You’ve seen them at every gate in Denver, Seattle, and Reykjavik. Those bright, almost jarringly colorful bags that look like a bag of Skittles exploded in a gear shop. Most people know the Allpa series—the flagship Cotopaxi carry on backpack—as the "cool" bag for people who post a lot of mountain sunsets on Instagram. But honestly? Behind the loud Del Día colors and the ethical marketing, there is a very specific type of engineering going on here that most travelers actually misunderstand.
It’s not just a backpack. It’s a soft-sided suitcase that happens to have straps.
If you’re trying to figure out if this thing is worth the $200+ investment, you have to look past the "Llamas and Good" branding. I've watched people struggle to shove these into overhead bins on Ryanair flights and I’ve seen them survive being strapped to the roof of a bus in Peru. They aren't perfect. In fact, for some travelers, they are a total nightmare.
Why the Allpa Design Actually Works (And Where It Fails)
The core of the Cotopaxi carry on backpack experience is the clamshell opening. This is non-negotiable. Most hiking packs are top-loading, which means if you need a clean pair of socks, you’re digging through your entire life like a raccoon in a trash can. The Allpa opens flat.
On the right side, you get a massive zippered compartment for your main clothes. On the left, it’s subdivided. This is where Cotopaxi gets clever. They basically built packing cubes into the walls of the bag. You don't technically need to buy extra organizers, though most gear nerds do anyway.
But here is the catch.
Because the bag is a structured rectangle, it doesn’t "shrink" well. If you buy the 35L or 42L version and you don't pack it full, it feels like you're carrying a floppy turtle shell. It wants to be full. It craves volume. If you’re a minimalist who only carries a change of clothes and a laptop, this bag is overkill. It’s heavy before you even put a shirt in it. We're talking nearly 3.5 pounds for the 35L version. Compared to a frameless Osprey or a lightweight Gregory, that's beefy.
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Weight Distribution and the "Dangle" Factor
Have you ever seen someone wearing an Allpa and the bottom of the bag is hitting their mid-thigh? That's the "Allpa Dangle."
The harness system on the 28L and 35L is decent, but it’s not a technical mountain suspension. The hip belt is okay. It shifts some weight to your pelvis, which is great when you're sprinting to catch a train in Tokyo. However, if you have a short torso, the 42L is going to feel like a refrigerator on your back. There is no adjustable torso length here. You get what you get.
The TPU Coating: Is It Really Waterproof?
Let’s talk about the shiny stuff. The "main" Allpa line uses a TPU-coated 1000D polyester. It feels sort of rubbery and slick.
I’ve stood in a drizzling rain in Portland for twenty minutes with this bag. The water beads off. Your laptop stays dry. But—and this is a big "but"—it is not submersible. The zippers are burly YKK, but they aren't dry-suit zippers. If you're in a tropical monsoon, use the included rain cover.
Also, that TPU coating scuffs. If you get the black or navy blue version, you will see every single scratch from the TSA conveyor belt. It starts to look "well-traveled" very quickly. Some people love that patina. Others hate that their $200 bag looks scratched after one trip to Cancun. If you want to avoid the scuffs, the Del Día versions (the multi-colored ones made from remnant nylon) actually hide wear and tear much better because the fabric is textured rather than smooth.
The Laptop Compartment Reality Check
Most travel bags put the laptop sleeve right against your back. Cotopaxi does this too. It’s padded. It’s secure.
However, when the bag is stuffed to the gills, the pressure against the laptop is real. I’ve seen screens get "pressure marks" from being squeezed between a week's worth of jeans and a rigid back panel. Pro tip: if you’re packing the bag until the zippers are screaming, maybe slide your laptop out or pack it in a slightly less aggressive manner.
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Comparing the Sizes: 28L vs 35L vs 42L
Choosing the right size of a Cotopaxi carry on backpack is where most people mess up. They think "bigger is better" and then end up paying for checked bags on budget airlines.
- The 28L: This is the "personal item" hero. On most US domestic flights (United, Delta), this fits under the seat if you don't overstuff it. It’s perfect for a 3-day weekend.
- The 35L: This is the "Goldilocks" zone. It fits in almost every overhead bin globally. You can live out of this for six months if you know how to do laundry in a sink.
- The 42L: This is a beast. It’s technically carry-on compliant for most major airlines, but budget carriers like EasyJet or Spirit might give you a hard time. When this is full, it is heavy. I’m talking 25-30 pounds. Do you really want to carry 30 pounds on your shoulders through the Louvre?
Honestly, most people should buy the 35L. It’s the most versatile.
The Ethics of Remnants
One thing that genuinely separates Cotopaxi from the sea of "Made in China" black bags is their B-Corp status and the Del Día program.
The Del Día bags are made from leftover high-quality fabric from other companies' production runs. The factory workers in the Philippines get to decide the color palette. That’s why no two bags are identical. You might get a neon pink pocket with a lime green body and a purple zipper.
It’s a cool story. It’s also better for the planet. But it also means you have zero control over what your bag looks like. If you order a Del Día online, it’s a total surprise. I’ve seen people receive "ugly" combinations and get frustrated. If you’re picky about your aesthetic, stick to the standard colors. But if you want a bag that you can spot from a mile away on a luggage carousel, Del Día is the way to go.
Durability and the "Llama" Guarantee
Cotopaxi has a "Guaranteed for Good" policy. They promise to repair or replace gear for 61 years (the average lifespan of a person in the developing world, which is a bit of a grim statistic, but a solid warranty period).
I’ve had a zipper pull snap off. I emailed them. They sent a replacement. They don't make it difficult. In an era of "planned obsolescence," this matters. The 1000D polyester is thick. It’s hard to tear. You’d have to really try to ruin this bag with normal use.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Packing It
Since the Allpa doesn't have external compression straps (except for some newer iterations and the 42L), you can't "cinch" it down.
If you pack it poorly, the weight shifts. The heaviest items—shoes, toiletry kits, electronics—need to be centered and close to your back. If you put your heavy boots in the outer mesh pockets, the bag will pull away from your shoulders. It feels twice as heavy as it actually is.
Also, the water bottle pocket. Older Allpas didn't even have one. The newer ones do, but it’s a tight squeeze. If the bag is packed tight, good luck getting a 32oz Nalgene in there. You’re better off with a slim Klean Kanteen or just clipping a bottle to the external lash points with a carabiner.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
If you’re leaning toward grabbing a Cotopaxi carry on backpack, don't just hit "buy" on the first one you see.
- Measure your torso. If you are under 5'5", the 42L will likely be uncomfortable for long walks. Stick to the 28L or 35L.
- Test your load-out. Pack the bag with what you intend to take, then walk around your block for 30 minutes. If your shoulders ache, you’ve overpacked the "suitcase" style bag.
- Check the "Personal Item" rules. If you travel on airlines like Spirit or Frontier frequently, the 28L is your only safe bet for a free bag. The 35L will almost certainly be flagged as a "Carry On" that requires a fee.
- Embrace the bright colors. If you go with Del Día, you are helping reduce textile waste. It’s a small win, but it’s a real one.
- Use the grab handles. The Allpa has reinforced handles on all four sides. When you’re pulling it out of an overhead bin or the trunk of an Uber, use them. They are the strongest part of the bag.
The Cotopaxi Allpa isn't a "hikers" bag. It's a "travelers" bag. It’s for the person who wants to skip the luggage claim, walk a mile to their hostel, and still have a bag that looks good enough to sit in a cafe. It has flaws—the weight, the scuffing, the lack of compression—but for the organized traveler who values durability and ethics, it remains the gold standard for a reason.