---
url: "https://onebag.travel/compare/m0gizsp8la/black-ember-citadel-r3-25/t6olnkoaw2/goruck-gr1-26/"
title: "Black Ember Citadel R3 25 vs GORUCK GR1 26 - One Bag Travel"
description: "Black Ember Citadel R3 25 vs GORUCK GR1 26: capacity, weight, dimensions and how many airlines accept each as a carry-on, side by side."
source: "https://onebag.travel/compare/m0gizsp8la/black-ember-citadel-r3-25/t6olnkoaw2/goruck-gr1-26/"
---
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3.  Black Ember Citadel R3 25 vs. GORUCK GR1 26

# Black Ember Citadel R3 25 vs. GORUCK GR1 26

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

## [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>

## Feature by feature

| Black Ember Citadel R3 25 | Feature | GORUCK GR1 26 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Storage |
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry |
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | N |
| Inside |
| 14in | Laptop | 17in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| 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>421 VELOCITY CORDURA re/cor RN66</td><td>1000D Cordura</td></tr></tbody></table>

## [GORUCK GR1 26](https://onebag.travel/carryon/t6olnkoaw2/goruck-gr1-26/)

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

![Front facing view of the GORUCK GR1 26](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_400/v1601598261/carryons/20016_source_1570272547_155c454e-df38-49c9-8039-74db56af758b_1800x1800_owhkvj.webp)

<table class="table table-sm cmp-spec mt-2"><tbody><tr><td>Capacity</td><td>26 L</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>1.5 kg</td></tr><tr><td>Dimensions</td><td>51×31×17 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Airline fit</td><td>89%</td></tr><tr><td>Price</td><td>$345</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Key differences between the Black Ember Citadel R3 25 and GORUCK GR1 26

-   **Luggage passthrough:** Yes on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25; No on the GORUCK GR1 26.
-   **Sternum strap:** Removable on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25; No on the GORUCK GR1 26.
-   **Laptop sleeve:** 14in on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25; 17in on the GORUCK GR1 26.
-   **Main compartments:** 4 on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25; 3 on the GORUCK GR1 26.

Both have: passport pocket, backpack straps, water resistant.

## Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on

We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 169 accept both. 3 accept only the Black Ember Citadel R3 25, and 0 accept only the GORUCK GR1 26.

### Only the Black Ember Citadel R3 25 fits

Belavia, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways.

## Black Ember Citadel R3 25 vs. GORUCK GR1 26: which should you pack?

The **GORUCK GR1 26** carries 1L more than the **Black Ember Citadel R3 25** (25L vs. 26L), while the **GORUCK GR1 26** is the lighter pack at 1.5kg (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 GORUCK GR1 26; if you want to travel lighter, the GORUCK GR1 26 is the better call.