Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable 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 | Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 2 |
| back | Passport | front |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500d Cordura | 70D Robic® nylon with UHMWPE ripstop, PFAS free |
Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack
| Capacity | 22 L |
| Weight | 0.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×27×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $100 |
Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack
- Opening: Other on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Rolltop on the Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack.
- Passport pocket: Back on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Front on the Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Removable on the Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack.
Both have: compression straps, backpack straps, hip belt, water bottle pockets, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 174 accept both. 7 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack.
Only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara fits
Air Tahiti, American Eagle, easyJet, Gulf Air, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
If you're after a quality carry-on backpack, two worthy contenders on the market are the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack. The former boasts a tall, slim build, measuring 44 inches in height, 24 inches in width, and 10 inches in depth. Made from 500D Cordura, its compound weave offers excellent resilience and durability. It weighs a mere 0.7 pounds, and with a capacity of 16 liters, it's a delight to toss in all your essentials and dash off for the day.
On the flip side, you have the Matador Freerain22. Sporting a wider profile with dimensions of 17.8 inches in height, 26.7 inches in width, and 49.5 inches in depth, it's a versatile carry-on solution. It is made from 70D Robic® nylon UHMWPE and PU waterproofing 50D nylon mini ripstop, which gives it an edge for those rainy travel days. Plus, it's even lighter than the Tarahumara, tipping the scales at 0.3 pounds, and holds more, with an ample 22-liter capacity.
Now let's nail down the key differences between the two:
- Size: The Tarahumara is taller but slimmer, while the Freerain22 is broader and more profound.
- Weight: Though both are remarkably lightweight, the Freerain22 is less than half the weight of the Tarahumara.
- Capacity: Despite its larger dimensions, the Freerain22 offers an additional six liters of storage over the Tarahumara.
- Material: They diverge on material – the Tarahumara is made from durable 500D Cordura, whereas the Freerain22 uses 70D Robic® nylon UHMWPE and PU waterproofing 50D nylon mini ripstop.
Conclusion? Well, both backpacks have their fans, and for good reasons. Supporter of the Tarahumara revel in its thoughtful design, simple yet efficient, with a central zip feature for easy access to the primary compartment. The materials used in its manufacturing are hailed for durability and resilience, making it an investment that can last a hiker's lifetime.
As for the Freerain22, its foremost quality is its waterproof nature that keeps precious possessions dry and safe from unexpected rain during travel. It's compact and lightweight, and its ability to compactly fold into a pouch when not in use is perfect for someone always on the move. And finally, the load lifters prove vital for more comfortable weight distribution. So, the final choice essentially boils down to specific needs and personal preference.