Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Tom Bihn Smart Alec
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 | Tom Bihn Smart Alec |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| back | Passport | |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 17in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 0 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500d Cordura | |
Tom Bihn Smart Alec
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×30×21 cm |
| Airline fit | 74% |
| Price | $190 |
Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Tom Bihn Smart Alec
- Compression straps: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Removable on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 17in on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 140 accept both. 41 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
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, flybe, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Ravn Alaska, 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), Volotea, Xiamen.
When it comes to choosing a carry-on backpack, Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Tom Bihn Smart Alec are both stellar choices. Each brings a unique style and feature set to the table. The Hill People Gear Tarahumara stands at 44 inches tall, and 24 inches wide with a depth of 10 inches, offering a compact and efficient design that weighs just 0.7 pounds. With a 16-liter capacity, it proves to be a nimble option for quick turnaround trips. And it's no slouch in terms of compatibility - 100% of airlines will gladly accept this as your faithful journey companion. Also, its robust construction of 500D Cordura will surely see you through the thick and thin.
Tom Bihn's Smart Alec, on the other hand, is a more sizable option with a height of 47 inches, a width of 30 inches, and a depth of 21 inches. Weighing in at 0.9 pounds, this pack doesn't skimp on space either. There's a whopping 26-liter capacity to fill up with all your essentials. It also sports a laptop compartment that can snugly house a 17-inch laptop, ideal for the tech-savvy traveler. To top it off, it's compatible with a respectable 98% of airlines.
Here's a brief rundown of their features:
- Hill People Gear Tarahumara: 44 inches tall, 24 inches wide, 10 inches deep, 0.7 pounds, 16 liters capacity, 500D Cordura, laptop compartment for 0 inch laptop, 100% airline compatibility.
- Tom Bihn Smart Alec: 47 inches tall, 30 inches wide, 21 inches deep, 0.9 pounds, 26 liters capacity, laptop compartment for 17 inch laptop, 98% airline compatibility.
The reviewers' quotes speak volumes about both packs. Like, for Hill People Gear Tarahumara, it's praised as a robust, minimalist pack that could potentially last a lifetime. As for the Tom Bihn Smart Alec, it gets a nod for its durability, spacious capacity, and versatile modular design. No matter the choice you make, remember why you find each to be an excellent buy. Hill People Gear Tarahumara is perfect for day hiking with convenient center zip and wonderful build quality. And Tom Bihn Smart Alec offers durability, lightweight frame, and customizable design to suit your needs. Both packs prove to be reliable companions on any journey.