Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Fjallraven Bergtagen 30

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 Y
None Expanded Capacity None
0 Opening 3
back Passport N
N Passthrough N
Carry
Y Backpack Y
removable Hip Belt Y
Y Sternum Strap Y
Inside
N Laptop 15in
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 CorduraBergshell®: 400D 100% polyamide

Fjallraven Bergtagen 30

by Fjallraven
Front facing view of the Fjallraven Bergtagen 30
Capacity30 L
Weight1.04 kg
Dimensions55×26×22 cm
Airline fit69%
Price$200

Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Fjallraven Bergtagen 30

Both have: backpack straps, 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 Fjallraven Bergtagen 30.

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 stowing your gear for carry-on travel, two top contenders rise above the rest: the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Fjallraven Bergtagen 30. Both backpacks are known for their durability and build quality, but they offer different features and benefits that can accommodate different types of travelers.

The Hill People Gear Tarahumara is a lean, high-performance backpack built with 500D Cordura material. It packs a punch in a modestly sized package, standing 44 inches tall, 24 inches wide, and 10 inches deep. While it may not include a laptop compartment, it compensates by providing 16 liters of packing volume and a lightweight build of 0.7 pounds. It also boasts a compatibility with 100% of airlines, a definite plus for frequent fliers.

The Fjallraven Bergtagen 30, on the other hand, is a larger backpack designed with Bergshell®: 400D 100% polyamide. Its dimensions are 22 inches tall, 26 inches wide, and 55 inches deep. There's ample space in this 1.04-pound bag with a sizable 30-liter capacity and a 15-inch laptop compartment. Despite its larger size, it still has a wide airline compatibility, although slightly less than the Tarahumara at 63%.

Here are the differences summarized:

Reviews of both backpacks speak to the quality of design and functionality each offers. For the Tarahumara, users praised the bag's simplicity, sturdy build, and surprising interior space despite its smaller size. Meanwhile, those who've put the Bergtagen 30 to the test commend its build quality, high-altitude performance, weather resistance, and substantial comfort even when fully loaded.

Based on these features and reviews, the Hill People Gear Tarahumara is the perfect choice for lightweight travelers who need a reliable, airline-friendly companion for their journeys. However, if size, storage, and tech capabilities trump weight considerations, the Fjallraven Bergtagen 30 is a worthy contender that won't let you down, come rain or shine. It's clear that both backpacks have their unique strengths, and choosing between them boils down to your specific travel needs.