Osprey Farpoint 40 vs. Cotopaxi Allpa 35: The One-bag Travel Decision

Both clear the roughly 22 x 14 x 9 inch sizer most U.S. domestic airlines use: the Farpoint 40 measures 21.7 x 13.8 x 9.1 inches and the Allpa 35L measures 22 x 12 x 10 inches. But airlines set their own carry-on rules rather than following one federal standard, and FAA and TSA size guidance is a general reference point, not a promise any specific airline will accept a bag at the gate. International and budget carriers often run tighter limits, so check your airline’s own page before flying with either.

The Osprey Farpoint 40, if you’re carrying it loaded rather than rolling it or shuttling it in a car. Its LightWire internal frame and padded hipbelt move weight onto your hips the way a backpacking pack does, which matters once you’ve packed close to 40 liters. The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L has no internal frame, just a padded foam backpanel, so a fully loaded pack rides more on your shoulders over a long carry, even though it’s nearly a pound lighter empty.

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L’s shell, a TPU-coated 840-denier recycled nylon with a second DWR-and-PU-backed layer, is built to shed light rain, snow and spills. The Osprey Farpoint 40 uses a lighter 210-denier main fabric, 420-denier on the bottom, with a PFAS-free DWR coating but no TPU layer, so it holds up fine day to day but is more likely to let a heavier downpour through. Neither pack is submersible or fully waterproof.

Yes, both are built for it. The Farpoint 40 zips its harness, hipbelt and backpanel flush against the pack so nothing snags on a baggage carousel or conveyor belt. The Allpa 35L tucks its shoulder straps and hipbelt away the same way, and its main compartment locks with anti-theft YKK zippers, which matters more once the bag leaves your hands at check-in.

The Farpoint 40 opens through one large front panel, similar to most backpacking-style travel packs, so it lays mostly flat but not completely. The Allpa 35L unzips on three sides in a full wraparound zipper and folds open like an actual suitcase, with the main compartment split into one large section plus a medium and small pocket. If you pack with cubes and like laying everything out at once, the Allpa’s opening is closer to a hard-sided suitcase.

Both do, and neither requires much to make a claim. Osprey’s All Mighty Guarantee repairs any damage or defect for any reason, free of charge, no matter how old the pack is or whether you still have a receipt. Cotopaxi’s Guaranteed for Good program covers a lifetime warranty and repairs on the Allpa line, plus an option to trade the bag in toward a future purchase once it’s finally worn out.