Airback Original vs. GORUCK GR3
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Airback Original
| Capacity | 22 L |
| Weight | 1.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 49×32×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 91% |
| Price | $220 |
Feature by feature
| Airback Original | Feature | GORUCK GR3 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| Hip Belt | N | |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 17in | Laptop | 17in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 100% Recycled Nylon 900D Face wax coating & Back PU coating, GRS certified, PFC free | 1000D Cordura w/ 210D Back Panel |
Key differences between the Airback Original and GORUCK GR3
- Water bottle pockets: 1, side on the Airback Original; No on the GORUCK GR3.
Both have: compression straps, passport pocket, backpack straps, 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. 85 accept both. 87 accept only the Airback Original, and 0 accept only the GORUCK GR3.
Only the Airback Original fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, All Nipon Airways, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Azerbaijan Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Caribbean Airlines, Cayman Airways, China Eastern, Croatia Air, Czech Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Gol Linhas Aereas, Iberia, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Interjet, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Peach, Porter Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
Airback Original vs. GORUCK GR3: which should you pack?
The GORUCK GR3 carries 23L more than the Airback Original (22L vs. 45L), while the Airback Original is the lighter pack at 1.7kg (vs. 2.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Airback Original fits 91% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the GORUCK GR3; if you want to travel lighter, the Airback Original is the better call.