Salt Lake City’s own Cotopaxi has an awesome story. More on that later. I’ve been interested in this upstart gear company since their inception, and finally got to try some product in the form of the Luzon Del Dia backpack.
The Luzon Del Dia features:
- Ripstop nylon shell fabric
- Large main compartment with internal hydration sleeve
- Top drawstring closure
- Ultralight mesh shoulder straps
- Front zippered pocket
What really makes the Luzon Del Dia stand out are the outrageous colors. That’s part of Cotopaxi’s story. The company teams with non-profit organizations to help end poverty around the world. From health, to education and livelihoods, all products made by Cotopaxi are produced with improving impoverished countries in mind. So when you look at the kaleidoscope of color panels on the backpack, you know there’s a good reason for it.
That reason is that Cotopaxi makes gear using the scraps of leftover fabric. Rather than see all those scraps go to a landfill, they instead are used to build jackets and packs, including the Luzon Del Dia. As a result, the pack comes in a rainbow of colors, and no two packs are alike. That’s because Cotopaxi says their employees in the Philippines have total creative control. The downside is that you can’t pick out your own colors when you purchase, but that’s part of the fun as how your pack will look when it arrives in the mail will be a surprise.
I’ve been hiking around the Wasatch with my Luzon Del Dia and found it to be an awesome day pack. This sack is light weight and minimalist. The mesh shoulder straps are very comfortable and breathable, and the pack just sits well and conforms to my back. There is plenty of room inside to stash anything you need for short hikes, like food, drink, sunscreen, and an extra layer. The interior also has a separate pocket for a hydration reservoir.
My only complaint with the design of this pack is the drawstring top. While not having a zipper is a novel idea, you can never close the top on the pack enough for there not to be a hole. That means I would not fell comfortable using this pack if there was any chance of rain without bringing along a rain cover. Also, I’ve been having a hard time operating the drawstring. I really have to use some elbow grease to get it to close even remotely all the way.
Overall the Cotopaxi Luzon Del Dia is a pretty sweet pack, not just for function, but also for the story behind it. It will be a great go-to for quick mountain jaunts on fair-weather days, and with those bright colors, I really see it as a great choice for cycling as it is so visible. Plus, it would be perfect for urban adventures like the upcoming Questival in Salt Lake.
The Good: Made from fabric scraps so you know it is environmentally friendly. Comfortable pack. Minimalist design.
The Bad: You can’t choose your own colors. Top drawstring closure can be difficult and is not the best choice if you live in a rainy place.
Final Word: Cotopaxi is a company that is doing it right. Eco-conscious gear that uplifts impoverished communities is is something we can all get behind.