How to Choose Daypacks

A daypack for commuters and travelers alike, the Cotopaxi Allpa 26 L hauls all your essentials from point A to point B in style while keeping you organized.
Imported.
View the Cotopaxi Allpa Product LineView all Cotopaxi Travel DaypacksBest Use | Travel |
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Bag Style | Backpack |
Gear Capacity (L) | 26 liters |
Gear Capacity (cu. in.) | 1,587 cubic inches |
Number of Exterior Pockets | 4 + main compartment |
Laptop Compartment | Yes |
Fits Laptop Size (in.) | 16 inches |
iPad / Tablet Compartment | Yes |
Carry-On | Yes |
Raincover Included | No |
Material(s) | Main body: 100% recycled 450-denier, TPU-coated polyester; side/bottom panels: 100% recycled 840-denier ripstop nylon; lining: 100% recycled 135-denier polyester |
Dimensions | 20.5 x 13 x 9 inches |
Weight | Unavailable |
Gender | Unisex |
Fits Torso Length (in.) | 18-20 inches |
Sustainability | Contains recycled materials |
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[This pack was provided to me for free via the REI Trailblazers program, in exchange for an honest review.] The first thing that struck me about this daypack was the color, Fig. It is beautiful, muted, and goes with almost everything in my closet. I’ve used the pack for two months now and really like it. The pack is designed for commuters, casual use around town, and carry-on, with features such as a padded laptop pocket, smaller interior zipper pockets to organize things, and long external zippers that provide good access to anything placed in the roomy, top-loading pack. Its size (26L) is more than enough for my commuting purposes: I take a 13-inch laptop with charger block, some paperwork (for which there is a special pocket next to the laptop), a change of clothes, wallet etc., and a large water bottle. Everything fits inside with lots of room to spare. There are also two exterior side stretch pockets that hold large bottles securely. The pack also features a padded pass-through strap in the back for attaching it to a roller bag handle. There are two front exterior zippered pockets, large enough for stashing travel items or food. I also used this pack during a two-week trip to Europe earlier this summer and found it to meet all my needs. In a pinch, I could also see myself taking the pack on shorter, front-country day hikes, where I don’t have to carry any significant water weight or safety gear. Otherwise, the lack of features such as hip belt, interior frame, and structured back support, disqualifies this pack for longer hikes for me. But then it is not intended for that use by design. The solid padded shoulder straps do include an adjustable/removable sternum strap, which may come in handy on hikes or if you bike-commute. The pack is one-size/unisex but fits my medium female back and shoulders well. Overall, I love this pack for the intended purpose and look forward to getting years of use out of it. The material feels sturdy, all seams are straight, zippers are strong, and there are no dangling straps or loops anywhere. It is sleek and stylish. I have used the larger 42L Allpa for several years and expect the same quality from this Cotopaxi pack.
This bag is super clean looking and has all the great attributes for a travel bag. It was great as a personal item with my carry on on my last trip. The bag has all the compartments you would hope for, including a separate one for your laptop and tablet. The front pockets have many small compartments to keep organized and the main opening has plenty of room to store a spare set of clothes or anything you need. I also love the extra large and stretchy water bottle comparment. I can finally take my 32oz cup or water bottle along with me and not constantly worry it may fall out. Then padding in the shoulder straps and back area make this super comfortable to wear, but slot in the back made it very easy to throw right on my roller bag when my shoulders got tired or when I wanted to sit down. I'm a little concerned on how the material on the front of the bag will hold up long term, but it sure looks good, so we will see! Get this bag for your next adventure, you won't regret it!
I’ve had my pack for a week now and I’m very happy with this purchase. The compact size of it makes it easy to travel with. It came with more compartments than I expected. There’s a surplus which gives me flexibility for packing items. It feels great on my back and very sturdy. At the same time is very comfortable to wear. At the moment I use it for cycling into work. It stores my computer and iPad safely. Looking forward to traveling with it in the near future. Whether for flights or camping. I highly recommend this pack.
I purchased this backpack from REI and had it shipped to me and it arrived very quickly (a day earlier than expected even). I got it in the color Fig and let me tell you, it's beautiful! The bag holds a lot and I appreciate that the water bottle pockets are a nice stretchy mesh that does not use impact the inner space of the backpack at all. There is good organization throughout the pack. My only gripe is that I do not find the straps comfortable and the back feels very stiff initially when I put it on. I was hoping that the straps would soften up a bit when I used it daily for a 10 day trip, but no go. It's a good pack overall and I'm hopeful that with more use the straps and back will break in and feel more comfortable.
I love almost everything about this bag, but there's two or three things I'd change. GOOD: 1. the vertical luggage pass-through is fantastic. It's big, so there's no worry it's going to rip on your bag. 2. I love the way cotopaxi bags ride. This is my 3rd cotopaxi bag, and I actually also have a 20l Evergoods CTB 20L and I LIKE THE WAY THIS ONE RIDES BETTER (for more comparison, see bad). Ultimately, because of the way this one rides, IT WON. 3. I love the different spaces. The back pocket dedicated to laptop and documents is fantastic. The two front pockets are great. They remind me of the Alpaka Elements backpack. 4. AND I LOVE the big bucket pocket at the top on the front. It can fit everything from a jacket, to a 2 liter pouch full of daily essentials (Alpaka flight sling fits perfectly). 5. The main compartment is great for sliding a large packing cube, lay your flip-flops flat on the inside. 6. There's this kind of pocket behind the admin panel in the main compartment. It's the perfect size for my small ipad pro (I think it's 9"), of course, that also interferes with anything that's in the bottom, so again, trade-offs. BAD: 1. The bad can be summed up as organization. If you want to see organization done right, go look at that CTB20. The admin panel cannot be in the back of the main compartment. It either needs to be its own front pocket, or separated into the current pockets. But the top bucket pocket (or / and even the bottom) should have the admin pockets, but I find the admin pockets as they are currently situated unusable. The problem is that they interfere with anything else you may place in there. If you have a full main compartment, the space conflicts. and if something is in the bottom of the bag, you can't get to it because they jut out. The best situation this bag could do is one of two things:put 2 pockets on the inside of the top outside pocket and then put mesh and a zipper in that. so it's a pouch within a pocket. That would be ideal because then I wouldn't have to carry an extra pouch with me to keep my mouse, earphones, chargers, and cables organized. If that space is used as a quasi-pouch, then they should move the felt-lined pocket (which actually feels like pretty cheap felt to me) somewhere else. I'd recommend putting it in the top of the bag on the underside, if that makes sense? Either make a small yoke pocket that takes space from the laptop compartment or a very small amount of space from the main compartment, like Evergoods or Bellroy. Ultimately, I love this bag. The big things are right, but some of the decisions feel a bit amateurish. They should look specifically at admin panels and yoke pockets from some of the best brands (even patagonia puts the admin panel in the laptop compartment, which is an interesting choice. It's just the small things need a bit more work. If they make these changes next year, I'll probably buy that bag. Just keep everything else the same.
I bought this backpack to use as a carry on and for hikes and long day treks through cities while traveling Scandinavia in the summer. The organization is so great. I love the two easy access pockets in the front for quick access and yet they are discreet enough to make it anti-theft. I like that the main pocket has a lot of pockets to store smaller items and keep things organized. The laptop pouch will be great to continue to use after my trip. The water bottle pouches hold all sizes! The color and quality of the material is so great and this backpack has held up perfectly to a lot of use over the last few weeks. Definitely recommend!
Nice backpack that I plan to use for work and travel. Fits everything I need for work easily. It is divided into 4 pockets, the two small ones on the front and the two main compartments. It will take some adjusting on how to pack the bag as the two main compartments are about equal in size which is different than the bag I transitioned from (North Face Borealis bag that I'd had since the 2010s). I like the many zippered pockets and built in storage sections. The straps are comfortable. The back of the bag could be a bit more padded.
I gasped with happiness when I pulled it out of the packaging and saw the deep teal and lovely light blue— LOVE the colors. This bag seems like it will last forever…strong, and just the right size for a day trip and even an overnight if you pack light. Could not be happier!
This is my third Cotopaxi backpack. I have a larger one and a smaller one. This is the perfect laptop bag as well as day pack. The black is so cool and sleek. I fudging love it.
I have the 35L allpa and I love it as my carryon but I have been waiting on a smaller backpack that is not a clamshell opening for my personal item. The 20L is too small so when the 26L came out I knew I needed to get one. It is the perfect personal item backpack that holds my essentials and can be within reach under the seat on the airplane. Like any cotopaxi item, it is well made and will last a lifetime. I got the color fig and it is so pretty!