Cotopaxi Travel Bag Comparison

As a family, we often go camping, and we’ve found that the Cotopaxi travel bags are some of the best in the business.

I will admit that camping trips can be a little intimidating when it comes to packing, especially as a family of four. But Cotopaxi bags really allow me to pack with ease and bring along everything we’d need for our outdoor adventure. 

Today, I wanted to compare three of my favorite Cotopaxi travel bags. But I also wanted to include some packing tips to help your next trip run more smoothly. 

Cotopaxi Allpa 70L Duffel Bag

The first of the Cotopaxi travel bags that I’m going to walk you through is the Allpa 70. The Allpa 70 is the biggest volume bag that Cotopaxi has in its Allpa series. And for us, this is our check-in bag because I can fit seven days' worth of clothes for both of my kids and myself, as well as shoes and other essentials. 

Durability

One of the biggest benefits of the Allpa 70L is its durability. Cotopaxi has made the bag out of a really durable material. So even the type of adventuring that we do won’t beat this bag up. 

The bag’s slightly waterproof shell also means that you can throw it in the back of a truck while traveling. And you don’t have to worry about all your belongings getting wet. 

Carry Straps

Something I really appreciate about the Allpa 70 is its carry straps. And this thing has a lot of them. You can carry the bag as a backpack, which is extremely handy when traveling with kids. Or you can carry it with the carry straps that sit on either side.

Compartments and Pockets

As well as the main section of the bag, the Allpa 70 also has other compartments and pockets to separate your clothing. 

There is a zippered interior pocket in the main compartment, two outer pockets on either side of the bag, and a pocket at the bottom of the bag for dirty or wet laundry. There really are pockets everywhere! 

As we do head out on muddy and wet adventures, we tend to use the side pockets of the bag for bathing suits that aren’t 100% dry or clothing that we haven’t had the chance to wash.

Allpa 70 Verdict

Overall, I opt for the Allpa 70 as a check-in bag as I know I can fit a week's worth of clothing for me and the kids. I also know that I can lug this baby around. And it won’t get damaged thanks to its resistant outer shell. 

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack

When we are getting ready for a trip, there are two other bags we take with us. And they are the Allpa 28 and 35-litre travel packs. 

The 35 L Allpa is Nick’s baby, and it's the bag he ultimately uses when we go on trips. This backpack is a fantastic bag for him on his own. And there are a couple of cool features that allow him to pack everything he needs in such a small and compact space.

Main Compartment

One of the main reasons why the Allpa 35 is such a great bag for Nick is because of its butterfly zipper. Both the 28L and 35L have this butterfly zipper. And it allows the bag to open up, so you have access to both sides. 

Having access to both sides means that you can really utilize the space in the main compartment. And you can also keep your bag organized. 

Typically, with a normal backpack, you have to dig through to find the item of clothing you need. But with the Allpa 35L, all your clothes are easily accessible.

In particular, the right pocket of the main compartment has a good stretch and is really deep. So Nick has found that he can pack all of his clothes on just one side. 

Additional Pockets

The other thing that’s nice about the 35L Cotopaxi travel bags are the organizational pockets. The pockets in the 35L go really deep. And Nick has managed to organize his camera gear, his books, and his journal separate from all of his clothing. 

Down at the very base of the backpack is another of Nick’s favorite features of the Allpa 35. And that is the bottom pocket where he can securely keep his computer. As we work on the road and we are always flying with our computer. So it is really important that it is easy to get to and safe at all times. 

One more pocket that is worth mentioning is the one right at the very top which is ideal for phones, GoPros, or anything that you want on hand. Nick always keeps his GoPro in this compartment. But he also likes to store his hat, headphones, and pens in here as well. 

Durability

One of the main questions I get asked about the Cotopaxi travel bags, including the Allpa 35, is whether or not they are durable. In general, Cotopaxi aims to make sure their equipment and bags last. So, I’ve found that the outside of the Allpa 35 is a really thick material that is going to withstand a serious beating.

Cotopaxi Allpa 28L Travel Pack

The final of the Cotopaxi travel bags I wanted to mention was the Allpa 28. And the 28 really is the perfect go bag. 

The Allpa 28L is part of Cotopaxi’s Del Dia range. So, the bags are super bright multicolors and are made from upcycled materials. Due to the fact the bags are made from upcycled materials, all the zippers and bag colors are different. So, each and every bag is completely unique. 

Compartments

Like the Allpa 35, the Allpa 28 has a butterfly zip. And when I personally get ready to pack this thing, I’ll lay the bag out in front of me and designate each pocket for something specific.

I usually carry books, an extra set of clothes for my daughter, snacks, baby wipes, my journals, my purse, and even my computer, which I place in the bag’s computer sleeve. But with so many different pockets to make use of, I am able to organize my belongings and have certain things on hand for if and when I need them. 

Handles and Carry Straps

The handles on the Allpa 28 are also a huge perk, as not only do they make the bag extremely comfortable to carry, but they also make it really easy to slide the bag under the seat in front of you if you’re using it as a carry-on. 

Allpa 35 or Allpa 28: Which to Choose?

The Allpa 35 and Allpa 28 are very different in size. And I’d consider the 35 to be a great week or weekend bag. The Allpa 28, on the other hand, is more of a carry on bag for everything you’d need access to on a plane. 

If you’re an individual who wants to carry all your stuff in one bag, then the Allpa 35 is a great option. However, if you already plan on checking in a bag, then the 28 will fit the extra belongings that you want on hand at all times. 

Packing Tips

Now that I’ve covered the three different Cotopaxi travel bags, I’m going to go through some packing tips and how we utilize our space. 

Roll Clothes

Now, Nick and I have very different folding techniques. Nick’s technique is to essentially just fold it and shove it in. And as he doesn’t bring as much stuff as me and the kids, he can get an entire week's worth of clothes in his bag by folding his clothes this way. 

For me, however, I like to fold the clothes, then roll them, and finally shove them into every available corner. This method allows me to get more clothes into a smaller space. And as I have a hard time packing light, it really is the best option. 

Plan Your Outfits

Another way to make sure you’re utilizing your packing space is to only pack the clothes you’re actually going to wear. I’ve found the best way to do this is to lay your outfits out in front of you and really think about which clothes go together, the occasions you can wear them, and whether you can mix and match different items. 

Use Smaller Bags to Organize

Lately my kids have been rummaging around in their bags to try and find things like underwear. So what I’ve started doing is putting all their underwear and little things into smaller bags that are then easy to see and get to. 

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