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Cotopaxi Allpa 35l Review: Del Dia Collection
Have you been wondering if a Cotopaxi Del Dia backpack is right for you? Find it out in this honest Cotopaxi Allpa 35l Review
I’ve had my old backpack for a looong time and once it was time to finally get a new one I decided on getting the Allpa 35l Travel Pack – Del Dia edition.
The Del Dia collection means that your backpack has a surprise color combination since it’s produced out of fabric scraps. So, I had no idea what color my backpack would be! If you’re not as adventurous you can also choose between set colours for your Allpa 35l Travel Pack.
I’ve had my new backpack for a few months now, so I’ll try to give a helpful and honest review.
Allpa 35l Travel Pack – Del Dia
Overall, I love the colourful design which is due to its sustainable production out of material scraps.
The different compartments and the suitcase opening are great for perfect organization.
However, if you’re a minimalist traveler like myself I recommend going for the smaller size.
What is Cotopaxi?
Cotopaxi is a socially conscious outdoor gear and apparel company founded in 2014 by Davis Smith. The company is named after the active stratovolcano in Ecuador and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Cotopaxi’s mission is to create high-quality outdoor gear and apparel that inspires people to get outside and make a positive impact on the world.
The company is known for its unique and colourful designs, such as the Allpa Del Dia backpack which is made from leftover fabrics. This means in the Del Dia collection every item is unique and you don’t know the colours beforehand.
Cotopaxi also donates at least 1% of its annual revenue to various non-profit organizations that help alleviate poverty around the world.
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Backpack Features
Colourful Design
I love colourful things! And one of the reasons why I decided to buy the Cotopaxi travel pack is because of the colourful design.
When I started travelling as a minimalist I used my old school backpack for years until it broke. And when I looked for a new minimalist backpack I almost only found black backpacks. So it was a pleasant surprise to stumble upon such a colourful backpack.
The Del Dia collection is the most colourful one since they use scraps to make backpacks and the colour combination is unique and a surprise. The normal Allpa collection has the same bags but you can choose the colours.
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Suitcase Opening
I never had a backpack with a suitcase opening before and it’s really cool! It’s the best way to organise everything in your backpack. And it makes it super easy if you’re looking for something.
So far, I’ve used packing cubes for organising everything in my bag but with a suitcase opening you might not even need them anymore. Well, I still like them. Especially for the big compartment inside since I don’t bring enough clothes to fill it.
I have my clothes in a packing cube, my toiletry bag and my electronics bag in the big compartment of my backpack.
Different Compartments
The Allpa 35l backpack has a lot of compartments, inside and outside.
Outside there is a smaller compartment at the top which is actually not that small, it got two smaller compartments inside. That’s great for things you need while travelling like a water bottle or sunglasses. Both of these items fit easily with room to spare.
At the back, there is a laptop compartment with a special padded tablet section. I really like the laptop compartment but I don’t really use the tablet compartment.
Inside the backpack, there are 3 compartments, one big one, one medium-sized one and two small ones. In one of the small compartments, there is a rain cover for the backpack which I have removed because I have never ever used a rain cover before.
There’s also a hidden compartment in the main compartment which is great for a passport or some spare cash.
You can also reach into the big compartment from the outside of the backpack. This is great if you want to grab a thing from the back but for me, it’s pretty useless because I use packing cubes and if I need to get something out of one I need to open up the whole bag.
Different Carrying Options
I’ve been calling it the Allpa backpack but actually, it’s a travel pack with different carrying options. And one of those carrying options is a backpack.
The shoulder straps for the backpack are reasonably comfortable and there’s even a removable hip belt, which is very cool if you have to carry the backpack for longer distances.
You can remove the hip belt and tuck away the shoulder straps and then you can carry it like a duffle bag. It got handles on every side.
Security Features
The Cotopaxi Del Dia 35l Allpa backpack has a few security features so pickpockets don’t have an easy target. The sippers have an anti-theft loop, so you can’t just open it with one quick motion.
If you’re somewhere safe, you don’t need to put the zipper past the security strip. Then it’s easier for you to open.
The backpack also has a key chain in the front compartment so you don’t lose your key while on holiday.
I really like that because during my holiday I don’t need my key, so I don’t want to have it in my handbag all the time but I worry that it’s somehow gonna slip out of my bag if I just put it in a bigger compartment.
Pros of Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Del Dia
Now let’s come to the good parts, why I really like the Cotopaxi Allpa 35l travel pack.
- I love the colours. Even if you choose a more subdued colour from the Allpa 35l collection they have at least some splashes of colour mixed in.
- The suitcase-opening system is amazing and I love all the different compartments.
- I like that it has a removable hip belt, so you can decide for yourself which way is better for carrying.
- The materials look very sturdy and I can see myself having the backpack for years in constant use.
- I love the company’s goal to be as environmentally and socially sustainable as possible and that they donate 1% of their earnings.
Cons of Cotopaxi Allpa 35l Del Dia
There are also a few points I didn’t like that much about my new Cotopaxi backpack. You need to decide for yourself if these are dealbreakers for you.
- For me, the backpack is too big since I travel very minimalistic. I think the 28l would have been perfect. On flights, the 35l backpack doesn’t fit under the seat.
- The backpack doesn’t have a compartment on the outside for a reusable water bottle. But since I always bring a water bottle on holidays I just put it in the front compartment.
- The tablet padding is useless because a laptop doesn’t fit inside the special padding and I don’t use a tablet. The bigger laptop compartment is very handy though. I just use my own padded laptop sleeve to keep it safe.
- The shoulder straps are reasonably comfortable but they could definitely be improved.
- The hip belt fits me great but I’ve read in other reviews that it’s too high if you’re a tall person.
- After using the backpack for less than half a year, it got a small tear at the seam. Unfortunately, this can always happen but I somehow expected better.
Who is the Cotopaxi Allpa 35 L for?
The Cotopaxi Allpa 35 l is a great backpack for everyone who wants to travel with just one bag, because you really don’t need more, and who can’t stand the usual boring backpacks.
It’s a perfect travel gadget for people transitioning from a suitcase to a backpack, since you can carry it as a backpack but it has the organisation perks of a suitcase.
Pricing of the Cotopaxi Del Dia Backpack
I’ll be honest with you, it’s not the cheapest backpack, especially if you live in Europe. The prices for the US are way more reasonable.
In the US the 35l Allpa backpack costs about 200$. If you take into account that it’s sustainably produced and it looks very long lasting so you can use it for years and years, I think that a very fair price.
Alternatives to the Cotopaxi Allpa 35 L Travel Pack
If this Cotopaxi review made you realize the Allpa backpack is not the best travel backpack for you, there are numerous alternatives.
- The best alternative if you like the suitcase opening is the Knack Pack. The best feature of this backpack is that it is expandable, perfect for any trip no matter how long. Read my full Expandable Knack Pack review.
- Tortuga Travel Backpack is another great option with a suitcase-style opening. However one of the downsides of this backpack is that it’s only available in black. Read all the pros and cons of the Tortuga Travel Backpack.
- If you’re looking for a way smaller and simpler carry-on backpack from an eco-friendly company Patagonia has some great travel backpacks. I really like the sleek design of the Patagonia Black Hole. If functionality is more important than design, I’d recommend the Patagonia Refugio backpack instead.
FAQs about the Cotopaxi 35l Allpa Travel Pack
What’s the difference between Cotopaxi Allpa vs Del Dia?
The Cotopaxi Allpa is the functional design of the travel pack. Del Dia means they use material scraps to make the bag, so it’s a unique color pattern and you don’t know the colours beforehand. So you can order the Allpa model in a chosen color or in a Del Dia surprise color.
Is Cotopaxi anti theft?
The zippers on the Cotopaxi backpack have an anti-theft loop, so pickpockets are stopped.
Are Cotopaxi bags waterproof?
The Cotopaxi Allpa bag is not waterproof but it comes with a rain cover.
Allpa 35l Travel Pack – Del Dia
Overall, I love the colourful design which is due to its sustainable production out of material scraps.
The different compartments and the suitcase opening are great for perfect organization.
However, if you’re a minimalist traveler like myself I recommend going for the smaller size.
Conclusion of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35l Review
All in all, I love how colourful and fun the backpack looks and I’m super happy with all the compartments. It also looks very sturdy and long-lasting which is great.
The only negative point for me is the size but in case you pack more than one small personal-item-sized bag that’s actually good for you. And otherwise, you might want to opt for the 28l.
I hope my Cotopaxi backpack review helped you make up your mind if it’s the right backpack for you.
Not sure yet if it’s the right backpack for you? Check out my Patagonia Black Hole backpack review to see if that one suits you more.
š¤© Start travelling with just one bag with this free minimalist packing list!
Read More Backpack Reviews:
- Best Minimalist Backpacks for Travel (Carry-On Size)
- Honest Knack Pack Series 2 Review
- Honest Patagonia Black Hole 25l Review: For Travel
- Honest Patagonia Refugio 26L Review: For Travel
- Patagonia Refugio vs Black Hole: Which to Choose?
- Honest Able Carry Daybreaker 2 Review
- Honest Tortuga Travel Backpack 30L Review
- Cotopaxi Allpa 35l Review: Del Dia Collection
- 13 Easy Minimalist Packing Tips for Travel
- Ultimate Minimalist Packing List For Women
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