Hanchor Pipe T1 vs. Black Ember Citadel 18
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Hanchor Pipe T1 | 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 |
| removable | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 14in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, front | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| X-Pac VX21 | 420 VELOCITY CORDURA re/cor RN66 |
Black Ember Citadel 18
| Capacity | 18 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 43×29×16 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $240 |
Key differences between the Hanchor Pipe T1 and Black Ember Citadel 18
- Luggage passthrough: No on the Hanchor Pipe T1; Yes on the Black Ember Citadel 18.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Hanchor Pipe T1; No on the Black Ember Citadel 18.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Hanchor Pipe T1; 14in on the Black Ember Citadel 18.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, front on the Hanchor Pipe T1; No on the Black Ember Citadel 18.
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. 173 accept both. 0 accept only the Hanchor Pipe T1, and 7 accept only the Black Ember Citadel 18.
Only the Black Ember Citadel 18 fits
Air Tahiti, American Eagle, easyJet, Gulf Air, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
Hanchor Pipe T1 vs. Black Ember Citadel 18: which should you pack?
The Hanchor Pipe T1 carries 6L more than the Black Ember Citadel 18 (24L vs. 18L), while the Hanchor Pipe T1 is the lighter pack at 0.6kg (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 Hanchor Pipe T1; if you want to travel lighter, the Hanchor Pipe T1 is the better call.