What is so special about Cotopaxi? We tried four of their most popular products to find out
A closer look at the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack, the Cotopaxi Allpa 50L Duffel, the Cotopaxi Viaje 35L Weekender Bag - Cada Dia, and the Cotopaxi Todo 2L Hip Pack - Cada Dia
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If you’ve spent time in airports, hiking trails, national parks, or campgrounds, chances are you’ve seen your fair share of Cotopaxi products. Clever features, rugged construction, and stylish designs have made the brand a staple for outdoor enthusiasts and frequent travelers. If you’re new to Cotopaxi or considering adding new products to your collection, I checked out four of the most popular travel products so you’ll know what to expect.
What’s the deal with Cotopaxi?
Cotopaxi stands apart from its competitors for a host of reasons. The Cotopaxi motto is, “Gear for Good,” and it’s more than just lip service. The brand works with factories that prioritize sustainability and treat workers right. 96 percent of their materials are recycled, leftover deadstock, or similarly-sourced materials. Last, 1 percent of annual revenue supports people impacted by poverty, with a focus on Latin America. It’s the kind of brand you feel good about doing business with.
Cotopaxi Allpa 50L Duffel Bag
I first spotted the Cotopaxi Alpa 50L Duffel Bag at the airport. In fact, I saw three of them the same day (I’ve since seen far more). The first two were carried through the airport by the handles, in true duffel style. The third was worn like a backpack by a man boarding a plane. I must say, I was impressed by the versatility.
The exterior of the Allpa 50L Duffel is tough and sturdy, so I was surprised to find it folds down small enough to fit into its own storage bag. It’s still too big to be what I’d consider truly packable, but it does help free up closet space at home. Perhaps my favorite feature is the separate compartment on the bottom for anything you’d like to keep separate from the rest of your belongings (think dirty shoes and clothes). Grab handles on both sides make it easy to pull the bag in and out of car trunks or overhead storage bins.
The main compartment is large enough to stuff with enough clothes for several days while a zippered pocket underneath the flap provides a place to secure small personal belongings. Two exterior pockets provide a place for quick-grab items like keys or phones. The Allpa 50L Duffel is made from recycled materials and easily converts from a duffel bag to a backpack.
Bottom Line:
This sturdy convertible bag is ideal for long trips. Since the bottom compartment separates dirty shoes and clothes from the rest of your stuff, the Allpa 50L is especially well-suited for camping or adventure.
Cotopaxi Viaje 35L Weekender Bag - Cada Dia
The Cotopaxi Viaje 35L Weekender Bag is full of surprises. At first, glance, I thought it was going to be similar to an attractive, but basic, duffel or tote. But the more I examined it, the more I discovered the Cotopaxi Viaje 35L is anything but basic. The 35L bag has enough room to pack everything you need for a weekend getaway or a day at the beach. Especially since a separate zippered compartment at the bottom provides a place to keep dirty shoes or clothes.
A luggage pass-through sleeve on the back makes it a breeze to carry on the handle of your cooler or suitcase, while exterior straps hold onto your yoga mat, beach towel, or longboard. Two zippered pockets on the exterior plus another in the interior provide quick access to sunglasses, phones, wallets, medications, or other items you need on the go.
Bottom line:
A laundry compartment, luggage pass-through sleeve, and zippered pockets will make this your go-to bag for beach days and weekends away.
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack
Is the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack a suitcase or a backpack? The answer to that is up to you since it can easily be used both ways. The bag opens like a suitcase with a full-wrap zippered opening. The interior organizational features are impressive - zippered mesh pockets organize your gear and clothes while a fleece-lined sleeve holds up to a 15-inch laptop.
The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack is made from recycled fabrics. On the exterior, three grab handles make it easy to carry as a suitcase. If you prefer to use it as a backpack, the padded air mesh straps make for a comfortable carry, even when it’s fully loaded. The exterior also features a stretch mesh water bottle holder, a luggage pass-through sleeve, and loops for extra gear.
Bottom line:
The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack’s size, versatility, and organizational features make it the perfect backpack for longer trips.
Todo 2L Hip Pack - Cada Dia
I love taking short, day hikes and I’ve found the experience is far more pleasurable when I bring a hip pack to carry my phone, chapstick, sunblock, and wallet. The Cotopaxi Todo 2L Hip Pack- Cada Dia has room for all that, and more, without being big and bulky. Organizational features include two zippered pockets plus two grab pouches in the interior.
An adjustable clip on a thick belt means everyone can find their perfect fit. Perhaps my favorite part? It’s made of recycled fabric and you can wear it as a crossbody or a hip pack.
Bottom Line:
The Todo 2L Hip Pack - Cada Dia packs a lot of organizational features into a small, versatile package.
Tamara Gane is based in Reno/Lake Tahoe. She takes dozens of trips a year and shares the best destinations, accommodations, experiences, and travel gear with her readers.