Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. MixedWorks Falcon S
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 | MixedWorks Falcon S |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 2 |
| back | Passport | front |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 15in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500d Cordura | CORDURA® 1000 outer shell Waterproof X- Pac® liner YKK zippers and buckles |
MixedWorks Falcon S
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 1 kg |
| Dimensions | 49×30×17 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $320 |
Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and MixedWorks Falcon S
- Opening: Other on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Rolltop on the MixedWorks Falcon S.
- Passport pocket: Back on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Front on the MixedWorks Falcon S.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Removable on the MixedWorks Falcon S.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 15in on the MixedWorks Falcon S.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the MixedWorks Falcon S.
Both have: compression straps, backpack straps, hip belt, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 173 accept both. 8 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the MixedWorks Falcon S.
Only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara fits
Air Tahiti, American Eagle, easyJet, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
The Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the MixedWorks Falcon S are both high-quality carry on backpacks, but they differ significantly in several ways. Lovers of lightweight pack-gear would appreciate the Tarahumara; it weighs a negligible 0.7 pounds compared to the Falcon S's more robust 1 pound. However, the Falcon S pulls ahead with significantly larger dimensions, towering at 50 inches tall compared to the Tarahumara's 44 inches. This size difference translates to capacity - the Falcon S offers 20 liters of storage space, just slightly edging out the Tarahumara's 16 liters.
- Dimensions: Tarahumara - 44x24x10 inches, Falcon S - 50x30x18 inches
- Weight: Tarahumara - 0.7 pounds, Falcon S - 1 pound
- Capacity: Tarahumara - 16 liters, Falcon S - 20 liters
- Compatibility: Tarahumara - 100% of airlines, Falcon S - 98% of airlines
- Material: Tarahumara - 500D Cordura, Falcon S - CORDURA® 1000 outer shell with Waterproof X- Pac® liner, YKK zippers, and buckles
- Laptop Compartment Size: Tarahumara - 0 inches, Falcon S - 15 inches
A concerning omission from the Tarahumara is a discernible laptop compartment. It's a stark contrast to the Falcon S which can comfortably accommodate a 15 inch laptop. Where the Tarahumara triumphs though, is compatibility - unlike the Falcon S that reportedly is acceptable with 98% of airlines, the Tarahumara prides itself on 100% airline compatibility.
Material wise, both backpacks share the durable CORDURA® characteristic; however, the Falcon S is notably reinforced with a Waterproof X- Pac® liner, YKK zippers, and buckles, whereas the Tarahumara is made from a simpler 500D Cordura.
As per reviewers, both bags more than repay their investment. Despite their contrasts in design and material, their build quality and lifetime durability make them a reliable companion for any traveler looking for both function and style.