Troubadour Pioneer Backpack vs. Cotopaxi Allpa 26
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Troubadour Pioneer Backpack
| Capacity | 24 L |
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 49×30×16 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $275 |
Feature by feature
| Troubadour Pioneer Backpack | Feature | Cotopaxi Allpa 26 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| top, front | Passport | front |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | 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 | |
| Recycled polyester | 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 Troubadour Pioneer Backpack and Cotopaxi Allpa 26
- Passport pocket: Top, front on the Troubadour Pioneer Backpack; Front on the Cotopaxi Allpa 26.
- Sternum strap: Removable on the Troubadour Pioneer Backpack; Yes on the Cotopaxi Allpa 26.
- Main compartments: 3 on the Troubadour Pioneer Backpack; 4 on the Cotopaxi Allpa 26.
- Water resistant: Yes on the Troubadour Pioneer Backpack; No on the Cotopaxi Allpa 26.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, 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. 41 accept only the Troubadour Pioneer Backpack, and 0 accept only the Cotopaxi Allpa 26.
Only the Troubadour Pioneer 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, Etihad Airways, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, 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), Volotea, Xiamen.
Troubadour Pioneer Backpack vs. Cotopaxi Allpa 26: which should you pack?
The Cotopaxi Allpa 26 carries 2L more than the Troubadour Pioneer Backpack (24L vs. 26L), while the Cotopaxi Allpa 26 is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 1.1kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Troubadour Pioneer Backpack fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Cotopaxi Allpa 26; if you want to travel lighter, the Cotopaxi Allpa 26 is the better call.