The Cascade is not the first backpack cooler from Granite Rocx that we’ve reviewed. And the story behind this review is a bit funny. Seems the contributor that ended up using the previous model noted that it leaked a bit when packed with ice. We passed that along to Granite Rocx, and the next thing we knew, the Cascade showed up at our office. So we’re sharing this review, because “new and improved”, really is new and improved with the Cascade.
– Brian
Cascade Backpack Cooler from Granite RocxA good multi-function backpack is very useful for outdoor enthusiasts. With the Cascade from Granite Rocx, you can carry most anything you need down the trail in one convenient trip. It’s the size of a regular day pack, but has a few features not found in other backpacks, that give it a certain appeal we find hard to resist.
If you are like me, multiple trips to and from the car is not acceptable. On grocery day I line plastic bags all the way up arm and carry all the milk with the other. It‘s startling how many jugs of milk one can carry when a second trip back to the car is on the line. I feel like Granite Rocx had this in mind when they came up with the Cascade cooler backpack, as you will have everything you need in one trip, plus your hands will be free.
Granite Rocx has a couple of these pack backs. Initially we reviewed their Tahoe model, which is a great day, or overnight pack, that any casual user would be happy with. We certainly have been. The Cascade has a lot of features the Tahoe had, like hip and chest buckles for securing the pack to your back, buckles on the bottom for your tent or camp chair, the section with buckles for your folding chair, and of course the clip on cooler. While the Tahoe model has had heavy use since we received it, the guys over at Granite Rocx did get some feedback from their consumers that has given them a cause for improvement (it wasn’t just us). They have listened, and we were eager to test the Cascade model.
Cascade Backpack Cooler from Granite RocxThe new look of the pack has equal parts of black and electric blue with orange zippers and zipper pulls. It’s made from durable waterproof ripstop nylon, and has a pouch in the chair compartment for a hydration pack, with a loop on the shoulder strap to hang the mouth piece. The cooler now has a removable heat sealed insulation lining. This means you can put ice in your cooler without any leaking. Before, we would have had to plan ahead, and bring along a sealed ice pack, or some frozen bottles of water. This new design makes it so you can take off on that impromptu fishing trip without that big wet spot on your back from a leaky seam. The other new feature we really like is the nylon straps up the side of the pack – two on each side. Again, this seems trivial, but with this back pack I can carry everything I need for a day trip to the shore or an overnight hike, and be hands free except for my fishing rod. These side buckles solve that, I can now clip my fishing rod to the side of the pack, allowing me to hold the hands of my 2 and 5 year old boys.
When you take off for a short trip backpacking, biking, skiing in the backcountry, or your favorite fishing hole, free up your hands with the Cascade backpack from the guys over at Granite Rocx. Then you won‘t need to bring a clunky cooler or have to look like that crazy guy lugging all you groceries in the house awkwardly hanging from one arm.
– Joel