Gregory Border 25 vs. Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack
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 | Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 16in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 5 |
| 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 | Axoflux 400D ripstop nylon |
Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×28×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $200 |
Key differences between the Gregory Border 25 and Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack
- Opening: Other on the Gregory Border 25; Clamshell on the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the Gregory Border 25; 16in on the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Gregory Border 25; 5 on the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, 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. 136 accept both. 0 accept only the Gregory Border 25, and 40 accept only the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack.
Only the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack 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, Great Lakes Airlines, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, 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.
Gregory Border 25 vs. Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack: which should you pack?
The Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack carries 5L more than the Gregory Border 25 (25L vs. 30L), while the Gregory Border 25 is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 1.5kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack fits 93% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Gregory Border 25 is the better call.