Granite Rocx The Cascade

The Cascade is an all-in-one convenience pack that delivers on many levels. There is ample storage and multiple compartments to store everything you need, including a cooler that attaches to the outside of the pack.

Perfect for day trips to the water or the mountains, the Cascade is a pack that can be used year round, regardless of where you go.

Who: Granite Rocx is a company based in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, that specializes in making functional and unique backpacks that are perfect for any day trip.

What: I reviewed the Cascade: a versatile, multi-use backpack made of waterproof rip stop nylon that can carry many personal items and pieces of equipment. A unique feature of all Granite Rocx backpacks is the detachable insulated cooler than can hold up to 12 cans. The Cascade also has an extra padded compartment in the back of the bag so you can attach a folding chair to the pack, offering a barrier of cushion while carrying it.

Since my travel plans didn’t involve a lake or a beach, I headed to the mountains to see how versatile and durable the pack can be.

The pack is nicely padded making it comfortable to hike with.

The brightly colored bag definitely caught my eye, as did the cooler attached by buckles to the back of the bag. I am a proponent of less is more, but with this pack, you don’t need to pick and choose what you can carry—it can hold everything you need for a day trip to just about anywhere. I even used The Cascade as a carry-on!

I used the cooler to store all my snacks for the plane ride! 

I wasted no time and took out my carry on items and put in the necessary equipment needed for a day hike. Inside the cooler fit two containers of snacks, three packets of hydration mix and two water bottles. I secured my jacket in the bungee straps, put my cell phone in the chest strap compartment, and put in the main compartment of the pack the following items: gloves, a GPS unit, a camera, a thermos, and a headlamp.

Everything was easily accessible and able to be well organized due to the many separate compartments. I really like that I was able to easily access my phone and did not have to constantly dig through the main compartment for the things I use the most.  

Though I did not carry anything using the squeeze buckles on the bottom of the backpack, it was exciting for me to think of items that can fit: hiking poles, skis or a snowboard, a tripod, fishing rod, camp chair, sleeping bag or a tent.

Another really cool feature of the Cascade is that it’s hydration pack compatible. All you need to do is place a hydration bladder in the back compartment, and clip your hose in! It is a functional feature exclusively found on the Cascade.

What I would change: Although there are ample buckles and straps on both sides, there doesn’t seem to be a spot to stow them away when not in use. 

The bottom line: The Cascade is a user-friendly backpack perfect for a day out in the mountains or at the beach. I can easily see myself using The Cascade for many more seasons. 

Best backpack for the beach and 1\2 backpacking

Best backpack, nice fitting for comfort.

Large compartment, cooler, leakproof.