Troubadour Ridge Backpack vs. Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Troubadour Ridge Backpack
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×30×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $325 |
Feature by feature
| Troubadour Ridge Backpack | Feature | Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| top, front | Passport | side |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| N | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 17in | Laptop | 15in |
| 7 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Recycled polyester. | 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 Troubadour Ridge Backpack and Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard
- Passport pocket: Top, front on the Troubadour Ridge Backpack; Side on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard.
- Sternum strap: No on the Troubadour Ridge Backpack; Yes on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard.
- Laptop sleeve: 17in on the Troubadour Ridge Backpack; 15in on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard.
- Main compartments: 7 on the Troubadour Ridge Backpack; 2 on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, built-in organizer, water bottle pockets, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 139 accept both. 36 accept only the Troubadour Ridge Backpack, and 3 accept only the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard.
Only the Troubadour Ridge Backpack 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, 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, Ravn Alaska.
Troubadour Ridge Backpack vs. Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard: which should you pack?
The Troubadour Ridge Backpack carries 4L more than the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard (25L vs. 21L), while the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard is the lighter pack at 1.1kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Troubadour Ridge Backpack fits 93% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Troubadour Ridge Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard is the better call.