Troubadour Aero Backpack vs. Gregory Border 25
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Troubadour Aero Backpack
| Capacity | 34 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×34×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 89% |
| Price | $295 |
Feature by feature
| Troubadour Aero Backpack | Feature | Gregory Border 25 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| top, front | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 5 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Recycled polyester | PVC-Free Coated 210D High Density 66 Nylon & 100% Recycled 450D Polyester with C0 DWR: designed without PFAS |
Gregory Border 25
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×33×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 72% |
| Price | $140 |
Key differences between the Troubadour Aero Backpack and Gregory Border 25
- Passport pocket: Top, front on the Troubadour Aero Backpack; Top on the Gregory Border 25.
- Sternum strap: Removable on the Troubadour Aero Backpack; Yes on the Gregory Border 25.
- Main compartments: 5 on the Troubadour Aero Backpack; 4 on the Gregory Border 25.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, laptop sleeve, built-in organizer, water bottle pockets, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 134 accept both. 35 accept only the Troubadour Aero Backpack, and 2 accept only the Gregory Border 25.
Only the Troubadour Aero Backpack fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, Xiamen.
Only the Gregory Border 25 fits
Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways.
Troubadour Aero Backpack vs. Gregory Border 25: which should you pack?
The Troubadour Aero Backpack carries 9L more than the Gregory Border 25 (34L vs. 25L), while the Gregory Border 25 is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Troubadour Aero Backpack fits 89% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Troubadour Aero Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Gregory Border 25 is the better call.