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In-depth review

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack Review (2027)

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L pairs a suitcase opening with recycled fabric and a one-of-a-kind Del Dia colourway. Our research-based verdict on the cheerful week-long pack.

TGBy TrueGear Research TeamIndependent editorial teamLast updated How we researchResearch-based assessment · Travel Backpacks
Specs verified against manufacturer docs
No paid placements
Independently funded by readers
Updated 2026-10-30
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack Review (2027) featured graphic
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack, Del Dia

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack, Del Dia

The cheerful week-long pack: 35 litres of recycled fabric, a suitcase opening and a colourway no one else will own.

Our verdict

The Allpa 35L is the travel backpack for travellers who want packing to feel simple and a bag that looks like nothing else at baggage claim: a suitcase opening with a divided main compartment, air mesh straps that stay comfortable across a travel day, and Del Dia deadstock fabric that makes every pack unique. Its limits are clear: a 15 inch laptop ceiling, surprise colours, and no rain cover. For a week of careful packing with a laptop up to 15 inches, it is the most likeable bag in this guide.

What we like

  • Suitcase-style opening with a divided main compartment makes packing and repacking straightforward
  • Air mesh shoulder straps and improved weight distribution keep a 35 litre load comfortable across a travel day
  • Exterior stretch water bottle pocket and luggage pass-through strap cover airport and station transfers
  • Del Dia deadstock fabric gives every pack a one-of-a-kind colour combination while keeping waste out of landfill

What to watch out for

  • The 15 inch laptop limit rules out larger laptops that other packs in this guide accept
  • Del Dia randomness means the colour you receive may not match the colour you imagined
  • No dedicated rain cover, so the recycled shell needs help in sustained rain

What owners report: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack, Del Dia

Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.

Most praised

  • The suitcase opening makes packing feel orderly, with clothes staying flat instead of tumbling into a top loader.
  • Shoulder straps stay comfortable across a full travel day, even when the bag is packed to its limit.
  • The one-of-a-kind colourway gets compliments at baggage claim and makes the bag easy to spot.

Common complaints

  • Owners with 16 inch laptops discover the sleeve limit only after ordering, which stings.
  • Surprise colours delight some buyers and disappoint others who wanted a specific shade.
  • Heavy rain soaks through eventually, since no rain cover is included in the box.

Who it is for

Week-long travellers, colour lovers and suitcase-style packers who want a simple, cheerful bag with a light footprint.

A suitcase opening that simplifies packing

The Allpa opens like a small case, with a divided main compartment that keeps clothes flat and visible instead of buried. For travellers who pack once and live out of the bag, that layout removes the daily dig through a top loader, and the mesh dividers keep clean and worn clothes apart without extra accessories. It is not a clever system; it is a simple one, and simplicity is why owners keep recommending it.

Comfort from straps, not a frame

Without a hiking frame, the Allpa relies on air mesh shoulder straps and improved weight distribution to carry 35 litres, and owners report that combination works across a full travel day. The exterior stretch bottle pocket and the luggage pass-through strap handle the airport sequence well, sliding the bag onto a roller case when the walk gets long. It will not out-carry the Osprey pair on a hiking-length walk, but for airport-to-hotel travel it is comfortable enough that comfort stops being a topic.

Del Dia colour, laptop limits and rain

Del Dia is the Allpa's signature and its gamble: deadstock fabric means no two packs share a colourway, which delights buyers who want a unique bag and disappoints buyers who pictured a specific shade. The 15 inch laptop limit is a harder limit, ruling out larger machines that other packs here accept. And with no rain cover included, sustained rain needs a cover or a shelter stop. None of these are hidden, but all three should be checked before ordering.

Key specifications

Capacity
35 litres (2135 cu in), per maker specs
Weight
2 lb 15 oz (1.33 kg), per maker specs
Dimensions
22 x 12 x 10 inches, per maker specs
Shell
100% recycled 840D TPU-coated nylon, per maker specs
Laptop fit
Up to 15 inches, per Amazon fields
Carry extras
Luggage pass-through strap, exterior stretch bottle pocket

Also consider

Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack, Black (40L)

Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack, Black (40L)

The default one-bag answer: a hiking-derived harness, a stowaway suspension and a 40 litre body sized for most carry-on rules.

Why consider it: The comfort-first rival with a framed harness and a 16 inch laptop sleeve, for longer walks

  • Capacity: 40 litres
  • Weight: 3.47 lb, per Amazon fields
Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L, Expandable 35-45L, Sage

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L, Expandable 35-45L, Sage

The expandable creator's carry-on: 35 litres at standard size, 45 expanded, with rear access and room for camera cubes.

Why consider it: The expandable rival with camera cube support, for travellers whose load grows during the trip

  • Capacity: Standard 35L, compressed 30L, expanded 45L, per maker specs
  • Weight: 2.05 kg (4.5 lb), per maker specs

Research-based assessment. TrueGear has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.

Questions, answered

Will I get the colour shown in the photos?

Not necessarily. Del Dia packs use deadstock fabric, so each pack's colours differ and the exact combination is a surprise. If an exact colour matters, buy a standard Allpa colourway instead of Del Dia.

Does the Allpa 35L fit a 16 inch laptop?

No. The sleeve fits laptops up to 15 inches, so 16 inch machines need a different bag in this guide, such as the Farpoint 40 or the Nomatic Travel Pack.

Is the Allpa 35L enough for a week?

For most travellers with careful packing, yes: 35 litres covers a week of clothes with rolling and a packing cube or two. Cold-weather trips with bulky layers may need the 40 litre Farpoint instead.

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