ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada vs. Gregory Border 25
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada
| Capacity | 22 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×28×13 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $350 |
Feature by feature
| ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada | Feature | Gregory Border 25 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 0 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| optional | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side, internal | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| ULTRA 400TX | 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 ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada and Gregory Border 25
- Opening: Clamshell on the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada; Other on the Gregory Border 25.
- Hip belt: Optional on the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada; No on the Gregory Border 25.
- Sternum strap: Removable on the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada; Yes on the Gregory Border 25.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side, internal on the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada; 1, side on the Gregory Border 25.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, laptop sleeve, 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. 136 accept both. 43 accept only the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada, and 0 accept only the Gregory Border 25.
Only the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada 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, flybe, Great Lakes Airlines, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, 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), Virgin Australia, Volotea, Xiamen.
ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada vs. Gregory Border 25: which should you pack?
The Gregory Border 25 carries 3L more than the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada (22L vs. 25L), while the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 0.9kg). For carry-on flexibility, the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Gregory Border 25; if you want to travel lighter, the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada is the better call.