I actually have this Taal tote along with the Allpa 35 backpack from Cotopaxi. I use them both together for world traveling - Europe, Latin America, Asia. After having used various other combinations over the years - backpack, with zip-off daypack, duffel bag, etc. - I find that this provides the best combination for me for check-in free travel. For the plane, train, or bus, my Allpa carries most of my stuff, and I use the Taal for stuff I need easy access to - travel docs, phone, I-Pad Mini, plus cables and chargers, snacks, water, fleece for cold planes, etc. For walking between transport and hotel/hostel, I have my Allpa on my back, and my Taal slung over my neck and one shoulder, lying in front of me - much better than the humpty-back monster look of main backpack on the back, and daypack on the front. When based at a hotel, I use my Taal to carry the things that I use during the day’s sightseeing - water, waterproof, fleece, collapsible umbrella, packed lunch, etc. I never pack it to the gills - don’t think that is the way it is intended to be used. As I say, for me, an ideal combination for round-the-world travel.
If you can embrace the bright colors these actually make great bags for vacation travel. The thin, no structure construction lets them roll or fold to pack into your normal luggage then they can be used on your walks and hikes at your destination leaving the bulky stuff in your room. While the backpack mode is not perfect it could be handy in crowded streets or venues taking up less room than a side carried bag. For a real messenger bag I would want structure and padding but for travel this would be a handy carryall type satchel
Thanks for the insight, Anthony! We love having a packable bag with us for situations as you described, and having one with the color scheme of the Cotopaxi could be a lot of fun on vacation. Thanks for the thoughtful comment 😃 -Eric
The colors are what they’re famous for, the factory workers get old material and get to choose what colors to use to make every bag, which is why they’re unique (they’re never the same bag twice ) so when you buy it you know you’ll be the only one with that color scheme , and they help you be visible when you need to be visible (especially in a lost on trail scenario) where being spotted can be life or death (albeit there’s other stuff for that this helps too) cotopaxi is an amazing brand everything is recycled and handmade . They actually source a lot of left over material from big companies to make their products. I love their jackets too and use their chalk bag as well ! Almost exclusively cotopaxi and Patagonia these days
Thanks! I was cinching the straps all the way such that the 2 side buckles were in the middle for the backpack feature and this is really uncomfortable as the buckles dig into your back. Glad to see you just cinch it part way for the backpack. That will work much better for me. I'll give it a try on my next trip.
I got one of these, and didn't like it at first as the backpack mode didn't work for me (I'm too big of a guy), but used it on a trip to mexico as my packable side bag. It works great, the size and shape is good, can fit beach towels, tablets, drinks, anything really, packs small too.
I found this video because I bought this bag today to use mostly for going to the gym and running errands and couldn’t figure out how to convert it to a backpack. I appreciate the thoughtful review!
I just got my bag today. While the colors may not all be what I would have chosen, being pleasantly surprised is part of the fun of this bag. The length of the strap is perfect for a shoulder bag, and it is roomy enough to use as a small travel bag or even a shopping bag. I have the Allpa28L backpack and this bag will be a good addition for carrying extra items that I want more readily at hand, such as my IPad, phone, paperback book, small water bottle, etc. Love Cotopaxi!😊❤
This is actually interesting when I thought it wouldn't. It's a great idea but poorly executed and probably overpriced. I mean those who have had a messenger bag always have been in a situation where they had to bring more load and wanted to wear it as a backpack. However, in this bag the fabric is so thin that it doesn't really makes sense to bring more than a couple of things. The padding is not hard to add either and clearly the strap and the system to make it into two looks cheap and not well thought out.
I hate this bag's strap. I love the look but the strap keeps lengthening and end up slapping against my thigh - too smooth and no teeth grip on slider buckles. As backpack, better, but I'm not a big fan of backpacks if I had choices of hip pack and messenger bags. Backpack style shortens the straps by a lot and would only fit smaller frames. You can use double straps by pulling the sliders together on top it is more secure that way and easier to open when you need to get inside it.
I suspect they place their order for materials with another company to ride on the trade discounts when buying in bulk. I don't believe they're scraps because they make a lot of bags esp of the same colors don't you notice?
I actually have this Taal tote along with the Allpa 35 backpack from Cotopaxi. I use them both together for world traveling - Europe, Latin America, Asia. After having used various other combinations over the years - backpack, with zip-off daypack, duffel bag, etc. - I find that this provides the best combination for me for check-in free travel. For the plane, train, or bus, my Allpa carries most of my stuff, and I use the Taal for stuff I need easy access to - travel docs, phone, I-Pad Mini, plus cables and chargers, snacks, water, fleece for cold planes, etc. For walking between transport and hotel/hostel, I have my Allpa on my back, and my Taal slung over my neck and one shoulder, lying in front of me - much better than the humpty-back monster look of main backpack on the back, and daypack on the front. When based at a hotel, I use my Taal to carry the things that I use during the day’s sightseeing - water, waterproof, fleece, collapsible umbrella, packed lunch, etc. I never pack it to the gills - don’t think that is the way it is intended to be used.
As I say, for me, an ideal combination for round-the-world travel.
If you can embrace the bright colors these actually make great bags for vacation travel. The thin, no structure construction lets them roll or fold to pack into your normal luggage then they can be used on your walks and hikes at your destination leaving the bulky stuff in your room. While the backpack mode is not perfect it could be handy in crowded streets or venues taking up less room than a side carried bag. For a real messenger bag I would want structure and padding but for travel this would be a handy carryall type satchel
Thanks for the insight, Anthony! We love having a packable bag with us for situations as you described, and having one with the color scheme of the Cotopaxi could be a lot of fun on vacation. Thanks for the thoughtful comment 😃
-Eric
The colors are what they’re famous for, the factory workers get old material and get to choose what colors to use to make every bag, which is why they’re unique (they’re never the same bag twice ) so when you buy it you know you’ll be the only one with that color scheme , and they help you be visible when you need to be visible (especially in a lost on trail scenario) where being spotted can be life or death (albeit there’s other stuff for that this helps too) cotopaxi is an amazing brand everything is recycled and handmade . They actually source a lot of left over material from big companies to make their products. I love their jackets too and use their chalk bag as well ! Almost exclusively cotopaxi and Patagonia these days
Thanks! I was cinching the straps all the way such that the 2 side buckles were in the middle for the backpack feature and this is really uncomfortable as the buckles dig into your back. Glad to see you just cinch it part way for the backpack. That will work much better for me. I'll give it a try on my next trip.
I got one of these, and didn't like it at first as the backpack mode didn't work for me (I'm too big of a guy), but used it on a trip to mexico as my packable side bag. It works great, the size and shape is good, can fit beach towels, tablets, drinks, anything really, packs small too.
I found this video because I bought this bag today to use mostly for going to the gym and running errands and couldn’t figure out how to convert it to a backpack. I appreciate the thoughtful review!
Thanks for watching! 😃
I love the color combination of your bag. When you’re tire off it please sell it to me 😂
The Cotopaxi Taal Convertible Tote looks like (color wise) a grade school kids bag.
Would a 15 inch laptop fit in there/ would that weight be okay!
I just got my bag today. While the colors may not all be what I would have chosen, being pleasantly surprised is part of the fun of this bag. The length of the strap is perfect for a shoulder bag, and it is roomy enough to use as a small travel bag or even a shopping bag. I have the Allpa28L backpack and this bag will be a good addition for carrying extra items that I want more readily at hand, such as my IPad, phone, paperback book, small water bottle, etc. Love Cotopaxi!😊❤
Was this bag provided by Cotopaxi for review?
This is actually interesting when I thought it wouldn't. It's a great idea but poorly executed and probably overpriced. I mean those who have had a messenger bag always have been in a situation where they had to bring more load and wanted to wear it as a backpack. However, in this bag the fabric is so thin that it doesn't really makes sense to bring more than a couple of things. The padding is not hard to add either and clearly the strap and the system to make it into two looks cheap and not well thought out.
Love the reviews! I recently saw a new bag from COR Surf that looks like the Cotopaxi Allpa bags. Can y’all do a a review/comparison!
Thanks for the suggestion, Angelina! 😃 I’ll pass it along.
-Eric
I hate this bag's strap. I love the look but the strap keeps lengthening and end up slapping against my thigh - too smooth and no teeth grip on slider buckles. As backpack, better, but I'm not a big fan of backpacks if I had choices of hip pack and messenger bags. Backpack style shortens the straps by a lot and would only fit smaller frames. You can use double straps by pulling the sliders together on top it is more secure that way and easier to open when you need to get inside it.
Thanks for sharing your insights! 🤙
-Eric
It is just too glaringly loud for me. The price and the fact that this is made from scraps are just a total mismatch
I suspect they place their order for materials with another company to ride on the trade discounts when buying in bulk. I don't believe they're scraps because they make a lot of bags esp of the same colors don't you notice?
In what world being environmentally friendly is not a plus lol