Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro vs. Cotopaxi Allpa 26
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 48×31×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $190 |
Feature by feature
| Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro | Feature | Cotopaxi Allpa 26 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| top | Passport | front |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 16in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | N |
| Material | |
| X-Pac VX42 Also: Axoflux Recycled Fabric (POLY 600D) | 100% recycled polyester 450D TPU |
Cotopaxi Allpa 26
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×33×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 70% |
| Price | $145 |
Key differences between the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro and Cotopaxi Allpa 26
- Passport pocket: Top on the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro; Front on the Cotopaxi Allpa 26.
- Main compartments: 3 on the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro; 4 on the Cotopaxi Allpa 26.
- Water resistant: Yes on the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro; No on the Cotopaxi Allpa 26.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, built-in organizer, water bottle pockets.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 132 accept both. 42 accept only the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro, and 0 accept only the Cotopaxi Allpa 26.
Only the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Australia, Volotea, Xiamen.
Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro vs. Cotopaxi Allpa 26: which should you pack?
The Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro carries the same capacity as the Cotopaxi Allpa 26 (26L vs. 26L), while the Cotopaxi Allpa 26 is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro; if you want to travel lighter, the Cotopaxi Allpa 26 is the better call.