Black Ember Citadel R3 25 vs. Black Ember Citadel 18
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 | Black 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 | ||
| 14in | Laptop | 14in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| 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 | 420 VELOCITY CORDURA re/cor RN66 |
Black Ember Citadel 18
| Capacity | 18 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 43×29×16 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $240 |
Key differences between the Black Ember Citadel R3 25 and Black Ember Citadel 18
- Main compartments: 4 on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25; 3 on the Black Ember Citadel 18.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, 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 Black Ember Citadel 18.
Only the Black Ember Citadel 18 fits
Air Niugini, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, easyJet, Gulf Air, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
Black Ember Citadel R3 25 vs. Black Ember Citadel 18: which should you pack?
The Black Ember Citadel R3 25 carries 7L more than the Black Ember Citadel 18 (25L vs. 18L), while the Black Ember Citadel 18 is the lighter pack at 1.3kg (vs. 1.6kg). 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 Black Ember Citadel R3 25; if you want to travel lighter, the Black Ember Citadel 18 is the better call.