Greenroom136 Rainmaker vs. Exped Cascade 20

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

Greenroom136 Rainmaker

Front facing view of the Greenroom136 Rainmaker
Capacity22 L
Weight1.7 kg
Dimensions40×28×21 cm
Airline fit100%
Price$120

Feature by feature

Greenroom136 RainmakerFeatureExped Cascade 20
Storage
S Compression N
None Expanded Capacity None
4 Opening 4
side Passport N
N Passthrough N
Carry
S Backpack S
N Hip Belt R
S Sternum Strap S
Inside
15 Laptop 13
3 Main Compartments 1
Y Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
0 Water Bottle Holder 0
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
1000D Cordura420 D Oxford nylon, TPU film laminate, >10'000 mm water column

Exped Cascade 20

Front facing view of the Exped Cascade 20
Capacity20 L
Weight0.84 kg
Dimensions47×27×16 cm
Airline fit82%
Price$129

When the fact-finding journey of discovering a new backpack begins, two brands standout: Greenroom136 and Exped, specifically, their Rainmaker and Cascade 20 models respectively. These bags may share a category, but they bring diverse features to the traveler’s table.

The suitability of the Greenroom136 Rainmaker as a carry-on is not disputable. Compatible with 100% of airlines, it stands tall at 40 inches, significantly taller than the Exped Cascade 20, which is only 16 inches tall. While Cascade 20 is wider, at 27 inches compared to Rainmaker's 28 inches, Rainmaker takes the cake in depth, standing at 21 inches deep, in contrast to the Cascade's 47 inches. Weighing in at 1.7 pounds it's twice as heavy as the Exped Cascade 20, which weighs a mere 0.84 pounds. Nevertheless, Rainmaker proposes more capacity, providing 22 liters of carry space against Cascade's 20 liters.

When it comes to the overall build, Rainmaker’s 1000D Cordura body takes the trophy for resilience and durability over Cascade's 420D Oxford nylon and TPU film laminate, even though the latter performs exceptionally under the 10’000 mm water column test. Its laptop deception only elevates Rainmaker’s stature, comfortably sheltering 15-inch laptops, whereas the Cascade can only secure a 13-inch one.

Lastly, let's compare what reviewers and users reckon about the two backpacks. Greenroom136 Rainmaker seems to be championed for its functionality and customizability. It's admirable how it can cater to diverse carrying needs while boasting a weather-resistant fortress. The Exped Cascade 20, on the other hand, delights with its organizational prospects and a lightweight, weatherproof build. It further impresses with its superior suspension system, generating commendations associated with use comfort. The bottom line being, both backpacks have a lot to offer, and it all boils down to user-specific preferences and requirements. Choose wisely.