Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on
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 | Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| back | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | hideable |
| removable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | N |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500d Cordura | |
Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on
| Capacity | 40 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×36×21 cm |
| Airline fit | 66% |
| Price | $110 |
Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on
- Passport pocket: Back on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Top on the Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on.
- Backpack straps: Yes on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; Hideable on the Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Hill People Gear Tarahumara; No on the Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on.
Both have: water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 124 accept both. 57 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on.
Only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara fits
Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Baltic, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Bulgaria Air, Cayman Airways, China Eastern, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Jet Airways, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Australia, Volotea, Xiamen.
The world of carry-on backpacks is vast and varied, with options ranging from minimalist to fully-kitted out. Two top contenders in the market are the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on. Let's break them down.
The Hill People Gear Tarahumara is a true minimalist pack, designed for those who want a small, lightweight, but highly durable carry-on. Its measurements of 44x24x10 inches and a feather-lite weight of 0.7 pounds make it ideal for day hikes or other short trips. Despite its compact size, the bag delivers in terms of volume with a 16-liter capacity. Made from sturdy 500D Cordura, the Tarahumara has been praised for its simplicity, sturdiness, and "almost Tardis-like" interior space. One minor drawback is the lack of a laptop compartment, but for those seeking an uncomplicated daypack, the Tarahumara shines.
Comparatively, the Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on goes bigger. It clocks in at 51x36x21 inches and weighs slightly more at 0.8 pounds. However, the added size and weight pay off with a significantly larger capacity of 40 liters. Despite its larger size, the AT Lightflite is still compatible with 98% of airlines. It does lack a laptop compartment like its Hill People Gear counterpart, but it has the size and volume to accommodate a variety of other items.
Here are some key points of comparison:
- Size: Hill People's Tarahumara is smaller and thus more portable, while Lowe Alpine's AT Lightflite is larger for extra storage.
- Weight: The Tarahumara is sightly lighter than the AT Lightflite, but both are under a pound.
- Capacity: AT Lightflite leads on this front with 40 liters, far outshining the Tarahumara's 16 liters.
- Compatibility: Both can board most flights, with Tarahumara edging out a slight lead by being compatible with 100% of airlines.
- Material: The Tarahumara is made from 500D Cordura.
- Laptop compartment: Neither bag features a laptop compartment.
So, which one should you choose? Well, it boils down to your needs. If you're eyeing a minimal yet robust daypack for short trips or hikes, the Hill People Gear Tarahumara is a safe bet. Its perfect size, excellent build quality and convenient center zip design have been well-received by professionals and users alike. But if you're the type who needs more space and doesn't mind a slightly heftier pack, then the Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on should be on the top of your list.