**I have an update! This post was initially published in the summer of 2023. Since then there’s been a new version of the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack released and my thoughts on the changes are at the bottom**
I’m a bit of a backpack enthusiast. I’ve collected way too many over the years but this Portland Gear Cascade Backpack is probably the best one I’ve owned so far.
It’s (almost) perfect.
I’ve tried the popular brands like REI and Patagonia, along with some other local Portland brands like North St. Bags (which are very good), but at the end of the day the Portland Gear Cascade backpack is the closest thing to perfect I’ve found so far.
I bought my bag in March 2023 for $89 and have used it nearly every day since. I purchased black but it also comes in an olive or sand colorway.
It’s my in-office day travel bag, my vacation must haves bag and my occasional I need something bigger than my cross-body bag, bag.
All the while it’s held up very well, almost like new, and has been my consistent go-to bag pretty much since the day it arrived.
I took my Portland Gear backpack to France, it was the best travel accessory.
Why the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack Succeeds
You only have to take a quick look at their social media feed to see Portland Gear makes one key feature of the Cascade backpack its marketing focus.
It’s waterproof.
In the Pacific Northwest, the rainy season is a long one and a fashionable and functional waterproof bag is surprisingly hard to find.
The Portland Gear team obviously saw this as a need in the market and built a backpack that fully delivers not only on their marketing promise but in function as well.
Carrying electronics, notebooks, extra clothes, whatever you may need for the day will certainly stay dry inside the bag.
The 100% polyester, with TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethane) coating is perfect for the rain, snow and anything else Mother Nature can throw at you.
It’s an important feature and one I’m very pleased with.
What Portland Gear Got Right with this Backpack
The Cascade backpack has several features that clearly are designed with a new type of customer in mind.
One that is probably much younger than I am but hey, I’m still a little bit hip.
The 21 liter main area is large and fits quite a bit. While we’re out of the diaper stage, this could easily fit diapers, a spare outfit, snacks, hand sanitizer and more as a diaper bag.
For me, it’s usually full of all my work accessories. My MacBook Air fits smoothly in the padded sleeve, occasionally I throw a iPad in there as well and it fits both without much issue.
There’s plenty of space for a bag that holds all my extra cords as well.
With trendy Yeti and Stanley water bottles never fitting in normal water bottle holders on bags. The team at Portland Gear took notice and added XL water bottle holders on each side of the bag.
There’s a hidden zipper in the back of the bag which is supposed to make accessing the padded laptop sleeve a bit easier. To be honest, I’ve never used this feature because I too often just have the bag open to gather a variety of items I have stored in there.
One of the other much-marketed features is the wireframe top that allows the entire “mouth” of the bag to open up completely at once. As things settle in the bottom, I’ve found this wide-open top to be very helpful because everything is easy to see and makes finding what you need simple and quick.
Finally, there is a zipped large pocket on the front of the bag and a hidden pocked directly behind it secured with some very strong velcro. The zippered pocked is great for quick-access items like AirPods or snacks, while the velcro space can be very nice for some extra security as it’s pretty much hidden unless you know it’s there.
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Why It’s (Almost) Perfect
The Portland Gear Cascade backpack is a fantastic bag that I really enjoy using.
It’s well designed, sturdy and lightweight enough to sling over one shoulder as you walk to the car or on your back as you bicycle into work or school.
While I don’t travel with an extensive amount of things, the bag is more than sizable for my needs and those who need excessively more than I do. Space will not be an issue for most people.
In my use and travel with it, I’ve found just two “wish list” items for the next generation of the bag. Small things really, but ones that I think would enhance the bag and I’m probably not the only one looking for these features.
My Next Generation Wish List
1. Inside Secure Pockets
The Cascade backpack does feature some interior “organization pockets” and while these are beneficial, I just wish there was a small zippered or velcro pocket or two inside.
The aforementioned AirPods are pretty easy to snatch right out of that front zippered pocket and it would be great to have them a bit safer in an inside secured pocket rather than rolling around in the bottom.
I use the existing pockets but if your bag takes a tumble or things jostle around a bit, I’ve found those pockets can empty their contents pretty easily.
Additionally, I’d love to take this backpack on international trips, and having a bit more secure place inside for a passport would be nice.
2. Longer straps
I’m not that tall. Six feet is fairly reasonable but the padded straps feel like they are made for a much shorter individual.
When I tighten the straps to my preferred comfort level, the backpack is riding incredibly high on my back. The handle straps hit the back of my head and just make it a rather uncomfortable feeling.
Additionally, if I were to try and buckle the straps, which should be about mid chest, it almost feels like it’s high enough to be hitting my neck.
I’m very aware that this could be a personal thing and that it works and fits well for most people. But I just wish that they were a bit longer to accommodate more body sizes that what it currently feels like.
My Portland Gear Cascade backpack was the perfect bag for our trip to the Royal Sonesta Kauai
The Portland Gear Cascade Backpack is Worth Your Money
I can say, even with my wish list items, this should be the very next backpack you purchase. Whether for yourself or your kids who are heading back to school soon.
You will love it and you’re supporting a small local business at the same time.
This is not a sponsored post, all opinions are my own. I may receive compensation from advertisements when you click on links to those products on this page.
Update!! – Summer 2024
I am so pleased to say that the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack has gotten even better!
As I said above, there were a few “wish list” items that I was hoping they would add in the future and Portland Gear delivered.
In the latest version, the backpack now comes with a secured interior zipper pocket. This was at the top of my wish list because when traveling you want to feel that things will be safe. In March 2024, I traveled to France and wanted a safe place for my passport and this addition was the perfect answer.
The first gen. of the Cascade Backpack also featured a zipper on the backside of the bag that allowed you to reach into the main compartment. I guess the idea was you could access things at the bottom of the bag a bit easier? I’m not really sure.
However, I’m pleased to share that they have replaced that with an extra “hidden” pocket. The zipper remains, but the space is now blocked off from the rest of the back and you can utilize for other items. This is a plus in my book.
While I’m not sure they made the straps longer, the second gen. version definitely feels more comfortable and allows the backpack to sit better on my shoulders and back. I still think there’s room to improve here, but it’s a good step forward.
Finally, the other big addition was a luggage sleeve.
The backside of the bag now has a strap that allows you to place your bag securely over the handle of your luggage. This is a nice bonus since the it allows you to relieve the pressure off your back.
I think with these added features the Portland Gear Cascade Backpack went from a no brainer, to a slam dunk.
I have traveled around the world with this bag and have had zero complaints. It’s held up to the rigors of traveling and stores more than enough.
I gifted my original Cascade Backpack to my son, who loves taking it to school. It’s a win-win for us both.
