Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 48L

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

Hill People Gear Tarahumara

by Hill People Gear
Front facing view of the Hill People Gear Tarahumara
Capacity16 L
Weight0.7 kg
Dimensions43×23×10 cm
Airline fit96%
Price$175

Feature by feature

Storage
2 Compression removable
None Expanded Capacity None
0 Opening 1
back Passport N
N Passthrough N
Carry
Y Backpack hideable
removable Hip Belt hideable
Y Sternum Strap Y
Inside
N Laptop 17in
2 Main Compartments 1
N Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly optional
2, side Water Bottle Holder 1
Y Water Resistant N
Material
500d Cordura100% Nylon & 100% Polyester

Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 48L

by Kathmandu
Front facing view of the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 48L
Capacity48 L
Weight1.65 kg
Dimensions66×34×29 cm
Airline fit1%
Price$330

Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 48L

Both have: sternum strap.

Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on

We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 2 accept both. 179 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 48L.

Only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara fits

Adria Airways, 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 New Zealand, 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, Island 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.

The Hill People Gear Tarahumara by Hill People Gear and the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 48L by Kathmandu are both top contenders when it comes to carry on backpacks; however, their features cater to different types of consumers.

The Hill People Gear Tarahumara, lightweight at 0.7 pounds and made of 500D Cordura, carries the promise of longevity and reliability. Its capacity of 16 liters is perfect for the minimalist traveler that carries the bare essentials. What stands out the most is its compatibility with 100 percent of airlines. However, the lack of a laptop compartment may be a point against it for those who pack their work for their travels.

The Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 48L, on the other hand, is a generous 48-liter pack. It may be heavier at 1.65 pounds, but is made from a combination of 100% Nylon and 100% Polyester, offering durability and resilience. This backpack has a laptop compartment that can accommodate a 17-inch laptop, a feature the Tarahumara lacks. Its limited airline compatibility (only 18% of airlines) is compensated by extra features such as RFID POD compatibility which helps secure your digital information. The sleek and minimalistic aesthetic of the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 48L is a bonus, making it versatile for all types of travel settings.

To conclude, the Hill People Gear Tarahumara is a lean, tough and airline-friendly backpack suitable for travelers who prioritize accessibility and ease of carrying, while the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 48L is apt for travelers who prioritize carrying capacity and additional functions over airline compatibility. The variety in features between the two ensures that there is a suitable choice for a wide range of travel types and preferences.