Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. ebags Mother Lode Jr 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 | ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | Y |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| back | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | hideable |
| removable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 18in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500d Cordura | 840 Denier polyester, YKK and eBags brand hardware |
ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack
| Capacity | 41 L |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×36×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 66% |
| Price | $140 |
Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack
- Compression straps: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack.
- Opening: Other on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Clamshell on the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack.
- Passport pocket: Back on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack.
- Backpack straps: Yes on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Hideable on the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Removable on the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 18in on the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 1 on the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 2 on the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack.
Both have: water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 124 accept both. 57 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack.
Only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara fits
Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Baltic, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Bulgaria Air, Cayman Airways, China Eastern, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Jet Airways, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Australia, Volotea, Xiamen.
If you're in the market for a robust and reliable backpack, two models come to mind immediately: the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack. The Hill People Gear Tarahumara is a titan in its own right, measuring 44 inches high, 24 inches wide, and 10 inches deep. Petit and lightweight at 0.7 pounds, it still manages an impressive carrying capacity of 16 liters. Crafted from 500D Cordura, it promises toughness and long-lasting performance. This backpack has been designed to be airline-friendly, achieving 100% compatibility.
On the other hand, the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack is larger and more substantial. Clocking in at 23 inches tall, 36 inches wide, and 50 inches deep, the backpack weighs in at 1.4 pounds. But the slightly heavier weight makes space for an awe-inspiring carrying capacity of 41 liters. Made from 840 Denier polyester and accented with YKK and eBags brand hardware, this bag's compatibility with airlines is close behind, at 97%.
To summarize the differences:
- The Hill People Gear Tarahumara has dimensions of 44x24x10 inches, compared with the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack's 23x36x50 inches
- The Hill People Gear Tarahumara weighs .7 pounds, while the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack weighs 1.4 pounds
- The Hill People Gear Tarahumara holds 16 liters capacity, while the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack holds 41 liters
- The Hill People Gear Tarahumara is 100% airline friendly, versus the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack's 97% compatibility
- The Hill People Gear Tarahumara is made of 500D Cordura, while the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack is made of 840 Denier polyester, YKK and eBags brand hardware
Reviews speak highly of both backpacks. Hill People Gear Tarahumara users love the well-executed design and the fact that the HPG team is always available for support and advice. The backpack's perfect size for day hiking, great build quality, and convenient center zip are worth every penny. On the other hand, fans of the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack rave about the excellent value, the backpack's durable materials, and the multitude of slots and compartments for organization, even saying that it can hold more than it looks. Both are good to buy, it's just a matter of your personal preferences.