Cotopaxi Allpa 26 vs. The North Face Borealis Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Cotopaxi Allpa 26
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×33×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 70% |
| Price | $145 |
Feature by feature
| Cotopaxi Allpa 26 | Feature | The North Face Borealis Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 4 |
| front | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 16in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| N | Water Resistant | N |
| Material | |
| 100% recycled polyester 450D TPU | 210D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish |
The North Face Borealis Backpack
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×31×17 cm |
| Airline fit | 91% |
| Price | $100 |
Key differences between the Cotopaxi Allpa 26 and The North Face Borealis Backpack
- Compression straps: No on the Cotopaxi Allpa 26; 4 on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
- Opening: Other on the Cotopaxi Allpa 26; Top zip on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
- Passport pocket: Front on the Cotopaxi Allpa 26; Top on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the Cotopaxi Allpa 26; No on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
- Hip belt: No on the Cotopaxi Allpa 26; Removable on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
Both have: 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. 0 accept only the Cotopaxi Allpa 26, and 40 accept only the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
Only the The North Face Borealis 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, 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.
Cotopaxi Allpa 26 vs. The North Face Borealis Backpack: which should you pack?
The The North Face Borealis Backpack carries 2L more than the Cotopaxi Allpa 26 (26L vs. 28L), while the Cotopaxi Allpa 26 is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 1.1kg). For carry-on flexibility, the The North Face Borealis Backpack fits 91% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the The North Face Borealis Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Cotopaxi Allpa 26 is the better call.