A colorful and well-organized travel pack.
We originally featured this review a few years ago when the pack was called the Del Dia. Cotopaxi has added new colors.
Tidy Travel
I’ve been using Cotopaxi’s brilliant Allpa 35L pack for travel, and it’s a game changer because I can easily carry what I need for four-day trip in this tidy, organized pack.
First, I like how simple it is to open the bag like a book, thanks to the heavy-duty double zips that wrap around three sides of the bag and around the edges to the fourth side. This zipper design allows me to have the bag fully open and flat.
On the right side of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L pack there’s a full-size packing compartment with a zippered mesh cover that reduces weight and allows my things to breathe. It’s about 5” deep 11” wide, and 22” long, and that is a significant amount of packing space. Sometimes I roll my clothes and pack them into the compartment, and sometimes I put my clothes into packing cubes, then place the cubes into the compartment. Either way, I can fit a lot of clothes in there, including: an alpaca hoody, a short-sleeve shirt, a performance tee, a long-sleeve shirt, a long skirt, a pair of shorts, and a swimsuit.
More important, the compartment is deep enough that I can fit an extra pair of shoes in there (first I wrap them in a plastic bag or shoe cube because I am a germophobe).
This main compartment also contains a flat zippered side pocket where I like to stash travel essentials like ear plugs, a sleeping mask, and my toothbrush and toothpaste.
The left side of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L pack is divided into three compartments, also with zippered mesh covers. I use the largest one for underwear, bras, socks, and my toiletries bag. Then I use the small pockets above this compartment for jewelry, computer and iPhone cords I won’t need while in transit, and small personal items.
Sleek and Slim
The outside of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is gorgeous and simple, completely free of zippers or pockets that could get snapped on things. Still, it has a sturdy nylon strap across each corner for clamping on extras like a water bottle or bike helmet.
There’s an almost hidden zippered compartment at the top of the pack that is nice and deep. That’s where I stash my wallet, iPhone, tickets, and other travel items. There’s also a zippered mesh pocket for any chargers and cords I need. I like that the pocket has organizers sleeves so I can easily find my pens, pocket knife, lip balm, and other items. Finally, there is a thin lanyard I can use to hold my keys. I never used to use the lanyards in packs, but I’ve learned that taking an extra second to fasten my keys saves me from the headache of having to dump out a pack when I can’t find my keys.
This top compartment is designed to accommodate an Allpa hip pack.
Electric Sleeve
There’s more: on the back side of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L pack there’s a large padded compartment for my most precious cargo, my MacBook Pro and my iPad. My MacBook Pro has a protective case I love, and it fits into this compartment easily, as does my Otterbox-encased iPad mini. The side zipper that allows me to access this compartment runs the length of the bag, so I have plenty of room to maneuver.
There’s a secret zipper on the opposite side of the back that allows me to access the main packing compartment without opening up the entire bag. I’ve never actually used it, but good to know if I need to stash a folder and notebook on the bottom of the compartment and access it en route.
Versatile and Durable
I have used the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L on several trips, and traveled by plane, train, and car, and it has been a wonderful bag.
I love the aesthetics and the functional design of the pack. It’s constructed out of several contrasting colors of durable woven nylon material, gear tags, and zippers. Everything about it is high quality and easy to use.
The zippers are very rugged, with nylon zipper pulls, and have tough nylon zipper garages for added security from pick-pockets. The nylon material has held up well to a lot of abuse, and the bag gives me carrying options that are really helpful. When I’m walking for any distance I wear the bag as a pack. It has significant padding on the back, along with customizable and densely padded shoulder and waist straps. When not in use, the waist straps can be removed (the piece attaches with a wide Velcro pad) and the straps can be tucked under the back padding to convert the pack into a suitcase. There are wide, strong nylon straps on both sides of the pack.
The Allpa 35L Travel Pack comes with a highly water resistant cover that is easy to place over the bag in inclement weather.
Bottom Line
Having the space to pack four days worth of clothes in such a compact bag is ideal. Being able to bring an extra pair of shoes is glorious. Fitting my computer and iPad in the same bag is brilliant. I’m done checking bags. The Allpa 35L is all I need.
Available in several color combinations. Cotopaxi claims that 94% of their products contain repurposed or recycled materials. Yea!
Manufacturer: cotopaxi.com
$200 shop at Amazon (Del Dia pack from 2019 is $190)