Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Deuter Gigant
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 | Deuter Gigant |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| S | Compression | S |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| S | Backpack | S |
| R | Hip Belt | R |
| S | Sternum Strap | S |
| Inside | ||
| 0 | Laptop | 17 |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | O |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | 1 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500D Cordura | 300D PES Ripstop |
When sizing up carry-on backpacks, the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Deuter Gigant top my list. The Tarahumara is the taller of the two, standing at 44 inches, while the Gigant tapers off at 22 inches. Yet, the Deuter Gigant outmatches the Tarahumara in width and depth. And with twice the capacity at 32 liters, you won't be leaving much behind.
Despite their physical differences, when it comes to weight, these backpacks are lying in the same ballpark. The Tarahumara is the lighter option, tipping the scales at a mere 0.7 pounds, while the Gigant comes in a bit heavier at 1.1 pounds. Perhaps this difference in weight is due to the fact that the Gigant caters to the tech-savvy crowd, providing a secure spot for a 17-inch laptop. The Tarahumara, on the other hand, doesn't offer a designated laptop compartment.
Here are their differences in a nutshell:
- Size: Tarahumara (44x24x10 inches) vs. Gigant (22x33x50 inches)
- Weight: Tarahumara (0.7 pounds) vs. Gigant (1.1 pounds)
- Capacity: Tarahumara (16 liters) vs. Gigant (32 liters)
- Laptop compartment: Tarahumara (none) vs. Gigant (17 inches)
Material is crucial when selecting a heavy-duty backpack. The Tarahumara rocks a 500D Cordura construction for ruggedness and durability. The Gigant opts for a lightweight yet tear-resistant 300D PES Ripstop fabric. Both backpacks got rave reviews from users, with praises for the Tarahumara’s compact design and the Gigant’s versatility.
Whichever backpack you decide on, it's clear that both the Tarahumara and Gigant have their merits. The Tarahumara is a compact and robust companion for day hikes, with a handy center zip allowing quick access to your belongings. Meanwhile, the Gigant is a traveler's delight, packing ample storage, a handy document compartment, and a sophisticated ventilation system.