Morgan Scott May 1, 2020 Laptop & Tech

Black Ember Citadel R2 Review & Waterproof Test – The best everyday waterproof backpack?

Morgan Scott May 1, 2020 Laptop & Tech

Black Ember is a design studio out of San Fransisco that specializes in innovative technical backpacks for urban carry. Their Citadel R2 Minimal is a revised version of their original award winning Citadel backpack and we wanted to see if this backpack really lives up to the hype.

What we found is a true unicorn. Full clamshell access to the main compartment, a customizable modular design and waterproof construction are just a few of the features the Citadel R2 has to offer.

In this hands-on backpack review we will take a detailed look at the Black Ember Citadel R2 Minimal and perform our own waterproof test to see how the backpack really holds up to water exposure.

Table of Contents

• Video Review
• Materials and Construction
• Pockets and Compartments
• Waterproof Test
• Fit and Comfort Features
• Final Thoughts

Details at a glance:

• Capacity: 25L

• Dimensions: 19.5” (H) x 12.5” (W) x 6.5” (D)

• Weight: 3lbs (without compression divider)

• Materials: 3-layer 900D Microhex textile, laser-cut Hypalon, 200D Ripstop Nylon lining

• Zippers: YKK Aquaguard Zippers

• Padded 15” laptop sleeve

• Removable compression divider with tablet sleeve

• Full clamshell zipper access to main compartment

Video Review

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Materials and Construction

The Black Ember Citadel R2 weighs three pounds when empty and this is not including the internal compression divider that adds a few more ounces. When compared to similar non-waterproof backpacks the Citadel R2 is definitely on the heavier side. In our experience this heavier weight is common with waterproof backpacks that use waterproof materials.

The backpack itself is made from three-layered Microhex which is a thick and beefy material and one of reasons the Citadel R2 can hold it’s shape so well even when empty. Other materials used include laser-cut Hypalon for the modular accessory panels and accents and 200D Ripstop Nylon for the internal lining and pockets.

When it comes to hardware the Citadel R2 uses waterproof YKK Aquaguard zippers and a mix of plastic and aircraft-grade anodized aluminum for the various buckles and strap adjusters.

To create a waterproof seal Black Ember opted for a bonded seam construction. We were surprised to find that the Citadel R2 did not use a welded seam construction that is common with fully waterproof backpacks but were pleasantly surprised to find the bonded seam construction held up very well during our waterproof testing with no leaking.

When it comes to quality the Black Ember Citadel R2 Minimal gets an A+. It feels hefty, holds it’s shape well and the black on black materials play well together. One detail we noticed is that the Hypalon material did develop water stains after being repeatedly wet. The zippers, bonded seam construction and Microhex fabric however held up to any abuse we threw their way.

Modular Design

What really sets Black Ember bags apart from other brands is their focus on modular customization and the Citadel R2 is no exception.

The Black Ember Citadel R2 comes in two versions: The Citadel R2 Modular and the Citadel R2 Minimal. 

Although the Citadel R2 Minimal has far less modular attachments points, Black Ember still gives you some great options for adding accessories thanks various attachment points on the front, top and sides of the backpack.

Examples of modular accessories for the Citadel R2 Minimal include compression straps, extra handles, and a water bottle holder. For a full list of the current accessory options we encourage you to check them out on the official Black Ember website.

Along with extra accessories, the Black Ember Citadel R2 Minimal carries the modular theme in  every facet of its design. The handles are removable and can be placed on the top or either side to your liking. The shoulder straps are completely removable if you choose to use the Citadel R2 exclusively as a soft-briefcase and the compression divider on the inside is also removable for a more open layout.

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Pockets and Compartments

One thing the Citadel R2 does very well is pocket placement and accessibility. Let’s explore each compartment detail.

Front Pocket

On the front of the backpack you have an essentials pocket equipped with a waterproof YKK Aquaguard zipper. Inside the pocket you will find two small slip pockets and a removable Maglock key leash.

This pocket extends to the entire front panel of the backpack to allow you to stow larger flat items like a book or notebook.

Laptop Sleeve

When it comes to inside storage you will notice two zippers on the top of the backpack. The zipper closer to the back panel gives you access only to the 15” laptop compartment.

The zipper closer to the front is where you can gain access to the clamshell main compartment.

This is an uncommon zipper design that takes some getting use to. Once inside the main compartment there isn’t any way to remove your laptop from the laptop sleeve – forcing you to use that first back zipper exclusively to access your laptop.

The laptop sleeve itself is fully padded on all sides and the inside is lined with a soft fleece material.

One great design feature is that this laptop sleeve “floats” inside the main compartment allowing for extra protection from bumps and drops.

Main Compartment Pockets

The Citadel R2 is filled with pockets and compartments that line both the front and back of the main compartment.

On top of the laptop sleeve you will find two slip pockets and a zippered mesh pocket. Against the front panel you will find a similar configuration with two more slip pockets and a larger mesh pocket.

Behind the front panel pockets is a full-size document pocket that is great for storing flat documents, notebooks or folders.

The slip pockets inside the main compartment are pretty small. We were able to comfortably fit thinner items like glasses, phones, wallets and slim external hard drives inside the slip pockets. Thicker items like over-ear headphones, small bluetooth speakers or camera lenses did not fit.

Removable Compression Divider

A cool feature of the Citadel R2 is the removable compression divider found inside the main compartment. This divider allows you to partition the main compartment if needed. 

A real use example is packing for an overnight stay – you could pack your clothes behind the compression divider and cinch it down. This allows you to open the main compartment without your clothes spilling out.

The compression divider is also home to the tablet sleeve. This tablet sleeve is very roomy, we were able to place an 11” iPad Pro in there with room to spare.

Hidden Back Document Pocket

The only other outside pocket is a hidden pocket behind the back panel that allows you to quickly stow away flat items like a passport, airline tickets or documents. This pocket extends almost to the full width and height of the back panel.

Waterproof Test

Our waterproof test was pretty simple: We packed the backpack with towels and lined the main compartment with pieces of paper to allow us to easily see if any leaks have occurred. We then tried our best to simulate a heavy rainfall with a garden hose for five minutes at a time.

Waterproof test results

We found that the bonded seam construction and YKK Aquaguard zippers did a great job at keeping water out of the backpack. The waterproof Microhex material dried quickly and did a great job at blocking any water from seeping through the fabric.

There was only one point of leakage we could find and that was between the two zipper sliders. If you look closely between the two zipper sliders there is a very small gap between them that unfortunately let in some moisture.

This was only an issue when we left the zipper sliders on the top of the backpack. Once they were moved to the side it eliminated the leaking after further repeated water tests.

This is a small detail – but one worth pointing out. As long as the zipper sliders are left vertically water will tend to run down the zipper instead of leaking inside that small gap. Once the zipper sliders were moved to the side of the backpack the inside remained dry.

Overall we are impressed with how the Citadel R2 holds up to repeated water exposure. It’s important to note that this backpack has a waterproof rating of IPX6 – this means that this backpack cannot be submerged in water and be expected to stay dry. It’s not a dry bag – but it’s pretty close. For rainy days we feel confident that the Black Ember Citadel R2 will do a great job at offering moisture protection.

Fit and Comfort Features

The external measurements of the Black Ember CItadel R2 are 19.5” (H) x 12.5” (W) x 6.5” (D). When combined with its weight of 3lbs makes it feels like a larger backpack.

This being said, anyone on the shorter side (under 5’5”) may find the backpack too long vertically and the shoulder straps may not be able to be adjusted to a snug enough fit if you have very slim shoulders.

The shoulder straps are very padded and feature an ergonomic curve. They can be adjusted using velcro straps on the top and strap adjusters on the bottom.

A great feature the Citadel R2 includes is a closed-loop shoulder straps. This design eliminates annoying dangling straps and gives you a much cleaner look when worn. This is a great feature we wish more backpacks would incorporate – one of the only other backpacks we have seen with a similar closed-loop system is the Day Owl Backpack.

The back panel is interesting. Black Ember uses two sheets of perforated EVA foam. This back panel hits a sweet spot between rigidity and padded comfort. The space between the two EVA foam panels create an airflow channel.

Another subtle feature is that the EVA foam has these small cutouts that aid in back cooling when worn. 

The Citadel R2 includes a removable sternum strap and a waist belt can be purchased separately. The sternum strap is incredibly easy to snap on and off thanks to its inclusion of a Maglock buckle.

Final Thoughts

So is the Black Ember Citadel R2 worth it? Yes, we think so.

Our overall impressions are positive. It’s hard to name another backpack that gives you these many great features all in one bag. The clamshell access and waterproofness already had us sold. 

But it’s not until you add in all of the other details like a modular design and great pocket placement that you really start to appreciate all the care that Black Ember has put into its design. This bag really does feel like a labor of love and we dig that.

Where to buy: Black Ember

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