Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Aer Travel Pack 2
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 | Aer Travel Pack 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| back | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | optional |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 16in |
| 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 | Grey: 900D eco-dyed polyester Black / Blue: 1680D Cordura® ballistic nylon exterior |
Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Aer Travel Pack 2
- Compression straps: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 4 on the Aer Travel Pack 2.
- Opening: Other on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Clamshell on the Aer Travel Pack 2.
- Passport pocket: Back on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Top on the Aer Travel Pack 2.
- Luggage passthrough: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Aer Travel Pack 2.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Optional on the Aer Travel Pack 2.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Removable on the Aer Travel Pack 2.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 16in on the Aer Travel Pack 2.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 5 on the Aer Travel Pack 2.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Aer Travel Pack 2.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 1, side on the Aer Travel Pack 2.
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. 130 accept both. 51 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Aer Travel Pack 2.
Only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
The Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Aer Travel Pack 2 are both compelling options in the backpack market. Each has unique features that position it to serve distinct types of travelers. The Tarahumara, with a slim, lightweight design and a respectable 16 liters of capacity, is the epitome of convenience for the minimalist traveler. The compact size of this backpack meets the carry-on requirements of every airline, not to mention its robust build from 500D Cordura promising longevity. Hill People Gear Tarahumara, however, lacks a sizable laptop compartment - its pocket measures a negligible 0 inch.
The Aer Travel Pack 2 picks up where the Tarahumara comes short. Built of a sturdy 900D eco-dyed polyester, it is slightly heavier, weighing 1.7 pounds yet offering double the capacity at 33 liters. This large storage caters to those keen to carry more in their travels. Moreover, the Aer Travel Pack 2 features a laptop compartment that can snugly house a 15-inch laptop, a convenience that digital nomads will appreciate. However, its larger size disqualifies it from being accepted as carry-on baggage by a few select airlines.
Overall, the comparison points out:
- **Size: **Hill People Gear Tarahumara (44" x 24" x 10"); Aer Travel Pack 2 (56" x 35" x 23").
- **Weight: **Hill People Gear Tarahumara (0.7lbs); Aer Travel Pack 2 (1.7lbs).
- **Material: **Hill People Gear Tarahumara (500D Cordura); Aer Travel Pack 2 (900D eco-dyed polyester).
- **Laptop compartment: **Hill People Gear Tarahumara (0"); Aer Travel Pack 2 (up to 15").
Both backpacks receive substantial praise in the review sphere. Customers love the Tarahumara for its compactness and no-frills approach. Reviewers extol it as sturdy, elegant, and capable of covering the basics in terms of carrying capacity. The Aer Travel Pack 2, while also applauded for its build quality, is admired more for its clever organization and stylish urban aesthetic. Reviewers frequently highlight its notable features, like its protected laptop compartment and practical design tweaks from earlier models.
In conclusion, while the bare-bones approach of the Hill People Gear Tarahumara resonates with hikers or those traveling light, the Aer Travel Pack 2 offers more for travelers whose adventures often include a digital component. Where the Tarahumara impresses with its reliability and ruggedness, the Travel Pack 2 wins with its comprehensive features and smarter use of space. Ultimately, the decision between the two boils down to individual needs, preferences, and style of travel.