So we got a water bottle pocket and lost a lot of the features of what made the older version so innovative. And it's $25 more. I'm going to try and pick up the original as soon as I can. Great comparison review, thanks!
Excellent and thorough old-vs-new comparison. I already have the old Allpa 35L; I am attracted to the look of the new one, especially the new features of an extra top-side mini-pocket and a side-pocket for water bottle (or umbrella). You highlighted the features of the old version that for me are superior - the small security loops for the zippers, the ability to access the main compartment from the side zipper (though it does seem to undermine the security aspect overall), the small "hidden" stash pockets inside, the included rain cover, AND the fact that the hipbelt is removable. I already have several excellent travel packs so it is unlikely that I will get the new version of the Allpa 35L, and your review highlighted the reasons why the various changes overall do not add up to a superior upgrade - the only obvious plus is the side pocket for a bottle; the improved side/bottom handles are nice but I rarely use them more than a "handful" of times in the course of a long trip, and usually only for a few seconds; the top handle, which remains the same, is the only one that gets a lot of use. I had forgotten the hipbelt on the old Allpa 35L is removable, since I always use it when it is fully packed up for a longer (road)trip, but now that I am reminded that its hipbelt is removable, it means that I can use it for ANOTHER travel backpack that has the hipbelt option as a separately-purchased item (e.g. the also excellent Thule Aion 40L Travel Pack; which can take the relatively high-priced $50 Thule Aion sling bag (emptied out) as a hipbelt insert). Also, the lack of an included rain cover on the new Allpa 35L is a fail - on any decent-length trip, rain is quite likely, and those 2 or 3 times that excellent rain cover protected my pack from getting drenched. (I still like bringing and using a mini-umbrella when the downpour is heavy; though a decent cap is perfectly workable for a light drizzle.)
This is a great video comparing the old and new. I wish I would have seen this before I ordered the newer version. I have to do more research on which one would be better for my use case but this information is really helpful. Thank you.
For someone who has the Allpa 28,38 and 42 packs the new one looks a little more functional for speed. I never like the quick access side zipper as I mix it up with the tech zipper. The loops for security just get in the way a lot when zipping it up. No water bottle holder is novel but annoying after a while. The interior small pocket dividers make these two small pockets unusable basically so taking away the divider is awesome. Rain cover on all 3 I removed for space and they are now lost brand new in storage somewhere... these aren't backpacking packs and to me unnecessary though cool to have. That's all! Great video.
Thanks for this, the new version is not as positive as I thought. If they had added the padding, secondary front pocket and water bottle pocket it would be a no brainer upgrade to me, but there are lots of small changes that aren't mentioned by Cotopaxi, they say they haven't changed the original design much but there are a lot of smaller things they've taken away for some reason that should have stayed. I'm now not so sure that I prefer the new one, making the hip belt non removable again is a backwards step. My two cents of course. One thing you didn't comment on is the front of the pack, they said they changed the front material, do you feel any difference?
Thanks for your comments. I agree with your observations. The TPU on the older version is slightly thicker and feels a bit rubbery to the touch, the newer version is like a matte finish and feels nicer to the touch and also I felt its not as thick (in a good way) the difference probably might be less than 0.5mm. I did not measure it with a caliper though.
@@mrulesoul interesting! I have the gen 1 allpa 35 and the front coating is peeling away quite badly, Cotopaxi say they won't cover a replacement under their guarantee. I hope the new version is more durable.
Any recommendations on what to model to get? I want to buy a cotopaxi 35L, but the 2024 version is 30 dollars more. Is it worth paying that for the newer version?
You will not go wrong with the new version, just the water bottle pocket and the front extra pocket are worth. However if you have use cases like mine where you need easy access to Main compartment or extra carabiner hooks or loops you will have to choose the older version. If you are a first time Allpa buyer you will love the newer version.
The new is still a great pack. The minor changes depends on how much use you have for them. If you don’t miss anything on your new pack you got a winner. Enjoy your Allpa on amazing travels.
So we got a water bottle pocket and lost a lot of the features of what made the older version so innovative. And it's $25 more. I'm going to try and pick up the original as soon as I can. Great comparison review, thanks!
Excellent and thorough old-vs-new comparison. I already have the old Allpa 35L; I am attracted to the look of the new one, especially the new features of an extra top-side mini-pocket and a side-pocket for water bottle (or umbrella). You highlighted the features of the old version that for me are superior - the small security loops for the zippers, the ability to access the main compartment from the side zipper (though it does seem to undermine the security aspect overall), the small "hidden" stash pockets inside, the included rain cover, AND the fact that the hipbelt is removable. I already have several excellent travel packs so it is unlikely that I will get the new version of the Allpa 35L, and your review highlighted the reasons why the various changes overall do not add up to a superior upgrade - the only obvious plus is the side pocket for a bottle; the improved side/bottom handles are nice but I rarely use them more than a "handful" of times in the course of a long trip, and usually only for a few seconds; the top handle, which remains the same, is the only one that gets a lot of use. I had forgotten the hipbelt on the old Allpa 35L is removable, since I always use it when it is fully packed up for a longer (road)trip, but now that I am reminded that its hipbelt is removable, it means that I can use it for ANOTHER travel backpack that has the hipbelt option as a separately-purchased item (e.g. the also excellent Thule Aion 40L Travel Pack; which can take the relatively high-priced $50 Thule Aion sling bag (emptied out) as a hipbelt insert). Also, the lack of an included rain cover on the new Allpa 35L is a fail - on any decent-length trip, rain is quite likely, and those 2 or 3 times that excellent rain cover protected my pack from getting drenched. (I still like bringing and using a mini-umbrella when the downpour is heavy; though a decent cap is perfectly workable for a light drizzle.)
Such a shame they don’t include the rain cover anymore!
Thank you for this review, I think I will be sticking to my old Cotopaxi Allpa
This is a great video comparing the old and new. I wish I would have seen this before I ordered the newer version. I have to do more research on which one would be better for my use case but this information is really helpful. Thank you.
Exceptional review, thanks so much for this!
Thanks for the breakdown. When the new one is full and heavy, can you feel the luggage handle on your back?
Good review. Ordered the new one, but wish it had some of the old features
Great review! Is the new one significantly lighter?
It is not, both weigh around 3 lbs without the rain cover.
Very good review! Based on your review, I do prefer the previous generation features over the new version.
For someone who has the Allpa 28,38 and 42 packs the new one looks a little more functional for speed. I never like the quick access side zipper as I mix it up with the tech zipper. The loops for security just get in the way a lot when zipping it up. No water bottle holder is novel but annoying after a while. The interior small pocket dividers make these two small pockets unusable basically so taking away the divider is awesome. Rain cover on all 3 I removed for space and they are now lost brand new in storage somewhere... these aren't backpacking packs and to me unnecessary though cool to have.
That's all! Great video.
Thanks for this, the new version is not as positive as I thought. If they had added the padding, secondary front pocket and water bottle pocket it would be a no brainer upgrade to me, but there are lots of small changes that aren't mentioned by Cotopaxi, they say they haven't changed the original design much but there are a lot of smaller things they've taken away for some reason that should have stayed. I'm now not so sure that I prefer the new one, making the hip belt non removable again is a backwards step.
My two cents of course.
One thing you didn't comment on is the front of the pack, they said they changed the front material, do you feel any difference?
Thanks for your comments. I agree with your observations. The TPU on the older version is slightly thicker and feels a bit rubbery to the touch, the newer version is like a matte finish and feels nicer to the touch and also I felt its not as thick (in a good way) the difference probably might be less than 0.5mm. I did not measure it with a caliper though.
@@mrulesoul interesting! I have the gen 1 allpa 35 and the front coating is peeling away quite badly, Cotopaxi say they won't cover a replacement under their guarantee. I hope the new version is more durable.
I got the older ALLPA 35L a few months ago. Fortunately for me I was able to find 2 of the oem Cotopaxi water bottle sleeves for it.
I didn’t know of such an option. Can you share details on the sleeve please. Thanks
Any recommendations on what to model to get? I want to buy a cotopaxi 35L, but the 2024 version is 30 dollars more. Is it worth paying that for the newer version?
You will not go wrong with the new version, just the water bottle pocket and the front extra pocket are worth. However if you have use cases like mine where you need easy access to Main compartment or extra carabiner hooks or loops you will have to choose the older version. If you are a first time Allpa buyer you will love the newer version.
Seems like the old is kinda better, shame. Just got their new black and neon 35l pack.
The new is still a great pack. The minor changes depends on how much use you have for them. If you don’t miss anything on your new pack you got a winner. Enjoy your Allpa on amazing travels.
Cotopaxi- lets make an update that's worse and charge more.
Whoever is talking the voice is so sexy!
New version looks in so many way as a downgrade