Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Arc'teryx Blade 28
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Hill People Gear Tarahumara
| Capacity | 16 L |
| Weight | 0.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 44×24×10 cm |
| Airline fit | 100% |
| Price | $125 |
Feature by feature
| Hill People Gear Tarahumara | Feature | Arc'teryx Blade 28 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| S | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| N | Passport | back |
| N | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| S | Backpack | H |
| R | Hip Belt | N |
| S | Sternum Strap | N |
| Inside | ||
| 0 | Laptop | 15 |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | 0 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500D Cordura | N210p-HT nylon 6,6 N630p-HT nylon 6,6 |
Arc'teryx Blade 28
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 54×31×16 cm |
| Airline fit | 98% |
| Price | $160 |
Choosing between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Arc'teryx Blade 28 can be tough. Both are top of the line carry-on backpacks with stand out features and very few drawbacks. Let’s break it down.
The Hill People Gear Tarahumara strikes a strong chord with outdoorsy types and day-hikers. It is a compact bag, measuring 44 inches tall, 24 inches wide, and 10 inches deep. Despite its small size, the Tarahumara has a lot of room in its main compartment. Don't let the 16-liter capacity fool you—this pack has a deceptively spacious interior and uses 500D Cordura material, which is as tough as they come. Meanwhile, the Arc'teryx Blade 28 is a bit larger, boasting dimensions of 54 inches tall, 31 inches wide, and 16 inches deep, with a total capacity of 28 liters. This bag uses N210p-HT nylon 6,6 and N630p-HT nylon 6,6 in its construction, ensuring high-street performance and durability.
- The Tarahumara is noticeably smaller and lighter, at 0.7 pounds, than the Blade 28 which comes in at 1.5 pounds.
- The Blade 28 provides 12 extra liters in terms of carrying capacity when compared to the Tarahumara.
- Both bags are highly favored by airlines: the Tarahumara is compatible with 100% of companies, while the Blade 28 is compatible 98% of the time.
- The Blade 28 has a specially creatd compartment for up to 15-inch laptops, while the Tarahumara has none.
Both backpacks come with rave reviews. Users of the Tarahumara particularly appreciate the bag's simplicity, design, and durability. Most importantly, its compact size is perfect for day hiking. On the other hand, the Blade 28 gets high marks for its build quality, ample packing space, and its highly convenient organizational features such as a compartment that can fit a 15-inch laptop and a secure pocket for essential documents or items.
Ultimately, the decision between these two powerhouses comes down to individual preference. If you are looking for a smaller and lighter backpack, want a bag that focuses on toughness over specific compartments, and are mostly going to be day hiking, then the Tarahumara is the bag for you. However, if you want a bit more space, need specific compartments for your belongings, and are usually traveling for longer duration, the Blade 28 is your ideal choice.