Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Tropicfeel Shell
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 | Tropicfeel Shell |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | 40L |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| back | Passport | top, back |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | hideable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 16in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500d Cordura | Recycled polyester |
Tropicfeel Shell
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×30×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 72% |
| Price | $240 |
Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Tropicfeel Shell
- Compression straps: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 4 on the Tropicfeel Shell.
- Opening: Other on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Clamshell on the Tropicfeel Shell.
- Passport pocket: Back on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Top, back on the Tropicfeel Shell.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Hideable on the Tropicfeel Shell.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 16in on the Tropicfeel Shell.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 4 on the Tropicfeel Shell.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Tropicfeel Shell.
Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap, water bottle pockets, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 136 accept both. 45 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Tropicfeel Shell.
Only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Australia, Volotea, Xiamen.
For outdoor junkies and seasoned travelers, two backpacks that rarely miss the limelight are the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Tropicfeel Shell. The Tarahumara, by Hill People Gear, standing tall at 44 inches and 24 inches wide, prides itself on its lightweight design, only tipping the scales at 0.7 pounds. It has a respectable capacity of 16 liters and is crafted from 500D Cordura for extreme durability. Unfortunately, this model does not come with a laptop compartment, suggesting its focus is much more on the utilitarian side of travel and outdoor exploration.
The Tropicfeel Shell is a different beast altogether. Although smaller in height at only 19 inches, it outstrips the Tarahumara in both width (30 inches) and capacity (22 liters). It is a little heavier at 1.5 pounds, made from a blend of 100% Recycled Nylon and 60% Recycled Polyester. This backpack does come fitted with a laptop compartment capable of housing a 15 inch laptop, indicating the brand's effort in molding a versatile travel / work bag.
Comparison:
Height: Hill People Tarahumara – 44 inches, Tropicfeel Shell – 19 inches
Width: Hill People Tarahumara – 24 inches, Tropicfeel Shell - 30 inches
Weight: Hill People Tarahumara – 0.7 pounds, Tropicfeel Shell - 1.5 pounds
Capacity: Hill People Tarahumara – 16 liters, Tropicfeel Shell – 22 liters
Material: Hill People Tarahumara – 500D Cordura, Tropicfeel Shell – 100% Recycled Nylon, 60% Recycled Polyester
Laptop Compartment: Hill People Tarahumara – No, Tropicfeel Shell – Yes (up to 15 inches)
It's clear as day that both backpacks, while designed with similar purposes, cater to slightly different demographics. The Hill People Tarahumara is the go-to if you're more of a light-traveler, concerned with durable rough-and-tough materials and storage for strictly essentials. The Tropicfeel Shell, on the other hand, offering an ample 6 liters more capacity, is perfect for those needing a little more wiggle room for their belongings. It is also the choice for digital nomads and on-the-go professionals who need space for their electronic devices.
A culmination of these aspects make both the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Tropicfeel Shell undeniably great buys, and depending on where your preferences lie, either could be your next favorite carry-on. As the saying goes, always remember to pack light but right.