Black Ember Forge Max vs. Arc'teryx Blade 28
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 | Arc'teryx Blade 28 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | N |
| 30L | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| back | Passport | back |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | N |
| 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 | N210p-HT nylon 6,6 N630p-HT nylon 6,6 |
Arc'teryx Blade 28
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 54×31×16 cm |
| Airline fit | 88% |
| Price | $160 |
Key differences between the Black Ember Forge Max and Arc'teryx Blade 28
- Compression straps: 4 on the Black Ember Forge Max; No on the Arc'teryx Blade 28.
- Sternum strap: Removable on the Black Ember Forge Max; No on the Arc'teryx Blade 28.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, 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. 166 accept both. 11 accept only the Black Ember Forge Max, and 0 accept only the Arc'teryx Blade 28.
Only the Black Ember Forge Max fits
American Eagle, Belavia, easyJet, Etihad Airways, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Jordanian, Virgin Australia, WestJet.
Black Ember Forge Max vs. Arc'teryx Blade 28: which should you pack?
The Arc'teryx Blade 28 carries 8L more than the Black Ember Forge Max (20L vs. 28L), while the Arc'teryx Blade 28 is the lighter pack at 1.5kg (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 Arc'teryx Blade 28; if you want to travel lighter, the Arc'teryx Blade 28 is the better call.