ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada vs. 5.11 Rush 12 2.0
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada
| Capacity | 22 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×28×13 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $350 |
Feature by feature
| ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada | Feature | 5.11 Rush 12 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | front, side |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| optional | Hip Belt | optional |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 6 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side, internal | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| ULTRA 400TX | 1050D nylon (MultiCam® 1000D nylon) |
Key differences between the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada and 5.11 Rush 12 2.0
- Compression straps: No on the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada; 2 on the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0.
- Passport pocket: Top on the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada; Front, side on the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0.
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada; No on the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0.
- Main compartments: 4 on the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada; 6 on the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side, internal on the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada; No on the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, 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. 179 accept both. Every airline that takes one takes the other.
ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada vs. 5.11 Rush 12 2.0: which should you pack?
The 5.11 Rush 12 2.0 carries 2L more than the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada (22L vs. 24L), while the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 1.4kg). For carry-on flexibility, the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0; if you want to travel lighter, the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada is the better call.