Cotopaxi Allpa 35L vs. Alchemy Equipment Daypack

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L

Front facing view of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L
Capacity35 L
Weight1.5 kg
Dimensions51×30×20 cm
Airline fit80%
Price$200

Feature by feature

Cotopaxi Allpa 35LFeatureAlchemy Equipment Daypack
Storage
N Compression 0
None Expanded Capacity None
4 Opening 0
Y Passport N
N Passthrough N
Carry
H Backpack Y
R Hip Belt N
S Sternum Strap Y
Inside
15 Laptop 13
3 Main Compartments 2
Y Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
0 Water Bottle Holder 2 side
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
1680D ballistic nylon panelingUpper: Black Wax- wax coated PES; Black Slub WeaveBase: 3x PU coating on 900 denier Kodra#8 YKK AquaGuard zipper - main#8 YKK reverse coil zipper - external pockets

Alchemy Equipment Daypack

Front facing view of the Alchemy Equipment Daypack
Capacity20 L
Weight0 kg
Dimensions43×26×21 cm
Airline fit100%
Price$210

When it comes to choosing a carry-on backpack suited perfectly to your needs, there's no shortage of options. Two stand-out candidates in the market are the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L and the Alchemy Equipment Daypack. These are both durable, well-crafted packs designed with convenience and functionality in mind.

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L, with 35 liters of capacity, is built of 1680D ballistic nylon paneling--it's all about rugged resilience. Weighing in at 1.5 pounds, it's comfortable to lug around while navigating the airport or hiking paths. A significant feature is a laptop compartment that can swallow a 15-inch laptop with ease. This pack's unique selling point is its 80% airline compatibility, ample for most medium to long-term travel.

The Alchemy Equipment Daypack, on the other hand, shines for different reasons. Despite having a smaller capacity (20 Liters) than the Allpa, it's incredibly light on your back, weighing virtually nothing. The Daypack is built from a mix of materials including a wax-coated PES and a sturdy 900 denier Kodra, sealed with a #8 YKK AquaGuard zipper - ensuring your gear stays dry. A cool tidbit: it can fit a 13-inch laptop neatly. What sets the Daypack apart from the Allpa is its 100% airline compatibility, making it perfect for those looking to literally 'travel light'.

Looking through the lens of several reviews, the Allpa 35L emerges as a favorite for its simplicity, comfort, and durability. The pack's intuitive internal organization, coupled with the additional rain cover, collapsible mesh laundry bag, nylon shoe bag, and a mesh water bottle sleeve, makes it a compelling choice. In a nutshell: the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is a versatile and durable pack for 'light and easy' travel, while the Alchemy Equipment Daypack, with its 100% airline compatibility, is your ticket to hassle-free air travel.