Gregory Border 40 vs. REI Co-op Ruckpack 40
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Gregory Border 40
| Capacity | 40 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×36×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 45% |
| Price | $200 |
Feature by feature
| Gregory Border 40 | Feature | REI Co-op Ruckpack 40 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top, side |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| hideable | Hip Belt | hideable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 5 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | Y |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| PVC-Free Coated 210D High Density 66 Nylon PFAS free | recycled nylon shell |
REI Co-op Ruckpack 40
| Capacity | 40 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 58×38×24 cm |
| Airline fit | 4% |
| Price | $159 |
Key differences between the Gregory Border 40 and REI Co-op Ruckpack 40
- Compression straps: No on the Gregory Border 40; 2 on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 40.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Gregory Border 40; Top, side on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 40.
- Main compartments: 3 on the Gregory Border 40; 5 on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 40.
- Rain cover: No on the Gregory Border 40; Yes on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 40.
- Water bottle pockets: 1, side on the Gregory Border 40; 2, side on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 40.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 7 accept both. 78 accept only the Gregory Border 40, and 0 accept only the REI Co-op Ruckpack 40.
Only the Gregory Border 40 fits
Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Europa, Air Koryo, Air Macau, Air New Zealand, Air Nostrum, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Atlas Global, Avianca , Azul Linhas, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, British Airways, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Southern, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Cubana de Aviacion, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EL AL, EVA Air, Finnair, Garuda Indonesia, Hainan Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iran Aseman Air, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Korean Air, Kulula, Kuwait Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Onur Air, Philippine Airlines, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, Royal Air Morocco, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, SilkAir, Silver Airways, Singapore Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SpiceJet, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, TAAG Angola, TAM Airlines, Thai Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, United Airlines, Ural Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, WOW Airlines.
Gregory Border 40 vs. REI Co-op Ruckpack 40: which should you pack?
The Gregory Border 40 carries the same capacity as the REI Co-op Ruckpack 40 (40L vs. 40L), while the Gregory Border 40 is the lighter pack at 1.3kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Gregory Border 40 fits 45% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Gregory Border 40; if you want to travel lighter, the Gregory Border 40 is the better call.