Hi from Anthony and Jodie! We are the Learners and Makers. Traveling the world full time since 2022, we empower families and people with mobility disabilities to travel confidently, their way.

While our family gets ready for an epic travel day, Jodie and I realized something:

Most travelers do it backward.

They invest in expensive checked luggage, then grab whatever cheap backpack fits under the seat.

Throughout our 3 years of full-time family travel, we've flipped that approach. Our Cotopaxi Allpa 35L backpacks are our primary luggage. Our rolling suitcases? Supplemental.

(This email contains affiliate links. We became affiliates after years of using these packs. Affiliate links mean we may receive a commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see our full disclosure and privacy policy for further information. If not otherwise stated, all prices are intended in US$.)

Here's why it works:

Your backpack stays with you. Checked bags get delayed or lost. Carry-ons don't. When our essential items—clothing, tech, documents, toiletries—travel in our backpacks, we're covered even if our checked bags disappear.

Comfort matters more than you think. A poorly designed backpack causes fatigue fast. The Allpa's adjustable shoulder, hip, and chest straps distribute weight evenly. That’s especially crucial for Jodie. She walks with a prosthetic leg, so proper load distribution helps her reduce fatigue and discomfort over long travel days.

Organization prevents chaos. The Allpa opens clamshell-style (like a book) with zippered mesh panels that create distinct sections. We can use the space efficiently, balance weight distribution for comfort, and never have to dig around to find what we need.

As this email lands in your inbox, we're about to tackle a marathon travel day: Malaysia to the Middle East to the USA.

Sprawling airports, tight aisles, endless lines: We'll be exhausted.

But our backpacks? They'll make it manageable.

From Malaysia to Mexico to Morocco, our Allpas have organized our belongings and gotten us through countless grueling travel days, yet show minimal wear.

If you're shopping for a reliable travel backpack—for your own adventures or as a gift this holiday season—Cotopaxi's Allpa line offers sizes from 28L to 42L to match different travel styles:

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Thanks for reading! See you next time, and happy travels

Anthony & Jodie

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