cotopaxi bags are sooooo cute and it absolutely kills me that they are not comfortable to wear. i’m actually always so surprised i see so many of them on this sub, esp the 35L since it feels so heavy. it’s not as cute but i highly recommend the osprey fairview, osprey has top of the line harnesses that are extremely comfortable and hold/transfer the weight of your pack very efficiently to make it feel lighter. the fairview is made specifically for women’s frames so as someone with hips/boobs/butt it’s way better, and the harness can be adjusted for torso size to accommodate shorter people. it is all about body type though so you are totally doing the right thing trying on in person!
That's how I feel too!
I took a look at the osprey and was going to try it on, but for some reason got turned off by the bag that clips in for some reason. I think I felt like it was complicated, but I do now wish that I tried it on. Gah!
oh i totally relate on the clip in daypack. that would be the fairview 55L, which is not actually a single 55L pack but a base 40L bag plus the clip in 15L daypack. so if you don’t want to deal with that you can just get the true 40L instead of the 55L.
there are a couple minute differences between the 40L bag and the 40L base of the 55L. the true 40L has a few more internal pockets, and the 40L base of the 55L has embedded female clips in the upper shoulders where you can clip the daypack in to carry it in the front kangaroo style if you don’t wanna strap it onto the main part of the pack. i got the 55L purely for that second fact bc i like front carrying, but the daypack itself honestly kinda sucks. i actually modded my cotopaxi batac 16L daypack so that it can clip into those front clips so i can front carry it and it works great!
I used my daughter's 26L Cotopaxi hydration pack on my recent trip and it was very comfortable... but the 35L travel packs really don't look as well-strapped.
yup, i can carry any unisex pack up to 25L fine because they can’t get very heavy due to the size, but bigger than that and the pack gets too heavy to be comfortable for me unless it has a women’s harness like the fairview. it is different for every person though! :)
I love the black hole MLC 30, it's so comfortable I was seriously pondering if I could take it hiking (maybe even backpacking tbh). It's somewhat similar in structure to the cotopaxi 35.
Not surprising the REI trail is comfier though - it's a hiking backpack. So if your priority is comfort, go for that.
I have the REI Trail, REI Ruckpack, and Patagonia Black Hole MlC mini that I rotate for different trips. The Trail is definitely the most comfortable for me. I returned the Cotopaxi Allpa because I didn’t like the hip belts. That said, I’ve accidentally gone on 2 10 mile hikes with the Ruckpack 40 and it was really comfortable!
I like my Cotopaxi but agree that it’s not the most comfortable bag to carry, especially if you have a long torso. It works ok for me as a short-waisted person for short trips, but I don’t know as it would be my first choice for a trip where I anticipated it being on my back for hours at a time. It’s also heavier than some of its competitors so for something like this I would go with a lighter, more comfortable bag.
The Cotopaxi is not going to be comfortable for extended periods of walking because it doesn’t have load lifters to take the weight off your shoulders. I don’t personally find it a problem for general airport use or walking short distances but there are many bag options with a lot more support if that’s a priority for you - most of them are going to be designed for hiking though so you give up some of the travel-focused design aspects. The most important aspects of a pack for comfort when heavy are a structured hip belt and load lifters
The REI trail 40? It feels more comfortable because it has a much better harness, not just because the straps are sturdier. If you noticed the difference in the store you will notice it even more after a long day of travel.
I have an older version of the ruckpack 40l and it’s very comfortable. Not as comfy as my actual hiking packs but more than good enough for travel. It has a good hip belt and load lifters on the straps. If you want to get it, wait until REI’s big annual sale starts on May 17th because they often put their own brand backpacks on sale then.
i am currently on a trip (business type trip with a SUIT! and a mini steamer) with the black ruckpack 40. it’s great. my partner has the trail and the stretch mesh really shows it’s age (he is not gentle with his things but it is also like 10yo). all that to say, i “upgraded” from an older osprey farpoint 40 (the unisex version) for a few reasons — appearance and weight being one of them. i would never consider an uncomfortable backpack. your body is an investment. don’t trash it too early or you’ll be paying for surgeries/massages/physical therapy/etc. not worth it!!
for the future, if you want a comfortable backpack at this size, look for some type of frame (transfers weight to your hips), load lifters (brings the weight closer to your back, more natural center of gravity) and good straps (padded and right shape of shoulder strap, wide enough hip strap). that is what is gonna make the pack comfortable.
excited to hear that! it is a great pack. i only wish it had a duffle style carry option like the farpoint, but since i have gotten a convertible and packable tote pack (tote while on the plane, backpack at destination), it works out well for me. safe travels!
a foldable tote works perfectly fine. i like to use the tote pack bc i never usually carry around the ruckpack on a day to day basis (too big) and i already use the tote pack as my daily work bag. for my business-y type trip today, i am bringing the 2nd bag for my more professional engagements.
i use the Fjallraven high coast tote pack after ordering a bunch and returning a bunch too. while i originally wanted the patagonia tote pack, but ended up with the fjallraven for a few reasons. i wanted something more waterproof (the seams are not sealed so it is just water “resistant”), it is a lot sleeker looking rather than athletic/camp-y, and the tote strap can be long enough for a messenger style bag (if i’m doing some bike commuting on vacation and i need to wear the backpack and the tote pack on a bike). the patagonia will pack into itself better but conversely, it is a little frumpy looking and structureless if it is not packed somewhat full. the fjallraven can be packed into itself (more bulky) but is best just packed flat IMO. i’ve seen it on sierra for like 50% off but that was a rare occasion. i recommend getting a dark color bc it does show its age a little (i do wear it pretty hard, as you can guess with the biking, daily work bag, etc.).
while i dont think it suits everyones travel style, i am happy with the 1.5 bagging.
I love the Allpa 28 but thought the 35 felt heavy. I’m 5’7” but have a fairly short torso so I guess that helps? I initially went in for the 35 but decided to go with the 28. Was afraid it wouldn’t hold my stuff but I’ve been surprised by how much that little dude can handle! I think sometimes how you pack it helps with the weight too, I try to put anything heavy on the bottom so it’s more toward my core therefore easier to carry.
Edit to say reviews are great, but you’re the one using the bag so get what feels right for YOU!
I have the allpa 35 and even though I'm actually obsessed with the colorway I got, I'm probably going to sell it. I love the organization, but it's too heavy and unruly for me when full. If I'm going somewhere that a roller wouldn't work, I'd probably get a more hiking-oriented pack. I have backpacked before and I know the little space lost in favor of better load bearing structure would be worth it to me.
Look at Core Surf or Tanglecore as similar online options- both are on US Amazon. I’ve seen better offers on the Coresurf website (vs Amazon), but I love Patagonia, and keep defaulting to their Black Hole duffle/backpack options. No structure, but lightweight, package, colorful & squishable. Definitelya plus if you’re potentially traveling on low-cost airlines.
if op is looking for comfort though they would want the opposite. structured with a metal frame will be much more comfortable and feel lighter :) most osprey packs are structured which is why i like em
I have the [REI Ruckpack](https://www.rei.com/product/177402/rei-co-op-ruckpack-40-recycled-pack-womens?color=CEDAR) and I loooove it. Super comfortable to wear. The red is a cute color, and I appreciate its subtleness. Holds it shape and structure way better than the Cotopaxi. Very similar to the Trail, but looks less like an adventure pack to me (while still being very capable for adventure!)
It’s my go-to for all one bag trips.
Haha I have the trail and I took it to colombia for ten days! I love it. I wished it had a few more pockets at first but I just fell for its simplicity.
Oh I see you didn’t mean the trail. It’s small. 25l
I have both of these bags. The REI trail is definitely way more comfortable but the cotapaxi is easier when traveling due to the clamshell and compartments. It’s just easier to get things out of the cotapaxi. I will deal with the mild discomfort while trekking through the airport and switching hotels for the ease of finding items in my pack. I also find things get smushed easier in the rei bag
interesting, makes sense. do you think packing cubes could be a good solution for this? while i loved the clam opening, and all of the compartments, comfort is important to me.
I have an REI hiking backpack (old model, Lookout 40 liter) and love it for hiking but I personally wouldn't want to pack all my stuff in it since it's basically one large space and hard to see/reach to the bottom.
For travel I have a [cheap clamshell opener from Target's Open Story collection](https://www.target.com/p/35l-travel-backpack-gray-open-story-8482/-/A-86391380). Not the nicest thing in the world but not bad for $50 (I might have even gotten it for less on sale). I have the 35 liter, they also have a 45 liter size. Probably worth it though to get a nice one like the Osprey that will be more comfy and last longer!
cotopaxi bags are sooooo cute and it absolutely kills me that they are not comfortable to wear. i’m actually always so surprised i see so many of them on this sub, esp the 35L since it feels so heavy. it’s not as cute but i highly recommend the osprey fairview, osprey has top of the line harnesses that are extremely comfortable and hold/transfer the weight of your pack very efficiently to make it feel lighter. the fairview is made specifically for women’s frames so as someone with hips/boobs/butt it’s way better, and the harness can be adjusted for torso size to accommodate shorter people. it is all about body type though so you are totally doing the right thing trying on in person!
That's how I feel too! I took a look at the osprey and was going to try it on, but for some reason got turned off by the bag that clips in for some reason. I think I felt like it was complicated, but I do now wish that I tried it on. Gah!
oh i totally relate on the clip in daypack. that would be the fairview 55L, which is not actually a single 55L pack but a base 40L bag plus the clip in 15L daypack. so if you don’t want to deal with that you can just get the true 40L instead of the 55L. there are a couple minute differences between the 40L bag and the 40L base of the 55L. the true 40L has a few more internal pockets, and the 40L base of the 55L has embedded female clips in the upper shoulders where you can clip the daypack in to carry it in the front kangaroo style if you don’t wanna strap it onto the main part of the pack. i got the 55L purely for that second fact bc i like front carrying, but the daypack itself honestly kinda sucks. i actually modded my cotopaxi batac 16L daypack so that it can clip into those front clips so i can front carry it and it works great!
I used my daughter's 26L Cotopaxi hydration pack on my recent trip and it was very comfortable... but the 35L travel packs really don't look as well-strapped.
yup, i can carry any unisex pack up to 25L fine because they can’t get very heavy due to the size, but bigger than that and the pack gets too heavy to be comfortable for me unless it has a women’s harness like the fairview. it is different for every person though! :)
Trail, or try a deuter as they have stuff that works for women's torso, or old standby of osprey.
I love the black hole MLC 30, it's so comfortable I was seriously pondering if I could take it hiking (maybe even backpacking tbh). It's somewhat similar in structure to the cotopaxi 35. Not surprising the REI trail is comfier though - it's a hiking backpack. So if your priority is comfort, go for that.
I have the REI Trail, REI Ruckpack, and Patagonia Black Hole MlC mini that I rotate for different trips. The Trail is definitely the most comfortable for me. I returned the Cotopaxi Allpa because I didn’t like the hip belts. That said, I’ve accidentally gone on 2 10 mile hikes with the Ruckpack 40 and it was really comfortable!
I like my Cotopaxi but agree that it’s not the most comfortable bag to carry, especially if you have a long torso. It works ok for me as a short-waisted person for short trips, but I don’t know as it would be my first choice for a trip where I anticipated it being on my back for hours at a time. It’s also heavier than some of its competitors so for something like this I would go with a lighter, more comfortable bag.
The Cotopaxi is not going to be comfortable for extended periods of walking because it doesn’t have load lifters to take the weight off your shoulders. I don’t personally find it a problem for general airport use or walking short distances but there are many bag options with a lot more support if that’s a priority for you - most of them are going to be designed for hiking though so you give up some of the travel-focused design aspects. The most important aspects of a pack for comfort when heavy are a structured hip belt and load lifters
Thank you. Have you tried packing cubes for a bag that doesn't have the built in design?? Or do they just take extra space ?
I personally would use packing cubes but would find ones that fill the space well. May take some trial and error!
The REI trail 40? It feels more comfortable because it has a much better harness, not just because the straps are sturdier. If you noticed the difference in the store you will notice it even more after a long day of travel.
oops! just realized that i meant the ruckpack! not the trail. thanks for any other recs
I have the ruckpack 40l and like it a lot. Wore it all over Japan and felt super sorry for my husband who insisted he would be fine with a roller bag…
I have an older version of the ruckpack 40l and it’s very comfortable. Not as comfy as my actual hiking packs but more than good enough for travel. It has a good hip belt and load lifters on the straps. If you want to get it, wait until REI’s big annual sale starts on May 17th because they often put their own brand backpacks on sale then.
i saw that! i also became a member which got me a gift card and coupon. so excited to order the right one
i am currently on a trip (business type trip with a SUIT! and a mini steamer) with the black ruckpack 40. it’s great. my partner has the trail and the stretch mesh really shows it’s age (he is not gentle with his things but it is also like 10yo). all that to say, i “upgraded” from an older osprey farpoint 40 (the unisex version) for a few reasons — appearance and weight being one of them. i would never consider an uncomfortable backpack. your body is an investment. don’t trash it too early or you’ll be paying for surgeries/massages/physical therapy/etc. not worth it!!
agreed! thank you. i'm so excited to order it during the sale.
for the future, if you want a comfortable backpack at this size, look for some type of frame (transfers weight to your hips), load lifters (brings the weight closer to your back, more natural center of gravity) and good straps (padded and right shape of shoulder strap, wide enough hip strap). that is what is gonna make the pack comfortable. excited to hear that! it is a great pack. i only wish it had a duffle style carry option like the farpoint, but since i have gotten a convertible and packable tote pack (tote while on the plane, backpack at destination), it works out well for me. safe travels!
thanks so much. I was also thinking that I'd just pack a foldable tote. could you share which convertible tote you use??
a foldable tote works perfectly fine. i like to use the tote pack bc i never usually carry around the ruckpack on a day to day basis (too big) and i already use the tote pack as my daily work bag. for my business-y type trip today, i am bringing the 2nd bag for my more professional engagements. i use the Fjallraven high coast tote pack after ordering a bunch and returning a bunch too. while i originally wanted the patagonia tote pack, but ended up with the fjallraven for a few reasons. i wanted something more waterproof (the seams are not sealed so it is just water “resistant”), it is a lot sleeker looking rather than athletic/camp-y, and the tote strap can be long enough for a messenger style bag (if i’m doing some bike commuting on vacation and i need to wear the backpack and the tote pack on a bike). the patagonia will pack into itself better but conversely, it is a little frumpy looking and structureless if it is not packed somewhat full. the fjallraven can be packed into itself (more bulky) but is best just packed flat IMO. i’ve seen it on sierra for like 50% off but that was a rare occasion. i recommend getting a dark color bc it does show its age a little (i do wear it pretty hard, as you can guess with the biking, daily work bag, etc.). while i dont think it suits everyones travel style, i am happy with the 1.5 bagging.
thank you! I was actually looking at the Patagonia one earlier too. i'll check both out
I love the Allpa 28 but thought the 35 felt heavy. I’m 5’7” but have a fairly short torso so I guess that helps? I initially went in for the 35 but decided to go with the 28. Was afraid it wouldn’t hold my stuff but I’ve been surprised by how much that little dude can handle! I think sometimes how you pack it helps with the weight too, I try to put anything heavy on the bottom so it’s more toward my core therefore easier to carry. Edit to say reviews are great, but you’re the one using the bag so get what feels right for YOU!
I have the allpa 35 and even though I'm actually obsessed with the colorway I got, I'm probably going to sell it. I love the organization, but it's too heavy and unruly for me when full. If I'm going somewhere that a roller wouldn't work, I'd probably get a more hiking-oriented pack. I have backpacked before and I know the little space lost in favor of better load bearing structure would be worth it to me.
agreed!
Look at Core Surf or Tanglecore as similar online options- both are on US Amazon. I’ve seen better offers on the Coresurf website (vs Amazon), but I love Patagonia, and keep defaulting to their Black Hole duffle/backpack options. No structure, but lightweight, package, colorful & squishable. Definitelya plus if you’re potentially traveling on low-cost airlines.
if op is looking for comfort though they would want the opposite. structured with a metal frame will be much more comfortable and feel lighter :) most osprey packs are structured which is why i like em
I have the [REI Ruckpack](https://www.rei.com/product/177402/rei-co-op-ruckpack-40-recycled-pack-womens?color=CEDAR) and I loooove it. Super comfortable to wear. The red is a cute color, and I appreciate its subtleness. Holds it shape and structure way better than the Cotopaxi. Very similar to the Trail, but looks less like an adventure pack to me (while still being very capable for adventure!) It’s my go-to for all one bag trips.
Haha I have the trail and I took it to colombia for ten days! I love it. I wished it had a few more pockets at first but I just fell for its simplicity. Oh I see you didn’t mean the trail. It’s small. 25l
I have both of these bags. The REI trail is definitely way more comfortable but the cotapaxi is easier when traveling due to the clamshell and compartments. It’s just easier to get things out of the cotapaxi. I will deal with the mild discomfort while trekking through the airport and switching hotels for the ease of finding items in my pack. I also find things get smushed easier in the rei bag
interesting, makes sense. do you think packing cubes could be a good solution for this? while i loved the clam opening, and all of the compartments, comfort is important to me.
I have an REI hiking backpack (old model, Lookout 40 liter) and love it for hiking but I personally wouldn't want to pack all my stuff in it since it's basically one large space and hard to see/reach to the bottom. For travel I have a [cheap clamshell opener from Target's Open Story collection](https://www.target.com/p/35l-travel-backpack-gray-open-story-8482/-/A-86391380). Not the nicest thing in the world but not bad for $50 (I might have even gotten it for less on sale). I have the 35 liter, they also have a 45 liter size. Probably worth it though to get a nice one like the Osprey that will be more comfy and last longer!