Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. CabinZero Classic 36L

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

Hill People Gear Tarahumara

by Hill People Gear
Front facing view of the Hill People Gear Tarahumara
Capacity16 L
Weight0.7 kg
Dimensions43×23×10 cm
Airline fit96%
Price$175

Feature by feature

Storage
2 Compression Y
None Expanded Capacity None
0 Opening 0
back Passport N
N Passthrough N
Carry
Y Backpack Y
removable Hip Belt N
Y Sternum Strap N
Inside
N Laptop 15in
2 Main Compartments 2
N Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
2, side Water Bottle Holder N
Y Water Resistant N
Material
500d Corduralining: polyesterouter: waterproof polyester

CabinZero Classic 36L

by Cabin Zero
Front facing view of the CabinZero Classic 36L
Capacity36 L
Weight0.7 kg
Dimensions44×30×21 cm
Airline fit76%
Price$60

Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and CabinZero Classic 36L

Both have: backpack straps.

Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on

We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 143 accept both. 38 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the CabinZero Classic 36L.

Only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara fits

Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Great Lakes Airlines, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, 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), Volotea, Xiamen.

The Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the CabinZero Classic 36L are both excellent choices for a carry on backpack. However, there are a few distinctions that might make one more appealing than the other depending on your needs.

Let's start with the Hill People Gear Tarahumara. It boasts a slim profile with a 44-inch height, 24-inch width, and 10-inch depth. The material is 500D Cordura, a durable, resistant fabric that can withstand rough conditions. Additionally, the Tarahumara has a 16-liter capacity, making it a modest, lightweight choice. However, it lacks a dedicated laptop compartment, an essential feature for many travelers today.

Now, let's look at the CabinZero Classic 36L. It is also 44 inches tall but offers a little more width and depth at 30 and 21 inches respectively. The Classic 36L is made of waterproof polyester, an excellent feature for those unexpected rain showers. With a 36-liter capacity, this backpack offers more space than the Tarahumara. Furthermore, it features a laptop compartment that can comfortably fit a 15-inch laptop which might be a game-changer for those needing this feature.

Here is a brief comparison, outlining the differences:

While customers laud the Tarahumara's impeccable design and robust build, its lack of a laptop compartment might be a letdown for some. Conversely, the CabinZero Classic 36L is equipped with practical features, including a laptop pocket and a global luggage tracker. Notably, it also comes with a ten to 25-year warranty, displaying the company's conviction in its product longevity.

Therefore, despite the Hill People Gear Tarahumara's simplicity and elegance being admired by backpack connoisseurs, the CabinZero Classic 36L's advanced features and larger storage capacity might make it more suited to modern, tech-savvy travelers.