ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada vs. Black Ember Citadel R3 25
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 | Black Ember Citadel R3 25 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| optional | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 14in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side, internal | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| ULTRA 400TX | 421 VELOCITY CORDURA re/cor RN66 |
Black Ember Citadel R3 25
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 1.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×31×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 91% |
| Price | $280 |
Key differences between the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada and Black Ember Citadel R3 25
- Hip belt: Optional on the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada; No on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada; 14in on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25.
- Built-in organizer: Yes on the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada; No on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side, internal on the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada; No on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 172 accept both. 7 accept only the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada, and 0 accept only the Black Ember Citadel R3 25.
Only the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada fits
Air Niugini, American Eagle, easyJet, Great Lakes Airlines, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada vs. Black Ember Citadel R3 25: which should you pack?
The Black Ember Citadel R3 25 carries 3L more than the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada (22L vs. 25L), while the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 1.6kg). 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 Black Ember Citadel R3 25; if you want to travel lighter, the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada is the better call.