---
url: "https://onebag.travel/compare/g82e90003p/patagonia-black-hole-micro-mlc-22l/m0gizsp8la/black-ember-citadel-r3-25/"
title: "Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L vs Black Ember Citadel R3 25"
description: "Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L vs Black Ember Citadel R3 25: capacity, weight, dimensions and how many airlines accept each as a carry-on, side by side."
source: "https://onebag.travel/compare/g82e90003p/patagonia-black-hole-micro-mlc-22l/m0gizsp8la/black-ember-citadel-r3-25/"
---
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3.  Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L vs. Black Ember Citadel R3 25

# Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L vs. Black Ember Citadel R3 25

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

## [Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L](https://onebag.travel/carryon/g82e90003p/patagonia-black-hole-micro-mlc-22l/)

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

<table class="table table-sm cmp-spec mt-2"><tbody><tr><td>Capacity</td><td>22 L</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>0.9 kg</td></tr><tr><td>Dimensions</td><td>46×30×19 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Airline fit</td><td>94%</td></tr><tr><td>Price</td><td>$150</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Feature by feature

| Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L | Feature | Black Ember Citadel R3 25 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Storage |
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| N | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry |
| hideable | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside |
| 15in | Laptop | 14in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| 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>8.7-oz 300-denier 100% postconsumer recycled polyester ripstop with a postindustrial recycled TPU-film laminate</td><td>421 VELOCITY CORDURA re/cor RN66</td></tr></tbody></table>

## [Black Ember Citadel R3 25](https://onebag.travel/carryon/m0gizsp8la/black-ember-citadel-r3-25/)

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

![Front facing view of the Black Ember Citadel R3 25](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_400/v1788990475/carryons/black-ember-citadel-r3-25-m0gizsp8la.webp)

<table class="table table-sm cmp-spec mt-2"><tbody><tr><td>Capacity</td><td>25 L</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>1.6 kg</td></tr><tr><td>Dimensions</td><td>50×31×18 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Airline fit</td><td>91%</td></tr><tr><td>Price</td><td>$280</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Key differences between the Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L and Black Ember Citadel R3 25

-   **Passport pocket:** No on the Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L; Top on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25.
-   **Backpack straps:** Hideable on the Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L; Yes on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25.
-   **Laptop sleeve:** 15in on the Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L; 14in on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25.
-   **Main compartments:** 2 on the Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L; 4 on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25.

Both have: luggage passthrough, 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. 6 accept only the Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L, and 0 accept only the Black Ember Citadel R3 25.

### Only the Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L fits

Air Niugini, American Eagle, easyJet, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.

## Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L vs. Black Ember Citadel R3 25: which should you pack?

The **Black Ember Citadel R3 25** carries 3L more than the **Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L** (22L vs. 25L), while the **Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L** is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 1.6kg). For carry-on flexibility, the **Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L** fits 94% 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 Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L is the better call.