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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
- Longtime viewers know that I’m not a big fan of rolltop backpacks, but now Blackember created their first rolltop backpack. Can they convince me to like rolltop bags? Let’s find out.
Unfortunately this bag has been discontinued. Check out this bag instead.
Blackember Citadel* bit.ly/3KLjoNB
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FULL DISCLOSURE:
The review part of this video is not sponsored nor did I receive any money to review the item. While I sometimes get bags for free, I have to pay custom fees, shipping fees and all my videos have lots of production costs (e.g. software and music rights). Therefore I invest my own money into all of these videos and I have no intention to be biased towards a product or company. Every review and quicklook is written by me and no company can pay for preferential scheduling or what is said in the video. Furthermore, the company sees the video the same time as all viewers here on youtube. All opinions in this video are my own unless stated otherwise.
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HOW I REVIEW:
As you might know from my „How I make a buying decision“ video: Rather than just looking at the pros, I like to evaluate the cons or flaws of an item and then evaluate if I can live with them. That is why in my video reviews I concentrate more on the cons of an item rather than going over all the features. Therefore everything shown is just a fraction of all the points that go into the verdict and score of an item.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A QUICKLOOK AND A REVIEW:
A Quicklook usually covers pre-production units or items that I only used for a short period of time. While Reviews cover final items that I have reviewed intensively.
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After this review, I just started to use my Mission Workshops Rhake again. That one has some silver lining attached inside, but that has two "downsides" or "tradeoffs":
First, you need to sew this to the outer material, which compromizes waterproofing. Secondly, this inner lining moves around and can accidentally be pulled out as well if you unload items.
That is why I believe Blackember decided not to put their silver lining inside. This is just an speculation on my part though.
This is so far the most secure backpack I've seen
The only backpack that stand its ground is the hylete icon 6 in 1 backpack 60 liters but it have cero waterproof surface so it doesn't stand the chance on the test of time and endurance
If Blackember could make a modular bag that competes with the North Face Kaban bag, I'd be all over it! Like you, I've gone through dozens of bags from tactical/military from 5.11 and others w/PALS/MOLLE attachments, external packs strapped on, internal packs packed in, top-loading, roll-top, side-loading, suspended laptop hammock, separate laptop sleeve, hiking bags, laptop bags, business bags, rollers, backpacks, business cases and so on. I haven't found a bag that works as well as the Kaban yet. Give it a try, you might be pretty impressed! I keep finding new things it can do that I hadn't seen before.
I would consider this backpack as a bulk luggage carry bag instead of a everyday bag. Grocery shopping is the perfect example you gave.
If the bag makers see this. They could possibly make the best bag yet! Hopefully they see this! Good review and solid one like always!
That bag is "bombproof"! It looks like that is the one bag to rule them all and would last you a long, long time. Looks like a solid system.
It's definitely very durable 👍
Not even Black Ember, the coolest brand of them all, can make a rolltop backpack cool! Great as always Bo!
Checkout Elveden Hunter backpack
Very good review! I personally like roll top bags better because it gives a person more room to store stuff when traveling.
Regarding not being able to see inside the bag, you can always install a lightweight bike led light inside to see things better 🥰
Hey Bo,
I truly appreciate this detailed review to BLACKEMBER! I am quitly disappointed with the inner dark compartment and the back which is not comfortable; BLACKEMBER needs to take care of to maintain comfort AND functionality; why should I buy a bag where I can't find my stuff inside; ALSO my Laptop wouldn't be safe as well 😐
I truly hope they will review your review and will take care of those items!
The quality seems FANTASTIC!
Thanks again Bo 💪🙂
Thanks, mate. It's still a great bag. Unfortunately, there is no "one fits all" solution with bags or any item for that matter. The material has a lot of benefits but also some tradeoffs. I just started to use Mission Workshops Rhake again, and that one has some silver lining attached inside, but that has two "downsides" or "tradeoffs": First, you need to sew this to the outer material, which compromizes waterproofing. Secondly, this inner lining moves around and can be accidentaly be pulled out as well.
That is why I believe Blackember decided not to put their silver lining inside. This is just an speculation on my part though.
the bag pack looks really good for travelling . will definetly get one
is other too amzn.to/2FIgIyP ;)
Since its pre-production, I'm sure BlackEmber has to have pieces of plastic framesheet laying around to put between the fabric that makes up the side opening slot. Great idea for those that is in a wet or dust and dirt climate, but it just misses on execution for all potential buyers. Thanks for sharing, Bo.
Thanks for watching, mate. I agree to some degree. I wouldn't necessarily say, that they hit the mark. But rather that there are always some tradeoffs and you can't make a "one fit all" solution with any item. For them to make this bag this durable (almost as tough as Goruck I would assume) and waterproof while still adding zippers , there have to be some tradeoff like the black inner lining.
I just started to use Mission Workshops Rhake again, and that one has some silver lining attached inside, but that has two "downsides" or "tradeoffs": First, you need to sew this to the outer material, which compromizes waterproofing. Secondly, this inner lining moves around and can be accidentaly be pulled out as well.
That is why I believe Blackember decided not to put their silver lining inside. This is just an speculation on my part though.
I've been searching for a new waterproof bag that I can load any groceries and other essentials like my Green Guru 24 L bag. My current bag is old and I've had to stitch it up a couple of times and I think it's time to replace it.
Absolutely clamshell. It's not just for better accessibility but also better organization. Rolltop backpacks lacks the ability to properly organize small items in the main compartment. Speaking of Citadel, I really hope that Black Ember provides attachment point inside its main compartment like you said in the review. But unfortunately that didn't happen. I really love their modular system but I don't like clipping all the pouches and accessories outside the bag.
I feel the same way, but there are many instances where rolltop or just toploading bags are better e.g. on a bike or motorbike a rolltop is safer and the expandability is good to have.
I do agree with you....roll-top with top loading (only) it is very hard to find things inside....
moreover, the inside also in black color..... :(
İt is sold out. Will it be availible again?
Great video as always! Ever since using the Timbuk2 Tuck Pack, I have always found it it difficult to access my items from the main compartment when I'm outside. Roll tops also tend to look "taller" which makes it look much bigger for me. (170cm)
Very valid point. 👍Thanks for watching 😉 ✌️
Where can I find it?
Love your video as always..peace from Malaysia..
Personally I do not like the Aesthetics of this backpack especially when you roll the top to close it, it has 2 sort of wings that stick out to the sides that make it look very ugly, in other roll-top backpacks those pointy wings have buckles so that you can fold them downward and buckle them so that the pack's contour will look like a perfect square, but the citadel modular is my favorite pack, I am actually saving money to buy it, and by the way amazing review as always, keep up the good work, you rock!
That's a good point. But the material is designed to be very durable and is therefore quite stiff. Folding it over like that is possible, but a bit cumbersome. Unfortunately, that's one of the tradeoff of being so tough
4:04 Eggs, Bo..?! Living on the edge, mein Freund!
😂 😂 😂
I prefer clamshell opening, but I am loving my Opposethis Invisible 2, too :)
Yes, the invisible 2 is awesome, but it's a toploader and not a rolltop, plus all there are so many positives about that bag. Great choice!
Another great video.
Thank you for all the great reviews. Do you still use the Lexdray Dubai Travel Case and do you still recommend it? Or perhaps you found a better case for long flights?
Thanks for watching, Jema! I don't use the Dubai Travel Case anymore. But I don't have a proper alternative yet.
Im still Fan of rolltop loading BP 😁
I LOVE THIS.
Do they redo it? Like a new version or point 2 of the rolltopBP? Its soo good. Hope your reviews help them to change a bit of it. You're true to point out the other stuff. Nice review!!
Hi Bo Ismono.
What is the light you have on the bag?
I love this bag and will order one, it could be good with my bike.
Thanks for the video
Thanks, Jean-Pierre. I use this light amzn.to/2V9F6Ut
Thanks Bo Ismono ...
Great video! Thank you :)
Hope they will address the back pad issue
As I said in the video, maybe it's just my "issue", your millage may vary if you are taller.
What weight can it hold?
Why couldn't Black Ember use the same high vis material that they did for the Citadel here on the WPRT?
I was asking myself the same thing. I assume that sewing another material to the inside could compromise waterproofing, because most of the other stuff is bonded to the material. Furthermore I remember the rolltop bags of Mission Workshop. And on those bags the inner lining tends to come outside when you take out a bigger item. Both are drawbacks that I would gladly live with for a bright inner lining though
0:09 I'd wager that's the first point of failure right there.
Bo Ismono Can you attach the DSLR pack on the OUTSIDE of the wprt backpack? I need more space 😂😭😭
Hey Ramon.
Unfortunately you can't. The DSLR Pack doesn't have those fidlock mounts. It probably would be too heavy with a camera and lenses inside ;-)
Excellent...
buset dah, ni orang mana ya, namanye kaya tetangga gua "Ismono", haha
Waterproofing a traditional zip open backpack ? My easy solution is that I just use one the rain covers that came with my Camera Backpacks on my normal backpack. You can also buy them on amazon or online just look for backpack rain cover.
But then it does not rain a lot in Southern California, well not like Europe or the UK where I used to live where it seemed like I wore "waterproofs" everyday back then a lot of us kept our equipment in plastic bags, the backpacks were not as advanced as they are now.
I do see having one around as go to bag when the weather gets cold-wet.
Funny thing is I know people who like roll top bags, one thing though you don't have to worry about stuff falling out if the zipper is open or someone left a zipper open. I once forgot to zip up the side loading computer compartment on one of my camera bags got on my bike made a right turn and leaning pretty good and something poked my arm, my laptop was trying to make a exit, that was an exciting moment.
BTW ALL of my Camera and Backpacks now the Computer loads from the top. 😆
Hey DOnald,
Yes, with rolltops or toploaders you don't have to worry about things falling outside. I personally am not a fan of rain covers. They are just easy to loose and catch wind easily. Furthermore they do destroy the look of the bag a lot ;-) If you live in a rainy area, then this bag is pretty good imo
Hey Bo
The rain covers for my Camera bag the few times I have used them they stayed on, one of my bags the cover is attached to the bag with a strap. I have only ridden with one on the bike a few times when I had to, if its raining I'll take the Car or use Uber/Lyft and sometimes the Bus in those situation a rain cover seems to work, or just get a waterproof bag. I don't shoot in the rain too often anyway if Im in the rain its for other reasons.
LOL as far as looks go I can live with that, its hard to look cool and stylish wearing bright orange or yellow waterproofs or one the reflective rain suits, someone told me at a gas station I look like an astronaut when I was wearing mine.
Haha. That's very true. As you can see in the video I look like a neon astronaut as well
Thanks Bo for this great review as Always. To answer quickly your question I like both openings but their use is very different . I love to travel light or very light and when I’m alone I prefer Clamshell opening. But now I’m a young dad, I’ve got a dog and I always need to carry a bunch of things. Roll top allows me to have more adaptabilty in any situation.
Thanks for watching. Yes, it's all about "different horses for different courses" ;-)
She's there!!!
#FanOfHappy
clamshell!
someday "They" will bond a led strip inside the bag, so you can find what you are looking for in the deep bright hole.
A good idea, but I personally don't like electronics inside inside my bag. Once they break its hard to exchange them or get replacement parts. So I would rather keep the bag simple and add my own "gimmicks" 😉
Clamshell ! :-)
Could someone use this backpack for one bag travel?
You could in theory, but I personally would prefer a clamshell opening bag for that.
I used it for one bag travel, just for 3d2n out of town. And I feel like you are gonna need a sidekick daypack for the mid day excursions. This backpack is great for hauling, but for accessing your items, you might want to get the admin pouches accessories. Oh and I feel like I’m going to need the waist belt to help with the weight.
I was gonna get one but then I realised I had to pay $50 shipping
International shipping is very expensive unfortunately. Especially with bags because they usually use bigger boxes than other items.
Bo Ismono yeah I’m gonna have to save for another 3 weeks to afford shipping but I’m sure it will be worth it!