Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Briggs & Riley Medium Cargo Backpack
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 | Briggs & Riley Medium Cargo Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 4 |
| back | Passport | Y |
| N | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | N |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 15in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500d Cordura | 1600D ballistic nylon outer fabric |
Briggs & Riley Medium Cargo Backpack
| Capacity | 27.3 L |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 45.5×34.5×20.5 cm |
| Airline fit | 74% |
| Price | $329 |
Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Briggs & Riley Medium Cargo Backpack
- Compression straps: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Briggs & Riley Medium Cargo Backpack.
- Opening: Other on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Top zip on the Briggs & Riley Medium Cargo Backpack.
- Passport pocket: Back on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Briggs & Riley Medium Cargo Backpack.
- Luggage passthrough: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Briggs & Riley Medium Cargo Backpack.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Briggs & Riley Medium Cargo Backpack.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Briggs & Riley Medium Cargo Backpack.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 15in on the Briggs & Riley Medium Cargo Backpack.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 1 on the Briggs & Riley Medium Cargo Backpack.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Briggs & Riley Medium Cargo Backpack.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 1 on the Briggs & Riley Medium Cargo Backpack.
Both have: backpack straps, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 139 accept both. 42 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Briggs & Riley Medium Cargo Backpack.
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, Cayman Airways, China Eastern, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Regional Express, 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), Virgin Australia, Volotea, Xiamen.
Hill People Gear's Tarahumara backpack stands proud with its rigid build and tough 500D Cordura fabric. With a total capacity of 16 liters, it might be on the lighter side, but it's perfect for day trips and short travels. Despite its lesser size, the Tarahumara is a giant when it comes to airline compatibility, scoring a complete 100%. This bag also boasts a zero-inch laptop compartment, making it an ideal pick for the less tech-reliant outdoor enthusiasts.
On the other hand, the Briggs & Riley Medium Cargo Backpack is a bulkier option, weighing in at 1.2 pounds with a carrying capacity of 27.3 liters. The backpack is constructed with solid 1600D ballistic nylon outer fabric, giving it a sturdy, rugged feel. While it might be bigger, it scores lower on airline compatibility, aligning with only 66% of carriers. However, it outshines the Tarahumara when carrying tech essentials, housing a 15-inch laptop with ease.
Here is a sharper comparison between the two:
- Tarahumara is smaller with a 16-liter capacity while Briggs & Riley boasts 27.3 liters.
- Tarahumara is the lightweight champ at 0.7 pounds, while Briggs & Riley weighs in at 1.2 pounds.
- Tarahumara is made from 500D Cordura fabric, whereas Briggs & Riley uses 1600D ballistic nylon.
- While Tarahumara is 100% airline compatible, Briggs & Riley holds only 66% compatibility.
- Tarahumara lacks a traditional laptop compartment, while Briggs & Riley comfortably houses a 15-inch laptop.
Reviewers have plenty to say about both backpacks. "It’s a well designed, well executed, and well built bag that’ll last you a lifetime," says one happy user of the Hill People's product. Reviewing the same bag, another user points out its roomy interior - "Impressive, despite its diminutive exterior appearance, its interior space is almost like the vacuously spacious Tardis."
When it comes down to it, both these backpacks offer unique advantages. For those who prefer the perfect size for a day hike, top-notched build quality, and handy center zip mechanism, the Hill People's Gear Tarahumara proves a worthy purchase. For those who value carrying more, Briggs & Riley delivers with a substantial carrying capacity, RFID pocket for added security, and high-value aesthetics via leather detailing and excellent organization utilities. The choice depends on specific preferences and requirements.