Gregory Border 25 vs. Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Gregory Border 25
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×33×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 72% |
| Price | $140 |
Feature by feature
| Gregory Border 25 | Feature | Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| top | Passport | side |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| PVC-Free Coated 210D High Density 66 Nylon & 100% Recycled 450D Polyester with C0 DWR: designed without PFAS | 100% polyester with TPU matte coating |
Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard
| Capacity | 21 L |
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 41×28×22 cm |
| Airline fit | 75% |
| Price | $110 |
Key differences between the Gregory Border 25 and Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard
- Passport pocket: Top on the Gregory Border 25; Side on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Gregory Border 25; 2 on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard.
- Water bottle pockets: 1, side on the Gregory Border 25; 2, side on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, 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. 136 accept both. 0 accept only the Gregory Border 25, and 6 accept only the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard.
Only the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard fits
Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Pakistan International, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
Gregory Border 25 vs. Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard: which should you pack?
The Gregory Border 25 carries 4L more than the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard (25L vs. 21L), while the Gregory Border 25 is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 1.1kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard fits 75% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Gregory Border 25; if you want to travel lighter, the Gregory Border 25 is the better call.