Vertx Gamut 22L Backpack vs. Black Ember Citadel R3 25
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Vertx Gamut 22L Backpack
| Capacity | 22 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 53×28×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 70% |
| Price | $230 |
Feature by feature
| Vertx Gamut 22L Backpack | 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 |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 14in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500D 100% 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 Vertx Gamut 22L Backpack and Black Ember Citadel R3 25
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the Vertx Gamut 22L Backpack; 14in on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Vertx Gamut 22L Backpack; 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. 132 accept both. 1 accept only the Vertx Gamut 22L Backpack, and 40 accept only the Black Ember Citadel R3 25.
Only the Vertx Gamut 22L Backpack fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
Only the Black Ember Citadel R3 25 fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, Xiamen.
Vertx Gamut 22L Backpack vs. Black Ember Citadel R3 25: which should you pack?
The Black Ember Citadel R3 25 carries 3L more than the Vertx Gamut 22L Backpack (22L vs. 25L), while the Vertx Gamut 22L Backpack is the lighter pack at 1.3kg (vs. 1.6kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Black Ember Citadel R3 25 fits 91% 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 Vertx Gamut 22L Backpack is the better call.