Ah, the Cotopaxi Allpa 42l. What a trusty travel companion for hiking, work and vacation travel. This bad boy can fit everything but the kitchen sink, and as someone who always tries to bring the kitchen sink, that’s saying something. In this review, I am so excited to share my detailed review of the Cotopaxi Allpa 42 travel pack, pictures of its features and design, pros and cons.
From daypacks to backpacking packs, I have tried them all. However, I recently came across the Allpa 42 travel pack and I must say, it has become my new adventure, one bag travel backpack.
Introduction to the Cotopaxi Allpa 42 bag
This thing is a beast. It’s like a Swiss Army Knife on your back – but way cooler. The Allpa 42L features are just as impressive as its name.
Let’s start with the fact that it’s 42 liters. That’s a lot of stuff you can cram in there. And trust me, you’ll want to cram all your essentials in because this bag is durable and built to last. The weather-resistant material will keep your belongings dry even in the gnarliest of storms.
Also, there are so many compartments and pockets that you’ll feel like a kid in a candy store. And the best part? It’s comfortable to wear. And, wait for it, it’s got a suitcase-style opening, which means you don’t have to dig deep to find what you’re looking for. Genius, right?
Not only is it spacious enough to fit all your essentials, but it’s also compact enough to fit in those pesky overhead bins. Yes, you heard me right, no more struggling to shove your bag into that tiny space above your seat.
One of the things I love about the Cotopaxi Allpa 42l is its colorful design. The bag has a full wrap zipper opening, which makes it easy to pack and unpack. It also has four zippered compartments inside, including large, medium, and two small-size mesh compartments inside.
Cotopaxi Allpa 42L: Carry-On Friendly
Review of Pack Features of the Cotopaxi Allpa 42l
The Cotopaxi Allpa 42 l Travel Pack has a number of features that make it the perfect backpack for adventure travel. Some of these features include:
- Durable Material: The Allpa 42 is made from a combination of high-quality TPU-coated 1000D polyester and 840D ballistic nylon paneling, making it strong enough to withstand the rigors of travel.
- Spacious Interior: The Allpa 42 has a spacious interior that can hold up to 42 liters of gear. This means you can pack all your essentials and still have room for more.
- Multiple Compartments: The backpack features multiple compartments and a padded laptop sleeve that can accommodate up to a 15-inch laptop compartment
- Comfortable Straps: The Allpa 42 has padded backpack-style and messenger-style shoulder straps, a removable padded hip belt, and load lifters making it comfortable to wear even for extended periods of time.
- Padded Mesh Backpanel: this design feature means no sweaty backs
- Security Features: The backpack has theft-proof webbing around the zipper pulls, making it harder for thieves to pickpocket you from behind.
- Exterior water bottle pocket
- Ykk Zippers
- Both backpack-style and suitcase-style carrying versatility
| Features | Benefits | Problems Solved |
|---|---|---|
| TPU-coated polyester rain shell | Repels inclement weather | Protects gear from getting wet |
| Padded, mesh suspension system | Provides comfortable carry | Reduces discomfort during long walks |
| Load lifter straps | Helps distribute weight evenly | Reduces strain on shoulders and back |
| 42L capacity | Fits all the necessary gear | Allows for longer trips without needing to repack |
| Multiple compartments and pockets | Organizes gear | Reduces time spent searching for items |
| Stowable straps | Easy to store | Prevents straps from getting tangled or caught during transport |
Detailed review of the features and design of the Cotopaxi Allpa 42l Travel Pack
The Allpa 42 bag has several features that make it stand out from other adventure backpacks in the market.
Here are some of its key features:
Comfortable to wear
The Allpa 42l travel pack has a padded back panel, adjustable hipbelt suitcase style (removable too!) and stowable shoulder straps, with load lifters, making it comfortable to wear for extended periods. The load lifter straps shorten or lengthen, allowing you to customize the fit to your body.
Versatile carrying options
The bag has multiple carrying options and comfortably carries a couple of hiking pants, hiking shirts, a light jacket, two pairs of underwear, one button-down shirt, hiking socks, and toiletries. Not to mention the multiple ways to carry this bag, backpack straps, shoulder straps tucked away, and four reinforced grab handles.
The backpack straps can be stowed away which I did when running through the airport. For reference, I’m 6’1″.
Weather-resistant
The Allpa 42 is made from weather-resistant materials, including TPU-coated 1000D polyester and ballistic nylon paneling. This makes the bag durable and able to withstand harsh weather conditions.
Removable hip belt
The removable hip belt is a game-changer. It’s like having a little support system for your lower back that you can take on and off whenever you please. It’s like having a personal chiropractor with you at all times!
Okay, maybe not quite, but you get the idea. Plus, it’s super easy to remove and reattach, so you can adjust it to your liking on the go.
Ample storage space
First of all, let’s talk about the multiple mesh compartments! The zippered opening of the main compartment of the bag opens and lays flat. Inside, the internal organization has several zippered mesh compartments, a large zippered pocket, and two smaller ones, ala packing cubes style making it easy to keep your hiking essentials neatly organized.
Brightly colored zippers
One of the many favorite things I love about the Allpa 42 is its multi-color zippers. This detail not only adds a pop of color to the backpack but also makes it easy to identify different compartments.
Zippered Mesh Pockets
This backpack is a game changer with its spacious compartments and durable material. But what really sets it apart is the zippered mesh pockets! The backpack has a total of eight pockets, including a padded laptop pocket, a top zip pocket with organization pockets, and a side pocket for a water bottle.
To clarify, the top zip pocket and three pouches, these handy little pockets are perfect for storing your small items like GPS gavigator, keys, phone, wallet, and backpacking snacks.
No more digging around in the depths of your backpack trying to find that one thing you need. With the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L, everything has its own designated spot. Plus, the mesh material allows for easy visibility, so you won’t have to waste time rummaging around.
Quick Grab Compartments
These compartments are strategically placed for convenience, I liked that I could quickly and easily retrieve my Cotopaxi Fuego Down jacket without having to dig through the rest of my gear. It’s the little things that make a big difference, and these cool pockets are definitely a game-changer!
Padded laptop sleeve
The Allpa 42 has a laptop sleeve, next to the main compartment, which can fit laptops up to 15 inches. Cotopaxi are geniuses in using different colored zippers to identify the main compartment from the laptop compartment.
The orange color zipper opens the main compartment while the blue zippers gave me quick access to my laptop.
Lash points
One of the standout features of the Allpa 42 is the multiple lash points. These are located on the front of the backpack, and are great for attaching hiking gear, such as my favorite hiking poles, solar chargers, with carabiners, to the outside of the backpack.
This is perfect for carrying items that you need to access quickly, such as a softshell jacket, hiking poles, or a water bottle. I use the carabiner lash points to secure bulky stuff like a fleece jacket, to the outside of the backpack, which frees up space inside for other gear.
Shoulder Straps
Let’s review the Cotopaxi allpa 42 shoulder straps, shall we? These bad boys, made of mesh and foam, are like pillows for your shoulders. I mean, seriously, they are so comfortable you might forget you’re even wearing a backpack. And the best part? They’re adjustable and tuck into the back panel when I wanted to carry this as a messenger bag.
Rain cover
Another standout bonus of this backpack is that it comes with its own rain fly, which is a must-have for any outdoor adventurer. The rain cover is easy to access and can be quickly deployed to protect your gear from the elements.
Personal experience using the Cotopaxi Allpa 42l bag
I recently took the Cotopaxi Allpa 42l travel pack on a weekend adventure trip, and I must say, it exceeded my expectations. The bag was comfortable to wear, even when fully loaded with gear. Additionally, the adjustable straps allowed me to customize the fit to my body, making it feel like a natural extension of myself.
The clamshell opening made it easy to pack and unpack, and subdivided zippered mesh compartments allowed me to organize my clothes efficiently. Moreover, the laptop’s padded sleeve was also a lifesaver, as I was able to work on the go without worrying about damaging my laptop.
Pros and Cons of the Cotopaxi Allpa 42l Travel Pack
Pros:
- Durable and long-lasting
- Spacious, zippered interior
- Exterior shortcut pocket
- Padded shoulder straps and back panel for comfortable carry
- Lockable zippers and theft-proof webbing for security
- Removable hip belt
- Brightly colored smooth zippers
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other backpacks in the market
- Not so many pockets
Comparison with other adventure backpacks in the market
The Allpa 42l travel pack is a premium adventure backpack, and as such, it is more expensive than other backpacks in the market. However, it is also more durable and versatile than most backpacks, making it worth the investment.
Compared to the Osprey Farpoint 40 and the Patagonia Black Hole 45L, the Cotopaxi Allpa 42l bag has more compartments, making it easier to organize your gear. It also has a quick grab items side, four reinforced grab handles, and no ugly daisy chains running down the front.
However, it is more expensive than both backpacks, which may be a drawback for budget-conscious travelers.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Cotopaxi Allpa 42 travel pack measures 21.5” x 13.5” x 9” (55cm x 34cm x 23cm).
The backpack is water-resistant, but not completely waterproof. It can withstand light rain and splashes, but it’s not recommended to submerge it in water
Yes, the Cotopaxi Allpa 42 travel pack comes with a 1-year warranty against any manufacturing defects.
Yes, the Cotopaxi Allpa 42 travel pack is designed to meet most airline carry-on requirements. However, it’s always best to check with your specific airline to ensure compliance.
The Cotopaxi Allpa 42 travel pack weighs 3.9 pounds (1.8 kg).
Definitely yes. If this is too large, get the Cotopaxi Luzon 24L Pack Del Dia, which is a great backpack for hiking.
Can the backpack fit under an airplane seat? Yes, the Allpa 42 is designed to fit under most airplane seats.
Conclusion and final thoughts on the Cotopaxi Allpa 42l bag
In conclusion, my review of the Cotopaxi Allpa 42 travel pack: a versatile and durable adventure backpack that is perfect for the weekend to weeklong trips. I like how comfortable it carried, the fresh design colors, rain cover, laptop sleeve and compartment for quick grab items, and plenty of storage space. Don’t forget to pack a hat for sun protection, and a water bladder if you head out hiking.
One of the best things about the Allpa 42 is its size. It’s the perfect size for carry-on luggage, making it a great option for those who like to travel light. And let’s not forget about those pesky overhead bins on planes – the Allpa 42 fits perfectly in them, so you won’t have to check bags and wait for them to arrive at baggage claim.
So, whether you’re embarking on a backpacking adventure or just need a reliable carry-on for your next flight, the Allpa 42L has got your back (literally).
Where to buy the Allpa 42 bag
The Cotopaxi Allpa 42 L travel pack is available for purchase on the Cotopaxi website, as well as on REI and Amazon for $219.99
Need More Advice on Gear and Footwear?
Here are some links to our most popular articles:
- Cotopaxi Fuego Down Jacket Review
- Pack Your Adventure: Top 10 Women’s Hiking Backpacks for Comfortable and Stylish Trekking
- Gear up for Adventure: The Top 10 Women’s Hiking Pants for Ultimate Comfort and Durability
Joey Dang is the Director of the Family Nurse Practitioner Program at Western University of Health Sciences. He also works as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Central Medical Group.
Joey’s love for the outdoors was introduced to him when he was a Boy Scout. When he isn’t busy working, his favorite way to spend his free time are various ways to make great espresso drinks, photography and out backpacking, camping, climbing, and hiking.
Last update on 2024-10-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API