Cotopaxi Allpa 35L vs. Topo Designs Trip
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L
| Capacity | 35 L |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×30×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 80% |
| Price | $200 |
Feature by feature
| Cotopaxi Allpa 35L | Feature | Topo Designs Trip |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 0 |
| Y | Passport | front |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| H | Backpack | Y |
| R | Hip Belt | N |
| S | Sternum Strap | N |
| Inside | ||
| 15 | Laptop | 11 |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| Y | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 0 | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 1680D ballistic nylon paneling | |
Topo Designs Trip
| Capacity | 8.4 L |
| Weight | 0.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 41×21×11 cm |
| Airline fit | 100% |
| Price | $170 |
The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L and the Topo Designs Trip are two carry-on backpacks that offer varying features and attributes, targeted towards two slightly different types of users. Let's examine them more closely.
The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is a hefty, durable backpack made of 1680D ballistic nylon paneling, giving it great resilience in multiple travel scenarios. Its size (20 inches tall, 30 inches wide, and 51 inches deep) and weight (1.5 pounds) make it a substantial choice, but it's still compact enough to fit into medium-sized overhead compartments, ensuring compatibility with 80% of airlines. The 35-liter capacity lends itself well to longer journeys, and the integrated laptop compartment accommodates devices up to 15 inches. Reviewers love its design simplicity and internal organization, revealing that it collapses efficiently when not jam-packed full. Extras like a rain cover and mesh bags for laundry and shoes draw an encouraging review like the "perfect graduation gift for a budding world traveler."
On the other side, we have the Topo Designs Trip. This backpack is much smaller, being 41 inches tall, 21 inches wide, and 11 inches deep, but it's also incredibly light, weighing in at just 0.5 pounds. This reduced size results in a lower capacity of 8.4 liters, but ensures 100% airline compatibility. The laptop compartment is smaller too, fitting a laptop of up to 11 inches. The Topo Designs Trip lacks a defined material (based on the info given), which could impact its durability.
In summary, here are the main differences:
- Size: Cotopaxi Allpa is larger in all dimensions. Topo Designs Trip is significantly smaller.
- Weight: Cotopaxi Allpa weighs thrice as much as the Topo Designs Trip.
- Capacity: Cotopaxi Allpa trumps with a capacity of 35L, compared to 8.4L.
- Airline Compatibility: Topo Designs Trip is compatible with all airlines.
- Laptop compartment: Cotopaxi Allpa supports larger laptops (up to 15")..
Neither of these backpacks could really be called 'inferior' to the other - they both have their unique strengths and potential downsides. It all depends on what you, the user, need in a backpack. If it's a higher carrying capacity and laptop accommodation you’re after, with comprehensive organization options, the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is your bag. For travelers seeking the absolute lightest and smallest option with guaranteed airline compatibility, the Topo Designs Trip is the way to go.