Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Fjallraven Kaipak 28
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 | Fjallraven Kaipak 28 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | Y |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 4 |
| back | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | Y |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500d Cordura | G-1000® HeavyDuty Eco S: 65% polyester, 35% cotton 100% polyamide 500D |
Fjallraven Kaipak 28
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 1.05 kg |
| Dimensions | 57×28×21 cm |
| Airline fit | 17% |
| Price | $150 |
Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Fjallraven Kaipak 28
- Compression straps: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Fjallraven Kaipak 28.
- Opening: Other on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Top zip on the Fjallraven Kaipak 28.
- Passport pocket: Back on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Fjallraven Kaipak 28.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Removable on the Fjallraven Kaipak 28.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 1 on the Fjallraven Kaipak 28.
- Rain cover: No on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Yes on the Fjallraven Kaipak 28.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; 2 on the Fjallraven Kaipak 28.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 32 accept both. 149 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Fjallraven Kaipak 28.
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 France, Air India, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, Air Nostrum, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, 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, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Belavia, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, CommutAir, Copa Airlines, 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, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, 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, 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, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Republic Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Thai Airways, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, WOW Airlines, Xiamen.
When looking for a practical, travel-approved backpack, it’s only right that we put heavyweights like the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Fjallraven Kaipak 28 to the test. Built specifically for hard-wearing use and ease of mobility, these packs provide distinct features to suit different travel preferences.
The Hill People Gear Tarahumara prides itself as a catch-all pack, both lightweight at 0.7 pounds and versatile. With its 500D Cordura construction, it's lauded for its durability and is a pack that will likely "last you a lifetime." Though it measures 44 inches tall, 24 inches wide, and 10 inches deep with only 16 liters of capacity, it's praised for its surprisingly vast storage space despite its "diminutive exterior appearance." It's compatible with 100 percent of airlines, making it a convenient travel companion whether you're in the sky or on rough terrains.
On the other hand, the Fjallraven Kaipak 28 offers a larger capacity at 28 liters. Weighing slightly heavier at 1.05 pounds, it's hailed for the comfort it provides even when fully packed. Its 21 inches tall, 28 inches wide, and 57 inches deep design accommodates more items but do note that it’s compatible with only 30 percent of airlines. Made from eco-friendly G-1000® HeavyDuty Eco S materials, this pack showcases Fjallraven's commitment to longevity and environmental preservation.
- The Hill People Gear Tarahumara scores in airline compatibility, weight, and material toughness.
- The Fjallraven Kaipak 28 wins in capacity, comfort when fully packed, and ecological commitment, but falls short in airline compatibility.
In closing, the choice between the two can come down to what suits your travel style the most. Are you a minimalist who values lightness and airline compatibility above all? Then the Hill People Gear Tarahumara might be for you. Do you need a more robust capacity with an emphasis on comfort and eco-friendliness? Then the Fjallraven Kaipak 28 holds the edge. Both packs, however, promise reliable build and long-term durability that’s guaranteed to serve you well on your travel adventures.