Cotopaxi Allpa 50L Review | CleverHiker

Bottom Line

Fans of the socially responsible brand Cotopaxi will no doubt be as taken with the Cotopaxi Allpa 50L duffel as they are with any of the brand’s other gear and clothing. They will likely also be delighted to know that the duffels come in just as many colors (and a 70L size) as Cotopaxi has a reputation for offering. But maybe more importantly, this bag is functional and durable during air travel, road trips, and frontcountry campouts.

It’s tolerably water resistant, features removable pack straps and several carry options, and has hefty zippers with burly pulls. It also has an expandable bottom compartment that keeps dirty clothes or gear separate from clean, perhaps not surprising from a brand that’s known for organizational features.

It’s on the higher end of the price spectrum compared to other duffels we tested but certainly has something special to offer besides unique colors and socially responsible manufacturing.

Carry Comfort

There are two ways to carry the Cotopaxi Allpa: via grab handles that feature a snap wrap to secure them together and removable backpack straps. There’s no over-the-shoulder strap, but we didn’t really miss it during most of our testing. The grab handles weren’t supremely comfortable for more than a quick walk to the airport check-in desk or the back of the car from the front door, but the pack straps were tolerably comfortable.

The straps were more difficult to remove than other duffels we tested with pack straps. Instead of quick toggles and buckles, there are large toggles at the top and at the bottom you must thread webbing through with a strap buckle. That means when we wanted to add or remove the straps before or after checking the duffel as luggage, we had to take a few minutes more to get things sorted. The grab handles, on the other hand, stash quickly in dedicated pockets on each side.

Compressibility + Packability

When we loaded this duffel full of the same gear and clothing we crammed into every other bag we tested, we had little difficulty fitting it. There are no compression straps inside the main compartment. The wide mouth opening (with a lid that hinges on one of the long sides) made it easy to load and unload. When not in use, the duffel packs into a separate storage pouch without difficulty, which makes it easy to store in small spaces.

The straps don’t have a dedicated storage pocket – they  have to be stashed in the main compartment – and they do tend to get in the way of efficient packing if not loosened to give you wiggle room.

Durability

When we tested the durability of this bag, we checked it as luggage, carted it from one family home to another during the holidays, stuffed it full of gear, and tossed it down stairs, We literally drug it around campgrounds and piled gear on top of it on road trips. Through it all, it suffered only minor scuffs.

That’s largely because the recycled outer fabric is tough and durable, able to withstand a multitude of handling sins. The webbing lash points on the exterior felt incredibly robust and we have no fear they will hold for years to come. The grab handles on the ends are sturdy and the main zippers are big and burly, so they should all stand up to plenty of use and abuse.

Weather Resistance

When it comes to waterproofing, the Allpa is right in line with many other bags we tested, meaning it’s not waterproof, but it’s tolerably water resistant. The lip has rain flaps over the zippers, but the zippers themselves are not waterproof. So while most of the gear inside stayed dry during an hour of rain, water did seep in at the top of the bag. The sides and bottom protected contents from any extraneous fluid surrounding the bag in wet weather.

Organization

When it comes to organization, the Cotopaxi Allpa features the usual few accessory pockets but also something unique: a second expandable compartment on the bottom of the bag where you can store dirty gear or clothing separate from the main compartment. It’s accessible via a zipper that extends around three sides of the bag (just like the lid). Inside, a soft divider either expands into the foot of the bag when not in use or into the main body of the bag when stuffed full.

Additionally, there is a zippered mesh pocket on the underside of the lid and two small exterior pockets (two more if you count the handle stash pockets). It’s harder to find small items due to the lack of internal pockets, but we think that the bottom compartment more than makes up for it.

Should You Buy the Cotopaxi Allpa?

The Cotopaxi Allpa will appeal to many folks in many situations, including travel, road trips, or even camping. But it will likely be the biggest hit among those who prefer to keep their smelly or mud-crusted hiking pants away from their going-out duds without having to also pack a bunch of packing cubes or trash bags.

Cotopaxi also has somewhat of a cult following for a reason – the brand’s commitment to sustainable and ethical manufacturing and their penchant for designing gear in fun colors. Indeed, with a Cotopaxi bag, you rarely have to worry about someone else accidentally grabbing your duffel off the luggage carousel.

But those who prefer more organizational options or frequently add or remove pack straps may not find it appealing.

What Other [Category] Should You Consider?

If you’re not sure the Cotopaxi Allpa is right for you in any of the available sizes, you may want to consider one of the other stand-out duffels we’ve tested.

Patagonia Black Hole Review: For a more traditional duffel, consider the classic Patagonia Black Hole. The large single opening, limited pockets, and several carry options make it a solid choice for many travelers.

The North Face Base Camp Voyager Review: Similar in style and functionality, this duffel features a few more pockets, a laptop sleeve in the lid, and a repositionable divider in the main compartment to help keep gear more organized.

Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Review: Made of highly durable materials and more large pockets for bulky gear like boots or helmets, this bag is still easy to pack, plenty spacious, and comfortable to carry.