Between budget airlines with expensive baggage fees and the headache of dealing with missing checked bags, there’s never been a greater need for the elusive perfect travel bag. While perfection is a moving target, we’ve found the ultimate travel backpack that’s going to be on the top of your must-have list. It’s carry-on compatible and the intuitive design has room for all your trip essentials.
Whether you’ve booked a last-minute weekend escape or you’re spending a couple weeks abroad, you will be impressed with the range and versatility afforded to you with this backpack. The closest thing to a perfect travel backpack we’ve discovered to date!
The Brand: Cotopaxi
You’ll notice the backpack might not fit a cohesive monochromatic aesthetic, but the color chaos is so meaningful. Integral to Cotopaxi’s mission is the creation of sustainably designed outdoor gear. Almost 95% of their products contain repurposed or recycled materials to produce truly eco-friendly bags. Their ‘Del Día’ collection uses remnant fabric, left over from other companies’ larger production runs to create each bag– hence the multi-hue ensemble. Each bag is unique, created with unused, high-quality nylon that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill. Through Cotopaxi, these ‘scraps’ are reassembled and given new life!
Features on Features
This travel bag has 42L or 2,563 cubic inches of space for all of your stuff and things. The bag itself is designed with maximal space economy to ensure you will be able to fit everything you need. Whether you want to wear it as a backpack, an over-the-shoulder duffel, or carry it briefcase style, you have an array of transportation options. You’ll also notice that all of the zippers have an anti-theft feature that makes it difficult for someone to snag something out of your pack on the fly.
A Suitcase Backpack
While I love all of the thoughtful features in this pack, the suitcase-style opening and interior sectioned zipper pockets are my favorite features. Not only does it make it easier to ensure all the nooks and crannies of the backpack are filled, but it’s like packing cubes are built right into the bag. You can sort it however you like, but it seems to be a perfect space separation for clothes, shoes, and toiletries to all have their own spot!
The Front Pocket Pouch
While all of your trip essentials are stored away inside, the top zipper pocket is the perfect place to store everything you’ll want to access during your flight. This compartment is larger than it looks as it has space to hold all your snacks, hand sanitizer, a book, your wallet, headphones, and more. Plus, if you’re leaving home, the little clip sewn into the bag makes for the perfect spot to attach your keys so they don’t get lost along the way.
A Strong Strap Game
Lots to break down here on the back of the bag! First and foremost, a 42L bag packed to the gills can feel heavy, so the adjustable hip-belt can come in handy big time if you’re planning to do a bunch of walking with your bag. If you’re not so keen on using this belt, it IS removable. Similarly, if you want to carry the bag by a duffle strap or handle, you can unclip the backpack straps and tuck them into the moisture-wicking lining. So much customization, so little time!
There’s two zipper pockets on the back-side of the bag— parallel to one another, on either side of the backpack straps. One zipper opens up to well-padded ipad and laptop sleeves, while the other serves as a short-cut access point to the large compartment in the bag. This can be super convenient if you want to grab a jacket without fully opening the main zipper.
But Wait, There’s More
A side pocket for your water? That’s a given, to keep you hydrated! There’s also carabiner lash points all over the bag, so if you run out of room inside, there’s ample space to clip miscellaneous items on. Perhaps the most groovy of all, the bag comes with a rain cover to keep your goods protected from the elements. What more could you possibly need?
See It for Yourself: The 85-Second Scoop
A Confident Purchase
Cost: $210
This is a bag you can purchase with confidence, because if anything happens to it, Cotopaxi has an awesome customer service policy that ensures your bag will be repaired or replaced, if it’s defective. As a bonus, if you’ve had your bag (or any of their gear) for a while and want to trade it in for a store credit, that is an option as well. Cotopaxi is all about sustainable solutions, so they go above and beyond to maximize the life cycle of their products and reduce their overall environmental impact. You can read more about their Guaranteed for Good policy here.
The biggest problem with this backpack? It sells out! You can find it on the Cotopaxi website and REI, but if it’s out of stock, the 35L bag is designed extremely similarly and doesn’t seem to sell out quite as quickly.
Disclaimer: All product photos used in this post were taken directly from the Cotopaxi or REI website, in which the bag is linked. None of these product photographs are our own.
written by Hannah
Hannah has learned the hard way to be careful what you wish for— sometimes happily ever after lands you with a husband and puppy… in the Midwest. Despite leaving Florida to move to Wisconsin, Hannah maintains her bossy big sister role with regular phone calls to keep up with all the little sister shenanigans. Notoriously chatty with her patients as well, Hannah stays busy as a physical therapist, but loves spending weekends exploring newfound hikes.
