Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Patagonia Paxat Backpack 32L

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 Y
None Expanded Capacity None
0 Opening 4
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 Y
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
2, side Water Bottle Holder 2
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
500d Cordura630-denier 100% nylon, 450-denier 100% polyester

Patagonia Paxat Backpack 32L

by Patagonia
Front facing view of the Patagonia Paxat Backpack 32L
Capacity32 L
Weight0.9 kg
Dimensions51×31×23 cm
Airline fit71%
Price$119

Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Patagonia Paxat Backpack 32L

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. 134 accept both. 47 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Patagonia Paxat Backpack 32L.

Only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara fits

Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Australia, Volotea, Xiamen.

When it comes to the perfect companion on your travels, a reliable backpack is the first choice for many. Let's look at two solid contenders: the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Patagonia Paxat Backpack 32L.

First off is the Tarahumara, a rugged, lean bag by Hill People Gear. This backpack has the advantage in weight, coming in at a feather-light 0.7 pounds versus the Paxat's 0.9 pounds. At 44 inches tall, 24 inches wide, and 10 inches deep, it's smaller than the Paxat, yet still fits snugly in overheard compartments with a 100% airline compatibility score. This bag boasts an impressive capacity of 16 liters, and is constructed out of sturdy 500D Cordura. Unfortunately, it misses on laptop storage as it has no compartment to accommodate one.

Next up, we have the Paxat Backpack 32L by Patagonia. Unlike the Tarahumara, it can accommodate a laptop up to 15 inches, a definite plus for the digital nomad or the coffee shop worker. In terms of size, it's heftier at 23 inches tall, 31 inches wide, and 51 inches deep. Made out of a blend of 630-denier 100% nylon and 450-denier 100% polyester, one can assure that it is as durable as it is good-looking. However, it falls slightly short in its airline compatibility, fitting into 97% of airlines.

In conclusion, both bags have their respective strengths. The Tarahumara leans towards the more minimalist, lightweight end of outdoor gear, making it ideal for day hikes, while the Paxat offers a greater carrying capacity and fits in most airlines but weighs slightly more. Regardless, both options lead to a well-chosen investment, painstaking craftsmanship, and design consideration visible from every angle. Just choose according to your needs.