Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Salkan "The Backpacker"
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 | Salkan "The Backpacker" |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | removable |
| None | Expanded Capacity | 55L |
| 0 | Opening | 3 |
| back | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | Y |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 15in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | Y |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 4 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500d Cordura | 900D COTNA Polyester with wax finish |
Salkan "The Backpacker"
| Capacity | 45 L |
| Weight | 3.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 66×32×22 cm |
| Airline fit | 1% |
| Price | $345 |
Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Salkan "The Backpacker"
- Compression straps: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Removable on the Salkan "The Backpacker".
- Opening: Other on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Top flap on the Salkan "The Backpacker".
- Passport pocket: Back on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Salkan "The Backpacker".
- Hip belt: Removable on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Salkan "The Backpacker".
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 15in on the Salkan "The Backpacker".
- Main compartments: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 3 on the Salkan "The Backpacker".
- Rain cover: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Salkan "The Backpacker".
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 4 on the Salkan "The Backpacker".
Both have: backpack straps, 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. 2 accept both. 179 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Salkan "The Backpacker".
Only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara fits
Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air Europa, Air France, Air India, Air Koryo, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air New Zealand, Air Niugini, Air Nostrum, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, All Nipon Airways, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, American Eagle, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Atlas Global, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Azul Linhas, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Belavia, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Caribbean Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Croatia Air, Cubana de Aviacion, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, easyJet, EL AL, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Flair Air, flybe, Frontier Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Hainan Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Island Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Kulula, Kuwait Air, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Onur Air, Pakistan International, Peach, PenAir, Philippine Airlines, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Republic Airways, Royal Air Morocco, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, SilkAir, Silver Airways, Singapore Airlines, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Southwest Airlines, SpiceJet, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Country, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAAG Angola, TAM Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Thai Airways, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, United Airlines, Ural Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, WOW Airlines, Xiamen.
Hailing from Hill People Gear, the Tarahumara backpack is a great pick for compact and efficient carry-on luggage. Mirroring the company's reputation for consistency and quality, the bag is excellent for light-weight travel, weighing just 0.7 pounds. Alongside this, it offers a storage capacity of 16 litres. It’s size and weight are convenient for day hikes and short trips, with its 500D Cordura fabrication ensuring a durable, well-built bag that will stand up to the rigours of travel. One interesting thing is that this backpack is compatible with 100% of airlines, indicating its versatility. Customers have found this backpack impressive for its ample storage space despite its dwarf exterior size, likening the interior to the 'spacious Tardis'.
On the other hand, we have the Salkan "The Backpacker". Compared to the Tarahumara, it offers a superior storage size of 45 litres and is significantly larger in size dimensions. However, this larger capacity comes at a cost, with the Backpacker weighing in at a heavier 3.4 pounds. While this might not be ideal for those prioritizing lightweight travel, the trade-off is its extensive space and ability to fit a 15-inch laptop. The Salkan "The Backpacker" is made from 900D COTNA Polyester with a wax finish, offering a resilient and weatherproof design. Importantly, its compatibility with airlines is significantly lower, at just 19%.
- Tarahumara is significantly lighter at 0.7 pounds compared to the Salkan's 3.4 pounds
- Salkan offers more storage with a 45-litre capacity compared to Tarahumara’s 16 litres
- Tarahumara is compatible with 100% of airlines, far surpassing the Salkan’s 19%
- Salkan can accommodate a 15-inch laptop whereas the Tarahumara doesn't have a laptop compartment
- Tarahumara is built with 500D Cordura while the Salkan uses 900D COTNA Polyester with a wax finish
Leaning towards the Tarahumara, users have commended it as a well executed and robust bag that will last for a lifetime. Buyers appreciate its simple but elegant design that can contain a decent amount of stuff. Additionally, its size has been noted as perfect for day hiking, and the centre zip has been lauded for its security and accessibility to the main compartment.
Swaying towards the Salkan "The Backpacker", several customers have found it incredibly practical for their travel needs, irrespective of the destination, whether it be Europe, South America, or Southeast Asia. They regarded it as an excellent bag combo for comfortable use and highly recommended for anyone seeking an adventure pack. Furthermore, buyers admire its weatherproof design, numerous features including security pockets and customizable compression straps, and an adjustable back system to align with the torso's length.