Fjallraven Vardag 25 vs. Exped Cascade 20
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Fjallraven Vardag 25
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 0.48 kg |
| Dimensions | 43×31×14.5 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $80 |
Feature by feature
| Fjallraven Vardag 25 | Feature | Exped Cascade 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 13in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| G-1000® HeavyDuty Eco S: 65% polyester, 35% cotton | 420 D Oxford nylon, TPU film laminate, >10'000 mm water column |
Key differences between the Fjallraven Vardag 25 and Exped Cascade 20
- Hip belt: No on the Fjallraven Vardag 25; Removable on the Exped Cascade 20.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Fjallraven Vardag 25; 13in on the Exped Cascade 20.
Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 174 accept both. 5 accept only the Fjallraven Vardag 25, and 2 accept only the Exped Cascade 20.
Only the Fjallraven Vardag 25 fits
Air Tahiti, American Eagle, easyJet, Gulf Air, Ravn Alaska.
Only the Exped Cascade 20 fits
Air Niugini, Great Lakes Airlines.
Fjallraven Vardag 25 vs. Exped Cascade 20: which should you pack?
The Fjallraven Vardag 25 carries 5L more than the Exped Cascade 20 (25L vs. 20L), while the Fjallraven Vardag 25 is the lighter pack at 0.48kg (vs. 0.84kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Fjallraven Vardag 25 fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Fjallraven Vardag 25; if you want to travel lighter, the Fjallraven Vardag 25 is the better call.