Choosing the right backpack for air travel can be overwhelming. You need something that’s carry-on compliant, spacious enough for your essentials, comfortable to haul through airports, and durable enough to withstand the rigors of travel. Look no further than the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Del Dia Travel Pack. This backpack isn’t just good; it’s arguably the Best Backpack For Air Travel for most travelers who value organization, durability, and comfort.
The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L isn’t just another backpack; it’s a meticulously designed travel companion. After years of testing and real-world travel experiences, this pack has consistently proven itself to be versatile and reliable. It’s replaced the need for multiple travel bags for many users, becoming the go-to choice for everything from weekend getaways to week-long adventures when paired with a smaller personal item.
What sets the Allpa 35L apart as the best backpack for air travel? Firstly, its versatility is unmatched. It features robust grab handles on three sides, making it easy to maneuver in overhead bins, baggage carousels, or even the trunk of a car. The inclusion of a luggage handle pass-through is a thoughtful touch, allowing you to securely attach it to rolling luggage for seamless airport navigation. Cotopaxi’s confidence in this backpack is reflected in its full lifetime warranty, a testament to its exceptional build quality.
While Cotopaxi offers the Allpa in 28L and 42L sizes, the 35L version hits the sweet spot for most air travelers. The 42L can become cumbersome and heavy when fully loaded, and the 28L might feel restrictive, especially for longer trips. The 35L offers the perfect balance of capacity and manageability, making it ideal as a carry-on backpack for air travel. For those who appreciate extra organization, Cotopaxi also offers a hip pack that integrates perfectly with the Allpa, fitting snugly into the top front compartment.
Durability is paramount when choosing the best backpack for air travel, and the Allpa 35L excels in this aspect. Constructed from 100% recycled 840-denier ripstop nylon, the material feels incredibly robust, akin to a strong canvas but with a more pronounced weave. This ruggedness ensures it can handle being tossed around during travel, whether it’s sliding into an overhead compartment or being placed in less-than-ideal conditions. Adding to its resilience is a rain fly, a unique and highly practical feature not commonly found in other travel backpacks in this category, providing extra protection against unexpected downpours.
The Allpa comes in two back panel constructions: TPU-coated and classic nylon. While the TPU coating offers enhanced water resistance, Cotopaxi has refined the fabric over time to address initial durability concerns. Ongoing testing ensures the updated version maintains both water resistance and long-term reliability, further solidifying its position as a top contender for the best backpack for air travel.
Image alt text: Organized interior of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack, showcasing clamshell design and zippered mesh compartments, highlighting its suitability as the best backpack for air travel due to its organizational features.
Organization is where the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L truly shines, making it a top pick for the best backpack for air travel. Its clamshell design is a game-changer, opening like a suitcase with a robust YKK zipper that runs around three sides. This design splits the bag into two main halves, simplifying packing and access. The right side features a deep compartment ideal for packing cubes, easily accessible via a zippered mesh flap. The left side offers additional organization with space for another packing cube and two smaller, high-visibility pockets perfect for smaller items. A stretch mesh pocket accommodates a water bottle up to 1 liter, a crucial feature for staying hydrated during air travel.
Security is another key consideration for the best backpack for air travel, and the Allpa 35L is designed with peace of mind in mind. It features two side-access zippers for convenient access to essential items on the go. One reveals a padded laptop compartment with a false bottom, protecting your device from impact. The other side-access zipper leads to a “secret” pocket, offering discreet access to the main compartment. All main compartment zippers are equipped with security loops, effectively deterring opportunistic theft by preventing quick zipper openings.
Comfort is paramount when navigating airports and traveling with your backpack, and the Allpa 35L doesn’t disappoint. The stowable hip belt provides excellent weight distribution when needed, enhancing comfort during longer walks or transits. Even without the hip belt, the backpack remains comfortable for extended wear. The shoulder straps are thoughtfully contoured to accommodate various body types, a detail particularly appreciated by testers of different genders and builds. This inclusive design further solidifies its reputation as a user-friendly backpack for air travel.
Minor Drawbacks, Not Dealbreakers
- Capacity: 35 liters
- Weight: 2 pounds 7 ounces
- Main-compartment access: clamshell opening
- Colors: assorted
While the 35L capacity is perfect for most, extremely minimalist packers might consider the 28L, and those needing more space might lean towards the 42L. However, for carry-on compliance and overall usability for air travel, the 35L remains the optimal size. The weight, at just under 3 pounds, is reasonable for a backpack of this durability and feature set. The clamshell opening, while excellent for organization, requires a bit more space to fully open compared to a top-loading backpack. These minor points are far outweighed by the numerous benefits, confirming the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L’s status as the best backpack for air travel.
Conclusion
For travelers seeking the best backpack for air travel, the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Del Dia Travel Pack stands out as a top choice. Its blend of thoughtful organization, robust durability, security features, and carrying comfort makes it an exceptional investment. Whether you are a frequent flyer or an occasional traveler, the Allpa 35L is designed to streamline your journeys and provide a reliable and comfortable way to carry your essentials. Consider the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L as your next travel companion and experience the difference a truly well-designed travel backpack can make.
