Wednesday, March 5, 2025
HomeAdventureCotopaxi Batac 24L Backpack – Del Día Reviewed & Tested

Cotopaxi Batac 24L Backpack – Del Día Reviewed & Tested



Cotopaxi Batac 24L Backpack - Del Día Reviewed & Tested, photo via @jessleenehme, backpack, beach

Cotopaxi Batac 24L Backpack
Performance
85
Design
70
Comfort
75
Sustainability
90
Price
80
Pros
Unique, one-of-a-kind sustainable design
Lightweight
Excellent organisation options
Cons
Not fully waterproof
Not ideal for heavier loads
Laptop pocket is awkward
80

{“@context”: “http://schema.org/”,
“@type”: “Organization”,
“name”: “Cotopaxi Batac 24L Backpack”,”image”: [
“https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/storage.weareexplorers.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/05134833/Jess-coto-bag.jpg”
],”review”: {
“@type”: “Review”,
“reviewRating”: {
“@type”: “Rating”,
“worstRating”: “0”,
“ratingValue”: “80”,
“bestRating”: “100”
},
“author”: {
“@type”: “Person”,
“name”: “Jess Nehme”
},
“positiveNotes”: {
“@type”: “ItemList”,
“itemListElement”: [{
“@type”: “ListItem”,
“position”: “1”,
“name”: “Unique, one-of-a-kind sustainable design”
},
{
“@type”: “ListItem”,
“position”: “2”,
“name”: “Lightweight”
},
{
“@type”: “ListItem”,
“position”: “3”,
“name”: “Excellent organisation options”
}]
},
“negativeNotes”: {
“@type”: “ItemList”,
“itemListElement”: [{
“@type”: “ListItem”,
“position”: “1”,
“name”: “Not fully waterproof ”
},
{
“@type”: “ListItem”,
“position”: “2”,
“name”: “Not ideal for heavier loads”
},
{
“@type”: “ListItem”,
“position”: “3”,
“name”: “Laptop pocket is awkward”
}]
}}}

Explorer Jess adopted the Cotopaxi Batac 24L Backpack – Del Día as her bag of choice for three months to see how it coped with adventures and everyday life.

 

After a few months of traipsing along beaches, taking spontaneous urban adventures, and shoving way too much stuff into a 24L pack (it can handle an overnighter ok but isn’t so great for a week), I’m finally ready to dish out my thoughts on the Cotopaxi Batac 24L Backpack – Del Día.

 

It’s pretty much the same size as the average school bag

Why am I the right person to review this bag?

Aside from my habit of travelling at every conceivable opportunity, (right now I’m writing this review while remote working by the beach on the Sapphire Coast), I’m also notorious for being copiously over-prepared for every adventure. Day trip to the beach? You better believe I’ve got a first aid kit, two bottles of sunscreen, after-sun gel, two books, a backup towel, and jumper in case it’s colder than expected…you get it.

The only time I’m able to exercise restraint is when I travel carry-on only or go on a multi-day hike – and then I’m much more prone to leaving just about everything behind. Yes, illogical, but hey, we’ve all got our quirks.

All this to say that I’m well versed in lugging everything from a heavy pack to a plastic bag to carry my gear. I’ve seen the full spectrum and can appreciate what’s good and what’s not. I’ve also reviewed a few backpacks and carry-on-sized travel bags in the past 12 months so I’ve got wide awareness of just how good, and just how shoddy, a bag can be.

 

The bag did a great job storing my pants

Quick Specifications

Capacity: 24L
Weight: 482g
Material: Recycled nylon (planet-saving vibes)
Pockets: Main compartment, front pocket, internal mesh pocket, laptop sleeve, water bottle pocket x 2
Straps: Adjustable shoulder straps and sternum strap
Colours: Each one is a unique combo of repurposed fabrics
Dimensions: 51 x 28 x 18cm
Weather Resistance: Water-resistant, but not waterproof
RRP: $139.99

Performance

Does the Cotopaxi Batac 24L Backpack – Del Día actually perform the way it says it does? In a word: yes. Whether you’re using it for a light hike, a quick day trip, or as an overnight bag, it’s just about bang on for size and organisational options.

The 24L capacity is perfect for those of us who need a little extra room without going overboard. Two water bottles, snacks, a jacket, and some random essentials fit in just fine without the pack looking like it’s about to burst.

For beachgoers, it also fits two full-sized towels plus essentials.

 

There are pockets everywhere and plenty of options to organise your gear in a way that suits you and the trip at hand

 

The real test came when I attempted to pack it for a week-long work-cation in the city. It handled my clothes and toiletries just fine, but once I added my chunky laptop and charger, it was too much.

Technically it all fit, but it felt like I was pushing the limits of the seams and I didn’t like my chances if it split while I was away. I ended up repacking my gear into my 30L Patagonia Blackhole Duffel and breathing easy for the week. If I’d lost some weight it would’ve been fine, but I needed everything so upsizing was my only option.

 

To be fair the seams are strong, and the bag is well put together, but it has limits

 

For an overnight trip with my laptop, it works just fine, but I find the bag is best with lighter loads. The fabric and straps are thin and there’s minimal padding on the back to support heavy items.

It’s built to be a daypack, and that’s where it excels.

Durability

I’ve been testing the Cotopaxi Batac 24L Backpack – Del Día for a few months, and while it’s light and thin, it’s tough. The nylon fabric is durable enough to handle bumps along the way (and we all tend to bang our bags against stuff, particularly once you’re past the ‘it’s new’ phase) despite being basically transparent when you hold it up to the light.

It’s water-resistant, not waterproof, and water will eventually get in – especially if you don’t pay attention and waves beat you back to the bag after your salty swim. Oops. It’s pretty good at coping with light rain but you don’t want to be in it for too long. Chuck your valuables in a ziplock and this problem is solved.

Due to the lighter colour, it’s beginning to show some marks here and there, but that’s to be expected. It’s been thrown in and out of back seats, on the floor, into cupboards, and brushed up against trees, dirt, rocks, and sand, and there’s zero signs of fraying seams or roughed-up fabric.

 

When I say marks, I’m being super picky. Can you spot them?

 

The zips are also the most insanely smooth zips I’ve ever used – not sure how this has been done but they whizz open and closed quick as a whip. It’s super satisfying. Initially, I suspected they’d break quickly but I have been less than gentle with them and there hasn’t been a problem.

The nylon fabric has been upcycled and repurposed to make the bag so maybe it’s already battle-worn. Not quite sure how that’d work but aside from weight, the bag has handled everything I’ve thrown at it with ease, so I’m not questioning it.

 

Every zip and toggle is a different colour in typical Cotopaxi style

Comfort

The Cotopaxi Batac 24L Backpack – Del Día comes with adjustable, slightly padded, shoulder straps and a sternum strap, which are important for comfort during all-day wear. I’m used to carrying chunkier bags with thick shoulder straps, hip belts, and lumbar supporting frames, so this backpack felt concerningly insubstantial at first.

 

Absolutely love the colour of them but they feel pretty flimsy

 

You need to back the bag logically so that weight is evenly distributed or you’ll end up with sore shoulders.

The back padding also isn’t as plush as it could be. It’s just a single sheet of thin foam and appears to be there more to cushion your laptop than for support.

The bag is comfy enough for day trips and short walks but I found it dragged on my neck and shoulders if I had my 15” laptop or a couple of full drink bottles in each bottle holder.

 

No harness system here

 

I wouldn’t want to rely on the straps, especially the thin sternum strap, with heavier loads – it’s the reason I didn’t use it for a week-long trip. These are lightweight straps designed for lighter loads. I can’t critique the bag for operating within its own limits though. It’s a day pack, not a do-everything pack.

Overall I’d say it’s comfortable when carrying appropriate loads. Overload it, and you’ll know pretty quickly.

Design

Like most bags, this is easy to use. It’s a backpack so it’s not rocket science and as far as design goes, it follows what’s been tried and tested a thousand times before. The addition of the attachment loops on the front feels more aesthetic than practical though – sure, I could lash a hat or sunscreen to it with a carabiner, but the bag is big enough to hold everything for a day so it seems unnecessary.

The loops are also only on one side so it’s more likely to make the bag lopsided and uncomfortable to carry. I see that feature as more applicable to multi-day hiking packs so it seems like an odd addition.

 

It’s not immediately obvious but once you notice the carabiner loops are only on one side, you can’t unsee it

 

Colours

Like every item in Cotopaxi’s Del Dia collection, the Batac 24L Backpack is anything but ordinary. Each backpack is made with leftover, repurposed materials, and the choice of colours is left up to the person making it. In theory, this is pretty cool but I find it a bit annoying. If I were shopping in-store and could choose the bag with the colour combination I liked best, then I’d have zero complaints. But I live regionally and do most of my shopping online, which means ordering one of these is pure luck.

Fortunately I quite like the colours of the bag I received, but if I thought it was ugly, it’d be a quick route to the back of the cupboard or the gifting pile.

Pockets

Overall the pocket situation is excellent. I found it really easy to organise my gear and the discreet pocket locations are great for peace of mind when in a crowd. There are actually so many handy spots that emptying this bag out will take a hot minute as there are so many places to check.

 

Great internal horizontal pocket for a passport or your phone

 

The main compartment opens wide for easy packing and the front pocket is extremely generous with a nifty hidden horizontal pocket on the inside (perfect for reach-around passport storage I found).

The laptop sleeve is also a great touch, though I feel like the straps could be a bit chunkier to accommodate the weight. It’s also pretty tight to fit my laptop in there and with the zip being on the side, while discreet, is quite awkward.

 

It’s awkward getting your laptop out on trains or at a desk

 

The internal divider in the main compartment is great for shoving wet clothes or a water bladder (it’s even got an opening for the nozzle at the top of the bag), or anything you want to keep relatively flat.

The hanging mesh pocket at the top of the main compartment is supposed to be for phones but it would’ve been handier to access this through a separate zip at the top of the bag, rather than having to go through two zips to get to it.

 

The mesh pocket and the internal divider where a water bladder would go

Sustainability

Cotopaxi is all about sustainable and ethical production. This backpack is made from repurposed materials, so if you’re buying it because of the colours, and not because you necessarily need it, there’s less guilt involved. You’ve just saved a bunch of fabric from going into landfill.

Like We Are Explorers, Cotopaxi is a certified B Corp, meaning it meets high standards of social and environmental performance. The brand aims to make products that last and do it in such a way that neither people nor the planet are exploited.

 

Cotopaxi’s commitment to doing good is woven into every product

Price

At RRP $139.99, the Cotopaxi Batac 24L Backpack – Del Día is reasonably priced, mainly due to the sustainability factor.

It’s quite light and can’t handle much weight beyond day-to-day items, so it’s limited in terms of being an all-rounder for people who get outdoors and might need heavier gear for day trips. I’ve seen backpacks of similar construction for two-thirds of the price elsewhere, but they’re mass-produced, don’t have cool colours, and certainly aren’t adhering to B Corp levels of sustainable production.

Given it’s a little more expensive than your standard daypack, it’s worth considering what you’re going to be using it for. If you want it to tote around a laptop regularly or for day hikes, I recommend choosing something with a bit more grunt that’ll hold your gear with ease and distribute the load comfortably.

If you’re after a conversation starter that’s good for carrying some water, a towel, a camera, and snacks for day trips and microadventures, it’s a beaut. You can see the attention to detail in the construction and it’s got awesome storage options. This is what it’s built for and it does it well.

If you care about the environment and want a pack that’s unique, the Cotopaxi Batac is well worth the cash and I reckon you’ll have it for a long time.

Final Thoughts

All in all, the Cotopaxi Batac 24L Backpack – Del Día is a solid choice for anyone looking for a versatile, durable, and eco-friendly daypack. Ultralight fans will love it. It’s comfy enough for light loads, has great pockets, and is delightfully playful.

 

Good luck stopping people from borrowing it, you’ll be fielding compliments every time you use it

FAQs Cotopaxi Batac 24L Backpack – Del Día

Who is Cotopaxi, the brand?

Cotopaxi is an outdoor brand known for creating durable, sustainable products with a focus on social impact. They donate a portion of their profits to initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty and promoting sustainable practices.

Why are Cotopaxi bags all unique?

Cotopaxi uses repurposed materials to create each bag, meaning no two bags are ever the same. Check out this guide to packing backpacks like a boss for a few pointers.

What’s the best way to pack a daypack for optimum comfort?

Start by placing heavier items at the bottom so the weight is evenly distributed. Use the front pocket for small items you need quick access to and always adjust your straps for a snug fit.

What size backpack constitutes a daypack vs an overnight pack?

Daypacks typically range from 15L to 30L, perfect for short hikes or daily use. Anything larger is usually an overnight pack, which will hold more gear for extended trips.

Is this bag suitable for carry-on travel?

Yes! The Cotopaxi Batac 24L Backpack – Del Día is small enough to meet carry-on requirements for most airlines.

Is the Cotopaxi Batac 24L Backpack – Del Día waterproof?

It’s water-resistant, but not fully waterproof. It’ll protect against light rain but don’t count on it to keep your stuff dry in a downpour.

How much weight will the Cotopaxi Batac 24L Backpack – Del Día handle before it breaks?

While it’s designed for everyday use, it can hold a fair amount of weight — think books, snacks, a jacket, and your laptop. However, it’s not meant for carrying heavy gear you’d take multi-day backpacking. Keep it light, and you’ll be golden!



RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular

Recent Comments

Skip to toolbar