Honest Black Ember Forge Review (My take on this hyped pack)

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00:00 - Intro
0:32 - Gist of the Pack
2:16 - Front of the Pack
7:18 - Middle of the Pack
14:46 - Back of the Pack
20:24 - Pros and Cons
21:41 - Alternatives

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The Black Ember Forge review is here!

This pack has Black Ember's signature look— dark, subtle, and mysterious. If you're into short weekend trips, it can be the perfect EDC/travel pack for you since this 20-liter pack can expand up to 30 liters.

Speaking of EDC/travel, this pack has:
1. QUICK ACCESS COMPARTMENT for your everyday essentials;
2. TRAVEL COMPARTMENT for your clothes and travel accessories; and
3. TECH COMPARTMENT for your tech gears.

You can also wear this pack in 3 ways: a briefcase, a duffel, or a backpack. Although the Black Ember Forge can be a little bit of a dirt magnet, we like how its high-quality materials could compensate for it.

Watch our full review for an in-depth discussion of the Black Ember Forge 20L backpack!

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Get the Black Ember Forge if…

✅ You are looking for a pack with amazing materials.

✅ You like how versatile this pack is.

✅ You love how it can expand and be used as a travel pack.

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DO NOT get the Black Ember Forge if…

❌ You want a similar backpack experience but in a different take. Below's another alternative... 👇🏼

🎒 Nomatic Travel Pack
✍🏼 20-liter pack that can expand up to 30-liters, completely different vibe

❌ You want a bigger pack and are not a fan of its dark and mysterious look. Check below for another great option… 👇🏼

🎒 Knack Pack
✍🏼 Another take, bigger capacity

❌ You are like the Black Ember vibe but you don't need the expansion feature. Here's another Black Ember Pack for you… 👇🏼

🎒 Black Ember Shadow
✍🏼 Same vibe but for EDC

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Specs/Features/Summary

• Capacity: 20 expands to 30 liters
• 15-inch laptop compatible
• 500D Cordura ® re/cor™ RN66 air textured matte finish
• 1000D Hypalon
• T6 Aircraft-grade black anodized aluminum + Laser-etched hardware
• YKK Aquaguard zippers
• Maglock magnetic hardware
• Laser-cut textile components (All)

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Affiliate Disclosure: We hope you enjoyed our Black Ember Forge review! To support our channel, we use affiliate links in our content. Clicking on these links and making a purchase helps us keep creating great videos (at no extra cost to you!)

Free Gear Disclosure: We often receive free gear for our reviews, but this does not influence our opinions. We always provide honest reviews—if a product isn't up to par, we'll tell you.

[longlivetheclash]

Really love these videos Aaron. Your enthusiasm and knowledge of backpacks are both second to none. I just bought the camo version of this pack. Thanks again Aaron. Keep making brilliant videos!

[ABCTEST]

O!M!G! I am the one who waiting for Black Ember Forge Review!
Thanks for the video!

[randibachtiar]

I just bought one after looking at your review video! Can't wait to try it on! Thanks for the honest review

[boogsman]

Just discovered a trick to this pack. You don’t need compression straps. Just treat it as one big compression packing cube. Expand the bag to 30L, put your stuff in, then compress it back to 20L!!! Worked for my 3day weekend trip

[opiatesmile]

I'd love to see you review the Black Ember Forge 20. Seems like a much more reasonable bag.

[joeygo]

Just ordered one, ahora!!! very detailed review Thanks !!!!

[Vociferousklang]

Received my Forge today. Pleased with it, very well made and versatile. One note, Black Ember seem to have stopped putting the microfibre in the Laptop compartment, now it’s a stiff nylon. Not really a problem but would have been preferable to have it there.

[MrJed_s]

I'd be interested in this bag if it were 1000% less complex. Basically a Topo Designs Commuter Briefcase with Black Ember styling and modularity (coincidentally that's the backpack which changed my mind on Velcro—it's actually satisfying to use on that bag).

[Youknowthebo]

Currently contemplating what bag i might use for my vacation in a few months. And i am considering taking the Forge. Wanted to look at another review besides mine. Great video like always. Cheers, mate.

[MariaCarabin]

Thx so much! Very helpful review! I’m thinking about this one or the smaller Ember…

[jessematthews]

I honestly don't subscribe to many channels but you guys do an amazing job with some great laughs. Do you have a reveiw coming for the black ember citadel?

[anthonyrampino]

Have you reviewed the packing cubes that you are showing? I’d like to check them out.

[lancelusk]

I love your videos, Aaron! Thank you for such in-depth reviews. Question: what would you recommend for a Frontier personal item bag (18x14x8) that could function as a short trip travel bag and an edc for a professor? Many thanks!

[ChrisW]

Usually, after watching your vids, I know who the bag would be perfect for... in this case I can't figure out who would use this, to be honest (not because of your review, because it rocks, as always). Aesthetically, it doesn't look like a backpack, nor a messenger. When it's filled out to the brim it looks quite unappealing! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I guess, and I'm kinda happy I'm not the beholder in this one :-) I much prefer the Shadow (don't own it, but it looks cool!)

[LokGop]

I've got this bag for some short trips (mostly 1-3 days) and for my work as a teacher. I've got enough space for some books, clothes for my sport lessons, my iPad and some small tech stuff when I go to work. it does work well for me but you really got a point with this bag being a dirt magnet. this is also why I won't buy the black ember compak. the material gets dirty very. fast and its also a bit scratchy on you skin on hot days.

[MCA_]

Thank you for the thorough review. Any plans to review the BE Citadel R2 backpack?

[sullyrules]

I know in your Nomatic Travel Pack review, you said it was your favorite combo system with the 20-30L. Do you still think it's a better buy than this? Kind of in between these two as a decent personal item but also the versatility.

[susie]

I really liked that hidden pocket at the back.
I can see this bag being a great option for the business traveler, or even the super minimalist digital nomad who is required to look a bit more professional

FYI I'm not sure you should be opening up voting on key features.
From experience, when I'm designing something, listening to the ideas of others and trying to build that in against my vision of the project has lead to failure (well, less success from my pov)

[SwimTillIDie]

This is the old version of the forge now right? It looks like they have a new version 2.0 that released (can tell becaue there's no velcro on the shoulder straps, and the laptop compartment doesn't open all the way now). I would love to see a review from you on the new version.

[SoliamMurr]

I don't like at all those mesh pockets in the front pocket, they are loose and facing sideways when using this as a backpack. I imagine all the contents will fall out.