I took the Allpa 35L on 3 separate 3/4-day trips involving air travel: a ski trip to Tahoe, a quick visit to southern California, and a trip to Seattle. If it's not up to snuff after you use it (a couple times) you can still bring it back. Replies to my comments. Youve got to love Cotopaxis Do Good credo, but theyve also done much good with this backpack design, which surprised me with its funky looks and solid organizational features. Shipping to Canada was over $80 and most of Europe was higher than that. It provides safe and comfortable carriage. In the front, there is a spacious compartment that goes down about a third of the height of the pack. Yeah, it has a lot more compartments and space. Unless your bag is filled up completely, this shell can look a bit puffy. This prevents deforming the computer sleeve, which makes sliding contents in and out difficult. Copyright 2017-2022 Melanin Base Camp, LLC, 1215 31st St NW Unit 25042 Washington DC 20027, Patagonia, Black Hole Duffel, Patagonia Black Hole Duffle, Travel Pack, MInimalist Travel, Afrolatinx, Latinas Who Travel, Duffel Bags, 7. This does also come with additional weight. The straps are part of a weight-distributing harness system aimed to spread the weight of your load evenly. The loops on the quick access compartments are a lot wider letting you secure them more quickly, while the loop on the main compartment (shown above) is tighter and a bit more fiddly. The company Cotopaxi is named after a volcano in Ecuador, and you can see this reflected in their bright Andean-inspired style. The last trip was no exception, but this time I had some new gear to try out on the bank. Its clean lines and bold, simple colors make it one of the most stylish bags out there! There is a bit of a waterbed effect where if you press it somewhere, it will blob up somewhere else. You can take it off with velcro and attach it at a different height. The Allpa is designed to work as a carry-on, but if you need to check the bag, you can tuck all the straps into the padding of the backpack and carry the bag like a duffel from one of its 4 reinforced handles. While this bag is about average in price compared to other highly rated 35-40L carry-on travel backpacks, I am ranking the Allpa 35L travel backpack lower than average based on the pricing of other bags in the Allpa line and the quality of the bag itself. This backpack is an internationally approved carry-on size, meaning that you can take this pack with you straight on and off the plane, anywhere in the world. Learn how your comment data is processed. Previously nomadic, hes been to ~50 countries and loves spending time outdoors. The main exterior zippers on the packs body feature a security loop. This piece of webbing spans the zipper coils and zipper pull in the closed position to help prevent casual theft. We go "Off the Map" to find new roads and epic adventures. The rear panel of the pack is made of air mesh to allow your back and shoulders to breath and more airflow to circulate. One more interesting aspect is the zippers, nearly all of which have a security closure. Question, in your pic next to the set out, the two packs look about the same size. Hood via the Sunshine Route. Compression straps and padded hip belt make for a comfortable carry. Five zippered mesh pockets give you places to organize and store all of your items, and the mesh is easier to wash and dry than alternative fabrics would be in case of internal spills or leaks. And because it expands to 45L, if you do happen to need the extra space, you have it available. Jeremy Scott Foster is an adventure-junkie, gear expert and travel photographer based in Southern California. Behind the other zipper here is another storage space that I thought was ideal for storing things like socks and underwear. You can compare the two editions in detail here. However, these mesh sleeves dont hold their shape very well which in turn allows your gear to shift or bounce around. See details. Two horizontally oriented compression straps press flat the large zipped compartment, ideal for clothing. Its harness has all the features you would expect, including a height-adjustable sternum strap, load lifter straps, a hip belt, and a nicely padded back. The BioLite HeadLamp 330 is a powerful and lightweight wearable flashlight; combined with the BioLite light diffusing stuff sack, youll be fully prepared for your first or 1,000th night outdoors. The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L has a verified weight of 3 pounds 11 ounces. Biolite was kind enough to send me their new Campstove for testing and review. The frameless suspension systems back panel, contoured shoulder straps, and hip belt are all non-removable. Don't subscribe The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L travel pack has a super sleek design. Find out in my in-depth review of the 42-liter version. While hard for me to weigh in on (sorry, Im only 55), this is probably something people above average height should take into consideration. Its large capacity makes it a good fit for multi-day to weeklong trips, depending on what's going to be packed. Unfortunately, I just dont think this bag was their greatest creation. Youll probably be OK especially given the XPS doesnt have a screen bezel Cotopaxi probably doesnt want to say it supports 17 as there are ones with some very chonky screens out there . What Im not 100% sold on is the TPU-coated polyester shell. But, I hate to say itthat didnt last very long. But the shoulder straps and hip belt stow behind the back panel. But, as they say, you cant judge a book by its cover. Similar in concept, the Peak Design 45L pack is carry-on sized, and also has tuckable straps and a separate laptop compartment. It will fit a small bottle only. Is this a good example of price gouging on their most popular bag? The suspensions back length isnt adjustable, but it fit my 6-foot-tall, 165-pound frame well. Join the movement and help us #diversifyoutdoors. Carry-on compatible, this 35 litre Allpa pack from Cotopaxis (Re)Purpose collection is ready to travel whenever you are. I find these straps to just be annoying and, quite frankly, more of a hassle to deal with than they are worth. The other (indicated with a different-colored zipper) gives access to an electronics compartment. One thing that sets the Allpa apart from using packing cubes and duffels is that each of the zippered pockets can fit one or two layers of stuff. Depending on the color, the material can appear shiny, making it look a little too cheap for my liking (and this is not a cheap bag), but certain colors hide this sheen fairly well. Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack: Final Thoughts. The sturdiest part of the bag is the compression straps and hip belt. Traveling to and from two Outdoor Retailer shows, I have successfully dodged all baggage fees. Its carry-on size is nice for speedy traveling or a quick trip, but packing for more than a week seems virtually impossible. There are different bundles, though. The allowable dimensions were usually a few inches less than the dimensions of the bag, but the Allpa never failed to shrink down to the necessary length, width, and height. Additional products, such as t-shirts, sweaters, and jackets are all created in factories found across multiple countries including India, Cambodia, Bolivia, and China. In-person, theyre pretty much neon orange, though I assume they fade a bit over time. I, personally, wouldnt mind adding an extra pound or two if Cotopaxi decided to add an internal frame or something similar for more support. Sign up for discounts, news and limited-time offers. The easily accessible interior makes packing and locating items a breeze. When I first saw this bag, I was immediately soldso I just had to get my hands on it to see if it would live up to my expectations. Nice review, glad I found it. I wish it held its shape a bit more. The location of all access points into the main compartment of the pack. Carry it with two hands or like a one handled suitcase. The mesh pockets are great, but if you put a heavy item in one of the top pockets, the lack of structure means the top half of the bag will completely collapse onto the bottom half. Its too bad, too, because Cotopaxi is a great brand and I love what they do. As part of the Del Dia collection, its made from fabric remnants so it has extra personality. There is a small zipped pocket on the hip belt, and the shoulder straps have a fully adjustable sternum strap. What I can say is that in person, this part of the bag looks better than in product photos, but Im guessing it may still not be to everyones liking. The Allpa is a bag thats beloved by many, and I love the Cotopaxi brand, but theyre more well-known for their clothes, not backpacks. It lasts longer than 30 days, but not forever. This is ideal for dealing with bus and airplane overhead bins; you never have to worry about a strap snagging or catching on something! The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack is the smallest bag in the Allpa line, ideal for carry-on travel. But it could easily fit three pocketbooks if you wanted. But some credit should be given for possibly thwarting a quick pickpocket attempt. The internal structure of the pack makes organized packing unavoidable. Sign up for blog updates and juicy travel inspiration! If youre looking for something sleeker or better suited for shorter trips, consider the Allpa 35 instead. Ill get into this more shortly. Curious of your thoughts on the functional capacity, do they hold about the same amount? If its an integrated sleeve, then its the new one. Wearing it using just the shoulder straps has also been a comfortable option. Cotopaxi does offer a few additional extras on their website that are compatible with the Allpa 35L pack: Shoe Bag: This nylon shoe bag is an optional extra that allows you to keep your dirty shoes from touching the rest of your gear. The Peak Design bag is designed to give you everything you need and want from a carry-on travel pack, and, IMO, is far superior to any pack you might find in the Allpa line. I like the PD because it collapses down to 35Lthe same size as the Allpa. This is worth noting if youre wanting to wring every last gram out of their carry-on baggage allowance, but if youre not a hardcore minimalist packer you might be less concerned. Its strongest aspect is the internal organization, which feels very intuitive and helpful. Unless your heart is set on this bag, Id suggest international customers save themselves some money and invest in a different outdoor brand that doesnt charge you 50% of the backpack price in shipping. Maybe an inch more than I needed? No water bottle holder means you are either carrying your drink or unzipping your pack every time you are thirsty (a snap-on bottle holder is available for purchase separately). That said, Cotopaxi is brand I know, love and trust, so I feel certain their customer service would fix any issues you might encounter. Read through our favorite expert-compiled gear for thru-hiking, backpacking, ultralight backpacking and more. The sternum strap leaves a lot to be desired, but from my experience, this is common with a large portion of travel bags. There is a webbing handle on every side of the Allpa, which allowed briefcase-style carriage. If youve ever chased Steelhead youre part of a select group of humans that find enjoyment in torture. Thank you! The interior of the Allpa 35L travel pack is all mesh, meaning you can easily see and find everything quickly. It seems like the majority of backpacks these days are either black or grey, so its refreshing to see a backpack daring to use some color. I had some concerns about the relatively small patch of velcro that it attaches with, but have had no problems with this in practice. This pack goes where no rolling suitcase can. Furthermore, the mesh is very prone to snagging or tearing. No hidden pockets to hide passports, money, or other valuables. The real mind-boggling price difference is in comparison to the nearly identical 35L Del Dia travel pack which is $20 cheaper than the regular 35L pack! Just the rain cover, which is neon yellow. The place Canadians trust for outdoor advice. This is miles ahead of the Osprey Farpoint 40 and I even prefer it a little to the Tortuga Setout. A padded slot to fit electronics or laptops, it may be partially or fully padded on each side. This fabric-split section can stow both a laptop and tablet, and its easy to access your electronics while passing through airport security or while on the go. This may be convenient for being able to see inside each compartment, but the zippers are close together and, if not handled with care, can catch on and tear the mesh easily. This pack seems ideal for adventure travel, especially to the sort of destinations I like to cover on this blog (such as Asia, Latin America, etc.). Interior mesh compartments also do not hold their shape well and seem to rip or tear rather easily. The Allpa has a clamshell-style main compartment i.e., it zips open from the sides. But a clever combination of design, organization, and features may actually save travelers money on baggage fees in the long run. Tortuga Outbreaker vs. You'll find real-world experience, decades of outdoor knowledge, and exceptional products that won't ever let you down. Winner! But if youre still sold on the Allpa, you can use the button below to get more info from the official Cotopaxi website. The 35L Allpa meets requirements for carry-on baggage, and the hideaway suspension components make for easy and snag-free upper compartment stowage. The Allpa 35L travel pack might be too simple for its own good. I like Cotopaxis bold use of color. I was sold on it almost instantly. Holy moly is this jacket incredibly lightweight. This may be down to taste. However, all of these items must be bought as a bundle. Thank you for supporting our mission! 4 out of 5 stars with 264 reviews for Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack - Unisex, Removable waistbelt and tuck-away shoulder straps, Full-length perimeter zip opens like a suitcase, Interior mesh compartments and pockets for easy organization, Side-zip lets you access the interior without taking it off, Padded side compartment for laptop and tablet, Top zippered compartment for phone and passport, External lash loops to attach gear or lock the bag to a fixed point, YKK zippers have theft-resistant webbing sewn across the openings, Since each product is unique, the colours of the one you receive may differ from those in the image. But what was surprising is that, with careful packing, the Allpa qualifies as the free personal item on many airlines. While I am annoyed at the lack of outside pockets, I will admit that the Allpas zipper-free front panel also discourages theft. For more info, check out my full Peak Design 45L review. They listed the Peak, if you need to pack a FULL suitcase into your backpack, but I dont want anything to do with that monster. And if you need to haul more gear, it still functions as a maximum legal carry-on. I thought they were pretty much equal as far as how much stuff could actually fit inside them. The safety and security of your belongings is important, especially when traveling through crowded areas, staying in hostels and other shared spaced, or even when exploring unfamiliar cities and countries in general. Your engagement on this site allows us to bring you this content for free.