I Saw This Classic Backpack All Over South America, Europe, and Asia — And Immediately Bought 3

I travel about once a month for work and fun. So far, I’ve been to six continents and over 90 countries. Without fail, on almost every trip, I saw the same colorful backpack adorning travelers’ backs worldwide: the Cotopaxi Allpa. 

My children travel with me often, so when my son needed a new travel backpack I knew right away which one I wanted to buy. I got him a smaller version of the Allpa I see everywhere. Once I saw how well the Allpa worked, from its thoughtfully laid-out interior with tons of pockets to its durable exterior, I knew had to get one for myself. Now the Allpa is my go-to bag — and every member of my family has one in various sizes. 

Introduced in 2017 and redesigned in 2024, the Cotopaxi Allpa has quickly become a cult classic. The Cotopaxi Allpa collection includes a variety of sizes, colors, and even types of bags — but the 35L is the classic version that many travelers prefer because it can hold a ton of stuff, but still works well as a carry-on and can be carried comfortably.

Although it looks and wears like a backpack, it has a lot of the functionality of an actual suitcase. One side of the backpack has a large, deep compartment that zips closed, while the other side is just as deep, but has additional zippered pockets. There are exterior pockets that are perfect for items you need to reach easily, such as your phone or passport, and a padded fleece laptop compartment. Additionally, the Allpa’s zippers are lockable, and there is a pass-through for roller bag handles, making it secure and easy to use in all kinds of travel contexts. There’s even a water bottle holder on the side of the bag. 

Although the bright, multi-colored backpacks are Allpa’s signature look, I opted for a more muted blue. I love that my Allpa opens fully like a suitcase despite being structured like a backpack. It makes it easy to pack and unpack no matter where I am. Plus, because the Allpa looks and wears like a standard backpack, I can use it as a daypack or hiking bag in a pinch. 

I tend to stuff my Allpa as much as possible, and I appreciate the backpack’s padded shoulder straps and tuckable chest and waist straps. Padding on the back of the Allpa is breathable, which helps keep me cool. There are also several grab handles alongside the bag that come in handy when I would rather carry the backpack by hand. Unlike other backpacks I’ve used for travel, these features make the Allpa easy and even comfortable to carry, which is important to me, as I have intermittent lower back and neck aches and pains that can be exacerbated by heavy luggage.

Additionally, the Allpa is made to be durable and withstand anything life can throw its way. The backpack’s shell is made from thermoplastic polyurethane-coated nylon with extra weather protection, which is very durable and helps repel water. Its base, paneling, and lining are all made from rip-stop material. Many of the components are derived from recycled materials, and Cotapaxi is a B-Corp committed to making “gear for good” with minimal environmental impact.

Although it took me a few years to get on board with the Allpa trend, now that I own one I see what I’ve been missing. My family’s Allpa backpacks have been soaked in rainstorms, stuffed under airplane seats, covered in spilled sticky sodas, and carried on trains. They all look great because I can simply wipe them off if they start to look grimy. Given that the Allpa isn’t cheap, I appreciate that it’s built to last. I’m hooked and can’t imagine ever using another backpack for travel.

Buy: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack, $230