Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Nomatic Navigator Travel Backpack
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 | Nomatic Navigator Travel Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | 41L |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| back | Passport | Y |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 17in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500d Cordura | 820D Ballistic Nylon |
Nomatic Navigator Travel Backpack
| Capacity | 32 L |
| Weight | 2.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×36×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 45% |
| Price | $400 |
Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Nomatic Navigator Travel Backpack
- Compression straps: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Nomatic Navigator Travel Backpack.
- Opening: Other on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Clamshell on the Nomatic Navigator Travel Backpack.
- Passport pocket: Back on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Nomatic Navigator Travel Backpack.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Removable on the Nomatic Navigator Travel Backpack.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 17in on the Nomatic Navigator Travel Backpack.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 1 on the Nomatic Navigator Travel Backpack.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Nomatic Navigator Travel Backpack.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 2 on the Nomatic Navigator Travel Backpack.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 85 accept both. 96 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Nomatic Navigator Travel Backpack.
Only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, All Nipon Airways, American Eagle, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Azerbaijan Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Caribbean Airlines, Cayman Airways, China Eastern, Croatia Air, Czech Airlines, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Gol Linhas Aereas, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Iberia, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Interjet, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Peach, Porter Airlines, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
The Hill People Gear Tarahumara is a rugged and reliable option for travelers who value durability and simplicity. At 44 inches tall, it stands taller than other similar options on the market. It weighs just 0.7 pounds making it one of the lightest backpacks out there. This featherweight characteristic is perfect for those who want to minimize shoulder strain during extended travel. Despite its light weight, the Tarahumara has a respectable carrying capacity of 16 liters, affording ample space for day hiking essentials. According to reviewers, this pack stands out for its quality construction and intuitive design features.
On the other hand, the Nomatic Navigator Travel Backpack is a different beast altogether. Considerably wider and deeper than the Tarahumara, the Navigator boasts a generous capacity of 32 liters, doubling what its competitor offers. As expected, it’s heavier, checking in at 2.4 pounds, but for those prioritizing storage space and organizational features, the weight difference might be a worthwhile trade-off. The Navigator has been commended by reviewers for its functional organization and exceptional laptop compartment.
Comparison List:
- The Hill People Gear Tarahumara is taller but less wide and deep than the Nomatic Navigator.
- The Tarahumara is lighter (0.7 lbs) than the Nomatic Navigator (2.4 lbs).
- The Nomatic Navigator has a larger capacity (32 liters) compared to the Tarahumara's 16 liters.
- The Nomatic Navigator is made of tougher material (820D Ballistic Nylon) compared to the Tarahumara (500D Cordura).
- The Tarahumara is more universally accepted by airlines compared to the Nomatic Navigator.
- The Nomatic Navigator has a larger size laptop compartment than the Tarahumara.
Backpack aficionados looking to strike a balance between quality and minimalistic design might find Tarahumara to be a perfect fit. Packed with key features and void of unnecessary quirks, this backpack isn’t trying to do too much, it's well-constructed, and it gets the job done. It's a reliable companion for any journey.
Not to be outdone, the Nomatic Navigator distinguishes itself by being an all-encompassing solution. Versatile, spacious, and designed with modern travelers in mind, the Navigator Travel Backpack earns praise for its wealth of convenience features. Its larger size and thoughtful design may make it the ideal choice for those whose travels take them beyond the trail and into more urbanized settings. Ultimately, the choice between the two backpacks will depend on personal preference and specific travel needs.