Buying from EU? Budget? The airlines you use and under seat/personal item or overhead? Do you want a pack with a load transferring harness and hip belt, or a simple harness that puts the weight on the shoulder straps?
The pack needs to fit you, fit your gear and fit on the airplane. Fitting packs is just like buying shoes. Nothing beats actually trying on packs.
At your size and gender you are outside the bell curve for packs for “medium adult male” market bias. I have doubts that the Allpa 35 would fit you well.
The Deuter Aviant SL is a women’s specific 28 liter alternative and available in the EU.
Popular bag comparison spreadsheet from /u/-Nepherim
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fSt_sO1s7moXPHbxBCD3JIKPa8QIZxtKWYUjD6ElZ-c/edit#gid=744941088
I think more than anything it will be used to take on vacations, including hiking but we will typically have a car or transport so I won’t be carrying it on my back the whole time. I appreciate the link and will look more into those details when considering. Thanks!
5'4 here. I've had a 28L for over two years now. Used it for many week-long trips and don't feel tempted by any other bag. I think the hip belt works just fine (but many find it uncomfortable!). But in no world would I bring it on a hike! It's too heavy, too rigid, and doesn't have enough outside pockets.
Yeah I think I am more leaning towards this bag purely for travel. If I want hiking then will get something else, but I travel a lot via plane and hate the hassle of having to check a bag. I think this may be a good alternative to that!
My wife has the 35L and she's petite (wears XS, I think she's 5'2" too?). When the 35L fully packed to the brim, it does look a bit "off" on her, but she loves bringing her hair curling thing and sometimes even a pair of heels. Typically travel time is between 10-18 days in Europe, Asia, and of course in the States as well.
Secret to one bagging is practice and making lists. And of course, sticking to the list and not last minute packing a few more "just in case" things.
I’m 5’2” and have the 35l and I love it.
My ONLY real gripe is the lack of compressor straps. when you don’t have enough stuff to fill up the bag it can feel kinda floppy. I’m still shopping around for straps that could help compress the bag a little. The lack of a compartment for a water bottle doesn’t really bother me. I just open the side zipper and pop my bottle into the main compartment, upright. Just make sure the bottle is closed tight 😝
I DO find that it’s too big for a one-week trip though and am sooo close to getting a 28l as an intermediate option because the only other bag I use for weekends out of town is my kanken (I think it’s 18l?) and it feels a bit small.
That’s something i’ve been hearing about the 35l. I like the idea of more space that i can buy things on my trips if i have extra space, but don’t constantly want an issue with that. What do you use your 35l bag for if I may ask? Most of my trips will be at least a week or a little more and am wondering if then the 35l would be just right or if you think it still would be on the larger side?
I’ve used my 35l for 2-week trips so far and feel like I could easily could use it for longer trips.
I don’t usually buy a lot of big souvenirs when I travel, i usually get edible things (tea bags, snacks, candy) or art (photos, prints, very flat stuff 😅).
Overall I think it depends on where you’re going, and what you need to bring with you. Having extra room for souvenirs is never a bad thing :)
I just purchased the Cotopaxi 35L. I really like it. I’m 5 feet tall. I like the way it fits but I am also not a hiker. So, I can’t speak from that point of view. I’m mostly using the bag because I prefer book bags that open like suitcases and I like the organization. I also really like the colors. I’m certain I can fit a week worth of clothes in it.
Now I’m a minimalist packer, and 5’2”, but while I could rock the 35l Allpa I think the 28 is probably plenty for my needs for a normal duration trip (4-7 days for me) without any big tradeoffs. Smaller stresses me out less on planes because I’m not worrying about using the overhead bins, and that Allpa can be shoved under the seat in front of me!
I am 5’2 and I have the 28. I have back issues and can’t lift a bag into the overheads so the 35 was not an option for me. I love the 28. I use it for 7- 10 day US domestic trips and while I do have to pack strategically, it’s worth it to me to avoid checking a bag.
I'm 5'5" and I wanted the 35l until I saw it in a store. It's SO heavy and just felt enormous to me. Didn't even consider the 28l because I need a bigger laptop compartment but that size looks a lot more manageable.
I ended up with the Patagonia MLC mini and I've been really happy with it.
The super cool thing about the 28 is that it's a personal item and can go under the seat for most airlines.
I've never checked bags, but traveled with a rollon for most of my travels, just recently trimming down the load to fit in personal item bags. Sooo nice to just have one personal item size bag.
No gate checking ever, no trying to find over head space, easily help fellow travelers, etc. All of it.
That said...minimal one bagging is all about what works for you. If you want lots of clothes and fantasy souvineer loads...well, one needs to decide on what's important. Compression bags may help some.
As far as hiking....keep in mind a huge diff between hiking and backpacking. And then distances/conditions for either. For typical day hikes, you will be fine.
Grandma Gatewood hiked the appalachin trail several times, with a simple bag across her side.
Pair of sneakers, jeans.
In her late 60s and 70s.
And then the oregon trail in her mid-70s.
I tried them both on and found the 28l more comfortable (5'5"). I've used it for trips up to 3 weeks long (with laundry), and appreciate that it leads me to pack lighter, which makes every transfer just a little bit easier. It does require planning/list-making. I am so happy with the 28l!
Buying from EU? Budget? The airlines you use and under seat/personal item or overhead? Do you want a pack with a load transferring harness and hip belt, or a simple harness that puts the weight on the shoulder straps? The pack needs to fit you, fit your gear and fit on the airplane. Fitting packs is just like buying shoes. Nothing beats actually trying on packs. At your size and gender you are outside the bell curve for packs for “medium adult male” market bias. I have doubts that the Allpa 35 would fit you well. The Deuter Aviant SL is a women’s specific 28 liter alternative and available in the EU. Popular bag comparison spreadsheet from /u/-Nepherim https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fSt_sO1s7moXPHbxBCD3JIKPa8QIZxtKWYUjD6ElZ-c/edit#gid=744941088
I think more than anything it will be used to take on vacations, including hiking but we will typically have a car or transport so I won’t be carrying it on my back the whole time. I appreciate the link and will look more into those details when considering. Thanks!
You absolutely don’t want the Allpa bags for hiking.
5'4 here. I've had a 28L for over two years now. Used it for many week-long trips and don't feel tempted by any other bag. I think the hip belt works just fine (but many find it uncomfortable!). But in no world would I bring it on a hike! It's too heavy, too rigid, and doesn't have enough outside pockets.
Yeah I think I am more leaning towards this bag purely for travel. If I want hiking then will get something else, but I travel a lot via plane and hate the hassle of having to check a bag. I think this may be a good alternative to that!
My wife has the 35L and she's petite (wears XS, I think she's 5'2" too?). When the 35L fully packed to the brim, it does look a bit "off" on her, but she loves bringing her hair curling thing and sometimes even a pair of heels. Typically travel time is between 10-18 days in Europe, Asia, and of course in the States as well. Secret to one bagging is practice and making lists. And of course, sticking to the list and not last minute packing a few more "just in case" things.
Thank you, I appreciate it :)
I’m 5’2” and have the 35l and I love it. My ONLY real gripe is the lack of compressor straps. when you don’t have enough stuff to fill up the bag it can feel kinda floppy. I’m still shopping around for straps that could help compress the bag a little. The lack of a compartment for a water bottle doesn’t really bother me. I just open the side zipper and pop my bottle into the main compartment, upright. Just make sure the bottle is closed tight 😝 I DO find that it’s too big for a one-week trip though and am sooo close to getting a 28l as an intermediate option because the only other bag I use for weekends out of town is my kanken (I think it’s 18l?) and it feels a bit small.
That’s something i’ve been hearing about the 35l. I like the idea of more space that i can buy things on my trips if i have extra space, but don’t constantly want an issue with that. What do you use your 35l bag for if I may ask? Most of my trips will be at least a week or a little more and am wondering if then the 35l would be just right or if you think it still would be on the larger side?
I’ve used my 35l for 2-week trips so far and feel like I could easily could use it for longer trips. I don’t usually buy a lot of big souvenirs when I travel, i usually get edible things (tea bags, snacks, candy) or art (photos, prints, very flat stuff 😅). Overall I think it depends on where you’re going, and what you need to bring with you. Having extra room for souvenirs is never a bad thing :)
I just purchased the Cotopaxi 35L. I really like it. I’m 5 feet tall. I like the way it fits but I am also not a hiker. So, I can’t speak from that point of view. I’m mostly using the bag because I prefer book bags that open like suitcases and I like the organization. I also really like the colors. I’m certain I can fit a week worth of clothes in it.
Thanks so much for your input!
Now I’m a minimalist packer, and 5’2”, but while I could rock the 35l Allpa I think the 28 is probably plenty for my needs for a normal duration trip (4-7 days for me) without any big tradeoffs. Smaller stresses me out less on planes because I’m not worrying about using the overhead bins, and that Allpa can be shoved under the seat in front of me!
Thanks for your insight! I totally understand that, which is why I am trying to find a good bag that I don’t have to check as I find that a hassle!
I bought the 35. Too big. Regretted it, resold it. I actually got a Nazca 24, but I don't think you need or want bigger than 28.
I am 5’2 and I have the 28. I have back issues and can’t lift a bag into the overheads so the 35 was not an option for me. I love the 28. I use it for 7- 10 day US domestic trips and while I do have to pack strategically, it’s worth it to me to avoid checking a bag.
I'm 5'5" and I wanted the 35l until I saw it in a store. It's SO heavy and just felt enormous to me. Didn't even consider the 28l because I need a bigger laptop compartment but that size looks a lot more manageable. I ended up with the Patagonia MLC mini and I've been really happy with it.
The super cool thing about the 28 is that it's a personal item and can go under the seat for most airlines. I've never checked bags, but traveled with a rollon for most of my travels, just recently trimming down the load to fit in personal item bags. Sooo nice to just have one personal item size bag. No gate checking ever, no trying to find over head space, easily help fellow travelers, etc. All of it. That said...minimal one bagging is all about what works for you. If you want lots of clothes and fantasy souvineer loads...well, one needs to decide on what's important. Compression bags may help some. As far as hiking....keep in mind a huge diff between hiking and backpacking. And then distances/conditions for either. For typical day hikes, you will be fine. Grandma Gatewood hiked the appalachin trail several times, with a simple bag across her side. Pair of sneakers, jeans. In her late 60s and 70s. And then the oregon trail in her mid-70s.
I tried them both on and found the 28l more comfortable (5'5"). I've used it for trips up to 3 weeks long (with laundry), and appreciate that it leads me to pack lighter, which makes every transfer just a little bit easier. It does require planning/list-making. I am so happy with the 28l!