Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Exped Black Ice 30

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 TarahumaraFeatureExped Black Ice 30
Storage
S Compression N
None Expanded Capacity None
0 Opening 2
N Passport N
N Passthrough N
Carry
S Backpack S
R Hip Belt R
S Sternum Strap S
Inside
0 Laptop 0
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 Cordura400 D HD ripstop nylon, TPU film laminated, 10'000 mm water column

Exped Black Ice 30

Front facing view of the Exped Black Ice 30
Capacity30 L
Weight0.1 kg
Dimensions57×27×23 cm
Airline fit91%
Price$175

Both the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Exped Black Ice 30 offer quality carry-on options for travelers and adventurers alike. However, their features vary based on design, durability, and functionality.

The Hill People Gear Tarahumara impresses with its rough and ready design. Its size (44 inches tall, 24 inches wide, and 10 inches deep) makes it perfect for day hiking. It is surprisingly lightweight, yet stoutly built, weighing in at 0.7 pounds. This bag is crafted from 500D Cordura, it holds up incredibly well under a variety of conditions. Its 16-litre capacity feels deceptively spacious and can accommodate a wide range of items. The bag also won praises for its convenient center zip.

On the other hand, the Exped Black Ice 30 is a smaller, but equally robust option. Measuring 23 inches tall, 27 inches wide and 57 inches deep, it weighs a mere 0.1 pounds. It’s made of 400 D HD ripstop nylon, TPU film laminated, managing a 10'000 mm water column, this bag is magnificently weatherproof. Despite its minimalistic design, the bag’s 30-liter capacity ensures room for your essentials. Another important feature is the multiple attachment points for your outdoor gear, further underscoring its versatility.

Here’s a simplified bullet point comparison:

Both packs have their unique strengths. The Hill People Gear Tarahumara packs a punch into a compact bag with high-quality materials and a design that is robust and reliable. The Exped Black Ice 30 offers an ideal balance between versatility and functionality for those demanding outdoor adventures. Detailed and clever design features like multiple attachment points make this bag easy to integrate into your chosen activity. Whichever one you select, you can be assured that you're investing in a high-quality bag that's built to last.