Thule Subterra 34L vs. Gregory Border 18
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Thule Subterra 34L
| Capacity | 34 L |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×31×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 70% |
| Price | $180 |
Feature by feature
| Thule Subterra 34L | Feature | Gregory Border 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 0 |
| side | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 800D nylon | 210D High Density Nylon |
Gregory Border 18
| Capacity | 18 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×29×16 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $120 |
Key differences between the Thule Subterra 34L and Gregory Border 18
- Opening: Rolltop on the Thule Subterra 34L; Other on the Gregory Border 18.
- Passport pocket: Side on the Thule Subterra 34L; Top on the Gregory Border 18.
- Water bottle pockets: 1, side on the Thule Subterra 34L; No on the Gregory Border 18.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, 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. 132 accept both. 0 accept only the Thule Subterra 34L, and 43 accept only the Gregory Border 18.
Only the Gregory Border 18 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, Etihad Airways, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, 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.
Thule Subterra 34L vs. Gregory Border 18: which should you pack?
The Thule Subterra 34L carries 16L more than the Gregory Border 18 (34L vs. 18L), while the Gregory Border 18 is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 1.2kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Gregory Border 18 fits 93% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Thule Subterra 34L; if you want to travel lighter, the Gregory Border 18 is the better call.