Gear Spotlight: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L

“Pack Smarter, Travel Further: A Bag Built for Any Adventure”

Traveling light while keeping all your essentials at hand is a delicate balance every traveler strives to achieve. Enter the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack. I’ve written about this bag before and for good reason. It’s a versatile and thoughtfully designed pack that can make any trip more comfortable and worry-free. Whether you’re heading on a weekend trip to visit family or an extended adventure, the Allpa 35L is built to handle it all with style and durability.

Key Features

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack boasts plenty of features that cater to the modern traveler’s needs:

Capacity and Organization:
- 35L Capacity: Ideal for short to medium-length trips depending on your packing habits.
- Clamshell Design: The bag features a clamshell-style opening with a full wrap zipper on the main compartment, making packing much easier.
- Plenty of Compartments: Includes a main compartment with a zippered mesh divider, a secondary compartment with multiple zippered pockets, and a dedicated laptop sleeve.
- Quick-Access Pockets: The bag’s three quick-access pockets allow for easy access to items like passports, clothes, and laptops without opening the main compartment.
Comfort and Durability:
- Padded Shoulder Straps and Hip Belt: Provide comfortable carry even when fully loaded.
- Durable Materials: Made from tough, TPU-coated 1000D polyester and 840D ballistic nylon paneling.
- Stowable Straps: Shoulder straps and hip belts can be tucked away, converting the pack into a sleek duffel.
Security Features:
- Lockable Zippers: Adds an extra layer of security for your belongings.
- Hidden Pocket: For valuables like cash or a passport.
Sustainability:
- Ethically Made: Produced in fair trade-certified factories, aligning with Cotopaxi’s commitment to ethical manufacturing and environmental sustainability.

Personal Experience

I’ve had this pack for six years now. It’s my go-to for most of my trips domestic and international. I’ve taken it on trips ranging from a weekend to two months. During my most recent trip to Costa Rica, the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L proved invaluable, handling everything I threw at it. Here’s how it performed in a few different scenarios:

On-the-Plane: The bag fits perfectly in the overhead compartment, and the quick-access pockets allow me to grab my laptop and book for the plane ride easily.
City Maneuvering: The padded shoulder straps and hip belt provided comfort during long treks, and the load distribution was excellent, reducing strain on my back.

Performance

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L excels in several key areas:

Durability: The pack’s robust construction and high-quality materials ensure it can handle rough conditions. After six years of heavy use, it’s shown very few signs of wear and tear.
Organization: The compartmentalized design makes packing simple and makes accessing items straightforward.
Comfort: Even when fully loaded, the backpack remains comfortable to carry, thanks to its ergonomic design and padded straps.
Versatility: Suitable for various types of travel, from city hopping to European gap year adventures. The size of the pack makes it ideal for one-bag travel.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Durable and weather-resistant materials.
Padded back straps and hip belts make carrying it as a backpack for extended periods much more comfortable.
The versatile design makes it suitable for various travel scenarios.

Cons:

Depending on how much you pack, the bag may be too small for longer trips without more luggage.
Slightly heavier than some ultralight packs due to durable materials.
The bag’s side handle strap is not as padded as the top handle, making the duffel carry mode a less comfortable option

Recommendations

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is best suited for travelers who value organization, durability, and comfort. It’s perfect for weekend getaways, business trips, and even some more adventurous travels. Here are a few tips to get the most out of this pack:

Packing Cubes: I recommend using packing cubes to maximize the internal space and keep your gear even more organized. Cotopaxi offers its own system that compliments the bag quite nicely
Travel Security: Take advantage of the lockable zippers to keep your valuables safe while exploring.
Versatile Use: Consider this pack if you need a reliable carry-on that can double as a daypack for excursions.
Pack a sling: Pack a small sling bag or backpack for day trips. While the pack can be used as a day pack it is a little too bulky for daily excursions.

Conclusion

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack is a thoughtfully designed, reliable, and versatile travel companion. A combination of durability, organization, and comfort make it an excellent choice for various travel scenarios. If you’re looking for a pack that can handle everything from urban city exploration to desert canyon hikes, the Allpa 35L Travel Pack is worth considering.