Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Fjallraven Singi 20
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 | Fjallraven Singi 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 4 |
| back | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 13in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500d Cordura | 100% polyester 600D (recycled) |
Fjallraven Singi 20
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 0.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 43×28×16 cm |
| Airline fit | 96% |
| Price | $85 |
Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Fjallraven Singi 20
- Opening: Other on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Top zip on the Fjallraven Singi 20.
- Passport pocket: Back on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Top on the Fjallraven Singi 20.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Fjallraven Singi 20.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Removable on the Fjallraven Singi 20.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 13in on the Fjallraven Singi 20.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 3 on the Fjallraven Singi 20.
Both have: compression straps, backpack straps, 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. 181 accept both. Every airline that takes one takes the other.
For those in pursuit of a durable backpack for carry-on needs, options abound. However, key contenders include the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Fjallraven Singi 20. The Tarahumara, standing at 44 inches tall, offers more height than the marginally smaller Singi 20, at only 19 inches tall, but remember that this doesn't automatically translate to better capacity. Despite its larger frame, the Tarahumara houses 16 litres of storage, 4 litres less than the Singi 20. Carrying the Tarahumara might also feel heftier, with its weight of 0.7 pounds compared to Singi 20's svelte 0.57 pounds. Still, for frequent flyers, the 100% airline compatibility of the Tarahumara poses an allure that the Singi's 84% compatibility could only wish to match.
- Height: Tarahumara (44 inches) > Singi 20 (19 inches)
- Width: Tarahumara (24 inches) < Singi 20 (29 inches)
- Depth: Tarahumara (10 inches) < Singi 20 (44 inches)
- Weight: Tarahumara (0.7 pounds) > Singi 20 (0.57 pounds)
- Capacity: Tarahumara (16 litres) < Singi 20 (20 litres)
- Airline compatibility: Tarahumara (100%) > Singi 20 (84%)
Material choice can be a defining factor in making a purchase. The Tarahumara's tough 500D Cordura fabric conveys durability, an impression not particularly echoed by Fjallraven's decision to implement a blended fabric of 65% polyester and 35% cotton polyamide for the Singi 20. However, Fjallraven redeems itself with the Singi 20's 15-inch laptop compartment capacity, offering practicality that the Tarahumara misses with its lack of any laptop compartment at all.
The reviews of these bags reveal some supporting pillars of their appeal. The Tarahumara is lauded for its simple but sturdy build, with the central zip access deemed a standout asset. It also boasts of ample main compartment space. Quotes speak to the bag's reliability and dynamism, underscoring its robustness and capability as a carry-on, daily, and even hiking bag. On the other hand, the Singi 20 emerges as a sound buy for those prioritizing extra capacity and laptop storage, edged by an ecological fabric choice indicative of Fjallraven's commitment to sustainability.