Nordace Windsor vs. Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Nordace Windsor
| Capacity | 22 L |
| Weight | 1.14 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×29×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 94% |
| Price | $135 |
Feature by feature
| Nordace Windsor | Feature | Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 0 |
| Y | Passport | side |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 900D POLYESTER WITH PU LAYER | 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 Nordace Windsor and Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard
- Opening: Clamshell on the Nordace Windsor; Other on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard.
- Passport pocket: Yes on the Nordace Windsor; Side on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard.
- Main compartments: 1 on the Nordace Windsor; 2 on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Nordace Windsor; 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. 140 accept both. 38 accept only the Nordace Windsor, and 2 accept only the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard.
Only the Nordace Windsor fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat 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.
Only the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard fits
Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air.
Nordace Windsor vs. Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard: which should you pack?
The Nordace Windsor carries 1L more than the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard (22L vs. 21L), while the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard is the lighter pack at 1.1kg (vs. 1.14kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Nordace Windsor fits 94% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Nordace Windsor; if you want to travel lighter, the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard is the better call.