Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Review

In a sea of backpacks and bulletproof duffel bags, Cotopaxi’s Allpa 35L pack is a convenient and well-thought-out option for travelers who want organization and comfort. And, it might just be one of the best unintentional diaper bags on the market.

The Allpa 35 brings a clamshell design with seemingly endless organization. Thoughtful features like security zippers, hidden pockets, and sturdy backpack straps make this bag an ideal companion for travelers.

Cotopaxi’s Allpa of products uses smaller batches of left-over materials than some of their other repurposed collections. Using those leftovers is also what creates the unique color patterns on the bag. It’s tough to miss the Allpa 35 on a luggage carousel.

On a recent trip, I spotted another traveler with a well-loved Allpa 35. I approached and asked her what she thought of the bag. She noticed the same bag on my back and enthusiastically shared all of her favorite features. Organization and comfort were at the top of her list.

While the bag seems to be intended for travelers, it has quickly become the go-to day bag for my family. My wife loves the organization. The 35 model is a little large on her frame, but the option to keep dirty clothes and diapers separate outweighs the less-than-ideal fit on her frame.

Duffels vs Clamshell Packs

I love a good duffel for traveling so I was interested to see how I might adapt to a more intentional organization when using the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L – intentional being the operative word. Packing with a duffel means I can afford to just toss in items. Packing cubes definitely help keep things organized, but I’ve always resented that additional storage is needed on top of a $150 duffel bag. So, when packing the Allpa 35 for the first time, I had to really think through what was on my list. That’s a good thing as I tend to over-pack.

I had a trip planned just around the corner when the bag first arrived. I knew the trip would be longer than the Allpa is intended for and I thought that would be a good test. So I loaded it up and put as much weight on it as I could to zip it up. Keep in mind that I intentionally overpacked on this particular trip. I wanted to see how much the bag could take and what it felt like to haul it through the airport and across multiple time zones. Here’s the packing list from that trip.

Limited External Storage Options on the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L

I loved the organization in the Allpa 35, but there are some potential downsides to be aware of. First, all of that great organization is inside the bag. There is a hefty exterior pocket at the top of the bag that can be accessed from the outside. And you can quickly get to the interior from the side access zippers. But, that means that you have to keep your quick-grab items in those areas.

That may not seem like a big deal, but on more than one occasion while on the road, I ended up opening up the whole bag to access something that was organized in one of the compartments. You’ll adapt the way you pack the more you use this bag, so this minor inconvenience will likely improve the more you travel with the Allpa.

Where to buy: cotopaxi.com