New Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack Review 2025

For the last four years, the most-used piece of luggage in my household has been Cotopaxi’s Allpa backpack. From 24-hour trips to celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans to island hopping around Greece, the Allpa pack has been a trusted travel companion for both my fiancé and me. It was my first luggage purchase after college and an investment that has more than paid off as the years go by.

The Allpa pack became so popular in my travels that I had to get my mom, dad, and sister their own carry-on backpacks out of fear mine would “go missing” during one of my trips back home. When I say I am deeply attached to this bag, I mean it. So, when the brand launched a new and improved version of the Allpa pack, I knew I had to try it myself. With high expectations, I spent the last few months seeing if I should retire my well-loved pack for the newer model.

What’s New

In August 2024, the brand launched an updated version of the beloved Allpa Travel Pack with new features like redesigned shoulder and hip straps for weight distribution, a luggage sleeve, and my personal favorite addition: a water bottle pocket on the side. There are a few other smaller — yet valuable — changes I noticed like how the interior pocket is now one large one instead of the two separate ones (though I still think a few more interior pockets would be nice). There’s also a new smaller pocket on the larger top pocket, offering a place for quick access to items like a phone, keys, or wallet.

One of my biggest pain points with the older version was the straps. They weren’t uncomfortable but if I carried the pack for more than 30 minutes, I had to adjust to them often. In my testing over the last few months, I’ve noticed the straps are wider and boast thicker, mesh padding that felt noticeably more comfortable when I wore the new version.

The hip belt got a similar upgrade, as it also felt wider and offered more padding. The hip belt sits higher on my hip now, which helps distribute the weight evenly from my shoulders down my torso — a feature that feels particularly helpful for me as a woman with a smaller stature. Lastly, I love how easy it is to store the hip belt and shoulder straps when I don’t need them. They effortlessly slide behind the padded back panel, and I don't feel the hip belt when it’s tucked away.

What Stayed the Same

In terms of other features that aren’t new, the clamshell design makes it so easy to pack the bag with everything I’ve needed for several weeks’ worth of travel. The dual padded laptop sleeve in the back is essential for work trips since there’s room for a laptop and a tablet. And the durable, sleek materials make the bag versatile enough for virtually any trip, which gives the bag a high value in my book.

Our Testing Process

Rain, dirt, salt water, mud: this bag has seen it all over the years. It’s been shoved under the seat of questionably small airplanes, rained on while camping, and bursting at the seams while I crammed in every last souvenir I could fit. The durability has always impressed me and luckily, Cotopaxi kept all the outer materials the same, so I have full confidence in the hardiness of the newer model.

To evaluate the newest version of the Allpa 42-liter Travel Pack, I first tested it in our New York City lab. This was the perfect time to get up close and personal with the bag — where I examined all the newer features at great length.

During my own travels over the last few months, my fiancé and I both used it on several cross-country trips where we had to pack for a warm desert vacation, a hiking trip in the snowy mountains, working in an office in the city, and a wedding with a black-tie dress code. Suffice it to say, between the two of us, we covered all of the packing scenarios.

I’ll continue to test this model for years to come. And as I use it on upcoming trips, I’ll update my review with other notes I gather (just as long as my family doesn’t take this newer version, too).

Final Thoughts

The new features of the Cotopaxi bag do make it better for travelers, While the added comfort of the new straps is undeniable, other changes are subtle but impactful. A designated water bottle pocket is a reminder to actually pack a reusable bottle instead of paying $10 at the airport. The small zippered pocket on top means I can grab my hotel key faster, which can be important for safety. The luggage sleeve can relieve my shoulders and back from the weight by being able to secure it to a rolling bag.

It’s going to be hard for me to fully retire the older version of the Allpa pack, but I know my travels would be better with the newer model. If you’re going to invest in an Allpa pack, it’s a no-brainer to go with the newer model, but be sure to get the right size that fits your travel needs best. The 20-liter bag is best for weekend trips; whereas, I found the 42-liter bag can fully replace a wheeled carry-on with the large size. Luckily, if you’re torn between sizes, you can opt for the 35-liter bag for a capacity somewhere in the middle.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Anna Popp is an associate editor at Travel + Leisure, where she’s tested over one thousand travel products. She wrote a significant portion of T+L’s tested content, including our best carry-on backpack roundup that features the older Allpa backpack as the best overall. She has owned her Allpa bag for over four years and tested the newer model to see if the new improvements stand out.

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