The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L: My Ultimate Travel Companion

Welcome to Dinogo Approved: an in-depth look at the travel essentials we adore, never leave behind, and eagerly share with friends.

It's a familiar ritual: With an upcoming trip on the horizon, I take down all my suitcases and backpacks from their precarious stack in my closet and lay them out, evaluating their fit for my plans. It's a routine I know well, yet mostly unnecessary: 90 percent of the time, I end up choosing the same bag—my Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack.

Over the past few years, I’ve taken this bag on numerous ferries around Greece, and my husband has used it to bring souvenirs and essentials to his family in Cuba. It’s my go-to for weekend getaways to Washington, D.C. to visit family, and it accompanies me to Minnesota lake country every summer. It’s been stuffed into carry-on bins, tucked under seats, squished between legs, and balanced on laps. At this point, it’s clear: I have a profound affection for this bag, and it’s rooted in experience. Whether I need to pack light or squeeze in one more item, it has never let me down.

• Weight: 3 lb. 8 oz., without accessories
• Dimensions: 22 x 12 x 10 inches
• Available colors: Bluegrass, Wine, Pacific, River
• Ideal for: Trips lasting up to 10 days

With side handles and contoured shoulder straps that can be neatly tucked behind the breathable airmesh back panel, this bag can be worn as a backpack or carried as a duffel. Inside, it boasts multiple zippered compartments of varying sizes, making it a perfect choice for organized packers (like me!) who want designated pockets for their laptop, passport, keys, and clothing.

The bag includes several clever design elements, such as exterior access points to key internal compartments—like the padded laptop sleeve—and a 'theft-proof webbing' that allows you to secure the zippers so they can't be easily opened without your knowledge. If you've packed it to the brim for weeks, the removable hip belt helps distribute weight for added comfort. (Note: A fully packed bag may not fit under the seat in front of you, though it usually does.)

Other small features I love about the carry-on-friendly Allpa 35L: The polyester shell is coated with thermoplastic polyurethane, making it fully waterproof, and it comes with a removable rain cover for added protection. Additionally, the Allpa has four carabiner lash loops, allowing you to attach a water bottle, hang a scarf for easy access, or even clip on another bag for quick access to your snacks for the trip (guilty!).

Renowned for its dedication to sustainability and fair labor practices, Cotopaxi manufactures the Allpa (along with its other bags and backpacks) in Bataan, Philippines. The bag is available in four color options—Bluegrass, Wine, Pacific, and River—through cotopaxi.com, with additional shades available on rei.com.

Cotopaxi also offers the bag in its Del Día line, crafted from 100 percent leftover fabric from other manufacturers. Since workers utilize available materials rather than following strict color guidelines, each bag is truly unique. (Check out the current designs on the dedicated Allpa 35L Travel Pack Del Día page.)

Whenever my next travel adventure arises, I know this bag will be ready for it.

This article was first published in 2020 and was most recently updated on November 21, 2023, with the latest information.