
Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Asia, Air France, Air India, Air Macau, Air Mauritius, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, American Eagle, Avianca , Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Belavia, Biman Bangladesh, Boliviana de Aviacion, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, CommutAir, Copa Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, easyJet, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, flybe, Garuda Indonesia, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Indigo, InselAir, Jet Airways, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kulula, LATAM , Liat Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Oman Air, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Republic Airways, Royal Jordanian, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Trans States, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia.
Black Ember Forge Max vs. Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 38L: which should you pack?
The Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 38L carries 18L more than the Black Ember Forge Max (20L vs. 38L), while the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 38L 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 38L; if you want to travel lighter, the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 38L is the better call.