Cotopaxi Allpa 28 vs. Timbuk2 Scheme
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 | Timbuk2 Scheme |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| side | Passport | side |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| hideable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 6 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 100% recycled 840D TPU-coated nylon | |
Key differences between the Cotopaxi Allpa 28 and Timbuk2 Scheme
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Cotopaxi Allpa 28; No on the Timbuk2 Scheme.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Cotopaxi Allpa 28; Removable on the Timbuk2 Scheme.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Cotopaxi Allpa 28; 6 on the Timbuk2 Scheme.
- Water bottle pockets: 1, side on the Cotopaxi Allpa 28; No on the Timbuk2 Scheme.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, 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 42 accept only the Timbuk2 Scheme.
Only the Timbuk2 Scheme fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Gulf Air, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Ravn Alaska, 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. Timbuk2 Scheme: which should you pack?
The Cotopaxi Allpa 28 carries 7L more than the Timbuk2 Scheme (28L vs. 21L), while the Cotopaxi Allpa 28 is the lighter pack at 1kg (vs. 1.2kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Timbuk2 Scheme fits 95% 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.