Vertx Gamut 22L Backpack vs. Black Ember Citadel 18

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

Vertx Gamut 22L Backpack

Front facing view of the Vertx Gamut 22L Backpack
Capacity22 L
Weight1.3 kg
Dimensions53×28×23 cm
Airline fit70%
Price$230

Feature by feature

Vertx Gamut 22L BackpackFeatureBlack Ember Citadel 18
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 3
N Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
2, side Water Bottle Holder N
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
500D 100% Nylon420 VELOCITY CORDURA re/cor RN66

Black Ember Citadel 18

Front facing view of the Black Ember Citadel 18
Capacity18 L
Weight1.3 kg
Dimensions43×29×16 cm
Airline fit95%
Price$240

Key differences between the Vertx Gamut 22L Backpack and Black Ember Citadel 18

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 48 accept only the Black Ember Citadel 18.

Only the Vertx Gamut 22L Backpack fits

Great Lakes Airlines.

Only the Black Ember Citadel 18 fits

Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Gulf Air, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, 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), Virgin Australia, Volotea, Xiamen.

Vertx Gamut 22L Backpack vs. Black Ember Citadel 18: which should you pack?

The Vertx Gamut 22L Backpack carries 4L more than the Black Ember Citadel 18 (22L vs. 18L), while the Vertx Gamut 22L Backpack is the lighter pack at 1.3kg (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 Vertx Gamut 22L Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Vertx Gamut 22L Backpack is the better call.