Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Topo Travel Bag 40L

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

Hill People Gear Tarahumara

by Hill People Gear
Front facing view of the Hill People Gear Tarahumara
Capacity16 L
Weight0.7 kg
Dimensions43×23×10 cm
Airline fit96%
Price$175

Feature by feature

Storage
2 Compression N
None Expanded Capacity None
0 Opening 1
back Passport front
N Passthrough N
Carry
Y Backpack hideable
removable Hip Belt removable
Y Sternum Strap removable
Inside
N Laptop 15in
2 Main Compartments 4
N Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
2, side Water Bottle Holder 2, side
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
500d Cordura1000D recycled nylon,

Topo Travel Bag 40L

by Topo Designs
Front facing view of the Topo Travel Bag 40L
Capacity40 L
Weight1.7 kg
Dimensions57×36×19 cm
Airline fit16%
Price$230

The Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Topo Travel Bag 40L both offer impressive builds but vary significantly in many aspects. On size, the much vaster Topo Travel Bag stands at 56 inches tall, 36 inches wide, and 18 inches deep. In comparison, the Hill People Gear Tarahumara comes in at 44 inches tall, 24 inches wide, and 10 inches deep, making it a more compact choice. But don't let the Tarahumara's size fool you. While smaller, it sports a well-thought-out design that offers ample room for essentials. Quoting one reviewer, "Despite its diminutive exterior appearance, its interior space is almost like the vacuously spacious Tardis!!!"

Sure, both bags are durable, but their material compositions differ. The Topo Travel Bag is made of a unique blend of 1000D nylon, 400D nylon pack cloth, 210D nylon pack cloth liner, and 1680D ballistic nylon (on select colors). On the other hand, the Hill People Gear Tarahumara boast a simple yet robust 500D Cordura construction.

Comparison Quick Points

When it comes to weight, the Topo Travel bag, clocking in at a sizable but still manageable 1.7 pounds, overtakes the Tarahumara, which is a featherweight champion at 0.7 pounds. Although heavier, the Topo Travel bag offers a massive 40 liters of capacity against the Tarahumara's modest 16 liters.

Finally, while the Tarahumara lacks a laptop compartment, the Topo Travel Bag 40L pitches in with a space ample enough for a 14-inch laptop. So, if you're looking for a bag suitable for day hiking and prefer a compact, lightweight, fuss-free design, the Hill People Gear Tarahumara would be an excellent choice. But if you need a larger capacity, a compartment for your laptop, and don't mind a little extra weight, then the Topo Travel Bag 40L is indeed a contender. Rest assured, both options are well-reviewed, sturdy, reliable, and likely to serve you well through many travels and adventures.