Our Favorite Backpack Brand Made a Suitcase — and It’s Pretty Good
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We’re longtime fans ofCotopaxi’s Allpa, abackpack for suitcase peoplewith a clamshell opening style and useful internal compartments for separating different items of clothing. In April, the brand announced it had come out with an actualsuitcase, the hard-side Coraza. That’s right: asuitcaseforbackpack people.I called in a test unit immediately to take a closer look — here’s everything I noticed.
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It’s designed for easy repair
The Coraza is billed as a durable, all-terrain suitcase with four replaceable double spinner wheels (the replacements are $5 each on Cotopaxi’s website, and purchasing separately means you can design a custom suitcase with different-colored wheels on each corner) and two removable “portable closet” sleeves inside. Made from recyclable materials, it comes in two sizes: carry-on and medium-checked. Rather than a wraparound zip, it closes via two combination-lock latches that are similar to those you’d find on a Rimowa. These too are replaceable, but you’ll need to contact the brand and order new latches rather than ordering straight from the website.
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I’m neutral on latch-lock suitcases. Broken latches are easier to replace than broken zippers, but they’re probably more likely to break in the first place. They’re a particularly poor choice for people who frequently overstuff their suitcases, as they simply can’t take the strain. Sitting on your suitcase a lot? Opt for a zip-around. If you do like latches, though, these ones spring open and clack shut with ease. And the Coraza’s internal sleeves to some extent prevent overpacking in the first place.
I like that the Coraza’s textured polycarbonate shell (complete with ridges and corner bumpers to reduce shock when it gets tumbled about) is much more scratch-resistant than smoother designs from competing brands like Away. A small but relevant detail to some: It’s harder to attach stickers to a textured suitcase.
The ‘removable closet’ helps save hotel floor space
The Coraza opens up to reveal two symmetrical compartments, each with a removable sleeve inside that’s made from colorful see-through mesh. So rather than living out of your suitcase, you can quickly remove the sleeves, then wheel it aside until it’s time to repack. Thissaves on hotel floor spaceand generally makes the experience of picking out your outfit each morning more pleasant.
Essentially just large packing cubes that hang easily (and you could also put your own smaller packing cubes inside of them for more custom organization), Cotopaxi’s removable sleeves are more versatile than collapsible closets with “shelves” offered by brands like Away and Monos, which take more time and effort to pack and only make sense for travelers who are staying in one hotel for a prolonged period.
The wheels and handle are smooth and sturdy
I’ve written previously about how mostsuitcases in the $300-plus rangehave exactly the same Hinomoto spinner wheels. Cotopaxi has opted for rubberized skateboard-style wheels instead, and these are an alternative worth considering. They look cute and spin smoothly, but the ever-so-slightly squishy rubber coating provides a little bit of friction and stops the suitcase from rolling away from you when standing on a moving airport train. They also have fewer nooks and crannies for dirt and debris to get stuck in compared to Hinomotos. Being coated in a softer material than plastic, I can definitely see how they might wear down over time — hence the brand’s replacement program.
Made from metal, the Coraza’s handle is as robust as the competitors (and could easily loop over the handle of your purse, backpack, or otherpersonal item), but it has only two height settings as opposed to the more conventional three.
It’s more suitcase than backpack
Cotopaxi is an adventure travel brand, but this suitcase feels more suited to frequent travelers who take a lot of hotel vacations and work trips and want to reallyrelyon their luggage rather than worrying about having to replace it entirely every couple of years. It’s a durable (yet repairable, if anything goes wrong) design with a simple but clever internal organization system at a price point that undercuts direct-to-consumer competitors like Away and July and is obviously far more affordable than $700-plus buy-it-for-life options from brands likeTumi and Briggs & Riley.
Cotopaxi makes a wheeled duffel Allpa that’s a more in-between option for travelers who go off the beaten path. If you’re looking for a piece of luggage that can do both, I like Eagle Creek’s convertible rolling backpack — it has wheels for rolling down the street and straps for when you encounter stairs.
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Some more suitcases we like
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