Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Briggs & Riley Large Roll Top Backpack
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 | Briggs & Riley Large Roll Top Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 2 |
| back | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | Y |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 17in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500d Cordura | Coated and woven polyester |
Briggs & Riley Large Roll Top Backpack
| Capacity | 34.8 L |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 48.2×38.1×21.6 cm |
| Airline fit | 43% |
| Price | $279 |
Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Briggs & Riley Large Roll Top Backpack
- Compression straps: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Briggs & Riley Large Roll Top Backpack.
- Opening: Other on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Rolltop on the Briggs & Riley Large Roll Top Backpack.
- Passport pocket: Back on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Briggs & Riley Large Roll Top Backpack.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Briggs & Riley Large Roll Top Backpack.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 17in on the Briggs & Riley Large Roll Top Backpack.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 1 on the Briggs & Riley Large Roll Top Backpack.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 2 on the Briggs & Riley Large Roll Top Backpack.
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. 81 accept both. 100 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Briggs & Riley Large Roll Top Backpack.
Only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara fits
Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Asia, Air Baltic, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Avianca , Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Belavia, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, EVA Air, flybe, Garuda Indonesia, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Jet Airways, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kulula, LATAM , Liat Airlines, Luxair, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Republic Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, Trans States, TUI, Ukraine International, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
Consider the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, standing at 44 inches tall, 24 inches wide, and 10 inches deep. With its weight at 0.7 pounds, it is light on the back while holding 16 liters of capacity. Buildwise, it is made from 500D Cordura, ensuring durability and resistance to wear and tear. However, its laptop compartment is a caveat, fitting a 0 inch laptop, which practically means none. As attested by reviewers, the bag is well-designed, well-executed, and is built to endure. Notably, it proves versatile with its spacious capacity despite its diminutive exterior appearance, like the improbable spaciousness of the Tardis.
On the other hand, the Briggs & Riley Large Roll Top Backpack measures 21.6 inches tall, 38.1 inches wide, and 48.2 inches deep. Weighing a slightly meatier 1.4 pounds, it doubles the capacity of the Tarahumara with its whopping 34.8 liter storage. Crafted from coated and woven polyester, it promises a different type of sturdiness. Additionally, it does provide a laptop compartment fitting 17-inch machines. Its compatibility with 51% of airlines scores lower than that of the Tarahumara, making it potentially less ideal for frequent flyers. Despite this, the bag is held in high regard for its build quality and reliable materials, making it a promising choice for longer, more demanding trips.
Comparison highlight:
- Size: The Hill People Gear Tarahumara is taller but narrow and lighter, as compared to the shorter, wider, and heavier Briggs & Riley backpack.
- Capacity: Briggs & Riley possesses more than double the capacity of the Tarahumara.
- Material: The Hill People Gear Tarahumara is made of 500D Cordura, while the Briggs & Riley is made of coated and woven polyester.
- Laptop Compartment: The Hill People Gear Tarahumara has no laptop compartment, while the Briggs & Riley can hold 17-inch laptops.
- Airline Compatibility: The Hill People Gear Tarahumara is compatible with 100% of airlines, while the Briggs & Riley scores at 51%.
Ultimately, it hinges on personal preference and specific needs. For lighter and minimalist travels, the Hill People Gear Tarahumara is a potential pick with its light weight, durable material, and compatibility with all airlines. However, for demanding travels or digital nomads, the Briggs & Riley Large Roll Top Backpack provides more capacity and laptop support, albeit at a slightly heavier weight.