Nordace Urban Max vs. Gregory Border 18
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Nordace Urban Max
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 1.05 kg |
| Dimensions | 43×30×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $135 |
Feature by feature
| Nordace Urban Max | Feature | Gregory Border 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 0 |
| Y | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| N | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Polyester | 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 Nordace Urban Max and Gregory Border 18
- Opening: Clamshell on the Nordace Urban Max; Other on the Gregory Border 18.
- Passport pocket: Yes on the Nordace Urban Max; Top on the Gregory Border 18.
- Sternum strap: No on the Nordace Urban Max; Yes on the Gregory Border 18.
- Main compartments: 1 on the Nordace Urban Max; 4 on the Gregory Border 18.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, 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. 175 accept both. 5 accept only the Nordace Urban Max, and 0 accept only the Gregory Border 18.
Only the Nordace Urban Max fits
Air Tahiti, American Eagle, easyJet, Gulf Air, Ravn Alaska.
Nordace Urban Max vs. Gregory Border 18: which should you pack?
The Nordace Urban Max carries 2L more than the Gregory Border 18 (20L vs. 18L), while the Gregory Border 18 is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 1.05kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Nordace Urban Max fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Nordace Urban Max; if you want to travel lighter, the Gregory Border 18 is the better call.