Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Exped Serac 25
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 Serac 25 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| 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 | 420 D ripstop nylon, TPU film laminate, >10'000 mm water column |
Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Exped Serac 25
- Compression straps: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Exped Serac 25.
- Opening: Other on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Top flap on the Exped Serac 25.
- Passport pocket: Back on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Exped Serac 25.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 1 on the Exped Serac 25.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Exped Serac 25.
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. 131 accept both. 50 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Exped Serac 25.
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, Gulf Air, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
When it comes to carry-on backpacks, high practicality, durability, and smart design are key. The Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Exped Serac 25 certainly epitomize these criterias, while also maintaining their own unique characteristics.
On one hand, the Hill People Gear Tarahumara is larger in size with dimensions of 44 inches tall, 24 inches wide, and 10 inches deep. It's a bit on the lighter side, weighing only 0.7 pounds. Aside from the dimensions, its storage capacity is 16 liters, providing just the right amount of space for essentials. Made of robust 500D Cordura, it ensures durability. However, while it has a laptop compartment, it cannot accommodate any laptop, which may be a minus or inconsequential, depending on the needs of the carrier. One large advantage it holds is the fact that it's compatible with 100% of airlines.
On the other hand, the Exped Serac 25, a bit more compact with dimensions of 21 inches tall, 25 inches wide, and 55 inches deep, weighs 0.765 pounds. It surpasses the Hill People Gear Tarahumara with its 25 liters of storage capacity. It's constructed from 420 D ripstop nylon and has a TPU film laminate with a high water column, implying a strong water-resistant score. Like the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, its laptop compartment accommodates no laptop. It's less flexible when it comes to airline compatibility, with just 63% approval rate.
- The Hill People Gear Tarahumara is larger but lighter
- It has a smaller storage capacity (16 liters to 25 liters)
- It's made from hard-wearing 500D Cordura
- It's compatible with 100% of airlines
- The Exped Serac 25 is more compact but slightly heavier
- It has a larger storage capacity
- It's made from strong, water-resistant 420 D ripstop nylon
- It's compatible with 63% of airlines
Reviewers have generally expressed satisfaction with both backpacks. The Hill People Gear Tarahumara has been lauded for its excellent design, good quality, and simplicity despite its spacious interior, with some even dubbing it the perfect solution for the "one-daypack question". Meanwhile, the Exped Serac 25, highly regarded for its lightweight yet durable characteristic, is praised for its waterproof features and overall design, making it particularly applicable for outdoor adventures and winter backpacking.
In conclusion, each carry-on shines in its own rights, and the choice between the two boots down to the specific needs of the potential buyer. The Hill People Gear Tarahumara may serve better for those desiring more space and universal airline compatibility, while the Exped Serac 25 might suit those prioritizing water-resistance and extra storage capacity.