Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Fjallraven Rucksack No. 21 Medium
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 | Fjallraven Rucksack No. 21 Medium |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| S | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 3 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| S | Backpack | S |
| R | Hip Belt | N |
| 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 | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500D Cordura | G-1000® HeavyDuty Eco: 65% polyester, 35% cotton |
Fjallraven Rucksack No. 21 Medium
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 0.96 kg |
| Dimensions | 44×28×13 cm |
| Airline fit | 84% |
| Price | $180 |
The Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Fjallraven Rucksack No. 21 Medium are both impressive carry-on backpacks that are heavy on features. Each has its strengths, setting them apart in the highly competitive carry-on backpack market.
The Hill People Gear Tarahumara stands tall at 44 inches, with a generous width of 24 inches, and a depth of 10 inches. It boasts a lightweight build, weighing merely 0.7 pounds. With a 16-liter capacity, the Tarahumara offers ample space for your travel needs. It's made of 500D Cordura, guaranteeing its durability. A top draw is its airline compatibility; it works with 100% of them. The only downside? It lacks a laptop compartment.
This is where Fjallraven Rucksack No. 21 Medium steps in. It has a laptop compartment that can hold a 15-inch laptop. With a height of 13 inches, width of 28 inches, and a whopping depth of 44 inches, it provides more than enough room for your necessities. It carries a touch more weight at 0.96 pounds but offers a larger capacity of 20 liters. It is made of the sturdy G-1000® HeavyDuty Eco: 65% polyester, 35% cotton. However, it falls a bit short with compatibility, working with 84% of airlines.
Let's summarize the differences quickly:
- Size: The Tarahumara is taller, while the Rucksack No. 21 Medium is wider and deeper.
- Weight: The Tarahumara is lighter.
- Capacity: The Rucksack No. 21 Medium has a larger capacity.
- Material: Tarahumara is made of 500D Cordura, and the Rucksack No. 21 Medium is made of G-1000® HeavyDuty Eco.
- Airline compatibility: Tarahumara is compatible with all airlines, while the Rucksack No. 21 Medium has 84% compatibility.
- Laptop compartment: Only the Rucksack No. 21 Medium offers this feature.
Reviewers seem to adore both backpacks. For the Tarahumara, users praise the high-quality build and the spacious interiors, despite its relatively smaller size. They love the design simplicity and added security from the center zip. Folks who reviewed the No. 21 Medium appreciate the backpack's style and comfort. Users find the bag's padded laptop sleeve and bottle pocket quite handy. They also lauded its time proof design, and practical compartments that keep things organized on the move.
Choosing between Fjallraven Rucksack No. 21 Medium and Hill People Gear Tarahumara boils down to evaluating your particular needs. The Tarahumara's size, quality, security and airline compatibility make it a robust contender if laptop storage isn't a priority. Alternatively, the No. 21 Medium with its comfort, design, functionality, and roomy laptop space could be your pick if you're willing to trade off total airline compatibility for these features. Happy choosing!