Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Exped Verglas 40
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 | Exped Verglas 40 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | Y |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 3 |
| back | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500d Cordura | 210 D Robic HD Ripstop Nylon Carbonate PU, 2'500 mm water column |
Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Exped Verglas 40
- Compression straps: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Exped Verglas 40.
- Opening: Other on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Top flap on the Exped Verglas 40.
- Passport pocket: Back on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Exped Verglas 40.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 1 on the Exped Verglas 40.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Exped Verglas 40.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, 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. 3 accept both. 178 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Exped Verglas 40.
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, 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.
Looking at the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, right away it's obvious that simplicity and durability are at its core. We’re talking 500D Cordura construction and a bit of a throwback aesthetic – it's basic but in the best of ways. It can endure a beating and still look the part. You’d least expect its compact frame – 44in tall, 24in wide, and 10in deep - to be that roomy, but it does fit a lot more than meets the eye, 16 liters in fact. It's lightweight too, tipping the scales at a sprightly 0.7 pounds, further driving its allure as a daypack. Hurray for 100% airline compatibility and unrestricted inflight companionship! Certainly, it's not padded out for a laptop, but for hiking, that's hardly a deal breaker.
On the other side, we have the Exped Verglas 40. This one confronts the outdoors with an air of technical sophistication, using 210 D Robic HD Ripstop Nylon Carbonate PU, capable of shrugging off water up to 2,500 mm – impressive! It’s heftier at 26in tall, 32in wide, and a whopping 63in deep with a weight of 1.14 pounds, but then again, you get to pack in 40 liters of gear. And while it's a poor traveler compatibility-wise, fitting into only 19% of airlines' overhead bins, it redeems itself by including a handy laptop compartment.
Key Comparison Points:
- Dimensions: Hill People Gear Tarahumara is smaller than Exped Verglas 40.
- Weight: The Tarahumara is noticeably lighter.
- Capacity: The Exped Verglas 40 offers more than twice the packing space.
- Airline Compatibility: The Tarahumara scores high, while the Verglas 40 lags.
- Material: Both are robust but with the Verglas 40 offering a higher water resistance.
- Laptop Compartment: The Exped wins out, offering a designated laptop compartment while the Hill People’s contender lacks one.
Reviewers hold the Hill People Gear Tarahumara in high regard, repeatedly praising its functionality, simplicity, and durability. The pack’s roominess belies its exterior, and the perceived lifetime value from just one bag resonates with users. The “best overall solution” comment particularly reflects its all-around appeal.
Conversely, the Exped Verglas 40 inspires admiration in its weatherproofing and robust build, its assortment of useful attachment points, and nifty side access to the main compartment. The removable hip belt pockets are an appreciated touch, elevating this backpack's convenience quotient. Though the airline incompatibility can be a dampener, enthusiasts tend to see past it, given its overall resilience and outdoorsy appeal.