GORUCK GR1 21 vs. GORUCK GR2 34
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| GORUCK GR1 21 | Feature | GORUCK GR2 34 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 34
- Passport pocket: Top on the GORUCK GR1 21; Front on the GORUCK GR2 34.
- Sternum strap: No on the GORUCK GR1 21; Yes on the GORUCK GR2 34.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the GORUCK GR1 21; 17in on the GORUCK GR2 34.
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. 132 accept both. 46 accept only the GORUCK GR1 21, and 0 accept only the GORUCK GR2 34.
Only the GORUCK GR1 21 fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Australia, Volotea, Xiamen.
GORUCK GR1 21 vs. GORUCK GR2 34: which should you pack?
The GORUCK GR2 34 carries 13L more than the GORUCK GR1 21 (21L vs. 34L), while the GORUCK GR1 21 is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 1.7kg). 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 34; if you want to travel lighter, the GORUCK GR1 21 is the better call.