Ortlieb Velocity vs. Exped Cascade 25
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Ortlieb Velocity
| Capacity | 23 L |
| Weight | 0.88 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×30×16 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $135 |
Feature by feature
| Ortlieb Velocity | Feature | Exped Cascade 25 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| PD620, PS620C | 420 D Oxford nylon, TPU film laminate, >10'000 mm water column |
Key differences between the Ortlieb Velocity and Exped Cascade 25
- Opening: Rolltop on the Ortlieb Velocity; Top zip on the Exped Cascade 25.
- Sternum strap: Removable on the Ortlieb Velocity; Yes on the Exped Cascade 25.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, 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. 138 accept both. 35 accept only the Ortlieb Velocity, and 0 accept only the Exped Cascade 25.
Only the Ortlieb Velocity 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, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, Xiamen.
Ortlieb Velocity vs. Exped Cascade 25: which should you pack?
The Exped Cascade 25 carries 2L more than the Ortlieb Velocity (23L vs. 25L), while the Ortlieb Velocity is the lighter pack at 0.88kg (vs. 0.9kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Ortlieb Velocity fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Exped Cascade 25; if you want to travel lighter, the Ortlieb Velocity is the better call.