Cotopaxi Allpa 28 vs. Nomatic Travel Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Cotopaxi Allpa 28
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 1 kg |
| Dimensions | 48×30×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 73% |
| Price | $200 |
Feature by feature
| Cotopaxi Allpa 28 | Feature | Nomatic Travel Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| side | Passport | back |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| hideable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 100% recycled 840D TPU-coated nylon | Waterproof tarpaulin |
Nomatic Travel Backpack
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 1.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×30×13 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $330 |
Key differences between the Cotopaxi Allpa 28 and Nomatic Travel Backpack
- Passport pocket: Side on the Cotopaxi Allpa 28; Back on the Nomatic Travel Backpack.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Cotopaxi Allpa 28; No on the Nomatic Travel Backpack.
- Water bottle pockets: 1, side on the Cotopaxi Allpa 28; 2, side on the Nomatic Travel Backpack.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 138 accept both. 0 accept only the Cotopaxi Allpa 28, and 37 accept only the Nomatic Travel Backpack.
Only the Nomatic Travel Backpack fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, Xiamen.
Cotopaxi Allpa 28 vs. Nomatic Travel Backpack: which should you pack?
The Cotopaxi Allpa 28 carries 8L more than the Nomatic Travel Backpack (28L vs. 20L), while the Cotopaxi Allpa 28 is the lighter pack at 1kg (vs. 1.8kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Nomatic Travel Backpack fits 93% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Cotopaxi Allpa 28; if you want to travel lighter, the Cotopaxi Allpa 28 is the better call.