Travel packs occupy an awkward design space. They need to carry a lot, access easily, survive baggage handling, meet carry-on dimensions, and still feel comfortable on a body moving through airports and cities. Most products solve two or three of these requirements well. The Cotopaxi Allpa 28L solves all of them, which explains why it has accumulated the kind of devoted following that travel gear rarely earns.

The full-wrap zipper on the main compartment opens the Allpa like a suitcase, exposing the entire interior at once. Three compartments within the main body provide graduated organisation: a front zippered pocket for passports and boarding passes, a mid-section for accessories and chargers, and the primary cavity for clothing and gear. The padded laptop and tablet sleeve protects devices within the main compartment. Security YKK zippers run throughout. The shell is TPU-coated 840D nylon with an 840D ballistic nylon base panel where the bag contacts surfaces most — the combination that handles both abrasion and water without requiring a separate rain cover for lighter weather, though Cotopaxi includes one anyway.

The updated design incorporates airmesh shoulder straps for improved comfort, a luggage pass-through strap that slides over a rolling suitcase handle, and an exterior stretch water bottle pocket that stays accessible without opening the bag. Four reinforced grab handles provide carry flexibility when the pack cannot go on the back. The 28-litre capacity meets TSA personal item requirements for most carriers, making it viable as a sole bag for shorter trips and a personal item companion on longer ones. The entire bag is made from 100% recycled fabric, produced at a factory committed to fair labour practices. Cotopaxi backs it with a Lifetime Guarantee. For the considered traveller who wants one pack that works everywhere, the Allpa 28L ends the search.