Alpaka Gear Bravo 23L vs. Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Alpaka Gear Bravo 23L
| Capacity | 23 L |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×30×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $175 |
Feature by feature
| Alpaka Gear Bravo 23L | Feature | Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| side | Passport | side |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 15in |
| 3 | 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 | |
| Axoflux 400D Ripstop Nylon | 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 Alpaka Gear Bravo 23L and Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard
- Sternum strap: Removable on the Alpaka Gear Bravo 23L; Yes on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Alpaka Gear Bravo 23L; 15in on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard.
- Main compartments: 3 on the Alpaka Gear Bravo 23L; 2 on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard.
Both have: passport pocket, 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 Alpaka Gear Bravo 23L, and 3 accept only the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard.
Only the Alpaka Gear Bravo 23L 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.
Alpaka Gear Bravo 23L vs. Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard: which should you pack?
The Alpaka Gear Bravo 23L carries 2L more than the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard (23L vs. 21L), while the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard is the lighter pack at 1.1kg (vs. 1.2kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Alpaka Gear Bravo 23L fits 93% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Alpaka Gear Bravo 23L; if you want to travel lighter, the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard is the better call.