Gregory Border 25 vs. Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L
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 | Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | hideable |
| N | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| PVC-Free Coated 210D High Density 66 Nylon & 100% Recycled 450D Polyester with C0 DWR: designed without PFAS | 8.7-oz 300-denier |
Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×30×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 89% |
| Price | $200 |
Key differences between the Gregory Border 25 and Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L
- Opening: Other on the Gregory Border 25; Clamshell on the Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L.
- Backpack straps: Yes on the Gregory Border 25; Hideable on the Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L.
- Hip belt: No on the Gregory Border 25; Removable on the Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Gregory Border 25; 3 on the Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, sternum strap, 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. 2 accept only the Gregory Border 25, and 35 accept only the Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L.
Only the Gregory Border 25 fits
Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways.
Only the Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L 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.
Gregory Border 25 vs. Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L: which should you pack?
The Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L carries 5L more than the Gregory Border 25 (25L vs. 30L), while the Gregory Border 25 is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L fits 89% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L; if you want to travel lighter, the Gregory Border 25 is the better call.