Black Ember Forge Max vs. Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 38L

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

Black Ember Forge Max

Front facing view of the Black Ember Forge Max
Capacity20 L
Weight1.6 kg
Dimensions46×31×15 cm
Airline fit94%
Price$343

Feature by feature

Black Ember Forge MaxFeatureBellroy 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 HYPALON100% recycled Dura Lite nylon

Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 38L

Front facing view of the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 38L
Capacity38 L
Weight1 kg
Dimensions52×37×17 cm
Airline fit60%
Price$230

Key differences between the Black Ember Forge Max and 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.