Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard vs. Aer Pro Pack 24L
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 | Aer Pro Pack 24L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| side | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 16in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 100% polyester with TPU matte coating | 840D CORDURA re/cor recycled nylon |
Key differences between the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard and Aer Pro Pack 24L
- Opening: Other on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard; Clamshell on the Aer Pro Pack 24L.
- Passport pocket: Side on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard; Top on the Aer Pro Pack 24L.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard; 16in on the Aer Pro Pack 24L.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard; 4 on the Aer Pro Pack 24L.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, 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. 3 accept only the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard, and 35 accept only the Aer Pro Pack 24L.
Only the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard fits
Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Ravn Alaska.
Only the Aer Pro Pack 24L fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, 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. Aer Pro Pack 24L: which should you pack?
The Aer Pro Pack 24L carries 3L more than the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard (21L vs. 24L), while the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard is the lighter pack at 1.1kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Aer Pro Pack 24L fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Aer Pro Pack 24L; if you want to travel lighter, the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Standard is the better call.