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Original Cotopaxi Allpa 28 Specs:
Cost: $170
Capacity: 28 liters
Dimensions: 19 x 12 x 9in (48 x 30 x 23cm)
Style: Clamshell
Weight: 3.3 lbs (1.47 kg)
Laptop: 15”
Materials: 1000D polyester with TPU coating; 840D ballistic nylon; YKK zippers
Origin: Made in the Philippines
2024 Cotopaxi Allpa 28 Specs:
Cost: $200
Capacity: 28 liters
Dimensions: 19 x 12 x 9in (48 x 30 x 23cm)
Style: Clamshell
Weight: 2.5 lbs (1.33 kg)
Laptop: 13”
Materials: Recycled 840D nylon; TPU coating; YKK zippers
Origin: Made in the Philippines
Cotopaxi Allpa Update
The Allpa is Cotopaxi’s signature travel backpack. It’s always been extremely popular because it was a colorful, fun, well-designed, versatile travel bag. However, there were always a few minor things with this design that I thought needed improvement.
And I’m happy to say, I think Cotopaxi has fixed everything I didn’t like about the Allpa, and it is now almost the perfect clamshell style travel backpack.
Cotopaxi Allpa: Overview Of Updates
We’ll go into a detailed comparison of the new model, but first, let’s cover a quick overview of the updates. Starting with what is the most noticeable thing: the new Allpa 28 has mysteriously grown, adding several inches to the depth while somehow maintaining the same 28-liter capacity.
For actual design updates, Cotopaxi has added a side water bottle pocket, a front zipper pocket, and a luggage pass-through sleeve. They’ve improved the backpack carry straps and changed the orientation of the interior mesh pocket zippers.
They’ve also made a major fabric update and shaved almost 1/3 of a pound off the weight of this pack, which is impressive considering the increase in size.
Dimensions & Capacity Of the Cotopaxi Allpa
Before we can continue looking at the design updates, we first need to clear up this mysterious size increase issue. Probably part of the reason the older model didn’t have a water bottle pocket is that the main compartment panel was simply too small.
The update fixes this, making the side fabric panel much larger, allowing space for a mesh water bottle pocket, and increasing the capacity on the back side of the main compartment.
However, if Cotopaxi wanted to keep the 28-liter capacity consistent, they would have had to shrink the front panel proportionately. It doesn’t look like they did; in fact, the listed dimensions and capacity are the same on their website for both models.
But a simple measurement with a ruler shows the depth on the new version is almost 2” increase in depth, bringing the depth measurement from around 9” on the old model up to almost 10” on the new bag when both are fully packed.
Now, this bag is soft, and it’s notoriously difficult to get accurate measurements on a soft-sided bag, but it still gives a good idea of the changes made to this improved version of the 2024 Cotopaxi Allpa.
Materials
Before going into the design updates, let’s cover the new fabric that has been implemented in the 2024 Cotopaxi Allpa.
One of the most noticeable updates to the 2024 Allpa: it’s gone from an extremely thick 1000D polyester to an 840D nylon, both with waterproof rubberized TPU coating.
And this new fabric is better. Nylon is usually more durable than polyester for the same thickness, so you get an equally strong fabric, but now it’s more flexible and not as stiff.
It has a noticeable pattern to the fabric now. Even better, this thinner fabric also cuts some weight off the pack, going from 2.74 lbs to 2.46 lbs in the update.
External Components
Now let’s cover the rest of the updates, starting with the front pocket. The design kept the large top dump pocket and the same size interior pocket.
Cotopaxi added a smaller front slash pocket, which I like, as it’s a good place to store easily grabbable small items. This does, however, add a zipper to an otherwise mostly minimal front aesthetic.
Water Bottle Pocket
The next, and maybe most exciting update, is the addition of a side water bottle pocket. This isn’t something that will matter to everyone, but I like having a small mesh side pocket, especially when it doesn’t take up any room when it’s not being used.
This design is a great addition here. It’s a medium-sized mesh pocket that lies flat, built of stretchy mesh, and holds everything but the largest fat Nalgene-style water bottles.
Carry System
The remaining exterior updates are going to be with the carry system. Cotopaxi did a great job here by increasing the size, width, and padding of the shoulder straps. They’re now much thicker, with better breathable mesh backing and a luggage pass-through sleeve.
The downside to this design, though, is that Cotopaxi removed the stowability of the shoulder straps. I don’t think it’s a big deal since this bag is large enough to use as a carry-on, and shouldn’t need to store the straps away unless it’s being checked.
Back Padding
The back padding is also much better in the improved 2024 Cotopaxi Allpa. It’s about the same thickness, but it added a luggage pass-through down the middle, which also gives the padding better air ventilation.
This is a subtle difference, but the frame sheet support is now also improved.
The old model has a plastic panel in this middle section, which provides support, but the bag can be a little saggy in the back.
The update gives a full panel frame sheet for the entire back, which keeps the back flatter, gives the bag more structure, and offers better protection for the laptop compartment.
Laptop Compartment
The laptop compartment, though largely the same, is now also slightly improved. It’s still the same width, about 15.5” length, and fits most 15” laptops. It features the same size interior tablet sleeve, but now has better back protection as well as a softer, fuzzy-lined interior fabric.
While we’re reviewing this compartment, there’s another small update. This is the removal of the rain cover, previously located in a small back pocket, which is now absent in the new version.
Cotopaxi Allpa: Interior Design & Organization
Most of the updates to the Allpa are on the exterior of the pack, but there is one final change that actually matters on the interior when it comes to design.
Cotopaxi changed the orientation of the zippers on the interior mesh pockets. I’m on the fence so far with this specific update.
I liked the older version with pockets all opening from the inside, as it seemed to make sense and was easier to pack that way. While this update isn’t necessarily bad, it’s unclear why they did it or why it’s supposed to be better.
Packing the Cotopaxi Allpa 28
While not all the changes hit home, I do like the new packing style of the Allpa 28, because that main interior pocket is now much larger.
You can fit many more clothes in here. There’s no need for packing cubes because these zipper pockets do a great job of organizing your gear.
Larger bulky clothes can easily fit in the big side. For socks and underwear, and other gear like a toiletry bag, the lid side is a perfect fit.
And of course, smaller gear and electronics can go in the top pocket. Finally, any quick-access gear fits in the external pockets, and you’ll find yourself packed!
Wrapping Up: The Cotopaxi Allpa 28
All in all, the Cotopaxi Allpa 28 has improved considerably with the new 2024 update! Sure, there are always improvements to be made, but overall, Cotopaxi has done an excellent job of improving many of the setbacks their previous version had.
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