At this point in my life, I pride myself on being somewhat of an experienced traveler. In the last six months alone, I’ve been to five different countries, so it’s safe to say I do it often enough to know a thing or two about flight prep.
With airlines cracking down on personal items and prices soaring for checked bags, a solid carry-on travel pack that meets flight criteria is more important than ever before — and as a result, I’ve become extremely picky with my bag choices.
After plenty of baggage failures, I finally found a great one: The Cotopaxi 35L Travel Pack. I chose this pick as my carry-on for an eight-day trip to Guatemala after seeing it all over JFK Airport in New York City recently. I just had to give it a try.
What is the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack? | How I tried | What I like | What to consider | Who is it best for? | More Cotopaxi items to shop | Why trust Shop TODAY?
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack
- Packs a week's worth of items
- Weight distribution in straps
- Comfortable fit
- Can only fit so many clothes
Size: 22 x 12 x 10 inches | Size range: 20, 28, 35 and 42L | Shade range: 7 | Features: Weight distribution in straps, hip belt, laptop sleeve, anti-theft zippers and more
What is the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack?
When I first received this travel pack, my first thought was that it was the perfect hybrid between a suitcase and a backpack. The Allpa 35 opens up in a clamshell-style, like your typical suitcase, and has three total internal mesh compartments: one large compartment on the right side and one subdivided compartment (with three sections) on the left. It also has a padded laptop and tablet sleeve, with shortcut zippers to the main compartment for easy access while on the go.
How I tried the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack
As the name suggests, this travel pack has a 35L capacity, so it’s compatible with most carry-on airline standards. I flew on a budget airline for my trip to Guatemala, and I was worried I wouldn’t get to use the bag as a carry-on since it appeared rather large (I really packed this thing to the brim!), but I had no issues at all.
But if you need more space, Cotopaxi also has a 42L travel pack — their biggest size yet. It contains all of the same features, but with some upgrades: better weight distribution in the straps, exterior water bottle pocket, luggage sleeve and of course, more space for all of your essentials.
Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack
- Larger size
- Better weight distribution
- Upgraded features
- Might be too large for some
Size: 22 x 14 x 11 inches | Shade range: 6 | Features: Weight distribution in straps, exterior water bottle pocket, luggage sleeve, key clips, hip belt, anti-theft zippers and more
Along with this pick, Cotopaxi also upgraded their original travel pack with improved features. While my 35L pack doesn't include a water bottle pocket, the updated version does. It's a minor change, but it is a game-charger for travelers like me.
What I like
According to the brand, the 35L is “the ultimate adventure travel pack, ideal for three to five days away.” This is a claim I can confirm was slightly on the conservative side, considering I packed for a full eight days in this bag.
It packs way more than you’d think
While Guatemala has a warmer climate — hence why the clothing I packed really only consisted of smaller items like shorts and T-shirts — I did go on a major hike that required more gear, and I was able to still fit all my essentials in this bag.
That said, I think if I had traveled to a colder climate that necessitated larger, thicker clothing, I might not have been able to fit eight days worth of apparel — so keep that in mind while packing!
The minor details have a major impact
When it comes to this bag, trust me when I say it’s all in the details. It has anti-theft zippers, which gives me peace of mind while walking through crowded airports or train stations. It also has a top zippered pocket so you can easily access essentials like your wallet or passport while on the go.
For the adventurer, there are also carabiner loops for clipping on any extra gear you may need on your trip (i.e. hiking shoes, additional bags, etc.). But my favorite detail? The padded straps. I overpacked this bag when I traveled to Central America, and it was heavy. The straps were thick and comfortable, and they didn’t dig into my shoulders no matter how much weight was in the bag. The removable hip straps also helped with support while carrying a heavier pack.
It meets carry-on requirements
I've used this pack as a carry-on for my recent trips, and won't go back to your standard carry-on. It's roomy, convenient and saves you from paying extra for checked bags.
Other members of the Shop TODAY team love it, too. Associate editor Sierra Hoeger was gifted the bag for her birthday, and says it has become her go-to carry-on when traveling or while heading out for quick weekends to New Jersey to visit family. "It zips with ease no matter how much I’ve packed inside, and fits the carry-on requirements for all major airlines I’ve flown, with the exception of Allegiant," she adds.
The dimensions of the 35L travel pack are 22 x 12 x 10 inches, and for most airlines, the average carry-on requirement is no more than 22 x 14 x 9 inches. This means the size of the 35L pack is just right, but if you're interested in the 42L, it is just a tad over at 22 x 14 x 11 inches. That said, the bag also comes in a 20L (which is brand new!) and 28L version, so those who want to travel even lighter can do so.
What to consider
While I find it hard to come up with any downsides to this travel pack, some might find that its lack of external pockets is a bit inconvenient for those who like to keep most things super accessible.
Who is the Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack best for?
Ultimately, this bag seems to combine the comfort, accessibility and flexibility of a backpack with the spacious aspects of a suitcase. Whether you’re on a lengthy trip in Central America or a weekend getaway in Boston, this bag will have you covered.
While I’ll be using this travel pack on every trip I have planned from here on out, it has other great uses, too. My (future) brother-in-law and sister-in-law have two kids and recently used the 28L travel pack as a hiking bag to carry all the outdoor essentials needed for their family outing. To say it worked perfectly for a mini-family adventure is an understatement.
More Cotopaxi items to shop
Cotopaxi Todo 16L Convertible Tote Bag
Size: 17 x 12 x 4 inches | Shade range: 2 | Features: Convertible, luggage sleeve, fleece lined pocket and more
A cross between a backpack and a tote, this bag can be carried both ways and fits up to 16 liters of gear, whether you're going on a day trip or picnicking in the park.
It even includes a padded laptop sleeve, a fleece-lined pocket for sunglasses or other delicate essentials, and daisy chains on the back for clipping water bottles or keychains for easy access.
Sizes: XXS to 4X | Shade range: 7 | Material: Recycled polyester fleece and taffeta
Associate editor Sierra Hoeger owns this fleece and adores it because it's not as heavy compared to others she owns, yet still provides the same amount of warmth.
Made with a recycled polyester fleece, the elastic hems help to trap warmth. Plus, it's available in a wide range of sizes, including XXS-4X. It's also available in a men's version.
Cotopaxi Allpa X 4L Hip Pack
Size: 11 x 8 x 3.5 inches | Shade range: 1 | Features: Butterfly-style opening, side release buckles, front pocket and more
This is the second largest hip pack Cotopaxi has, complete with two zippered compartments that open to reveal a number of compartments.
The brand also notes that this hip pack fits perfectly in the top compartment of their 35L and 42L Allpa packs, which is featured above. It's made out of the same material as those packs (polyester), making it easy to spot clean.
Why trust Shop TODAY?
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with the product and brand to make shopping easier for our readers.
Julie Ricevuto is the commerce editor and producer at Shop TODAY, who has a decade worth of experience in writing about beauty, fashion, fitness and more.
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