Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L)
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 | Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L) |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| back | Passport | Y |
| N | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | hideable |
| removable | Hip Belt | optional |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 15in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | optional |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500d Cordura | 1680D Cordura® ballistic nylon exterior |
Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L)
| Capacity | 40 L |
| Weight | 0 kg |
| Dimensions | 55.9×35.6×22.9 cm |
| Airline fit | 45% |
| Price | $250 |
Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L)
- Compression straps: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
- Opening: Other on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Clamshell on the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
- Passport pocket: Back on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
- Luggage passthrough: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
- Backpack straps: Yes on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Hideable on the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
- Hip belt: Removable on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Optional on the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Removable on the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 15in on the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
- Main compartments: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 1 on the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
- Rain cover: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Optional on the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 1 on the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
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. 85 accept both. 96 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
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 debate on the ultimate carry-on backpack? Point that to the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L). Both companies have their unique stamps when it comes to the backpack industry. But when it comes to design, durability, and functionality, which bag truly triumphs?
Hill People Gear Tarahumara doesn't deceive its user. When you look into the bag's innards, you'd think it's as cavernous as a Tardis. At 44 inches tall, it can house your day's essentials and even your jacket, while still keeping two-thirds of itself unoccupied. Ephemera, reading material—you name it. Their packs are made of 500D Cordura, that robust design is a sealer. However, while having a laptop compartment it's only suitable for quite a smaller device.
On the flip side, there's Aer Capsule Pack Max. The tough shell of this pack made of 1680D Cordura® ballistic nylon exterior can get you to the ends of the world in prime condition. It measures about 22.9 inches tall, but you’ll sway with the swing of a reliable 15-inch laptop compartment, whose capacity to carry your tech gear is noticeable. Now, while the overall look of this pack may impress, its compatibility with airlines leaves quite a bit to be desired.
Here are some bullet points to wrap up our discussion:
- Dimensions: The Hill People Gear Tarahumara is significantly taller than the Aer Capsule Pack Max, but the latter compensates with a wider and deeper design.
- Weight: Hill People Gear Tarahumara is slightly heavier than the Aer Capsule Pack Max.
- Capacity: The Aer Capsule Pack Max boasts a 40L capacity that substantially overshadows the 16L of capacity on Hill People's pack.
- Materials: While both bags use durable Cordura materials, the Aer Capsule Pack Max uses denser 1680D ballistic nylon compared to Tarahumara's 500D.
- Airline Compatibility: Hill People Gear Tarahumara triumphs with a 100% airline compatibility, whereas Aer Capsule Pack Max is compatible with roughly half of airlines.
Both the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Aer Capsule Pack Max have unique features that cater to specific user needs. While Hill People Gear Tarahumara would win when it comes to space and airline compatibility, the Aer Capsule Pack Max shines when it comes to laptop compatibility, sturdy fabric, and design. Selecting between these two ultimately depends on what one values most in a backpack.