Cotopaxi Allpa 42L + Fjallraven Kanken Review | Ultimate Two-Bag Carry-On + Personal Item Duo

[@Hiker_who_Sews]

I carry a similar sized Osprey. It fits as a carry-on, but some airlines are starting to have weight limits. I can compress the pack so tightly that it can weigh over 40 pounds. Just something to think about. Thanks for the review!

[@kitty_s23456]

Hi. If you travel to Europe, Asia & Australia, they do weigh carryon, esp budget airlines. For Europe, max is 10 kg/ 22 lbs, for Asia & Australia, it's 7 kg/ 15.4 lbs. Sometimes they don't care so much abt the size but they do care abt the weight. One way that I circumvent the weight is to wear during my flight days: trek pants (with lots of pockets, convertible to shorts) and a jacket or hoodle with pockets. If my pack is slightly overweight, I'll put some small stuff in the pockets then return them to the bags after I've checked in. On my flight to the destination, my bag usually isn't overweight but on the flight back sometimes it is, due to souvenirs and food stuffs from diff countries.

[@Tripplebeem]

I have the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L as my one bag carry on for domestic flights in the USA, I've taken it on 4 or 5 trips. I can easily pack 5 or 6 days worth of clothing and tech stuff in it, but I will say that it is a large bag. I am a 6'4" guy who is on the larger size, so I think it looks smaller on me due to my size, but it definitely gets skeptical looks from busy body gate staff. Large backpacks are on the radar of airport employees, so I always tuck away the backpack straps when I get to my gate to make the bag look smaller and closer to a roller bag. Overall, its an amazing bag. If you have size anxiety about carrying it on, I might suggest the 35L with less stuff in it, but either way, you can't go wrong with these bags.

[@reneedeerest]

That’s a great tip! I’m going to start doing that when I fly with budget airlines

[@Star_enilnO]

Thank you for this. I’ve been looking into the 35L Cotopaxi to use as my personal item. I may change up and get the 42.

[@reneedeerest]

No worries at all:) I’m actually going to be doing an update on my review very soon but ultimately, I am very happy with my purchase!

[@LisaR2392]

My 28 and 35 both have that amazing front pocket as well!! Also these are my favorite two bags of all time Cotopaxi and KanKen… I bought the strap pads for mine and they are amazing!

[@reneedeerest]

Oh wow really? I went to check a 35L out in store and it didn’t have it:( it was a huge deal breaker for me but I’m glad yours have them!! Definitely such a great combo. I don’t mind the straps but I’ll look into trying them out!

[@pingkanwulan6863]

I really love the colors you got! I just got mine a month ago and will use it soon to flight and planning to bring it with me into the cabin. Wish me luck!

[@reneedeerest]

Ahh thank you! I was originally planning on going with one mostly light blue but I’m so glad I changed my mind at the last second:) have you flown with yours yet? How did it go??

[@KunderscoreG3]

I rock the same exact setup but with a 35l allpa & a yellow Kanken! I did 2 weeks in Ireland & Scotland last year and just got back from 8 days in Germany & Austria last week! I got the add on water bottle pockets for my fjallraven bag and they help a ton

[@reneedeerest]

These brands are awesome! I really love their warranty policies:) I should really look into the water bottle pocket honestly, I used a carabiner for my bottle and it was a little annoying

[@CrystalApple]

I have the 35l and I love it!! I wish the 35l had more of the features of the 42l like the water bottle holder.

[@reneedeerest]

I don’t get why it doesn’t have it!! Such a great pack though:) I’m loving my 42L

[@amyervin9381]

I have a 35 L and it has the water bottle holder

[@0mfgeeze]

That's because cotopaxi released a new version with a water bottle ocker this year, you got the new version.​@@amyervin9381

[@KunderscoreG3]

They just added a water bottle pocket to the entire Allpa line!

[@Vextra1701]

the TPU coated polyester is not on the Del Dia bags since they are repurposed material

[@reneedeerest]

Yea that was my bad I misread the website! I don’t mind too much since it comes with the rain cover. I was just surprised to see that when I opened my package

[@JoeGillian0]

Congrats on that bag .Hope you had a good time in New Zealand.... I am a backpack/sling freak but i still have not the perfect bag for me for carryon and one bag travel

[@reneedeerest]

Have you tried any of the Cotopaxi bags yet? Check out the excel sheet on r/onebag on reddit. So much valuable information there! You’ll definitely be able to narrow down you’re choices and find the perfect fit:)

[@craigb7217]

Your bag is the Del Dia Version, so it does not have the TPU coating. I have the 35L Del Dia and I love it.

[@reneedeerest]

I misread the website but I don’t mind it since it comes with the rain cover and is such good quality:) I know a lot of people opt for the 35L, what was the deciding factor for you over the other sizes?

[@craigb7217]

Ultimately I decided on the 35L for portability, and I only need to pack about a week's worth of stuff in it. I also got 3 of the Cotopaxi packing cubes with it. I wish it came with the optional shoulder strap like the 42L does.

[@SolanaDevon]

“I packed this bag a month ago, so….” LOLOL I just bought this bag today and absolutely plan to pack it out to see if it will do what I want it to do…. And my first trip with it will be in 9 month and the next one is in 2 years. 😂

[@reneedeerest]

I need to scratch the itch to start travelling some how😭

[@ekozken5540]

What are the measure on the 42l? Looking for a traveling bag with the measure of 55cm x 40cm x. 23cm and wonder if this bag is in that target😊

[@margauxbride1908]

The measurements are on the listing for the bag in the Cotopaxi shop.

[@reneedeerest]

The specs from the site say the pack is: 42L (2563cu in) 22 x 14 x 11in (56 x 36 x 27cm) 3 lb 2 oz (1.41kg)

[@AfterCoffeeWithJess]

i also pack a month early (or even more sometimes) lol

[@reneedeerest]

I’m such a planner LOL

[@dindinnnn]

I want to get this bag! May I ask what your height is? I’m still debating on which size to get but thanks for showing us that it fits!!!

[@reneedeerest]

Hey sorry for the late response but I am 5’8” after travelling for a while with the bag I am very happy but I think the 35L may have fit me little better. Overall it was very comfy and I had no issues carrying it however the hip belt didn’t seem to do much (though I may not have it properly adjusted to me)

[@reneedeerest]

Did you decide on a bag already? I’d love to hear what you went with

[@MivhaelMemes]

I have big soft spot for vintage backpacks

[@reneedeerest]

Me too! I usually thrift everything but I’m glad I splurged a little and got this new. They have a lifetime warranty so hopefully I’ll bring this one into the next generation with me;)

[@marsohlala]

How tall are you? Will the 42l be fine for average 5’2?

[@reneedeerest]

I’m 5’8! If you check one of the last clips in the video you can see me wearing it. It does look a little big on me but I think it could be fine. The hip belt can be slightly adjusted on the velcro strap it attaches to so you might be able to shorten the torso enough for it to be comfy:)

[@marsohlala]

@@reneedeerestperfect! That’s my main worry actually. I like the 42l but I’m not sure if it’ll fit me okay so I’m complicating to get the 35l.

[@iamsarahknight]

@@marsohlaladid you get the 42l Allpa? I’m 5’3” and worried about it being too big 🤔

[@marsohlala]

@@iamsarahknight hey I got the 35L. I’m just 5’2 and the size is right. The 42l would be so big for me. It’s really a great bag.

[@SevenofEleven]

Packing list pdf is gone

[@reneedeerest]

Hey! Sorry about that. Here was the packing list I used before I left for my trip:) Wear to airport - [ ] Rain coat (blue) - [ ] Fleece (purple) - [ ] White Top - [ ] Black jeans (switch to dancers) - [ ] Black boots Pack: Tree Planting Clothes (ditch after NZ) - [ ] 1 scrub pants - [ ] 3 long sleeve dry fits - [ ] 1 short sleeve dry fit - [ ] 3 buffs - [ ] 1 tank top - [ ] 1 work Leggings Regular clothes - [ ] hiking pants - [ ] Light wash jeans - [ ] Dancer pants (comfy and cute) - [ ] 1 Shorts (long light blue) - [ ] 1 Skirt (green) - [ ] 4 long sleeves (cute brown, black, grey) - [ ] 4 T-shirts (brown Harley, grey boys, black, white) - [ ] 1 big comfy t shirt - [ ] 3 tank tops (brown, black Harley, blue) - [ ] Grey hoodie - [ ] Sneakers (new balance) - [ ] Sandals (teva) - [ ] Black blundstones - [ ] 2 Swim suits (greens) - [ ] 1 dress - [ ] Socks - [ ] Underwear - [ ] 2 Sports bra - [ ] 1 nice leggings Others - [ ] Journal - [ ] Book - [ ] Book light - [ ] Glasses - [ ] Contacts - [ ] Contact solution + case - [ ] Toothbrush - [ ] Hair ties - [ ] Comb - [ ] Razor - [ ] Sunscreen - [ ] Face oil - [ ] Laptop - [ ] Speaker - [ ] Earbuds - [ ] Camera - [ ] Microphones - [ ] Chargers (phone speaker laptop camera) - [ ] Belt - [ ] Micro towel - [ ] Tweezers - [ ] Thread + needles - [ ] Sunglasses - [ ] Empty Neck pillow (to fill w clothes just incase) A good packing tip: I really tried to colour coordinate my clothes so they were all cool/ earth tones (blue, greens, sometimes brown, and of course black and white) it really helped to make my capsule wardrobe