Nordace Laval -- Smart Backpack vs. Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Nordace Laval -- Smart Backpack
| Capacity | 23 L |
| Weight | 1 kg |
| Dimensions | 44×28×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 96% |
| Price | $119 |
Feature by feature
| Nordace Laval -- Smart Backpack | 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 |
| N | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1 | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Nylon and Microfiber leather | 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 Laval -- Smart Backpack and Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard
- Opening: Clamshell on the Nordace Laval -- Smart Backpack; Other on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard.
- Passport pocket: Yes on the Nordace Laval -- Smart Backpack; Side on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard.
- Sternum strap: No on the Nordace Laval -- Smart Backpack; Yes on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard.
- Water bottle pockets: 1 on the Nordace Laval -- Smart Backpack; 2, side on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, 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. 142 accept both. 39 accept only the Nordace Laval -- Smart Backpack, and 0 accept only the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard.
Only the Nordace Laval -- Smart Backpack fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, 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.
Nordace Laval -- Smart Backpack vs. Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard: which should you pack?
The Nordace Laval -- Smart Backpack carries 2L more than the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard (23L vs. 21L), while the Nordace Laval -- Smart Backpack is the lighter pack at 1kg (vs. 1.1kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Nordace Laval -- Smart Backpack fits 96% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Nordace Laval -- Smart Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Nordace Laval -- Smart Backpack is the better call.