Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Eagle Creek Caldera™ Travel Pack 45L
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 | Eagle Creek Caldera™ Travel Pack 45L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| S | Compression | S |
| None | Expanded Capacity | 56L |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | |
| Carry | ||
| S | Backpack | H |
| R | Hip Belt | H |
| S | Sternum Strap | S |
| Inside | ||
| 0 | Laptop | 15 |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | 0 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500D Cordura | 600D CORDURA® ECO Ripstop 100% Recycled, 1200D CORDURA® ECO 100% Recycled Polyester |
Eagle Creek Caldera™ Travel Pack 45L
| Capacity | 45 L |
| Weight | 1.42 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×36×28 cm |
| Airline fit | 19% |
| Price | $279 |
In the vast sea of carry-on backpacks, the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Eagle Creek Caldera Travel Pack 45L decisively stand out as two steadfast, durable options.
The Tarahumara, a relatively lightweight beast at 0.7 pounds, gamers their name from a famously resilient Native American tribe. It does them justice by offering a solid 16 liters of capacity encased in robust 500D Cordura. It's a true minimalist's dream — all function, no frills. In contrast to its broader 24 inch width, its laptop compartment seems to favor the notepad more than a laptop with a capacity of 0 inches.
The Eagle Creek Caldera, on the certain hand, slowly edges into the territory of heftier backpacks with its 1.42 pounds of weight. But for that extra weight, you gain quite a decent bit of functionality. Boasting a whopping 45 liters of capacity, this backpack doesn't skimp on space. Plus, it edges ahead with eco-credentials, being made of 600D CORDURA® ECO Ripstop 100% Recycled, and 1200D CORDURA® ECO 100% Recycled Polyester. Satisfying the tech geeks, it also includes a roomy compartment fitting a 15 inch laptop.
To sum it up:
- Weight: Tarahumara (0.7 pounds) vs Caldera (1.42 pounds)
- Dimensions: Tarahumara (44" x 24" x 10") vs Caldera (28" x 56" x 36")
- Capacity: Tarahumara (16 liters) vs Caldera (45 liters)
- Material: Tarahumara (500D Cordura) vs Caldera (600D CORDURA® ECO Ripstop and 1200D CORDURA® ECO 100% Recycled Polyester)
- Laptop Compatibility: Tarahumara (0 inches) vs Caldera (15 inches)
- Airline Compatibility: Tarahumara (100% of airlines) vs Caldera (19% of airlines)
If you're seeking a sturdy bag that prioritizes compactness and stealth, the Tarahumara might be your match. That said, if you favor a greener footprint, the need for more gear storage, and you're typically carrying a laptop, the Caldera is a solid competitor. Choose wisely based on your individual travel needs and the functionality you crave in a carry on backpack. After all, the right choice will make all your future travels remarkably better.