Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Bellroy Apex Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Hill People Gear Tarahumara
| Capacity | 16 L |
| Weight | 0.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 44×24×10 cm |
| Airline fit | 100% |
| Price | $125 |
Feature by feature
| Hill People Gear Tarahumara | Feature | Bellroy Apex Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| S | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| S | Backpack | S |
| R | Hip Belt | N |
| S | Sternum Strap | R |
| Inside | ||
| 0 | Laptop | 15 |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | 1 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500D Cordura | Recycled Baida Nylon and premium, environmentally certified leather |
Bellroy Apex Backpack
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 55×33×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 78% |
| Price | $449 |
When talking about carry-on backpacks, two strong contenders are the Hill People Gear Tarahumara by Hill People Gear and the Bellroy Apex Backpack by Bellroy. A lightweight pack perfect for day hiking, the Tarahumara is great in build quality and the materials used promise to last a long time. The center zip design also allows secure and convenient access to the main compartment. On the other hand, a unique, sleek looking Bellroy Apex boasts of unrestrictive design giving easy access to the main body of the bag. Suitable for all types of environments, it's a showstopper wherever you go. The flexible design adapts to everything you put into it.
Here's a quick breakdown of differences between the two:
- The Hill People Gear Tarahumara is 44 inches tall, 24 inches wide, and 10 inches deep while the Bellroy Apex Backpack measures 20 inches tall, 33 inches wide, and 55 inches deep.
- Hill People Gear Tarahumara weighs 0.7 pounds, Bellroy Apex: 1.4 pounds.
- Tarahumara has 16 liter capacity, Apex has 26 liters.
- Tarahumara is compatible with 100% of airlines, Apex is compatible with 78% of airlines.
- Tarahumara is made of 500D Cordura. While, the Bellroy Apex is made of Recycled Baida Nylon and environmentally certified leather.
- Tarahumara has a small laptop compartment that fits a 0-inch laptop. Apex can fit a 15-inch laptop.
The reviewers are equally divided over the allure of these bags. Tarahumara's especially appreciated for its first-class craftsmanship, highly functional design, and a top-loader setup that could last a lifetime. The Apex gets accolades for being versatile and having an impressive build quality. So, when it comes to the battle of these packs, the winner would ultimately depend on your individual needs and style.
As a concluding note, if you are after a bag that's great for day hiking with a durable build quality, go for Tarahumara. However, for city slickers looking for a stylish yet functional backpack with innovative design, the Bellroy Apex Backpack makes an excellent choice.