For a long time, I had a problem: I was a serial bag buyer. Enrolling in school? New backpack. Going to Iceland for my honeymoon? New adjustable duffel bag. Flying to my parents' place for a long weekend? New carry-on luggage. It seemed like every time I took a trip, I bought a new bag. But I never found one that I wanted to keep using after just a trip or two. It's not that they were bad, per se; it's just that they didn't really impress enough to stick.
Then, on one of my many bag-buying whims, I picked up the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack, and everything changed. Finally, I found a bag that I not only liked using the first few times, but I continued to use it for years. In fact, it became my go-to bag for pretty much all of my travels. It even encouraged me to pack smarter on longer trips so I wouldn't need more than just this one bag. And all those other bags? I either gave them away, or they're collecting dust in a closet somewhere. Here's why Cotopaxi's Allpa 35L Pack replaced all of my other luggage.
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Pack: What We Think
If you value speed, durability and (perhaps most importantly and significantly) versatility, this is a tough bag to beat. The internal compartments do away with the need for additional packing cubes and encourage organization. The weatherproof exterior makes this an ideal bag for ever-changing weather conditions. And its flexible soft construction and array of grab handles make putting it in overhead bins a simple and speedy prospect. If you're a conscientious packer who values efficiency, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better travel backpack.
That said, it's not perfect and certainly isn't for everyone. The soft sides make it risky to store things too delicate (especially if there's a chance your bag will need to be checked), and the lack of an easily accessed external stash pocket (for things like your wallet, keys, small travel must-haves, etc.) are fairly big drawbacks. Furthermore, it lacks any kind of wheels, so you'll have to haul it on your back or in your hands through the airport.
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Integrated storage encourages organization
Most backpacks, even those designed for travel, have little, if any, real organization beyond a few unstructured zippered pouches in which to shove your belongings — at least in my experience. This backpack is a refreshing divergence. Not only does it have several compartments — including a padded laptop sleeve, an externally-accessed top pocket and a spacious clamshell-opening main storage area — but it also has zippered meshes of several sizes inside that main compartment, essentially replacing the need for packing cubes.
Furthermore, it boasts two sets of compression straps in the larger compartments, meaning you can pack even more stuff into the same amount of space as you might with a hard-sided bag. Along with that, there are also three smaller zippered pouches (and some hidden space beneath them) perfect for socks, underwear, toiletries and the like. Even for longer trips (my longest was a full calendar week), I've never struggled to get the bulk of my apparel — including an extra pair of shoes — into this bag.
The rugged exterior is perfect for different climates
A few months ago, I traveled from San Diego up to Santa Rosa for a work trip, and I used the Allpa 35L Pack as my sole travel bag. At the time, San Diego was sunny and hot, and Santa Rosa looked slightly chilly at worst. However, when I arrived, the weather had taken a turn, and it was raining in Santa Rosa. Because I chose this bag with its waterproof exterior panel, my apparel stayed dry while I waited out in the rain for my rideshare.
Note: the entire bag is not waterproof, just the external panel. However, the bag also comes with an included rain cover that's easily stored in the bag when not in use. While the rain wasn't severe enough to necessitate it, it was nice knowing I had a backup plan.
Obviously, a hard-shelled carry-on would offer similar protection, but you'd also have to drag it over the wet, puddled ground, and it is more of a hassle when navigating unfamiliar, crowded places, like through airports to outdoor pickup areas. The point is, whether you check the weather or not, this bag is great for keeping your gear protected while traveling between climates.
It makes air travel easier and less frustrating
"Carry-on standards" be damned, there have been plenty of times when I've had a bag well within the size limits seemingly not want to fit under the seat in front of me or into an overhead bin at all. In fact, that very issue, especially on fully booked flights, has led me to have to check my carry-on bags in the past.
The Allpa 35L Pack, by contrast, is still within those size guidelines but is much easier to squeeze into tight spots because of its non-rigid construction. So long as you don't stash delicate, breakable stuff in your carry-on, this bag is easy to squeeze into tight spots, including under the seat (as I discovered on a cross-country flight from San Diego to New York).
I wish it had a better external pouch
You know how most backpacks have that little external pocket on the lower front? This backpack doesn't have one of those. While it makes the exterior look a lot sleeker, It does feel like a sacrifice not having that handy little stash pouch. I should clarify: there is a top-accessed pocket that serves a similar purpose, but it comes with a major drawback.
That top pocket takes up the same internal room as the rest of the internal compartments. This means, unlike those little stitched-on pouches found on the likes of JanSport bags, you need to make sure you leave enough space to utilize this pocket. Most of the time, it works fine, but the minute you're pushing the bag's capacity to the limit, you'll see just how difficult it is to keep this pocket functional. For what it's worth, I wouldn't trade the bag's looks for that extra pocket, though. Typically, I just use a crossbody bag in tandem (my "personal" item, which is arguably more convenient since I usually stash my bag in the overhead bins anyway), and I'm none the wiser about the omission.
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack: Alternatives
If you'd really prefer a bag with wheels you can drag behind you instead of haul on your shoulders, it's hard to beat our pick for the best carry-on bag you can buy: the aptly named Away Carry-On. For an upgrade with a lot more padding and structure (but perhaps not more storage space), you can trust the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L. And if you're looking for something a lot more compact (or to go alongside your Allpa, as I mentioned), our favorite crossbody bag is the Moment Fanny Sling 2L.
