Black Ember Forge Max vs. Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 16L
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 | Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 16L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | N |
| 30L | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| back | Passport | front |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500D CORDURA re/cor RN66 AIR TEXTURED MATTE FINISH 1000D HYPALON | Custom developed 840d ballistic nylon 6 balanced woven with C0 durable water repellent finish |
Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 16L
| Capacity | 16 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 42×28×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 96% |
| Price | $230 |
Key differences between the Black Ember Forge Max and Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 16L
- Compression straps: 4 on the Black Ember Forge Max; No on the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 16L.
- Passport pocket: Back on the Black Ember Forge Max; Front on the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 16L.
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the Black Ember Forge Max; No on the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 16L.
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Black Ember Forge Max; Yes on the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 16L.
Both have: sternum strap, laptop sleeve, built-in organizer, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 177 accept both. 0 accept only the Black Ember Forge Max, and 4 accept only the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 16L.
Only the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 16L fits
Air Niugini, Air Tahiti, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air.
Black Ember Forge Max vs. Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 16L: which should you pack?
The Black Ember Forge Max carries 4L more than the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 16L (20L vs. 16L), while the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 16L is the lighter pack at 1.3kg (vs. 1.6kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 16L fits 96% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Black Ember Forge Max; if you want to travel lighter, the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 16L is the better call.