Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Osprey Nebula
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Hill People Gear Tarahumara
| Capacity | 16 L |
| Weight | 0.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 44×24×10 cm |
| Airline fit | 100% |
| Price | $125 |
Feature by feature
| Hill People Gear Tarahumara | Feature | Osprey Nebula |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| S | Compression | S |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| S | Backpack | S |
| R | Hip Belt | R |
| S | Sternum Strap | S |
| Inside | ||
| 0 | Laptop | 15 |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500D Cordura | MAIN: 420HD Nylon Packcloth BOTTOM: 420HD Nylon Packcloth |
When searching for the perfect carry-on backpack, two options consistently rise to the top of the pack: The Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Osprey Nebula. Each pack carries its own unique set of features and specifications. The Hill People Gear Tarahumara is a compact and sturdy piece of gear, measuring 44 inches tall, 24 inches wide, and 10 inches deep. It's light as a feather at just 0.7 pounds and is capable of holding up to 16 liters. This backpack is exceedingly airline friendly, compatible with 100% of airlines. It's made of rugged 500D Cordura and while it doesn't have a laptop compartment, it's a no-nonsense, well-built bag that reviewers commend for its design, quality and the supportive HPG community.
The Osprey Nebula, on the other hand, offers large storage space with its 49 inch tall, 31 inch wide, and 28 inch deep dimensions. Despite its size, it only weighs about a pound and can accommodate an appealing 34 liters of capacity. The materials used are MAIN: 420HD Nylon Packcloth BOTTOM: 420HD Nylon Packcloth, making it resistant and durable. The Nebula is airline friendly, but slightly less so than the Tarahumara as it's only compatible with 89% of airlines. The backpack's main advantage is its dedicated laptop compartment that can fit a 15 inch laptop, and reviewers rave about its organizational features and versatility.
Here's a quick summary of the main differences between the two packs:
- Size: Tarahumara (44x24x10) VS Nebula (49x31x28)
- Weight: Tarahumara (0.7 pounds) VS Nebula (1 pound)
- Capacity: Tarahumara (16 liters) VS Nebula (34 liters)
- Airline compatibility: Tarahumara (100% compatible) VS Nebula (89% compatible)
- Material: Tarahumara (500D Cordura) VS Nebula (420HD Nylon Packcloth)
- Laptop compartment: Tarahumara (No compartment) VS Nebula (Can fit a 15inch laptop)
So why should you buy the Hill People Gear Tarahumara? It's perfect for day hiking, has a great build quality and is made from reliable materials. Plus, the center zip provides secure access to the main compartment. And why would the Osprey Nebula be a good buy? It has a TSA-approved strap for convenience when traveling, well-thought pockets and features, good padding at the back panel and versatile compression straps. Each backpack has its winning points and ultimately serves different needs. It's up to individual backpackers to decide between the compact and sturdy Tarahumara or the bigger, organizational-friendly Nebula.