Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Macpac Rapaki 25

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
Dimensions43×23×10 cm
Airline fit96%
Price$175

Feature by feature

Hill People Gear TarahumaraFeatureMacpac Rapaki 25
Storage
2 Compression
None Expanded Capacity None
0 Opening 4
back Passport N
N Passthrough N
Carry
Y Backpack Y
removable Hip Belt removable
Y Sternum Strap Y
Inside
N Laptop 15in
2 Main Compartments 1
N Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
2, side Water Bottle Holder 2
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
500d Cordura200D Recycled Polyester, 420D Oxford Nylon

Macpac Rapaki 25

Front facing view of the Macpac Rapaki 25
Capacity25 L
Weight0.91 kg
Dimensions52×30×25 cm
Airline fit39%
Price$140

Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Macpac Rapaki 25

Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, water resistant.

Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on

We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 73 accept both. 108 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Macpac Rapaki 25.

Only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara fits

Aer Lingus, Air Asia, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air China, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Belavia, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, CommutAir, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Garuda Indonesia, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Icelandair, InselAir, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Juneyao Airlines, Kulula, Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Republic Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, Trans States, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.

When you're looking for the perfect carry on backpack, it's all about balancing size, weight, and functionality. If it's ruggedness you're after, the Hill People Gear Tarahumara might just be your ideal match. Standing 44 inches tall, 24 inches wide, and 10 inches deep, this backpack weighs in at a feather-light 0.7 pounds. Its 500D Cordura makes it a durable beast on any trail or airport terminal. With 16 liters of packing capacity, it's designed for convenience with its center zip entry. The backpack's compact size matches 100% of airlines' carry-on requirements. However, the lack of a laptop compartment might be a turn-off for some tech-savvy travelers.

On the other hand, for those seeking a middle ground between size and functionality, the Macpac Rapaki 25 comes out on top. It is 25 inches tall, 30 inches wide, and 52 inches deep. Weighing a tad more at 0.91 pounds, this backpack offers a generous 25-liter capacity. Constructed from 200D Recycled Polyester with 420D Oxford Nylon, it gives you ample room and protection for your gear, including a 15-inch laptop. It fits fewer airlines at 47%, but the additional space may well be a worthwhile trade-off.

Reviewers rave over the Tarahumara's build quality and durability, its perfect size for day hiking and the convenience of its center zip. As for Rapaki, reviews are not provided, but its larger size, durable material, and laptop compartment could make it a winner for many travelers.

While it may not be as universally adaptable as the Tarahumara, the Rapaki's larger size and laptop compartment make it an appealing option for those needing a bit more space and tech-readiness. On the flip side, the Tarahumara is a prime choice for simplicity, durability, and compatibility with carry-on requirements. The final call, as always, depends on your unique travel necessities.