Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Journey Backpack Overview

Cotopaxi has made a reputation for itself with high-quality, brightly-colored baggage and out of doors attire that’s sustainability-focused. I’ve additionally heard a whole lot of good issues about Cotopaxi’s new Allpa 42L Journey Pack so like all good backpack nerd I wished to try it out for myself… which is strictly what I did.

On this real-world Cotopaxi Allpa 42L backpack overview, I’ve personally examined this funky backpack to seek out its strengths and weaknesses to see if it’s the precise backpack to your travels.

How I Examined The Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Journey Backpack

To check the Cotopaxi Allpa journey backpack I headed out on a two-week solo journey to Prague and Berlin.

I used my Allpa as my solely piece of carry-on baggage on the flight from the US after which I traveled by way of practice from Prague to Berlin. I’ve additionally used my Allpa throughout numerous shorter home journeys and I’ve all the time used it as a carry-on backpack.

Okay, let’s get into my overview…

I’ve personally examined almost all the most well-liked journey backpacks available on the market. Learn my information to the finest journey backpacks to see the remainder of my favourite picks.

A Fast Overview Of The Cotopaxi Allpa 42L

Cotopaxi designed their Allpa 42L journey backpack to be an attention grabbing, weather-resistant backpack for multi-day/week+ city adventures. It’s loaded with good organizational options like pockets for all of your gear and mesh dividers for the primary compartment to maintain all of your stuff simply accessible.

Right here’s how Cotopaxi describes the Allpa 42L:

The Allpa 42L Journey Pack protects and comfortably carries all of your gear, whether or not it’s in your again, strapped to the roof of your automobile, or within the stomach of a puddlejumper. The Allpa’s extremely burly shell repels the weather and abrasion, whereas its padded, mesh suspension system and cargo lifter straps present a snug carry throughout lengthy walks to the hostel or all-out airport dashes.

Through Cotopaxi.com

Cotopaxi says the Allpa 42 is designed for journeys lasting 2 weeks or extra however I nonetheless assume 42L additionally works for shorter journeys. That stated, the Allpa additionally is available in a 35L and 28L variations if you happen to’re on the lookout for one thing smaller—go to REI to see the model Allpa variations.

Fast Word About Cotopaxi’s Values

One of many issues that attracts lots of people to Cotopaxi is their firm values. Along with being a licensed carbon-neutral firm, they’re a Licensed B Company—which implies they meet excessive requirements of verified efficiency, accountability, and transparency on components from worker advantages and charitable giving to provide chain practices and enter supplies. They allocate 1% of our income to the Cotopaxi Basis, which helps nonprofits just like the Worldwide Rescue Committee (IRC) and United to Beat Malaria.

My Full Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Journey Backpack Overview

Okay of us, let’s get right down to the nitty-gritty options of the Cotopaxi Allpa—together with areas the place the Allpa excels and the place I feel it might enhance.

Seems to be and Aesthetics of the Allpa 42L

Total, the Cotopaxi Allpa is a smooth and trendy backpack. There aren’t a ton of dangling straps or cumbersome pockets so you may transfer round with ease. The llama silhouette emblem on the again is noticeable however not excessive—I recognize that they didn’t stick an enormous “Cotopaxi” below the emblem.

Now let’s transfer on the Allpa’s to a number of colorway choices…

Cotopaxi is known for its trademark vibrant and attention-grabbing colours. The Allpa at the moment is available in round 5-6 coloration combos—together with a particular “Shock Pack” model that’s constructed with a number of random-color items so each bag is completely different (you additionally received’t know what the bag appears to be like like till you obtain it so you possibly can find yourself with a fairly funky-looking bag).

NOTE: I’ve observed that the Cotopaxi web site typically runs out of sure colorways after which restocks them later so that you may need to verify again if you happen to don’t see the colour you need.

I actually recognize how every coloration combo options high-contrast zippers—which aid you rapidly differentiate between the primary compartment and the opposite compartments.

I’m a giant fan of all the colour choices since most manufacturers provide only one or perhaps two colours. I went with the “Indigo” coloration because it’s a bit of extra enjoyable than the usual black I usually go along with however it’s nonetheless pretty delicate.

The material on the again of the Allpa has a rubbery coated shell which provides a bit of extra visible curiosity (in addition to including further safety and climate resistance)—I’ll cowl the bag materials in additional element later on this article.

Harness System, Shoulder Straps, and Total Consolation

All of the bells and whistles imply nothing if the backpack isn’t snug to hold—fortunately I discovered the Cotopaxi Allpa 42 to be a lot snug so I had no actual points when hauling this factor round Europe.

The padded backpack straps characteristic load lifters and the straps are curved to raised match the contours of your physique—each of which assist preserve the bag near your shoulders. The high-density foam used within the shoulder straps is barely thinner than what I’ve discovered on different comparable journey backpacks however I nonetheless discovered it snug.

The Allpa additionally options mesh padding that covers all the again of the bag. The mesh helps promote air circulation to make sporting the bag extra snug.

Now I’ll say that the Allpa doesn’t have as superior of a suspension system (i.e. shoulder straps) as different journey backpacks I’ve used. For instance, the suspension methods on the Osprey Farpoint and Aer Journey Pack 3 extra carefully resemble what you’ll discover on a mountain climbing backpack in order that they cradle your shoulders higher.

That stated, the Allpa 42 remains to be a lot snug and I didn’t have any points whereas sporting it—however I wished to level it out since there’s room for enchancment.

The Allpa 42 comes with an simply detachable hip belt (I eliminated mine earlier than the journey). It’s a reasonably minimalist hipbelt so it received’t provide a ton of additional assist however it’s a pleasant addition. The backpack’s shoulder straps will also be simply tucked away—which is sweet for carrying it via slim practice/airplane aisles and for stowing the bag within the overhead compartment.

As well as, the Allpa comes with a detachable duffle bag-style shoulder strap which helps you to carry the bag like a duffle bag.

Supplies, Zippers, {Hardware}, and Total Building

One of many first issues I observed in regards to the Allpa was its sturdy building and high-quality supplies—after having used a number of backpacks you begin to rapidly discover the place corporations reduce corners. It simply feels good. I imply… Cotopaxi presents a lifetime guarantee on their luggage so it is smart that their stuff is well-made.

The outside again shell of the Allpa is constituted of a really sturdy “rubbery” TPU-coated 1000D polyester which is scuff and weather-resistant—I’ve by no means seen this on another bag however I feel it really works properly (and it appears to be like cool). The remainder of the bag’s exterior paneling is constructed from light-weight but sturdy 840D ballistic nylon. Each these materials can stand up to loads of abuse.

The stitching high quality, sturdy plastic {hardware}, and general building of the Allpa really feel good—which additionally helps guarantee longevity.

One of many weakest factors of any backpack is the zippers so Cotopaxi solely makes use of high-quality YKK zippers—together with an additional beefy zipper on the bag’s major compartment (for if you overstuff your bag… which I’m definitely responsible of doing). The zippers even have lengthy zipper pulls and the zipper motion is clean.

The Allpa includes a novel, low-tech anti-theft safety strap that covers the outside zippers—that are designed to forestall the zippers from being simply opened (see the picture above).

I’ve conflicting views on this safety characteristic because it’s a easy but efficient option to preserve your zippers safe however it additionally makes opening/closing the zippers considerably of a ache. I do, nonetheless, like this method higher than utilizing these little baggage locks. So, general it’s a minor annoyance and might be a internet optimistic.

One of many smartest options of this backpack is the multi-colored zippers (i.e. the primary zipper on this bag is orange and the others are blue). That is tremendous useful for serving to rapidly differentiate which zipper to make use of—most backpacks solely use black zippers so it’s arduous to inform which compartment you’re opening since all of the zippers look similar.

Exterior Group Pockets and Laptop computer Sleeve

As I discussed earlier than, the Allpa is a comparatively minimalist journey backpack so there aren’t a ton of exterior organizational pockets. A number of luggage I check go overboard with pockets and compartments which provides to the bag’s weight so I recognize Cotopaxi’s restraint.

On the entrance of the backpack, you’ll discover a small organizational stash pocket. It’s nothing loopy however it’s good for carrying a number of smaller gadgets like a pockets, small pocket book, cellphone/digital camera, and different stuff you would possibly must rapidly entry. There’s a smaller zippered mesh compartment inside and a useful key clip for added group.

There may be additionally a stretchy water bottle sleeve on the aspect of the bag (that may simply maintain a wine bottle… I can personally attest to this).

One among my greatest criticisms of the Allpa is its laptop computer compartment.

On a optimistic notice, I do just like the aspect entry zipper as this makes taking the laptop computer out of the bag a breeze—which is tremendous useful on the airport.

However Cotopaxi didn’t construct a false backside into the bag’s laptop computer compartment so the one factor between your laptop computer and the arduous floor is a bit of bit of material. Subsequently, if you happen to drop your bag or overlook to set it down gently, there’s a probability your laptop computer will smack the bottom. I like to recommend sticking a rolled-up shirt below your laptop computer however it’s a bit of annoying you need to try this.

Nevertheless, there’s a pocket for a pill that’s protected so all good there—I personally attempt to keep away from touring with a laptop computer anyway.

Essential Storage Compartment

I actually like the best way Cotopaxi designed the primary storage compartment on the Allpa 42.

First, the Allpa has a “clamshell” type opening—which is only a fancy means of claiming it opens like a regular suitcase. That is precisely what you need in a journey backpack because it makes packing/unpacking a lot simpler.

Second, the Allpa 42 has roughly 42L of space for storing so it might maintain a surprisingly great amount of stuff.

Third, not like many different journey backpacks, the primary storage space of the Allpa 42 is break up into two zones—the bigger “major” compartment on the precise aspect of the bag and two smaller compartments on the left aspect of the bag.

I used to be stunned how a lot I ended up liking the bag’s strategy to compartmentalization. For instance, I’d preserve smaller issues like socks and underwear on the left aspect of the bag and bigger gadgets (shirts, pants, and many others.) on the precise aspect. This made discovering what I wanted a lot simpler.

Moreover, every compartment has a sturdy zippered mesh flap so it’s nearly just like the bag comes with built-in packing cubes. Nevertheless, I nonetheless suggest utilizing packing cubes with this bag for further group.

The Allpa additionally has a zipper on the aspect of the bag that opens to the backpack’s major compartment. This can be a useful characteristic since there are sometimes instances if you wish to get one thing out of your bag however you don’t wish to open all the bag.

Different Options of The Allpa 42

The Cotopaxi Allpa had seize handles on the highest of the bag, on either side, and the underside—so it’s tremendous simple to seize regardless of how the bag is saved away. This can be a nice characteristic if you put your bag within the overhead compartment because you don’t have to consider storing it in a sure place.

The Allpa additionally comes with a rain cowl to make your bag rainproof—it’s a pleasant bonus since many corporations cost further for a rain cowl.

My Ultimate Thoughs on The Cotopaxi Allpa 42

After utilizing the this common journey backpack for a number of weeks in Europe, I’m pleased to say that I used to be pleasantly stunned with the Cotopaxi Allpa 42.

It’s well-constructed, the supplies are good, it’s snug, it comes with a lifetime guarantee, and it holds a whole lot of stuff. I imply, what else might you ask for?

The 42L measurement works properly for longer 10-14+ day journeys however it’s additionally nice for shorter journeys (the Allpa does are available smaller sizes as properly).

If I needed to nitpick, I’d prefer to see Cotopaxi give the Allpa a extra superior suspension system/shoulder straps to provide it a bit of increase in consolation however the present idderation remains to be fairly good. Once more, it’s a minor grievance.

In any other case, the Allps ticks all of the packing containers in what you need in a stable journey backpack.

Extra Journey Ideas From The Savvy Backpacker

I’ve been writing about Europe journey suggestions since 2010 and listed below are a number of of my hottest articles that can assist you plan your subsequent journey:

James Feess is the creator of The Savvy Backpacker and the writer of the e book “The Savvy Backpacker’s Information To Europe On A Price range”. He is been running a blog about price range journey in Europe since 2010.

Newest posts by James Feess (see all)

No Humorous Enterprise

The Savvy Backpacker is reader-supported. Meaning if you purchase merchandise/companies via hyperlinks on the location, I’ll earn an affiliate fee—it doesn’t value you something further and it helps assist the location.

Thanks For Studying! — James

Questions? Study extra about our Strict Promoting Coverage and How To Assist Us.