Black Ember Citadel R3 25 vs. GORUCK GR3
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 | GORUCK GR3 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 14in | Laptop | 17in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| 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 | 1000D Cordura w/ 210D Back Panel |
Key differences between the Black Ember Citadel R3 25 and GORUCK GR3
- Compression straps: No on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25; 4 on the GORUCK GR3.
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25; No on the GORUCK GR3.
- Laptop sleeve: 14in on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25; 17in on the GORUCK GR3.
Both have: passport pocket, 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. 85 accept both. 87 accept only the Black Ember Citadel R3 25, and 0 accept only the GORUCK GR3.
Only the Black Ember Citadel R3 25 fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, All Nipon Airways, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Azerbaijan Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Caribbean Airlines, Cayman Airways, China Eastern, Croatia Air, Czech Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Gol Linhas Aereas, Iberia, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Interjet, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Peach, Porter Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
Black Ember Citadel R3 25 vs. GORUCK GR3: which should you pack?
The GORUCK GR3 carries 20L more than the Black Ember Citadel R3 25 (25L vs. 45L), while the Black Ember Citadel R3 25 is the lighter pack at 1.6kg (vs. 2.3kg). 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 GR3; if you want to travel lighter, the Black Ember Citadel R3 25 is the better call.