Being a self-proclaimed Jane of All Trades, I am constantly looking for the perfect bag that can do it all. Spoiler Alert: I’m still looking, but the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is as close as I’ve gotten to perfection for all my needs. Because of this, I know it is perfect for many others.
What to consider when looking for the perfect bag
Obviously, consider what your main use for it is! If it’s for one type of activity or occasion, that makes it easier. But if you are like me and want this for a myriad of things, make a list of your non-negotiables. Or, if you aren’t sure what those are, start with a packing list for what you’ll use this bag for most.
On the Daily
For a lot of you, this bag may be too much for the daily bag. I, however, live off-grid with limited amenities about 25 minutes outside of town, so my daily routines and packing needs can differ from a lot of others. With that being said, many folks start with an early morning that includes going to the gym and then straight to work. Thus, they shower at the gym and need a change of clothes, shoes, and who knows what else.
That my friends, is who this bag is perfect for, anyone who feels like they are prepared for an overnighter (or two) every time they leave the house.
Daily Packing List
At the minimum, this is what you can find in my Allpa 35L on an average day:
- Snacks (#1)
- 15 inch MacBook pro + charger
- Small toiletry kit
- Shoes
- Change of clothes (sometimes 2 outfits cause hey, I’m a lady who likes options)
- Phone charger
- Bluetooth mouse & mouse pad (I hate touch pads if I am doing any design work)
- Earbuds (probably 2 pair – an ANC pair for gym and my fav, Shokz OpenFit)
- Quick drying towel (the gym towels are like hand towels on me – these quick drying towels take up minimal space and duh, dry quickly)
If your daily list looks anything like this, the Allpa 35L will work for you in many situations!
Key Features
- Carry-on compatible
- Hip belt & chest strap for heavy loads/more stability
- Large top zipper pocket for essentials with internal mesh pocket
- Suitcase-style, full-wrap zipper
- 2 internal mesh compartments
- Padded laptop & tablet sleeve
- Easy access to the large compartment on the right from the outside
- Anti-theft YKK zippers
- 4 reinforced grab handles
- Loops for clipping on extra gear
- Included rain cover
- Tuck-away backpack straps for traveling/storage
- Removable waist belt for traveling/storage
Stowable staps and removable hip belt.
Key Missing Features
- Waterbottle pocket!
- Dog pocket (see image below)
Percect for Longer Travel Too
With all these great features and space, this bag is perfect for the weekend trip too. If you are a light packer, this could be your main bag…but if you are like me, it’s probably subsidizing another carry on. This bag still fit under the seat in the airplane as it wasn’t stuffed to the brim. If you are using it as your main travel bag, it will probably need to go in the overhead bin. I managed to find a way to hook it on to my roller bag too, which of course is not necessary with the hip belt and chest strap that help take the load of your shoulders, but, it can be done if you like!
My packing list for a longer trip doesn’t differ much from my daily list. I just add more clothes! If you are checking this bag for any reason, this is where the stowaway and removable straps would be useful.
Is This the Bag for You?
I honestly love this bag for so many different uses. The suitcase style zip can be annoying at times for simple daily use, but the easy access back zipper comes in super handy so long as what you need is in that large compartment. The top zipper pocket is so large though that I generally can keep anything I would need to get to quickly/easily there.
The biggest downfall for me is not having a water bottle pocket. I don’t go anywhere without one so it’s kind of a pain in the ass to never be able to be hands free with this bag. If that feature was added, this would likely become my G.O.A.T of a bag.
If you need more room, this bag does come in a 42L. There a few different features with the bigger bag and I can tell you my girl Jill LOOOVES hers as much as I love my 35L maybe even more. And guess what, the 42L has a water bottle pocket!! It also has a luggage pass-through strap to easily slide over the handle of a roller bag so you don’t have to jimmy rig it like I did.
*NOTE* Literally day of posting this, Cotopaxi came out with a new version of the 35L which includes a water bottle pocket and the luggage pass through strap! No update on the dog pocket, TBD 😉