Cotopaxi Allpa 35L + 42L Side by Side Size Comparison

A side-by-side comparison of packed out Cotopaxi Allpa 35L and Allpa 42L travel packs to help you get a better idea which one is the right size for you.
Check out our Taiwan 2023 playlist to see it in action as we take the bags through multiple cities and destinations in Taiwan.

[@Mdawgbboy]

Seeing the bags worn by Sandra and your two daughters was very helpful in visualizing how it would fit on me. Thank you!

[@schen510]

You're welcome! That was our problem too; very hard to figure out which size to get.

[@laurenlane456]

The first one I could find for kid comparisons, thank you SO much

[@schen510]

You're welcome! I hoped it helped!

[@ninetyfaith8830]

Thank you so much for the entire family!!!! now the size gets so much more sense to me!!!! love

[@schen510]

Thanks for sharing your feedback and happy travels!

[@nicolajayne6124]

Perfect, just the video I needed. Will definitely go with the 35L.Thank you.

[@schen510]

Glad that our video could help!

[@phxav8tr]

I took my 42L on my last trip. No issues flying on United, Qantas, and Air New Zealand as a carry on. Only negative thing is this bag holds so much it can be too heavy. I sold it now and looking at the 28L or 35L.

[@schen510]

"With great power comes great responsibility" 🤣 I need to remind myself to pack with restraint!

[@reidloveless8490]

Thank you thank thank you. First video I've been able to find of a side by side comparison.

[@schen510]

You can check our Taiwan playlist to see them in action. Our 12 year old ended up carrying the 35.

[@EthanIngle]

Great review. Honestly impressive how much you can fit into that chonkster of a frankenbag. I ordered one today. Thank you for the review!

[@schen510]

Thank you for the feedback! Yes, I think the key is that without a hard frame, you get more usable space with a bit less weight. We've now taken it on several trips and never regret the choice.

[@brokensouljamboree]

thank you!!! can’t believe there’s no vids on this

[@schen510]

Right?! That's why we had to make it!

[@AMavenOfSorts]

This video was a lifesaver in trying to figure out what sizes to buy for ourselves and 3 kids. Thank you SO much for the size comparisons.

[@schen510]

So glad it helped! Enjoy your trip!

[@amandahooten2950]

Thank you for the perspective, helped a lot!

[@schen510]

I'm glad it was useful and I hope you end up with the right size!

[@christineramos2071]

Thanks for the helpful video! I have the Allpa 35 and I’m still trying to figure out the right configurations for packing 😆

[@schen510]

We found that a mix of cubes + loose items works best. Use the cubes to fit the majority of the space and use the loose items to fill the gaps.

[@inquisitive4928]

Very helpful for my future decision to decide which one

[@schen510]

Good luck and safe travels!

[@UncleEll74]

I actually bought them both for different (travel) reasons but this helps tremendously…I also got my daughter one and she absolutely loves it…great review and visual…thank you.

[@schen510]

You are welcome! Thank you for sharing your feedback and we wish you the best on your adventures!

[@elisamaravich9195]

Good video. Super helpful. Definitely helped me on my final decision on which size to purchase. Cheers!😸

[@schen510]

So glad it was helpful! We had the same issue going back and forth between the two.

[@meganconnolly4252]

Thank you! This was so helpful! Adorable family too! :)

[@schen510]

Glad it was helpful and thank you!

[@ChristineSoldate]

Thank you...very helpful...I bought the 42...thinking I might grab the 35 just in case...

[@schen510]

Both are great bags but the 42 is more versatile if you're not sure. Good luck and safe travels!

[@hello-fc9kb]

This is exactly what I wanted to see! Also I am a 30 yr old women the size of your 11 yr old child LOL

[@schen510]

Glad it was helpful! She looks like a Ninja Turtle with the 42 lol 😂

[@cezn]

thanks for the comparison

[@schen510]

You're welcome! Let me know if you have any questions.

[@HappyGnoux]

really very interesting. thank you! i was contemplating getting one as a carry on back for the plane but didn't know which on to get!

[@schen510]

Hope this helped you pick!

[@v3n0s]

Very nice side by side review/comparison

[@schen510]

Thanks! Hope it was helpful.

[@luxcortez8561]

Video very helpful thank you

[@schen510]

You're welcome!

[@LifeGuideYogi]

Thanks for the video. Do you have a follow up video, after the 12 day trip about how the bags did?

[@schen510]

Hi Chris! We are about to leave on our trip and will definitely file a follow-up. You can follow our trip on Twitter or IG: @turasapp for some field reports.

[@Vanessa-vj9qf]

Great review!! I just ordered the 35L

[@schen510]

Thanks for the feedback and happy travels!

[@pasitheathanatosasmr488]

Fabulous video, thank you!!

[@schen510]

Glad it was useful!

[@jdshl8423]

These bags don't have compression straps, so you will probably need to pack with compression packing cubes to keep the shape of the backpack a little more flat. It's bulging quite a lot right now, and I don't think it will pass as carry on. If you have 4 passengers, you should have 4 backpacks, so the girls should have their own backpacks.

[@schen510]

JD, thanks for you feedback! We actually took them as carry-ons on our flight with EVA Air and it was no problem. We could have fit 4 of the 42Ls into the bins of the 777-300 ER. This definitely may not be the case for all airlines. Our little one ended up taking just her tiny school backback; we'll work her up to something bigger when she gets a little bit stronger.

[@caitford4869]

hey, thanks for this! especially helpful because Sandra is my height. I will probably trade in my 42L for a 35L, this comparison is super helpful

[@schen510]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Lewapolis]

Thanks for this video. I’m going to Europe for 7 days and was torn on which size I need. 35l it is!!

[@schen510]

You're welcome and wish you the best on your trip!

[@the1realneel]

Very helpful, thank you

[@schen510]

You're welcome!

[@Gullington]

Thanks for this video! I am researching packs right now. Looking at these and the Topo travel. We're about the same height and weight. I was wondering if the 35L would be enough for a two week trip to Asia but then you saying the 42 was packed for 2 people!! It seems like the 35L should have more than enough room for just me

[@schen510]

Hi! The 42 was packed for 1 adult + 1 child. Especially in summer, the 35 is probably plenty for a single adult but the 42L is more versatile overall and better if you also plan to use it in winter or you tend to shop when you travel. Hope that helps!

[@Phomie]

Great comparison video! I went through comments and looks like you haven’t had issues with domestic flights. Have you traveled internationally since and what has your experience been like with carrying on the 42L? Just ordered mine and come to find out it may need to be checked and worried it’ll get damaged!

[@schen510]

We have taken it to Taiwan and plan to take it to Japan this winter. No issues with EVA Air. We dit 2 x 42L and a 35L in the overhead with room to spare! Haven't had any issues with domestic flights either.

[@FredrikGustafsson1975]

Great and informative video. Would the 42l pass as carry on luggage you think? Regards

[@schen510]

Yes; US flights should be OK. It's the same size as our e-bags roller carry on but it is more deformable. Questionable for international flights! My experience is that they are pickier about following size restrictions.

[@the_nma5119]

in europe FCK NO

[@0mfgeeze]

I wish your 11yo would have tried on the 42L, apparently I'm the size of an 11yo @ 30 😂😅

[@schen510]

She could definitely wear the 42L, but just a bit too heavy for her on our trip. She carried the 35 like a champ! You can see her in action in our Taiwan trip playlist. Thanks for watching!

[@0mfgeeze]

@@schen510 oh yeah I know not for the whole trip, I meant just to put it on her back as a size comparison for the video for a 30 second shot or something because I am the same size as your 11yo at 29 😅 thank you for your informative video!

[@jaysz666]

what brand are the long packing cube? im kind of in love with the format for the cotopaxi

[@schen510]

The majority are from eBags.

[@TwoTicketsToAdventure]

Amazing video. Was the 42L pretty heavy when packed?

[@schen510]

That's really going to depend on what and how you pack. For us, we did not bring much in the way of heavier items like denim so it was OK. The biggest impact was definitely when we packed the heavier things like laptops and gear.

[@lesefreak17]

Omg exactly what I was looking for- I am exactly 175cm as well so that was perfect to visualise xD Do you know if you can fit a full 35l under the seat of an airplane?

[@schen510]

35L will easily fit under seats even in Economy if you tuck everything in!

[@timsebold3662]

Carry comfort?

[@schen510]

Good! The straps on the 35 only adjust in length whereas the 42 can adjust the length as well as the should "slack" (straps on the front and at the shoulder to pull the load higher/closer). The waist band can be removed if you want. Main issue you may run into is that there is no rigid frame on the interior so if you have some hard pokey object against the back panel, you'll feel it! So pack accordingly and move these things (e.g. a shoe) to the outer layer instead.

[@thesandstonelotus]

Has anyone taken the 42 as a carryon on Delta? Wondering if that's allowed, because packed out it's a little over the size limit.

[@schen510]

We haven't specifically flown Delta, but I suspect it will most likely be a combination of the plane type and your boarding class. We have never had it called it for any flight on United or Eva. I suspect because it's a backpack, it ends up looking smaller than it actually is.

[@louisschmidt2129]

35L you probably get away as carry on 42L definitely be checking in its to nice of bag to get beat up when you check in

[@schen510]

We haven't had to check the 42L yet on either international (JFK-TPE) flights or multiple domestic flights. Fingers crossed!

[@MarioContrerasFarias]

So you packed for 4people/ 12days in both packs? Or only in the 42L one? Great video btw

[@schen510]

We packed 4 people across 2 42Ls and 1 35L. We did do laundry but also packed extra shoes!

[@janehughes581]

Do you guys think the 42l is robust enough to pack as hold luggage? I want to take my folding hiking poles and annoyingly I'm not allowed them in hand luggage!

[@schen510]

The material is quite thick. But you never know how the luggage handlers will treat your gear :( We have taken it on bus rides where it was thrown into the hold and it came out fine. It should hold up to commercial airline luggage handling.

[@janehughes581]

@@schen510 thanks! I'm thinking of buying some kind of zipped cover to go over the top (if I can find something in that size).

[@s10stephanie]

How did it end up working? Looked for an update video. I'm looking for something for me + 6 and 2 yo

[@schen510]

It worked out great! But the key is to pack light in the first place and plan a laundry day if you can. The best part is having both ands which is great with kids!

[@paubloconu5499]

Hey! Do you have a link for those packing cubes you used on the 42L? The blue ones

[@schen510]

Sorry Paublo; I can't recall where those are from. The other set (yellow, green) are from e-Bags. Honestly, the smaller ones work better with the Allpa because it lets you use all the nooks and crannies!

[@FamiliaDunn]

where would you put a water bottle in the 35L? I wish it had the side water bottle holder like the 42L.

[@schen510]

During day outings, we packed a separate day pack which had side containers for water bottles. We only loaded the Allpas when we were in transit. What we did was use a carabiner and clip the bottle to a strap on one of the front straps. This had the benefit of being easier to access as well.

[@wmboi89]

What packing cubes are the ones you guys have for the 35L I believe the green ones ?

[@schen510]

They are from e-Bags

[@Ilresi]

What inner packs did you use, especially the green ones?

[@schen510]

I think those are from eBags, but you can find many similar kinds on Amazon. We found that using a mix of cubes + loose items works best to maximize the usage of space.

[@MiaMasterpole]

Do you think the 42L would be okay as carry on compliant for lets say Delta Airlines from the US to Europe? Or would it also work under a seat on a flight or train in Europe?

[@schen510]

You can definitely carry the 42L on. I'm actually carrying it onto a United domestic flight soon. I've not tried it under a seat. It's about the size of a rolling carry on suitcase when packed so my feeling is it won't fit under the seat. We did put it on an over seat rack on the high speed rail in Taiwan with no problems.

[@gillianmah1070]

Which colour is the 42L?

[@schen510]

The 42L is the dark green one; the 35L is the light blue one. Hope that helps!

[@kentemple9241]

What is the weight of the fully-packed bags? Thanks

[@schen510]

42L was 19-21 depending on how we repacked it for the day. 15-17 for the 35L. The bags were lighter than expected. Hope that helps!

[@kentemple9241]

@@schen510 Thanks. A bigger pack with more stuff is nice but the weight on our back, not so much. The things you own end up owning you.

[@mattb9915]

What is the name of the color of your green 42L? I have been hunting for that color for sale and can’t find it anywhere

[@schen510]

The color is Deep Ocean purchased from REI in December of 2022. Hope that helps!

[@positivevibes9964]

Can man carry on this 35 l hand bag in cabin ?

[@schen510]

That will really depend on the airline. As long as you don't overstuff it, it should fit under the seat.

[@positivevibes9964]

@@schen510 Thank you

[@jadsoueidi9068]

Which one of those is the one that is allowed on these shitty low fare airlines 😂

[@schen510]

Better chance with the 35L