5.11 Rush 12 vs. Black Ember Citadel R3 25
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| 5.11 Rush 12 | Feature | Black Ember Citadel R3 25 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 14in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Water-resistant 1050D nylon | 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 5.11 Rush 12 and Black Ember Citadel R3 25
- Compression straps: 2 on the 5.11 Rush 12; No on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25.
- Luggage passthrough: No on the 5.11 Rush 12; Yes on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25.
- Hip belt: Removable on the 5.11 Rush 12; No on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the 5.11 Rush 12; 14in on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25.
Both have: passport pocket, 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 5.11 Rush 12, and 0 accept only the Black Ember Citadel R3 25.
Only the 5.11 Rush 12 fits
Air Niugini, American Eagle, easyJet, Great Lakes Airlines, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
5.11 Rush 12 vs. Black Ember Citadel R3 25: which should you pack?
The Black Ember Citadel R3 25 carries 1L more than the 5.11 Rush 12 (24L vs. 25L), while the 5.11 Rush 12 is the lighter pack at 1.2kg (vs. 1.6kg). For carry-on flexibility, the 5.11 Rush 12 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 5.11 Rush 12 is the better call.