North Face Recon vs. Gregory Nano 24L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
North Face Recon
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 49×30×19 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $110 |
Feature by feature
| North Face Recon | Feature | Gregory Nano 24L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| front | Passport | front |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | N |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| Y | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 210D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish | 210D High Density 40% Recycled Nylon / 450D 100% recycled Polyester with C0 DWR |
Gregory Nano 24L
| Capacity | 24 L |
| Weight | 0.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 53×28×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 70% |
| Price | $100 |
Key differences between the North Face Recon and Gregory Nano 24L
- Compression straps: 4 on the North Face Recon; 2 on the Gregory Nano 24L.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the North Face Recon; No on the Gregory Nano 24L.
- Built-in organizer: Yes on the North Face Recon; No on the Gregory Nano 24L.
Both have: passport pocket, backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, 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. 132 accept both. 41 accept only the North Face Recon, and 1 accept only the Gregory Nano 24L.
Only the North Face Recon 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, 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), Volotea, Xiamen.
Only the Gregory Nano 24L fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
North Face Recon vs. Gregory Nano 24L: which should you pack?
The North Face Recon carries 6L more than the Gregory Nano 24L (30L vs. 24L), while the Gregory Nano 24L is the lighter pack at 0.6kg (vs. 1.2kg). For carry-on flexibility, the North Face Recon fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the North Face Recon; if you want to travel lighter, the Gregory Nano 24L is the better call.