Cotopaxi Allpa 28 vs. Tortuga Expandable 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 | Tortuga Expandable Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| side | Passport | top, front |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y, hideable |
| hideable | Hip Belt | Y, removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 16in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 100% recycled 840D TPU-coated nylon | 630D CORDURA |
Tortuga Expandable Backpack
| Capacity | 27 L |
| Weight | 1.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 49×32×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 91% |
| Price | $250 |
Key differences between the Cotopaxi Allpa 28 and Tortuga Expandable Backpack
- Compression straps: No on the Cotopaxi Allpa 28; 4 on the Tortuga Expandable Backpack.
- Passport pocket: Side on the Cotopaxi Allpa 28; Top, front on the Tortuga Expandable Backpack.
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Cotopaxi Allpa 28; Y, hideable on the Tortuga Expandable Backpack.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Cotopaxi Allpa 28; Y, removable on the Tortuga Expandable Backpack.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the Cotopaxi Allpa 28; 16in on the Tortuga Expandable Backpack.
Both have: luggage passthrough, sternum strap, water bottle pockets, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 136 accept both. 2 accept only the Cotopaxi Allpa 28, and 36 accept only the Tortuga Expandable Backpack.
Only the Cotopaxi Allpa 28 fits
Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
Only the Tortuga Expandable Backpack 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, 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. Tortuga Expandable Backpack: which should you pack?
The Cotopaxi Allpa 28 carries 1L more than the Tortuga Expandable Backpack (28L vs. 27L), while the Cotopaxi Allpa 28 is the lighter pack at 1kg (vs. 1.6kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Tortuga Expandable Backpack fits 91% 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.