Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Patagonia Women's Black Hole® Pack 23L
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 | Patagonia Women's Black Hole® Pack 23L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 4 |
| back | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | N |
| removable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 15in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500d Cordura | 300-denier 100% postconsumer recycled polyester ripstop, 200-denier 100% recycled polyester |
Patagonia Women's Black Hole® Pack 23L
| Capacity | 23 L |
| Weight | 0.58 kg |
| Dimensions | 50.8×27.94×16.4 cm |
| Airline fit | 90% |
| Price | $129 |
Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Patagonia Women's Black Hole® Pack 23L
- Compression straps: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Patagonia Women's Black Hole® Pack 23L.
- Opening: Other on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Top zip on the Patagonia Women's Black Hole® Pack 23L.
- Passport pocket: Back on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Patagonia Women's Black Hole® Pack 23L.
- Backpack straps: Yes on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Patagonia Women's Black Hole® Pack 23L.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Patagonia Women's Black Hole® Pack 23L.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 15in on the Patagonia Women's Black Hole® Pack 23L.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 1 on the Patagonia Women's Black Hole® Pack 23L.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Patagonia Women's Black Hole® Pack 23L.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 2 on the Patagonia Women's Black Hole® Pack 23L.
Both have: sternum strap, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 170 accept both. 11 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Patagonia Women's Black Hole® Pack 23L.
Only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara fits
Air Niugini, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Belavia, easyJet, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
The Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Patagonia Women's Black Hole® Pack 23L are both exceptional as carry on backpacks, but they offer distinct features and experiences for different kinds of travelers. The Tarahumara is a powerful mix of hardiness and functionality. With its dimensions of 44 inches by 24 by 10, this 0.7-pound pack gives you 16 liters of capacity. Notably, it's made from 500D Cordura, a reliable material known for its durability. This backpack is compatible with 100% of airlines, an impressive feature for frequent flyers. One standout point is that, despite it's strong build and considerable size, it does not have a laptop compartment.
The Patagonia Women's Black Hole® Pack 23L, on the other hand, presents itself as a more eco-friendly and lightweight option. It measures 16.4 inches by 27.94 by 50.8, and weighs in at a slightly lighter 0.58 pounds. It surpasses the Tarahumara in terms of capacity, offering 23 liters of space. It's made from 300-denier 100% postconsumer recycled polyester ripstop, 200-denier 100% recycled polyester - an eco-conscious choice for the environmentally aware traveler. And, as an added convenience for the tech-savvy backpacker, it can fit a 15-inch laptop. However, be mindful that this backpack is compatible with only 80% of airlines.
In a nutshell, here are the key differences between the two:
- The Hill People Gear Tarahumara is larger and sturdier, but the Patagonia Women's Black Hole® Pack 23L is lighter and has more capacity.
- The Tarahumara is made from 500D Cordura, while the Black Hole is made from recycled polyester.
- The Tarahumara can be carried onto 100% of airlines, while the Black Hole is compatible with 80% of airlines.
- The Black Hole has a laptop compartment that fits a 15-inch laptop, while the Tarahumara does not have a laptop compartment.
Ultimately, these backpacks have been praised by their users. The Tarahumara is applauded for its size, perfect for day hiking; its great build quality from reliable materials; and its center zip, which offers both security and convenience for accessing the main compartment. On the flip side, the Black Hole has been lauded for its women-specific design features, its lightweight yet highly durable material, its stellar organization, and its use of recycled and socially responsible raw materials. Both are remarkable packs, certainly - the decision you make simply depends upon your personal needs and preferences.