Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L vs Cotopaxi Allpa 35L

That's really great for getting the pack into side access mode while you're wearing it, as well as hiding the strap system, which we'll get into in a ...

I've never used a backpack that strikes such a great balance of comfort, fit, organization, and design. When I travel, all my gear goes in my pack, from my socks to my laptop. I can pack everything comfortably inside my Allpa, get whatever I need when I need it, and even put it under an airplane seat.

There is however, an elephant in the room that should be a deal breaker for every sane traveler - this bag is unforgivably uncomfortable to carry; and as that is the core function of a travel bag, I struggle to understand why so many people just gloss over it. It’s brilliant, amazing, oh and it’s a brick that carry’s like someone loaded 70kg into a Kanken and made you carry it. No amount of awesome design and fabulous ergonomics can cover it up - it’s big, heavy and completely over priced.

but it was just too big and heavy. The material always felt like despite being thick, thorny branches and whatnot would destroy it.

- The lash straps are super handy. I used them to lash an extra coat to the outside of the pack.

It in theory is international carry on size with detachable waist strap. But holy cow they missed the boat on some CRUCIAL elements, chiefly a complete lack of compression straps and load lifters. If you don't stuff it super full it flops around on your back, but when fully packed it bulges out and down and while the straps are padded and should be comfortable they don't balance the weight at all. Also I'm not a super tall guy (5'10") but the waist belt hits at the bottom of my rib cage when the backpack straps are tight enough to stay on, not a huge deal as its removable but it means there is no help supporting the pack

I've also tried the Peak Design Travel backpack - no good, way too big to be a hiking / day pack and not robust enought to check in for me. Also tried packing a standard hiking pack in my main bag, but this takes up a lot of room, as well as offering no Photography based integrated features. If you guys have any thoughts on the above bags, or any suggestions at all that would be greatly appreciated. I'm driving myself around the bend trying to find this perfect bag that I'm afraid doesn't exist

- For a hike that is a few miles, I found myself constantly readjusting the straps. I REALLY wish the pack had top straps to bring the top weight of the bag in more. But this could possibly be resolved with what's chosen to be packed in the brain of the bag. I had all of my cooking gear in there

Use the front access to get into what we call the organization panel in here. You've got a handful of separately zippered pockets and these pockets ba...

-Zippers are quite robust and very theft-proof. -Stowable straps. This is potentially a game changer if you want to pass-off your 35L backpack as a personal item at the airport

You've got buttons that sort of snap this thing into place a little tough. There we go, and that sort of makes it a little slimmer of a profile. So th...

The internal zip-up compartments are pretty handy for organization and may cut down on a packing cube or two, depending on how you pack -- but I still found myself using packing cubes for organization. The laptop compartment is just right and useful for a secure spot that sits up against your back. The pockets for the straps to tuck into is super handy in the event you have to check your bag and want to protect the straps. The bag itself was a hair bit heavier than I expected it to be, but didn't turn out too bad

So honestly, I think this is one major design flaw in the peak design 45 liter although I think it is also outweighed by the streamlined design and al...

You might not think it by looking at it, but I got all of my clothes and shoes for an entire two-month road trip, plus a few items I picked up along t...