Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Exped Mountain Pro 30

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

Hill People Gear Tarahumara

by Hill People Gear
Front facing view of the Hill People Gear Tarahumara
Capacity16 L
Weight0.7 kg
Dimensions43×23×10 cm
Airline fit96%
Price$175

Feature by feature

Storage
2 Compression Y
None Expanded Capacity None
0 Opening 3
back Passport N
N Passthrough N
Carry
Y Backpack Y
removable Hip Belt removable
Y Sternum Strap Y
Inside
N Laptop N
2 Main Compartments 1
N Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
2, side Water Bottle Holder N
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
500d Cordura420 D Oxford nylon, PU coated, 3'000 mm water column

Exped Mountain Pro 30

by Exped
Front facing view of the Exped Mountain Pro 30
Capacity30 L
Weight1.29 kg
Dimensions58×30×24 cm
Airline fit16%
Price$279

Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Exped Mountain Pro 30

Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, water resistant.

Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on

We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 31 accept both. 150 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Exped Mountain Pro 30.

Only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara fits

Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, Air Nostrum, 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, Atlas Global, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Belavia, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, CommutAir, Copa Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, easyJet, EL AL, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, 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, Iran Aseman Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kulula, Kuwait Air, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Onur 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, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Thai Airways, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, WOW Airlines, Xiamen.

The Hill People Gear Tarahumara backpack is a reliable and compact carry-on companion designed for adventure and longevity. Standing at 44" tall, the bag showcases a 16-liter capacity, making it perfect for day hiking or quick outdoor escapades. It weighs a scant 0.7 pounds, much lighter than most on the market. As for the size, it effortlessly fits in the overhead compartment of any airplane. Reviews highlight its quality build, saying, "It’s a well designed, well executed, and well built bag that’ll last you a lifetime." The rucksack is crafted from 500D Cordura, indicative of its durability.

On the other hand, Exped Mountain Pro 30 offers a larger storage capacity, boasting 30 liters. Despite it only being compatible with 30% of airlines, its trade-offs lie in its features. It's built with 420D Oxford nylon and coated with a PU that possesses a 3'000 mm water column, ensuring that the bag stays dry in any weather condition. This makes the Exped Mountain Pro 30 a suitable option for individuals eager to take on more extreme outdoor ventures. While it weighs a bit more at 1.29 pounds, reviewers still rave about its functional internal organization and its weatherproof document bag.

Here's a succinct summary of the key comparison points:

For both backpacks, their advantages certainly outweigh their drawbacks. The Hill People Gear Tarahumara distinguishes itself with its size, lightness, and airline compatibility making it suitable for quick and hassle-free journeys. Its center zip is noted for the convenient access it affords the main compartment, and users reassured of its hard-wearing and quality materials.

The Exped Mountain Pro 30, despite being heavier and larger, provides ample space even for hikers loaded with gears. Its weatherproof construction, internal organization, and multiple webbing straps make it ideal for more gruelling outdoor adventures. The added bonus of a weatherproof document bag protects valuables and tech which could be the winning edge for many.

In the end, the choice between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Exped Mountain Pro 30 will depend on the nature of your excursions, your storage needs, and your preference for functionality and design.