Cotopaxi Allpa Getaway Duffel Review
The Cotopaxi Allpa Getaway 55L ($175) strikes an impressive balance between easy packing, comfortable carrying, and a smart, traveler-friendly feature set. It’s not built for harsh expeditions or truly punishing weather, but for road trips, weekend adventures, or international travel, it nails the essentials with style. For most people who aren’t dragging a duffel across the high Andes, the Allpa is exactly the kind of lightweight, thoughtfully designed bag that makes travel feel smooth rather than stressful.
Organization
Durability
Water Resistance
Carrying Comfort
Weight & Packability
Sustainability
Capacities
55, 70, 100L
Carry Straps
Backpack
Weight
2 lb. 5 oz.
Fabric(s)
840D nylon
Waterproof
No
Pros
Cons
Cotopaxi Allpa Getaway 55L
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Duffel Bags.
The Cotopaxi Allpa sits in a sweet spot for travel duffels: noticeably smaller than the giant 70- to 100-liter bags but still roomy enough for multi-day trips. Despite its 55-liter capacity, it feels reasonable in hand and offers more usable space than some of the more rigid bags I’ve tested, which can be hard to pack fully. Its U-shaped lid opens wide, and while you do need to loosen or remove the backpack straps to fully access the main compartment, the zippers glide smoothly and never snag—an immediate improvement over my Base Camp.
Packing this bag is simple, thanks to the oversized lid and soft-sided construction. On the outside, a zippered 2-liter pocket sits above the backpack straps, large enough for books, a light sweatshirt, or travel essentials. Below the top carry handles, two hook-and-loop sleeves double as storage pockets or—as I often used them—as stowaway slots for the handles to keep them out of the way. Under the lid, a full-size mesh pocket holds small accessories like socks, gloves, or a headlamp. Organization-wise, the Cotopaxi Allpa Getaway feels closest to the Thule Chasm or the REI Co-op Big Haul, as they each offer simple, intuitive layouts and a few thoughtful extras.
Between its external daisy chains, internal key clip, and haul straps on both ends, the Allpa has a genuinely functional layout. My favorite feature, though, is the stowable handles. Being able to tuck them neatly into sleeves keeps the bag streamlined when checking it on a plane and prevents accidental tangles when I’m tossing it into a trunk or overhead bin. Overall, the Allpa nails usability without feeling overdesigned.
This duffel lands in a nice middle ground between user-friendly construction and travel-worthy longevity. The Allpa’s TPU-coated, 840-denier nylon shell feels high quality, even if it’s not as stout as burlier expedition models like The North Face Base Camp (PVC-coated, 1,000D polyester). I’ve used the Allpa on typical travel days—house to car to airport to plane—and after four checked flights, it still looks basically new. The zippers, seams, and pockets all feel solid, and I never worried about something blowing out mid-trip.
Compared to similar duffel bags, I’d place the Allpa just a notch below the Patagonia Black Hole in sheer toughness—the Black Hole’s 900-denier, TPU-coated polyester shell and PU-lined interior give it a slight edge. It’s comparable to the Big Haul and the Eagle Creek Migrate, both of which offer TPU coatings and rugged liners but vary in denier. The Allpa isn't meant for rugged mountain expeditions, but for car camping and international trips, it’s absolutely durable enough.
The Cotopaxi Allpa Getaway’s TPU-coated fabric provides better weather resistance than a simple DWR treatment, and the interior liner offers a reassuring second layer of protection should some water sneak through. While I haven’t carried it through sustained storms, light rain beads immediately off the fabric without any signs of wetting out. The overall feel is similar to the Black Hole, and I’d trust it on a rainy walk across town or through a downpour if you’re caught out on a tarmac.
Compared to other coated duffels, like the Big Haul and the Migrate, the Allpa lands in a similar tier of weather protection. It’s noticeably more weather-resistant than the Chasm, which uses only a DWR finish, and certainly more protective than thin-sided bags like the REI Double Haul. It’s not waterproof, of course, but for normal travel conditions, it’s more than capable.
This bag takes some of the sting out of overseas flights. I used the Cotopaxi Allpa Getaway 55L on a six-day trip to Norway, loaded with camp chairs, cooking gear, and several packing cubes—about 45 pounds total—and was pleasantly surprised by how manageable it felt. I rarely carried it for more than 15 or 20 minutes at a time, mostly through airports or between cars and my lodging, but it never felt unwieldy or fatiguing. Its relatively compact build kept the weight closer to my body than bulkier duffels, which helped enormously when it was stuffed full.
The Allpa’s backpack straps are padded, lined with air mesh for ventilation, and soft against the skin—much nicer than the rougher nylon straps on some of my other duffels. They’re also removable and supportive enough that I occasionally slung the bag over a single shoulder when I needed my back free; the bag lacks a dedicated shoulder strap, but this configuration worked just fine. The top carry handles are equally comfortable, thanks to a sturdy grip that clips together cleanly. The handles also tuck into dedicated sleeves below them, which keeps the Allpa’s silhouette clean and prevents straps from dangling or snagging while you’re in transit.
If I could add anything, it would be a hipbelt for longer hauls. But given that this is a duffel, not a travel pack, that omission doesn’t feel like a real downside. Compared to other bags with impressive carry that I’ve used—like the 71-liter North Face Base Camp and the 100-liter Patagonia Black Hole —the Allpa feels closest to the legendary Base Camp in comfort. Both have well-designed backpack straps and compact forms that hug the body, though the Base Camp’s cylindrical shape gives it a slight edge. Still, the Cotopaxi Allpa Getaway is unquestionably more comfortable than the huge—and therefore occasionally floppy—Black Hole simply due to its smaller size.
At just 2 pounds 5 ounces, the Allpa is one of the lightest duffel bags we’ve tested, eclipsed only by true budget models like the Amazon Essentials duffel (1 lb. 11.2 oz.) and the REI Roadtripper (1 lb. 2 oz.), both of which are much less durable and feature rich. Its weight-to-comfort ratio is excellent, especially given how well it carries when full. I love how compact and manageable the 55-liter size feels; even empty, the bag has an airy feel that makes it easy to maneuver.
This duffel stuffs neatly into its 15-inch by 8-inch storage pouch, which doubles as a packing cube—a genuinely useful touch. The handles and backpack straps both tuck away when not in use, keeping bulk to a minimum. While the Allpa is technically too large for TSA carry-on limits, its soft-sided design means you could squeeze it into overhead bins if you don’t fully pack it out.
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Longevity
Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
PFAS-Free Materials
This product's waterproofing is made without per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These synthetic compounds are known as "forever chemicals” because they take an extremely long time to degrade, if at all. PFAS can eventually end up in everything from soil to drinking water and have been linked to a range of health issues.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Repair Services
Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption, though programs vary widely. Some brands offer comprehensive repairs for a range of issues, while others provide limited or no repair support. A green check mark indicates a robust repair program, a yellow check mark indicates limited repair services, and a red X indicates the brand does not offer repair services.
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one or the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 55L ($169): Apples to Apples (Mostly)
The Black Hole and the Allpa Getaway have a lot in common. Both duffels share a boxy silhouette with a large lid, and have topside carry handles and removable backpack straps for transport. Their durability is also similar, with the Black Hole sporting a 900-denier polyester shell. Both shells are TPU coated, but only the Black Hole’s liner is PU-coated, giving it a slight edge in toughness. The Allpa, however, has a more comprehensive organizational layout, with two additional sleeves to store slim items (or the top carry handles when not needed). This makes using the bag in backpack mode smoother (you won’t accidentally slip an arm through a handle when putting the duffel on) and helps prevent snags. Both are great options and built to last. With only a $6 difference, maybe you should just pick the colorway you like best. To learn more, check out our Black Hole Duffel review.
Thule Chasm 70L Duffel ($180): Even Easier Packing
If you’re the kind of traveler who waits until the last minute to toss everything into a bag, the Chasm may be for you. It boasts an extra-large opening that, unlike the Allpa’s, extends past the base of its backpack straps, making it even easier to throw in the kitchen sink. It also has two additional internal pockets and a larger external pocket that can fit shoes or similarly sized items. The Allpa, meanwhile, offers two extra sleeves on the outside for flat items or for stowing its top carry handles (the Chasm’s handles strap down when not in use). Only the Chasm boasts external compression straps, though. Otherwise, both duffels include a carry pouch for storage, as well as reasonably comfy, removable backpack straps. The Chasm may be the ever-so-slightly more practical choice if you want a spacious opening, but if you’re looking to stand out in the crowd, the Allpa shines. For more, read our review of the Chasm Duffel.
The Allpa Getaway has pretty much everything you want in a crossover duffel. It's easy to pack, comfortable to carry, and comes with quality-of-life features that make traveling smoother. While it lacks the construction of a true expedition bag, it’ll more than meet the needs of most users.
Organization
Durability
Water Resistance
Carrying Comfort
Weight & Packability
Sustainability
The Black Hole is a rugged, weather-resistant duffel built for hauling heavy loads on backcountry expeditions and extended travel. Though pricier and less structured than some competitors, its durable build, roomy design, and comfortable backpack carry make it one of the best large-capacity duffels available.
Organization
Durability
Water Resistance
Carrying Comfort
Weight & Packability
Sustainability
The Chasm gets a lot right, from its comfortable carry and sturdy construction to its easy-to-pack main compartment. However, we wish its compression straps and haul handles offered the same level of support and usability.
Organization
Durability
Water Resistance
Carrying Comfort
Weight & Packability
Sustainability
Is the Allpa Getaway Duffel for You?
We think the Cotopaxi Allpa Getaway 55L is an excellent fit for anyone who loves Cotopaxi’s colorful, playful design ethos and wants a duffel that’s both practical and eye-catching. It’s ideal for national park road trips, weekend car camping, or even international travel, thanks to its easy packability and functional carry. Just don’t expect it to survive a rugged alpine expedition—it’s not built for that level of abuse. But for reasonably out-there jaunts like a train-served Machu Picchu trek or a Moab getaway, this duffel hits a wonderfully useful sweet spot.
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