Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Eagle Creek Global Companion 40L Women's Fit
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Hill People Gear Tarahumara
| Capacity | 16 L |
| Weight | 0.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 44×24×10 cm |
| Airline fit | 100% |
| Price | $125 |
Feature by feature
| Hill People Gear Tarahumara | Feature | Eagle Creek Global Companion 40L Women's Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| S | Compression | S |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| S | Backpack | S |
| R | Hip Belt | S |
| S | Sternum Strap | S |
| Inside | ||
| 0 | Laptop | 17 |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | H |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500D Cordura | 450D Geo Ripstop, Bi-Tech™, 600D Helix™ Poly |
Eagle Creek Global Companion 40L Women's Fit
| Capacity | 40 L |
| Weight | 1.59 kg |
| Dimensions | 55×35×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 77% |
| Price | $159 |
The Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Eagle Creek Global Companion 40L Women's Fit could not be more different in many ways. While the Tarahumara is compact and lightweight, made for day hiking and carrying basics, the Global Companion is a heavyweight, built for longer trips and more serious packing. This makes the Tarahumara ideal for lighter, shorter ventures where you won't be carrying too much. You have 16 liters of space and it weighs just 0.7 pounds. Moreover, it is acknowledged for its reliable materials and build quality that promises longevity.
The Global Companion, on the other hand, offers a massive 40 liters of space - perfect if you're headed for a longer trip or need to carry quite a bit of gear with you. It has the added benefit of being weather-resistant and comes with a weather cover. Though heavier at 1.59 pounds, it is considered comfortable to use even when fully loaded. What makes it unique is that it was specifically designed to accommodate women's body types, increasing both fit and comfortability.
To summarize, the key differences are:
- Dimensions & Weight: The Tarahumara is smaller, lighter, and more compact; the Global Companion is larger and heavier but provides more space.
- Capacity: 16 liters for the Tarahumara vs. 40 liters for the Global Companion.
- Airline Compatibility: The Tarahumara is compatible with all airlines; the Global Companion with 77% of them.
- Material: The Tarahumara is constructed from 500D Cordura, whereas the Global Companion uses a combination of 450D Geo Ripstop, Bi-Tech™, and 600D Helix™ Poly.
- Laptop Compartment: The Global Companion can comfortably accommodate a 17-inch laptop, while the Tarahumara does not have an inbuilt laptop compartment.
The Tarahumara's strengths are its easy accessibility and contrasting simplicity. The center zip offers excellent security while also giving you quick access to the main compartment. As one reviewer noted, "It can do just about anything 1000 cubic inches can do." Another praised its capacity, stating, "Despite its diminutive exterior appearance, its interior space is almost like the vacuously spacious Tardis !!!"
The Global Companion, beyond its extensive capacity, shines in its level of organization. It's chock-full of pockets to keep your belongings sorted and easily accessible. It also scores high on comfort and durability, with multiple users singling out how it manages weight even when fully packed. In summary, the Global Companion might be more than you need for a short trip or hike, but for longer ones, or if you generally carry a lot of gear, it's an excellent choice. As for the Tarahumara, its simplicity and compact size make it an ideal day hike companion. The right one for you ultimately depends on your specific needs.