Black Ember Forge Max vs. Deuter Aviant Carry On Pro 36
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 | Deuter Aviant Carry On Pro 36 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | N |
| 30L | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| back | Passport | N |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| 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 | 600D PES, 420D PA |
Deuter Aviant Carry On Pro 36
| Capacity | 36 L |
| Weight | 1.36 kg |
| Dimensions | 55×34×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 68% |
Key differences between the Black Ember Forge Max and Deuter Aviant Carry On Pro 36
- Compression straps: 4 on the Black Ember Forge Max; No on the Deuter Aviant Carry On Pro 36.
- Passport pocket: Back on the Black Ember Forge Max; No on the Deuter Aviant Carry On Pro 36.
- Sternum strap: Removable on the Black Ember Forge Max; Yes on the Deuter Aviant Carry On Pro 36.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Black Ember Forge Max; 1 on the Deuter Aviant Carry On Pro 36.
Both have: 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. 129 accept both. 48 accept only the Black Ember Forge Max, and 0 accept only the Deuter Aviant Carry On Pro 36.
Only the Black Ember Forge Max fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
Black Ember Forge Max vs. Deuter Aviant Carry On Pro 36: which should you pack?
The Deuter Aviant Carry On Pro 36 carries 16L more than the Black Ember Forge Max (20L vs. 36L), while the Deuter Aviant Carry On Pro 36 is the lighter pack at 1.36kg (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 Deuter Aviant Carry On Pro 36; if you want to travel lighter, the Deuter Aviant Carry On Pro 36 is the better call.