Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack 35L Del Día

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

Hill People Gear Tarahumara

Front facing view of the Hill People Gear Tarahumara
Capacity16 L
Weight0.7 kg
Dimensions44×24×10 cm
Airline fit100%
Price$125

Feature by feature

Hill People Gear TarahumaraFeatureCotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack 35L Del Día
Storage
S Compression N
None Expanded Capacity None
0 Opening 1
N Passport N
N Passthrough N
Carry
S Backpack H
R Hip Belt R
S Sternum Strap S
Inside
0 Laptop 15
2 Main Compartments 1
N Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
2 Water Bottle Holder 0
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
500D Cordura100% repurposed nylon

Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack 35L Del Día

Front facing view of the Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack 35L Del Día
Capacity35 L
Weight1.587 kg
Dimensions51×30×20 cm
Airline fit79%
Price$180

When it comes to carry-on backpacks, deciding between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack 35L Del Día is quite a task. Both of these pieces are highly regarded in their own respects, and bring unique offerings to the table.

The Hill People Gear Tarahumara is more tailored towards light, minimalist travel or day hikes. It's slim, lightweight at only 0.7 pounds, but can still carry a good deal of gear in its 16-liter capacity. Made from rugged 500D Cordura, it’s extremely durable, ensuring it will withstand the rigors of travel or outdoor use. However, it falls a bit short when it comes equipment-friendly features, lacking a laptop compartment. The Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack, on the other hand, is designed with more functionality in mind.

This pack is a bit more robust, weighing in at just under 1.6 pounds and with a bolder 35-liter capacity. Made from 100% repurposed nylon, it's both sustainable and durable. The Allpa Travel Pack serves well for individuals who often travel with a host of electronics as it features a laptop compartment suited for a 15 inches laptop. Although slightly less compatible with airlines than the Tarahumara, with 79% compatibility, its functional capabilities may offset this minor setback for most users.

To summarize in bullet points:

  1. Size and weight: The Tarahumara is lighter and smaller, but the Allpa Pack has a larger carrying capacity.
  2. Material: The Tarahumara is made with more rugged Cordura material, while the Allpa Pack is crafted from repurposed nylon.
  3. Design: The Tarahumara is more minimalist, focusing on a smaller amount of items carried. The Allpa Pack is designed with larger capacity and laptop carrying in mind.
  4. Airline compatibility: The Tarahumara is compatible with 100% of airlines, while the Allpa Pack comes in lower at 79%.
  5. Praise: Reviewers note how the Tarahumara lasts a lifetime and is well designed. The Allpa Pack is found to be more intuitive and functional.

When making a choice between these, the deciding factor would be the type of travels you intend to be doing, your carrying needs, and the importance of functionalities like laptop compartments. Do you need carry daily essentials and the basically needed items, or are you looking for a pack that can fit your entire tech life? Both of these packs are designed and crafted with intent and attention to detail, ready to serve you on your travels, hikes, or daily commutes.