Cotopaxi Allpa 35L vs. Arcido Saxon

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 35LFeatureArcido Saxon
Storage
N Compression N
None Expanded Capacity None
4 Opening 1
Y Passport N
N Passthrough Y
Carry
H Backpack S
R Hip Belt N
S Sternum Strap S
Inside
15 Laptop 15
3 Main Compartments 1
Y Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
0 Water Bottle Holder 0
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
1680D ballistic nylon panelingKodra Nylon

Arcido Saxon

Front facing view of the Arcido Saxon
Capacity25 L
Weight0.8 kg
Dimensions45×33×20 cm
Airline fit83%
Price$119

Start with the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L. This hardy backpack stands 20 inches tall, casting an imposing shadow over your other travel gear. It's a tolerable weight of 1.5 pounds. Still, that's some noticeable heft when you're traversing the airport. Stitched from 1680D ballistic nylon, the Allpa 35L welcomes the rough and tumble nature of travel. Squeeze in your 15-inch laptop with room to spare for any gear needed for your outdoor adventures. And with 35 liters of storage on board, there’s plenty of room for the essentials and more.

As for the Arcido Saxon, it's also 20 inches tall. But it combats the girth of the Allpa 35L with an impressive 33 inches in width. Weighing in at a mere 0.8 pounds, the Saxon can breeze through the airport without weighing you down. The pack’s Kodra Nylon build takes hits with poise, and shrugs aside the depreciation that comes with regular use. Like the Allpa, the Saxon's laptop compartment has room for a 15-inch laptop. Although with a 25 liter capacity, you might find yourself being a bit more selective with your packing.

Finally, let's consider the opinions of the experts. "Smartly designed", "simple", "comfortable", and "durable" are terms reviewers associated with the Allpa 35L. Not to mention the high-quality materials and craftmanship, peaking at the practical and intuitive internal organization. The Saxon, marked by it's "minimal design", and "lightness", gets rave reviews for daily use. It boasts surprisingly ample storage, enhanced by an organized interior, and comes highly recommended as a "perfect travel companion". It seems like the decision fundamentally boils down to whether you value the sturdiness and abundant storage of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L, or the minimal design and lightness of the Arcido Saxon. Take note of your needs, ponder deeply, and choose wisely!