---
url: "https://onebag.travel/compare/66ku3o331l/goruck-gr1-usa-x-pac/vfr1o0y105/black-ember-citadel-18/"
title: "GORUCK GR1 USA - X-PAC vs Black Ember Citadel 18"
description: "GORUCK GR1 USA - X-PAC vs Black Ember Citadel 18: capacity, weight, dimensions and how many airlines accept each as a carry-on, side by side."
source: "https://onebag.travel/compare/66ku3o331l/goruck-gr1-usa-x-pac/vfr1o0y105/black-ember-citadel-18/"
---
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3.  GORUCK GR1 USA - X-PAC vs. Black Ember Citadel 18

# GORUCK GR1 USA - X-PAC vs. Black Ember Citadel 18

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

## [GORUCK GR1 USA - X-PAC](https://onebag.travel/carryon/66ku3o331l/goruck-gr1-usa-x-pac/)

by [GORUCK](https://onebag.travel/carryons/?brands=GORUCK)

![Front facing view of the GORUCK GR1 USA - X-PAC](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_400/v1788990480/carryons/goruck-gr1-usa-x-pac-66ku3o331l.webp)

<table class="table table-sm cmp-spec mt-2"><tbody><tr><td>Capacity</td><td>21 L</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>1 kg</td></tr><tr><td>Dimensions</td><td>46×29×14 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Airline fit</td><td>94%</td></tr><tr><td>Price</td><td>$335</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Feature by feature

| GORUCK GR1 USA - X-PAC | Feature | Black Ember Citadel 18 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Storage |
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry |
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| N | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside |
| 15in | Laptop | 14in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside |
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |

<table class="cmp-material"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2">Material</td></tr><tr><td>XPAC VX21</td><td>420 VELOCITY CORDURA re/cor RN66</td></tr></tbody></table>

## [Black Ember Citadel 18](https://onebag.travel/carryon/vfr1o0y105/black-ember-citadel-18/)

by [Black Ember](https://onebag.travel/carryons/?brands=Black Ember)

![Front facing view of the Black Ember Citadel 18](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_400/v1788990474/carryons/black-ember-citadel-18-vfr1o0y105.webp)

<table class="table table-sm cmp-spec mt-2"><tbody><tr><td>Capacity</td><td>18 L</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>1.3 kg</td></tr><tr><td>Dimensions</td><td>43×29×16 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Airline fit</td><td>95%</td></tr><tr><td>Price</td><td>$240</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Key differences between the GORUCK GR1 USA - X-PAC and Black Ember Citadel 18

-   **Luggage passthrough:** No on the GORUCK GR1 USA - X-PAC; Yes on the Black Ember Citadel 18.
-   **Sternum strap:** No on the GORUCK GR1 USA - X-PAC; Removable on the Black Ember Citadel 18.
-   **Laptop sleeve:** 15in on the GORUCK GR1 USA - X-PAC; 14in on the Black Ember Citadel 18.

Both have: passport pocket, backpack straps, water resistant.

## Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on

We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 178 accept both. 0 accept only the GORUCK GR1 USA - X-PAC, and 2 accept only the Black Ember Citadel 18.

### Only the Black Ember Citadel 18 fits

Air Tahiti, Gulf Air.

## GORUCK GR1 USA - X-PAC vs. Black Ember Citadel 18: which should you pack?

The **GORUCK GR1 USA - X-PAC** carries 3L more than the **Black Ember Citadel 18** (21L vs. 18L), while the **GORUCK GR1 USA - X-PAC** is the lighter pack at 1kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the **Black Ember Citadel 18** fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the GORUCK GR1 USA - X-PAC; if you want to travel lighter, the GORUCK GR1 USA - X-PAC is the better call.