Gregory Border 25 vs. Timbuk2 Uptown
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Gregory Border 25
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×33×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 72% |
| Price | $140 |
Feature by feature
| Gregory Border 25 | Feature | Timbuk2 Uptown |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| PVC-Free Coated 210D High Density 66 Nylon & 100% Recycled 450D Polyester with C0 DWR: designed without PFAS | |
Key differences between the Gregory Border 25 and Timbuk2 Uptown
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the Gregory Border 25; No on the Timbuk2 Uptown.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Gregory Border 25; Removable on the Timbuk2 Uptown.
- Water bottle pockets: 1, side on the Gregory Border 25; 2 on the Timbuk2 Uptown.
Both have: passport pocket, 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. 0 accept only the Gregory Border 25, and 37 accept only the Timbuk2 Uptown.
Only the Timbuk2 Uptown fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, 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.
Gregory Border 25 vs. Timbuk2 Uptown: which should you pack?
The Timbuk2 Uptown carries 5L more than the Gregory Border 25 (25L vs. 30L), while the Gregory Border 25 is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 1.1kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Timbuk2 Uptown fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Timbuk2 Uptown; if you want to travel lighter, the Gregory Border 25 is the better call.