Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack
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 | Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 3 |
| back | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | Y |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | optional |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | N |
| Material | |
| 500d Cordura | 100% Polyester |
Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack
| Capacity | 32 L |
| Weight | 1.04 kg |
| Dimensions | 62×29×26 cm |
| Airline fit | 3% |
| Price | $200 |
Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack
- Compression straps: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack.
- Opening: Other on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Top flap on the Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack.
- Passport pocket: Back on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 1 on the Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack.
- Rain cover: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Optional on the Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 2 on the Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack.
- Water resistant: Yes on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack.
Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 5 accept both. 176 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack.
Only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara fits
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 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.
When in the market for a durable, user-friendly carry-on backpack, the options can sometimes be overwhelming. Two worthy contenders, Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack, stand out for their unique features and numerous positive reviews. Both bags offer exceptional durability, high-quality workmanship, and ample storage space with the Tarahumara offering a simpler, minimalist design, while the Nowaki focuses more on attachment points and a unique harness system.
The Hill People Gear Tarahumara, standing 44 inches tall, 24 inches wide, and 10 inches deep, is a relatively compact carry-on option. Weighing a mere 0.7 pounds, this 16-liter capacity bag is made from robust 500D Cordura material. The minimalist design doesn’t offer a laptop compartment, but reviewers have applauded its design, build quality, and the top-notch customer service associated with the brand.
On the other hand, the Kathmandu Nowaki 32L pack is a larger bag with dimensions of 26 inches by 29 inches by 62 inches. At a weight of 1.04 pounds, it caters to those seeking more volume with its 32-liter storage space. Made of 100% Polyester, it too lacks a laptop compartment. Its most distinctive feature is the breathable Air Pod System Light harness that offers impressive padding and airflow for the wearer's comfort. With numerous external attachment loops, this bag maximizes functionality.
A quick summary of the differences:
- Size - Tarahumara (44 x 24 x 10 inches) vs. Nowaki (26 x 29 x 62 inches)
- Weight - Tarahumara (0.7 pounds) vs. Nowaki (1.04 pounds)
- Capacity - Tarahumara (16 liters) vs. Nowaki (32 liters)
- Material - Tarahumara (500D Cordura) vs. Nowaki (100% Polyester)
- Laptop Compartment - Both Lack
- Additional Features - Tarahumara is simple and durable, while Nowaki features the breathable harness and multiple attachment points.
In conclusion, if your preference leans towards a lighter, more straightforward design, the Tarahumara may be a better fit. On the flip side, if you're after a bag with more storage and exceptional features focused on comfort and functionality, then the Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack may tick all your boxes. Each backpack has its unique strengths, making them great choices depending on individual needs and preferences.