Cotopaxi Bataan Del Dia 3L Fanny Pack Review

Bottom Line

The Cotopaxi Bataan is a lightweight, no-frills fanny pack that offers 3L of storage at just 4 ounces—an impressive weight-to-capacity ratio. Perfect for those who value simplicity, this pack is designed to maximize space without adding unnecessary weight. Its long zipper grants full access to the interior, making it easy to see and grab your items on the go. The Bataan’s unstructured design makes it highly packable, allowing it to conform comfortably to your body or seamlessly into a larger bag.

Each Bataan is unique, with quirky, one-of-a-kind colorways, so you’ll never confuse yours with anyone else’s. While it lacks advanced features or waterproofing, its affordable price, versatility, and bold style make it a great value for casual outings, hikes, or everyday use. The Bataan excels as a simple, grab-and-go solution for those seeking functional design with a splash of personality.

For many seasons, the Cotopaxi Bataan has been ranked #1 in our guide to the best fanny packs. While others this year deserved some limelight, we really can’t complain about this hard-to-lose companion.

How We Tested

We’ve used the Cotopaxi Bataan fanny pack for several seasons and tested a new one for this review, as the deadstock fabric selection changes over time. It served well for travel, day hikes in Idaho, and durability testing with 160-grit sandpaper. Simulated rain and submersion assessed its waterproofing performance, and zippers were stress tested by overpacking and opening in quick succession.

Comfort

The Cotopaxi Bataan is versatile and comfortable, whether worn as a fanny pack or a sling bag. Its adjustable waist strap allows for a wide range of fits, accommodating waists up to 56 inches—the largest in its category.

However, with a minimum size of 28 inches, those with smaller waists may need to look elsewhere. The strap itself is thin and can dig in when the pack is overloaded, though side webbing anchors help distribute the weight for added comfort.

The Bataan’s unstructured design has advantages and drawbacks. While its flexibility makes it easy to pack and conform to your body, its lack of padding and rigidity can make it appear bulky when fully loaded or slouchy when under-packed.

Overall, the Bataan is a functional and stylish option for those seeking a lightweight and adaptable pack for everyday use, on the trail, or traveling.

Durability

Cotopaxi’s Del Día collection features repurposed materials, often sourced as fabric offcuts from other companies’ production runs. While the colors vary, the fabrics generally maintain consistent denier ratings for uniform durability and performance.

We know the Bataan’s base material is nylon, but the exact denier remains unspecified. Despite its lightweight design, the fabric performed well in abrasion tests, showing minor pilling but no broken threads.

The Del Dia fabric tends to hold stains; over time, dirt and grime can cause it to stiffen or alter its texture, even after washing. Another potential durability issue is the logo peels off with extended use. 

Despite these minute drawbacks, the Bataan offers solid durability for its low price, making it a good value for casual use, especially when factoring in its eco-friendly repurposed materials and unique style.

Features

A minimalist design that prioritizes simplicity and spaciousness makes the Bataan ideal for carrying larger items like cameras, an emergency UL layer, you name it. 

The pack’s squared shape maximizes storage, but it lacks internal dividers, so organizing gear can be challenging. The weatherproof material holds up well in rain, keeping the contents dry during a simulation, though it doesn’t fare as well under submersion, requiring over two days to fully dry. 

The center buckle is easy to adjust, providing a secure fit, while strap keepers on either side help keep the waist belt tidy and out of the way when not in use. 

Though it lacks some of the bells and whistles of more feature-packed packs, the Bataan 3L is a solid choice for those seeking a streamlined, spacious bag that provides ample storage without unnecessary complexity. It’s perfect for those who value simplicity with functional storage.

Organization

The Bataan offers limited options for organizing your gear. It features a single large main compartment with two small open-mesh pockets. This open design makes it easy to pack larger items and keeps the weight low. 

The curved top zipper wraps around the front and sides of the pack, providing wide access and making it easy to find what you need. A potential downside of the spacious, open-top design is that items can easily fall out while searching, especially if you open it carelessly. 

Additionally, heavier items like a small water bottle or bear spray may slip out if not handled with caution. While the open layout offers convenience and flexibility, users must take care when accessing their belongings to avoid spills or disorganization.

Overall, the design provides solid functionality for those looking for easy access and the ability to carry larger items.

Should You Buy the Cotopaxi Bataan Del Dia 3L?

The Cotopaxi Bataan Del Dia 3L is a versatile, functional pack that excels as an all-around option for casual use. Whether you’re traveling, heading to a festival, or enjoying fair-weather hikes, the Bataan offers reliable performance and a unique, colorful design.

Its affordability makes it an attractive choice for those looking for a simple, dependable pack without breaking the bank. However, as with many “all-around” products, it offers solid average performance but doesn’t specialize in any one area.

If you need more advanced features like increased organization, weatherproofing, or durability for activities like thru-hiking or bike commuting, other packs on the market may better suit those specific needs.

For everyday casual use or lighter adventures, though, the Bataan 3L offers great value and a stylish, functional option.

What Other Fanny Packs Should You Consider?

Check out our fanny pack gear guide to see which other fanny packs were top choices.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Versa Review: If you’re drawn to a larger capacity but need something more durable for harsh conditions, the Versa is an excellent alternative. Designed for long hikes and inclement weather, it offers plenty of space while ensuring comfort and weather resistance. The Versa excels in durability, making it ideal for tough outdoor adventures.

Gossamer Gear Bumster Review: The Bumster by Gossamer Gear is a pack with a similar, open design but a 1L capacity. It is similarly weatherproof but not waterproof and has one main compartment with an open mesh pouch. If you don’t like surprises, another upside of the Bumster is being able to choose your colorway. 

ThruPacks Eco Summit Bum Review: The Summit Bum has a little less capacity but is a smart choice for shoppers looking for a hiking-focused fanny pack. It easily connects into larger backpack systems and sports a large main compartment with two mesh pockets and a key clip. If you like the fun colors of the Bataan – ThruPacks offers a Thrupack™ Builder to customize your pack exactly how you want.