Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. ebags Mother Lode Weekender Convertible
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Hill People Gear Tarahumara
| Capacity | 16 L |
| Weight | 0.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 43×23×10 cm |
| Airline fit | 96% |
| Price | $175 |
Feature by feature
| Hill People Gear Tarahumara | Feature | ebags Mother Lode Weekender Convertible |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| back | Passport | front |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | hideable |
| removable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 17in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 5 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500d Cordura | 840D & 900D Twisted Poly High-visibility 210D orange nylon lining |
ebags Mother Lode Weekender Convertible
| Capacity | 54 L |
| Weight | 1.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×36×25 cm |
| Airline fit | 14% |
| Price | $210 |
First up, we have the Hill People Gear Tarahumara by Hill People Gear. This backpack is a lightweight and compact carry-on option, weighing only 0.7 pounds and measuring 44 inches tall, 24 inches wide, and 10 inches deep. It's made of 500D Cordura, ensuring it's sturdy enough for any adventure. The backpack boasts a capacity of 16 litres and an impressive compatibility with all airlines.
Our second contender is the ebags Mother Lode Weekender Convertible by Ebags. This backpack is significantly larger, standing at 23 inches tall, 36 inches wide, and 56 inches deep. Although heavier than the Hill People Gear Tarahumara at 1.8 pounds, it offers a much larger capacity of 54 litres, perfect for those who need that little extra space. Made from durable polyester, the ebags Mother Lode Weekender Convertible is built to handle wear and tear. However, its size means it's only compatible with 47% of airlines.
Here's a bullet-pointed list, summarizing the differences:
- Size: Tarahumara is larger, but Mother Lode has Larger capacity.
- Weight: Tarahumara is lighter.
- Material: Tarahumara is made from 500D Cordura, and Mother Lode is made from Polyester.
- Laptop compartment: Mother Lode can fit a 19-inch laptop, Tarahumara does not have this feature.
- Airline compatibility: Tarahumara is universally accepted, Mother Lode is accepted by fewer than half of airlines.
Now, let's see what the reviewers say. One reviewer described the Tarahumara as "well designed, well executed, and well built" in addition to its team being active in the backpack community. Another review applauded it for being spacious enough to carry all their daily essentials, while also offering lots of flying flexibility.
On the other hand, reviewers praise the Mother Lode for its organizational components, which makes finding what you need a breeze. The additional storage spaces received a lot of love, making it hard to lose anything.
If you're choosing between the two, consider your needs. Tarahumara is great for day hikes, offers reliable build quality, and is easy to access. If you need more organization, laptop protection, and sturdier materials, the Mother Lode Weekender Convertible might be for you.