Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Gossamer Gear Vagabond Jet
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 | Gossamer Gear Vagabond Jet |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| back | Passport | front |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 16in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500d Cordura | 210D Robic nylon |
Gossamer Gear Vagabond Jet
| Capacity | 23 L |
| Weight | 0.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×27×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $125 |
Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Gossamer Gear Vagabond Jet
- Passport pocket: Back on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Front on the Gossamer Gear Vagabond Jet.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Gossamer Gear Vagabond Jet.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 16in on the Gossamer Gear Vagabond Jet.
Both have: compression straps, backpack straps, sternum strap, water bottle pockets, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 179 accept both. 2 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Gossamer Gear Vagabond Jet.
Only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara fits
Air Tahiti, Gulf Air.
Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Gossamer Gear Vagabond Jet: which should you pack?
The Gossamer Gear Vagabond Jet carries 7L more than the Hill People Gear Tarahumara (16L vs. 23L), while the Hill People Gear Tarahumara is the lighter pack at 0.7kg (vs. 0.7kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Hill People Gear Tarahumara fits 96% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Gossamer Gear Vagabond Jet; if you want to travel lighter, the Hill People Gear Tarahumara is the better call.