Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard vs. Gregory Border 18
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard
| Capacity | 21 L |
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 41×28×22 cm |
| Airline fit | 75% |
| Price | $110 |
Feature by feature
| Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard | Feature | Gregory Border 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| side | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 100% polyester with TPU matte coating | 210D High Density Nylon |
Gregory Border 18
| Capacity | 18 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×29×16 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $120 |
Key differences between the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard and Gregory Border 18
- Passport pocket: Side on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard; Top on the Gregory Border 18.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard; 4 on the Gregory Border 18.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard; No on the Gregory Border 18.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, 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. 139 accept both. 3 accept only the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard, and 36 accept only the Gregory Border 18.
Only the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard fits
Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Ravn Alaska.
Only the Gregory Border 18 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.
Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard vs. Gregory Border 18: which should you pack?
The Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard carries 3L more than the Gregory Border 18 (21L vs. 18L), while the Gregory Border 18 is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 1.1kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Gregory Border 18 fits 93% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard; if you want to travel lighter, the Gregory Border 18 is the better call.