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
Weight1.3 kg
Dimensions56×30×25 cm
Airline fit26%
Price$225

Feature by feature

Cotopaxi Allpa 35LFeatureAlchemy Equipment Daypack
Storage
N Compression N
None Expanded Capacity None
1 Opening 2
front Passport front
Y Passthrough N
Carry
hideable Backpack Y
hideable Hip Belt N
Y Sternum Strap Y
Inside
15in Laptop 13in
3 Main Compartments 2
Y Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
1, side Water Bottle Holder 2, side
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
100% recycled 840D TPU-coated nylonWaxed 600 denier Kodra (100% polyester) Embossed lining (100% polyester) Base: 3x PU-coated 900 denier Kodra

Alchemy Equipment Daypack

Front facing view of the Alchemy Equipment Daypack
Capacity20 L
Weight0.6 kg
Dimensions43×36×13 cm
Airline fit86%
Price$150

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.