Cotopaxi Allpa Getaway 55L Duffel Review

Bottom Line

Fans of the socially responsible brand Cotopaxi will no doubt be as taken with the Cotopaxi Allpa Getaway 55L duffel as they are with any of the brand’s other gear and clothing. They will likely also be delighted to know that the duffels come in a few colors (especially in the a 70L and 100L size) as Cotopaxi has a reputation for offering. But maybe more importantly, this bag is functional and durable during air travel, road trips, and frontcountry campouts.

It’s tolerably water-resistant, features removable pack straps and several carry options, and has hefty zippers with burly pulls. It also has interior and exterior organizational pockets to keep small items in their place.

It’s on the higher end of the price spectrum compared to other duffels we tested, but it certainly has something special to offer those who prefer a duffel that stands out from the crowd and is durable enough for all manner of adventures. We tested the previous version of this bag and loved the bottom compartment for dirty clothes storage, but it has been removed in the latest update. 

The newest version adds dual side stash pockets for the tote-style carry handles, and we found them more useful than expected. They keep the handles tucked out of the way when you’re not using them, but they also double as handy storage spots for small, quick-grab items.

Carry Comfort

There are two ways to carry the Cotopaxi Allpa: via grab handles with a snap wrap to secure them together, and via removable backpack straps. There’s no over-the-shoulder strap, but we didn’t really miss it during most of our testing. The grab handles weren’t supremely comfortable for anything more than a quick walk to the airport check-in desk or from the front door to the back of the car, but the pack straps were tolerably comfortable.

The straps were more difficult to remove than those on other duffels we tested. Instead of quick toggles and buckles, there are large toggles at the top and at the bottom you must thread webbing through with a strap buckle. That means when we wanted to add or remove straps before or after checking the duffel as luggage, we had to spend a few more minutes getting things sorted. The grab handles, on the other hand, stash quickly in dedicated pockets on each side.

Compressibility & Packability

When we loaded this duffel full of the same gear and clothing we crammed into every other bag we tested, we had little difficulty fitting it. There are no compression straps inside the main compartment. The wide-mouth opening (with a lid that hinges on one of the long sides) made it easy to load and unload. When not in use, the duffel packs into a separate storage pouch with ease, making it easy to store in small spaces.

The straps don’t have a dedicated storage pocket (they have to be stashed in the main compartment), and they can get in the way of efficient packing if not loosened enough to allow some wiggle room.

Durability

When we tested the durability of this bag, we checked it as luggage, carted it from one family home to another during the holidays, stuffed it full of gear, and tossed it downstairs. We dragged it around campgrounds and piled gear on top of it on road trips. Through it all, it suffered only minor scuffs.

That’s largely because the recycled outer fabric is tough and durable, able to withstand a multitude of handling sins. The webbing lash points on the exterior felt incredibly robust, and we have no fear they will hold for years to come. The grab handles on the ends are sturdy, and the main zippers are big and burly, so they should all stand up to plenty of use and abuse.

Weather Resistance

When it comes to waterproofing, the Allpa is right in line with many other bags we tested, meaning it’s not waterproof but is tolerably water-resistant. The lip has rain flaps over the zippers, but the zippers themselves are not waterproof. 

So while most of the gear inside stayed dry during an hour of rain, water seeped in through the top of the bag. The sides and bottom protected the contents from any extraneous fluid that might surround the bag in wet weather.

Organization

When it comes to organization, the Cotopaxi Allpa features the usual small handful of accessory pockets: one zippered mesh pocket on the underside of the lid and one water-resistant zippered pocket on the outside of the bag on one short end. There are also two Velcro-secured drop pockets on each long side that are designed to stash the grab handles, but they also serve as unsecured receptacles for additional small gear. Internally, it took a little longer to locate small items due to few internal organization features.

Worth noting: The previous version of this duffel, the Allpa Duo, featured a second zippered compartment at the bottom of the bag for storing dirty gear or clothing, separate from the main compartment. It was one of our favorite features. But that’s been removed in the most recent version. We’ve updated this bag’s ranking to represent the change.

Should You Buy the Cotopaxi Allpa?

The Cotopaxi Allpa will appeal to many folks in many situations, including travel, road trips and camping. After all, Cotopaxi also has something of a cult following for a reason – the brand’s commitment to sustainable and ethical manufacturing and its penchant for designing gear in unique colors draws travelers and outdoorists who like gear that looks like it’s ready for fun and does good in the process.

But those who prefer more organizational options or frequently add or remove pack straps may not find it as appealing. The same goes for folks searching for a more subdued duffel.

What Other Duffels Should You Consider?

If you’re not sure the Cotopaxi Allpa is right for you in any of the available sizes, you may want to consider one of the other stand-out duffels we’ve tested.

Patagonia Black Hole Review: For a more traditional duffel, consider the classic Patagonia Black Hole. The large single opening, limited pockets, and several carry options make it a solid choice for many travelers.

The North Face Base Camp Voyager Review: Similar in style and functionality, this duffel features a few more pockets, a laptop sleeve in the lid, and a repositionable divider in the main compartment to help keep gear more organized.

REI Co-Op Big Haul 60 Review: The Big Haul 60 is a great value if you want a similar travel-friendly duffel with a little more built-in organization. It has a wide-opening main compartment, useful internal mesh pockets, an exterior stash pocket, and compression straps that help cinch the load for easier travel.