I’ve tested more travel bags than I can count, lightweight daypacks, rugged trekking packs, sleek urban commuters, and modular carry-on systems. But the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack stands out for one very specific reason: balance.
This isn’t a pack designed to carry everything. It’s designed to carry exactly what you need, efficiently, comfortably, and with enough structure to make packing feel like a system, not a scramble. I’ve traveled with the Allpa 35L on domestic flights, European city-hops, and overland trips through South America, and what I’ve learned is simple: it’s one of the most intelligently designed travel backpacks on the market, if it fits your style of travel.
In this review, I’ll walk you through exactly what makes the Allpa 35L so well-balanced, where it performs best, and where it might fall short for certain users. I’ll break down the materials, organization, comfort, carry-on performance, and give you my real-world verdict on whether it deserves a place in your travel setup.
What Kind of Travel Is the Allpa 35L Made For?
The Allpa 35L is made for the kind of traveler who packs with purpose. It’s not for ultra-minimalists doing 2-week trips with 15 liters. It’s also not for those who bring three pairs of boots and a full camera rig. Instead, it’s for the person who wants one carry-on-compliant bag that can hold a week’s worth of gear without ever feeling overloaded or chaotic.
At 35 liters, it fits right into the sweet spot for carry-on travel. It’s compact enough to fit overhead bins on virtually all airlines, including strict budget carriers, and large enough to hold the essentials for 4 to 7 days of travel. I’ve used it for long weekend trips, worked remotely out of it for 10 days, and even lived out of it for two weeks using a tight capsule wardrobe and compression cubes.
This isn’t just a backpack. It’s a modular travel system disguised as a sleek, unassuming pack.
Internal Layout: Why It’s Smarter Than Most Travel Packs
The most defining feature of the Allpa 35L is its clamshell opening. This suitcase-style design splits the pack into two structured halves. One side features a large mesh zip compartment for clothes, while the other side includes subdivided zippered mesh compartments ideal for organizing smaller items, tech, and toiletries.
What sets the Allpa apart is how intuitive and self-contained the compartments are. I don’t need to use additional packing cubes, although I still prefer using a couple for my clothes. The built-in mesh dividers reduce the need for extra pouches. Everything is visible at a glance. Nothing is buried. And nothing shifts during transit.
There’s also a top quick-access pocket with a built-in key clip, handy for sunglasses, snacks, or documents. On the outside, a side-zippered compartment houses a padded laptop sleeve, and there’s another hidden security pocket near the back panel.
The layout feels like it was designed by someone who travels constantly and actually understands the mental load of managing gear. There’s a place for everything, and everything stays in place.
Carry Comfort: Surprisingly Good for a 35L Pack
A lot of 35L packs skip the extras, hip belts, load lifters, proper back paneling, because they assume you won’t carry the bag for long. Cotopaxi went the other direction.
The Allpa 35L comes with a padded hip belt, adjustable sternum strap, and load-lifting shoulder straps. The back panel is EVA foam with molded air channels that offer good ventilation and structure.
I’ve walked for hours in warm climates wearing the Allpa 35L fully loaded, and I never felt strain in my shoulders or imbalance in my gait. The hip belt takes a surprising amount of weight off the shoulders, and the pack carries close to the body without sagging.
It’s also worth noting: the hip belt is removable. If you’re going ultra-light for a weekend trip or just walking around town, you can ditch it and save the bulk.
In terms of carry comfort, this pack punches well above its volume class.
Build Quality and Materials: Built to Take a Beating
Cotopaxi built the Allpa series with durability at the forefront. The Allpa 35L uses TPU-coated 1000D polyester on the main panels and 840D ballistic nylon on the side panels. It’s rugged, abrasion-resistant, and weatherproof enough to handle light rain without a cover. The zippers are YKK with oversized pulls that never snag, and all the critical load points are bar-tacked for reinforcement.
After months of use, including international flights, bus rides, ferry transfers, and a lot of urban walking, the bag shows almost no visible wear. The TPU coating helps shed water and dirt, and the black version I use still looks sharp, not glossy, not faded.
This is a bag you can throw on the ground, jam under a seat, or carry through unpredictable weather and trust that it’s going to come out intact.
Is the Allpa 35L Really Carry-On Compliant?
Yes, and this is one of its strongest selling points. The dimensions come in at approximately 20 x 12 x 8 inches, which makes it carry-on legal for virtually all airlines, including budget carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet.
It fits easily in overhead compartments and even under the seat on some larger aircraft if not overstuffed. I’ve never had it questioned or measured at any gate. It carries like a travel backpack, but it behaves like a suitcase when it matters.
That said, it does get bulky when packed to capacity. If you’re right at the 22-pound airline limit, it may feel dense, but it still compresses well thanks to internal and external compression straps.
Tech Storage: Laptop Protection Done Right
The Allpa 35L includes a padded laptop compartment that fits devices up to 16 inches. It’s located in a dedicated side-access compartment against your back, not in the main clamshell section.
I find this setup ideal. It keeps your tech isolated from clothes and protected by the structure of the bag and your back. It also allows for quick access at airport security or coffee shop desks without exposing your other gear.
The laptop sleeve is padded on all sides, including the bottom, and has a false bottom so your device doesn’t hit the ground when you set the bag down. It’s the kind of detail that a lot of brands still overlook, and Cotopaxi gets right.
Downsides: What You Should Know Before Buying
No bag is perfect, and the Allpa 35L does have a few trade-offs depending on your priorities.
No water bottle pocket is probably the most common complaint, and I agree. Cotopaxi sells an external mesh attachment, but I wish it came integrated. I usually clip a bottle to the front daisy chains or tuck it inside if I’ve got extra room.
It’s not a hiking bag, and it doesn’t pretend to be. While the harness system is solid, there’s no airflow panel or hydration compatibility. I wouldn’t use it on a multi-day trek, but for moving between cities or spending a few hours on trails, it holds up well.
The shell can feel stiff when new, especially compared to more flexible nylon packs. Over time, it softens slightly, but it retains its structure by design. If you prefer a more collapsible or slouchy pack, this one will feel rigid.
Who Is the Allpa 35L Best For?
This bag works best for travelers who pack intentionally and want a single, dependable pack for trips lasting 3 to 7 days. It’s ideal for:
- One-bag travelers who fly carry-on only
- Remote workers or digital nomads needing tech + clothes space
- Weekend travelers who value structured packing
- Adventure travelers who want durability without a hiking-style bag
If you like modular organization, minimal branding, and a design that balances form with serious function, the Allpa 35L will feel like it was built for you.
Allpa 35L vs Similar Travel Backpacks
| Feature | Cotopaxi Allpa 35L | Peak Design Travel Backpack (30L) | Nomatic Navigator 32L | Tropicfeel Shell (22–40L) |
| Capacity | 35L | 30L (expandable to 45L) | 32L (expandable to 41L) | 22L base, expands to 40L |
| Weight | ~3.4 lbs | ~4.5 lbs | ~5.2 lbs | ~3.7 lbs |
| Laptop Compartment | Yes, 16″ | Yes, 16″ | Yes, 16″ | Yes, up to 17″ |
| Opening Style | Clamshell | Clamshell + dual access | Clamshell | Clamshell + roll top |
| Weather Resistance | Water-resistant | Weatherproof zippers + nylon shell | Water-resistant | Water-repellent coating |
| Harness System | Hip belt + load lifters | Padded, optional hip belt | Padded + modular belt | Basic harness only |
| Carry-On Friendly | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (at 22–30L setting) |
| Best Use Case | Balanced travel | Tech travel + camera gear | Digital nomads, urban | Versatile trips, outdoors |
| Retail Price (USD) | ~$200 | ~$300 | ~$280 | ~$250 |
Is the Allpa 35L the Best Balanced Travel Bag?
For me, the Allpa 35L has become the default pack I reach for when I want something dependable, carry-on ready, and comfortable. It hits the rare middle ground between overbuilt expedition bags and underbuilt lifestyle packs.
It’s not trying to do everything. It’s trying to do a few things really well: protect your gear, organize your stuff, and move with you across borders without drawing attention. And it succeeds.
If you travel light but not ultra-light, want clean design without tech gimmicks, and care about long-term durability, the Allpa 35L is one of the best travel backpacks you can buy right now.
FAQs About the Allpa 35L Travel Pack
Is the Allpa 35L a carry-on bag?
Yes. It fits within most airline carry-on size limits and slides easily into overhead bins.
Does it have a laptop compartment?
Yes. It fits up to a 16″ laptop with padded protection and a false bottom.
Is the bag waterproof?
No, but it is water-resistant. The TPU-coated polyester and ballistic nylon shed light rain.
Can you use it without the hip belt?
Yes. The hip belt is fully removable for lighter travel days.
Does it hold enough for a week-long trip?
Yes, if you pack efficiently. It holds about 3–7 days’ worth of clothing and essentials.
Is it suitable for hiking?
Not really. It’s designed for travel, not trail use, there’s no hydration port or framed suspension.