Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Aer Duffel Pack 2
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 | Aer Duffel Pack 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| back | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 15in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500d Cordura | 900D eco-dyed polyester exterior |
Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Aer Duffel Pack 2
- Compression straps: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Aer Duffel Pack 2.
- Passport pocket: Back on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Aer Duffel Pack 2.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Aer Duffel Pack 2.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 15in on the Aer Duffel Pack 2.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 3 on the Aer Duffel Pack 2.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 1 on the Aer Duffel Pack 2.
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. 163 accept both. 18 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Aer Duffel Pack 2.
Only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara fits
Air Niugini, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Belavia, easyJet, Etihad Airways, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Liat Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Jordanian, Scoot, Tiger Airways, Virgin Australia, WestJet.
When you are looking for a backpack to meet your carry-on needs, your options might boil down to the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Aer Duffel Pack 2. Both have their unique qualities and cater to different needs.
The Hill People Tarahumara is a solid pack, built like a tank, weighing just 0.7 lbs and standing 44 inches tall. It's impressive at first glance. Made from sturdy 500D Cordura, you can expect there's nothing flimsy about this bag. One of its significant features is the pack's compatibility with 100% of airlines, a critical detail for frequent flyers. With a 16-liter storage capacity, it fits your essentials and doesn't overload your back. However, it has no laptop compartment, which may be a dealbreaker for digital nomads. It's a reliable pack, garnering reviews praising its design, execution, and simplicity.
While the Duffel Pack 2 by Aer is no slouch either. It's a bit heavier at 1.1 pounds, but still convenient to carry, and only 20 inches tall. Made from eco-dyed polyester, it's environmentally friendly and sturdy. It boasts a whopping 24.6 liters of storage capacity and it's the firm favorite among users who need that extra bit of packing space. Plus, it has an elevated and padded compartment that can comfortably fit a 15-inch laptop. However, only 78% of airlines accept it as carry-on, which slightly edges it out by Tarahumara in this regard.
Comparison:
- Height: Tarahumara – 44 inches vs Aer Duffel – 20 inches
- Weight: Tarahumara – 0.7 pounds vs Aer Duffel – 1.1 pounds
- Storage Capacity: Tarahumara – 16 liters vs Aer Duffel – 24.6 liters
- Airline Compatibility: Tarahumara – 100% vs Aer Duffel – 78%
- Material: Tarahumara – 500D Cordura vs Aer Duffel – 900D eco-dyed polyester
- Laptop Compartment: Tarahumara – Not available vs Aer Duffel – upto 15 inch
When it all boils down to details, it's your personal choice. The Hill People Gear Tarahumara, with its robust build quality and full compatibility with airlines, is tailor-made for day hikers and outdoorsy types. In contrast, the Aer Duffel Pack 2, with its larger storage space and laptop compartment, caters to the urban traveler who frequently needs to haul both work and gym gear. Whatever the choice, both bags are comfortable, durable, and praised by reviewers, sure to serve you well on your journeys.