Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro vs. Gregory Border 18
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 48×31×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $190 |
Feature by feature
| Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro | Feature | Gregory Border 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 15in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| X-Pac VX42 Also: Axoflux Recycled Fabric (POLY 600D) | 210D High Density Nylon |
Gregory Border 18
| Capacity | 18 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×29×16 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $120 |
Key differences between the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro and Gregory Border 18
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro; 15in on the Gregory Border 18.
- Main compartments: 3 on the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro; 4 on the Gregory Border 18.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro; No on the Gregory Border 18.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, built-in organizer, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 174 accept both. 0 accept only the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro, and 1 accept only the Gregory Border 18.
Only the Gregory Border 18 fits
Air Niugini.
Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro vs. Gregory Border 18: which should you pack?
The Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro carries 8L more than the Gregory Border 18 (26L vs. 18L), while the Gregory Border 18 is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Gregory Border 18 fits 93% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro; if you want to travel lighter, the Gregory Border 18 is the better call.