Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Hill People Gear Tarahumara
| Capacity | 16 L |
| Weight | 0.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 43×23×10 cm |
| Airline fit | 96% |
| Price | $175 |
Feature by feature
| Hill People Gear Tarahumara | Feature | Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 3 |
| back | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | Y |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 18in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | optional |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1 |
| Y | Water Resistant | N |
| Material | |
| 500d Cordura | 100% Nylon & Polyester |
Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 1.12 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×32×25 cm |
| Airline fit | 26% |
| Price | $160 |
Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L
- Compression straps: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L.
- Opening: Other on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Top flap on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L.
- Passport pocket: Back on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L.
- Luggage passthrough: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 18in on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 1 on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L.
- Rain cover: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Optional on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 1 on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L.
- Water resistant: Yes on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L.
Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 49 accept both. 132 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L.
Only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, All Nipon Airways, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, American Eagle, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Belavia, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, CommutAir, Croatia Air, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Interjet, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kulula, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Peach, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Republic Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, Trans States, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
If you want rugged reliability, the Hill People Gear Tarahumara could be your go-to piece of kit. This pack is bulletproof, made from 500D Cordura, renowned for its long-lasting strength. Sized at 44 x 24 x 10 inches, it's compact but sufficient for a decent day pack, providing 16 liters of space. That's roomy enough for most daily essentials, and thanks to its compatibility with 100% of airlines, it's a great travel companion. However, don't expect it to double as a tech bag - there’s no dedicated compartment big enough for laptops.
Now, let's talk about the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L. This one is slightly larger, coming in at 25 x 32 x 56 inches and boasting a roomy 28 liters of capacity. It's a bit heavier at just over a pound, but the extra weight is a trade-off for some added features. For instance, this pack has a laptop compartment that can accommodate an 18-inch laptop which is a massive advantage for tech-savvy users. It's constructed from 100% nylon and polyester, and it's compatible with 38% of airlines.
- Hill People Gear Tarahumara: 44" tall, 24" wide, 10" deep, 0.7 lbs. Made of 500D Cordura. Capacity: 16L. Airline compatible: 100%. Laptop compartment: no.
- Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L: 25" tall, 32" wide, 56" deep, 1.12 lbs. Made of 100% Nylon & Polyester. Capacity: 28L. Airline compatible: 38%. Laptop compartment: yes, up to 18".
It's apparent why the Tarahumara was described as "a well-designed, well-executed, and well-built bag that'll last you a lifetime". Its simple, robust built is perfect for those seeking compactness and durability. While the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack has been praised for its added features, Air Pod System (APS) harness, and multipurpose functionality that makes it versatile enough for business settings.
In sum, both packs have their merits and drawbacks. The Hill People Gear Tarahumara is a remarkable piece for the rugged explorer who values toughness, compactness, flexibility, and reliability above all else. The Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L, however, caters for the needs of those requiring a larger capacity and a dedicated tech compartment, though its versatility in carrying options might make up for its slightly reduced airline compatibility. The final pick depends on personal preference and specific needs.