GORUCK GR1 21 vs. GORUCK GR2 40
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| GORUCK GR1 21 | Feature | GORUCK GR2 40 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | front |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| N | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 17in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Dyneema Composite Fabric (CT9Hw6/blkwov6) | 1000D Cordura w/ 210D Back Panel |
Key differences between the GORUCK GR1 21 and GORUCK GR2 40
- Passport pocket: Top on the GORUCK GR1 21; Front on the GORUCK GR2 40.
- Sternum strap: No on the GORUCK GR1 21; Yes on the GORUCK GR2 40.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the GORUCK GR1 21; 17in on the GORUCK GR2 40.
Both have: backpack straps, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 88 accept both. 90 accept only the GORUCK GR1 21, and 0 accept only the GORUCK GR2 40.
Only the GORUCK GR1 21 fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, All Nipon Airways, American Eagle, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Azerbaijan Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Czech Airlines, easyJet, 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, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, 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), Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
GORUCK GR1 21 vs. GORUCK GR2 40: which should you pack?
The GORUCK GR2 40 carries 19L more than the GORUCK GR1 21 (21L vs. 40L), while the GORUCK GR1 21 is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 2kg). For carry-on flexibility, the GORUCK GR1 21 fits 94% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the GORUCK GR2 40; if you want to travel lighter, the GORUCK GR1 21 is the better call.