Our review: A good-looking, well-designed and comfortable daypack ideal for short day hikes and casual use, but the drawstring closure makes it an impractical choice for year-round, wet weather adventures
Buy now from Cotopaxi (£65.00), Amazon (£82.45)
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First impressions
Cotopaxi rucksacks are easy to spot in a crowd, or in the hills, thanks to the brand’s vibrant, colourful and patchwork-esque designs, and the Luzon 24L backpack certainly follows suit. The eye-catching daypack is made up of over 10 different colours, making it a hit with fellow hikers who were quick to comment on the bag’s attractive appearance.
So, points for aesthetics, but how does the Luzon 24L backpack perform?
On first glance, the daypack feels incredibly lightweight yet robust, and the mesh shoulder straps are notably thin. An usual feature is the exposed top drawstring closure, which immediately rules this bag out for wet weather adventures (unless you have a trusty waterproof cover to hand).
Comfort
The Luzon is comfortable to wear which we’d say is primarily down to the ultralight mesh shoulder straps. Rather than sitting on top of your shoulder due to thick padding, the flexible, soft straps mould nicely to your body so there’s no uncomfortable digging in or sore points. The thin straps also make the lightweight bag easy to roll up for easy packing and storage.
There are two straps for added support: one across your chest, and another to sit around your waist. Again, we found the straps comfortable on short day hikes, and there’s plenty of adjustment room. They are a lot thinner than the more supportive straps you’d find on a larger pack designed for multi-day hikes, but if you're just carrying a few day walk essentials, such as water, a waterproof jacket and your lunch, you'll be fine.
What’s the storage like?
Organisation is impressive, with plenty of zipped pockets and compartments to keep items separated. There’s a large main compartment — ideal for extra clothing and food supplies — while the zippered shoe pocket and internal divider on the back is handy for picnic rugs, maps and books if you’re travelling.
The front zipped pocket is the right size for a phone and purse, and you’ve got two large stretchy net pockets on the side for water bottles. We’d say the side pockets are too large to hold an everyday 500ml/600ml bottle, as we had issues with ours slipping out when moving the bag from A to B. If you’re carrying a one litre bottle however, the generously sized pockets are sure to come in useful.
What’s it made of?
As part of Cotopaxi’s Del Día collection, this bag is made of 100% repurposed nylon. Every item in the range is made from material left over from other brands’ production runs, making each design in the Del Día collection entirely unique. This sustainable approach won’t suit those looking for a specific colourway, but is sure to please those after a one-of-a-kind model.
Durability
We travelled far with this daypack, taking it on day hikes, trains and flights, and we had no problems with any wear and tear on test. The repurposed nylon is lightweight yet robust, so you don’t have to be too precious with the bag whilst out and about, and it doesn't weigh you down.
Good value?
With plenty of standout features, including the great-looking design, impressive eco-credentials and attention to detail on the pocket front, we’d say an RRP of £65 is decent value. However, the lack of cover over the drawstring closure makes this bag unsuitable for any wet weather trip. This means an additional waterproof backpack cover would have to be purchased if you’re planning to use this bag throughout the year, whatever the weather!
Best suited for:
Short and dry day hikes and holiday travel. With points for both practicality and design, you'll want to use this daypack whenever the weather lets you.
Facts at a glance
- RRP: £65.00
- Volume: 24L
- Colourways: Multi-colour (every pack is unique)
- Material: Repurposed nylon fabric
- Weight: 420g
Heading off on a multi-day hike and in the market for a larger pack? Check out the best hiking backpacks, reviewed by our team.
