Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L
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 | Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 4 |
| back | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | hideable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 17in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 5 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500d Cordura | 300D Dual-Diamond Heather Ripstop, 500D Poly RPVB Coating |
Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L
| Capacity | 40 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×35×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 89% |
| Price | $100 |
Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L
- Compression straps: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L.
- Opening: Other on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Top zip on the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L.
- Passport pocket: Back on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Hideable on the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 17in on the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 5 on the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 2 on the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L.
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. 168 accept both. 13 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L.
Only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara fits
Air Niugini, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Belavia, Cayman Airways, easyJet, Etihad Airways, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
When it comes to sturdy, reliable standards, both the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L don't disappoint. The build quality with both of these bags is impressive, but they represent two clear-cut approaches to the carry on backpack. The Tarahumara by Hill People Gear is more compact and minimalist in design but with a durability that is hard to beat, thanks to the 500D Cordura. On the other hand, the Wayfinder 30L by Eagle Creek offers more capacity and versatility while maintaining a fairly lightweight and compact profile.
The Tarahumara is an excellent fit for day hiking due to its smaller size and lighter weight (0.7 pounds). Its compact size doesn't compromise on capacity, offering 16 liters of space, ensuring you can carry all the essentials. Despite its size, this backpack is compatible with 100% of airlines, making it a perfect travel companion. In contrast, the Wayfinder, with 40 liters of capacity and compatibility with 98% of airlines, is ideally suited for short trips for people with a smaller stature. Additionally, weighing 0.9 pounds, it doesn't feel burdensome on your shoulders.
- Size: Hill People Gear Tarahumara is 44” tall, 24” wide, and 10” deep. In contrast, the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L is 51” tall, 35” wide, and 20” deep.
- Weight: The Hill People Gear Tarahumara backpack weighs 0.7 pounds while the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L weighs slightly more at 0.9 pounds.
- Capacity: The Tarahumara boasts a capacity of 16 liters while the Wayfinder 30L offers a much larger capacity of 40 liters.
- Materials: The Tarahumara is made of 500D Cordura, and the Wayfinder comes with a combination of 300D Dual-Diamond Heather Ripstop, 500D Poly RPVB Coating.
- Compatibility: The Hill People Gear Tarahumara is compatible with 100% of airlines whereas the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L is compatible with 98% of airlines.
As far as reviewers are concerned, praise for the Tarahumara centers around its build quality and convenient center zip design, praising it as a well-designed bag that you can count on to last. In contrast, reviewers love the Wayfinder 30L for its reputable brand, conveniently accessible back panel tech pockets, as well as a luxurious, fleece-lined pocket for sunglasses. Regardless of your preference, both bags are said to offer superior quality and convenience, making either a dependable choice when considering a durable and reliable carry on backpack.