New Cotopaxi Allpa Journey Pack Evaluate 2025

For the final 4 years, the most-used piece of bags in my family has been Cotopaxi’s Allpa backpack. From 24-hour journeys to rejoice Mardi Gras in New Orleans to island hopping round Greece, the Allpa pack has been a trusted journey companion for each my fiancé and me. It was my first baggage buy after school and an funding that has greater than paid off because the years go by.

The Allpa pack grew to become so standard in my travels that I needed to get my mother, dad, and sister their very own carry-on backpacks out of concern mine would “go lacking” throughout one in all my journeys again house. After I say I’m deeply connected to this bag, I imply it. So, when the model launched a brand new and improved model of the Allpa pack, I knew I needed to attempt it myself. With excessive expectations, I spent the previous couple of months seeing if I ought to retire my well-loved backpack for the newer mannequin.

Video: Pack the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Journey Pack

• Our Testing Course of

  Rain, filth, salt water, mud: this bag has seen it all around the years. It’s been shoved beneath the seat of questionably small airplanes, rained on whereas tenting, and bursting on the seams whereas I crammed in each final memento I may match. The sturdiness has all the time impressed me and fortunately, Cotopaxi stored all of the outer supplies the identical, so I’ve full confidence within the hardiness of the newer mannequin.

  To judge the most recent model of the Allpa 42-liter Journey Pack, I first examined it in our New York Metropolis lab. This was the proper time to stand up shut and private with the bag — the place I examined all of the newer options at nice size.

  Throughout my very own travels over the previous couple of months, my fiancé and I each used it on a number of cross-country journeys the place we needed to pack for a heat desert trip, a mountaineering journey within the snowy mountains, working in an workplace within the metropolis, and a marriage with a black-tie gown code. Suffice it to say, between the 2 of us, we lined the entire packing eventualities.

  I’ll proceed to check this newer mannequin for years to come back. And as I attempt it out on upcoming journeys, I’ll replace my evaluation with different notes I collect (simply so long as my household doesn’t take this newer model, too).

What’s New

In August 2024, the model launched an up to date model of the beloved Allpa Journey Pack with new options like redesigned shoulder and hip straps for weight distribution, a baggage sleeve, and my private favourite addition: a water bottle pocket on the facet. There are just a few different smaller — but worthwhile — adjustments I observed like how the inside pocket is now one massive one as a substitute of the 2 separate ones (although I nonetheless suppose just a few extra inside pockets could be good). There’s additionally a brand new smaller pocket on the bigger high pocket, providing a spot for fast entry to objects like a telephone, keys, or pockets.

One in all my greatest ache factors with the older model was the straps. They weren’t uncomfortable but when I carried the pack for greater than half-hour, I needed to modify to them typically. In my testing over the previous couple of months, I’ve observed the straps are wider and boast thicker, mesh padding that felt noticeably extra comfy after I wore the brand new model.

The hip belt received the same improve, because it additionally felt wider and supplied extra padding. The hip belt sits greater on my hip now, which helps distribute the load evenly from my shoulders down my torso — a characteristic that feels notably useful for me as a lady with a smaller stature. Lastly, I really like how simple it’s to retailer the hip belt and shoulder straps after I don’t want them. They effortlessly slide behind the padded again panel, and I do not really feel the hip belt when it’s tucked away.

What Stayed the Identical

When it comes to different options that aren’t new, the clamshell design makes it really easy to pack the bag with the whole lot I’ve wanted for a number of weeks’ value of journey. The twin padded laptop computer sleeve within the again is important for work journeys since there’s room for a laptop computer and a pill. And the sturdy, glossy supplies make the bag versatile sufficient for just about any journey, which supplies the bag a excessive worth in my e-book.

Ultimate Ideas

The brand new options of the Cotopaxi bag do make it higher for vacationers, Whereas the added consolation of the brand new straps is plain, different adjustments are refined however impactful. A chosen water bottle pocket is a reminder to really pack a reusable bottle as a substitute of paying $10 on the airport. The small zippered pocket on high means I can seize my lodge key sooner, which may be essential for security. The baggage sleeve can relieve my shoulders and again from the load by with the ability to safe it to a rolling bag.

It’s going to be onerous for me to completely retire the older model of the Allpa pack, however I do know my travels could be higher with the newer mannequin. Should you’re going to spend money on an Allpa pack, it’s a no brainer to go together with the newer mannequin, however make sure to get the proper measurement that matches your journey wants greatest. The 20-liter bag is greatest for weekend journeys; whereas, I discovered the 42-liter bag can absolutely exchange a wheeled carry-on with the massive measurement. Fortunately, in the event you’re torn between sizes, you may go for the 35-liter bag for a capability someplace within the center.

Why Belief Journey + Leisure

Anna Popp is an affiliate editor at Journey + Leisure, the place she’s examined over one thousand journey merchandise. She wrote a good portion of T+L’s examined content material, together with our greatest carry-on backpack roundup that options the older Allpa backpack as one of the best general. She has owned her Allpa bag for over 4 years and examined the newer mannequin to see if the brand new enhancements stand out.

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