Black Ember Citadel R3 25 vs. Timbuk2 Scheme
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Black Ember Citadel R3 25
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 1.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×31×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 91% |
| Price | $280 |
Feature by feature
| Black Ember Citadel R3 25 | Feature | Timbuk2 Scheme |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | side |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | hideable |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 14in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 6 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 421 VELOCITY CORDURA re/cor RN66 | |
Key differences between the Black Ember Citadel R3 25 and Timbuk2 Scheme
- Passport pocket: Top on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25; Side on the Timbuk2 Scheme.
- Backpack straps: Yes on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25; Hideable on the Timbuk2 Scheme.
- Laptop sleeve: 14in on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25; 15in on the Timbuk2 Scheme.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25; 6 on the Timbuk2 Scheme.
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. 0 accept only the Black Ember Citadel R3 25, and 8 accept only the Timbuk2 Scheme.
Only the Timbuk2 Scheme fits
Air Niugini, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, easyJet, Gulf Air, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
Black Ember Citadel R3 25 vs. Timbuk2 Scheme: which should you pack?
The Black Ember Citadel R3 25 carries 4L more than the Timbuk2 Scheme (25L vs. 21L), while the Timbuk2 Scheme is the lighter pack at 1.2kg (vs. 1.6kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Timbuk2 Scheme 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 Timbuk2 Scheme is the better call.