I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
I have long wanted to try out Cotopaxi’s coats, packs, and gear in general; however, I have never been able to quite get my hands on their products, that is, of course, until I stumbled upon their PR firm that I had known through another brand, who was kind enough to make sure I was given some of their gear to put through testing (of which I of course did).
The first piece of gear I put through testing is this Cotopaxi Torre 24L Bucket Pack! While the name may not make much sense, the pack makes quite a bit more sense after testing it out.
After putting it to the test as my primary pack traveling the world recently, as well as using it local to my home, I can say it’s the most comfortable pack I own, as well as the most versatile, and seems to have just the right space to do just about anything. So, let’s get a bit more into it now!
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What is the Cotopaxi Torre 24L Bucket Pack?
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
- The bright colors are awesome
- Incredibly comfortable straps
- Expandable main compartment
- The pack’s lid is the most usable I’ve ever used
- Just the right size pack for longer travel, but not too big
- The material feels cheap (even though it isn’t)
- It definitely isn’t minimalist
What do I like about the Torre pack?
1. The bright colors are awesome

I don’t know where the trend started. However, bright-colored outerwear and packs has been growing in popularity for years now. However, the one that has stood out to me as the most consistent with this trend is Cotopaxi, and I have no shame in admitting that its also one of my favorites as well.
As you probably have noticed, if you follow this site or my YouTube channel, you’ll know that I like orange, and well, this backpack has plenty of bright orange to go around. Now that I’ve had that rant, let’s summarize.
The coloring of this backpack is by far one of my personal favorites (Paid Link) out there, and if you are like me, you might just want to get one.
2. Incredibly comfortable straps

I’ve had plenty of backpacks over the years, most being school style backpacks, or hiking packs, however this one has stood out as the most comfortable backpack I’ve ever used. The over the shoulder straps have just the right cushioning all throughout, and the chest strap is infinitely adjustable up and down, which allows you to distribute the weight exactly the way you want.
While I never had to use it, it also comes with a belly strap as well, however as mentioned, I didn’t need it, and the other straps did the job perfectly.
Even though I was stuffing books, laptops, tablets, and so much more in my backpack, it never felt too heavy on my back and kept my shoulders in a comfortable position, never having to fight to keep my pack on or keep me in a comfortable standing position. It truly is the most comfortable pack I’ve ever used.
3. Expandable main compartment

At times, this backpack can be a bit much for daily usage! It’s quite long. However, you can do away a bit with the bulk by pulling two straps on either side of the pack, limiting its bulk by quite a bit. This makes the pack feel considerably smaller and more manageable for day-to-day usage, but it is expandable when you need more storage for longer trips.
I’ve never had a backpack that allowed for this, and I can totally see why this could be a big selling point for someone that may only be able to have one backpack at a time (rather than a collection for different uses).
4. The pack’s lid is the most usable I’ve ever used

Most backpacks have a single zipper above the main compartment for things like sunglasses or headphones. However, this Torre 24L (Paid Link) takes that portion of the backpack one step further. Not only is the outer portion of the lid its own zippered compartment (which is awesome for headphones and sunglasses), but the underside of the lid has its own zippered pocket as well.
I really like the underside of the lid’s compartment, as it makes for slightly more secure storage for items that are more expensive but you still need easy access to (passports, wallets (you’ll see my Ekster Wallet in the image above), keys, etc). I found myself using these pockets constantly, especially on planes, as I could access both pockets while they were still stowed in the overhead storage.
5. Just the right size pack for longer travel, but not too big

After testing this Able Carry Thirteen Day Bag a while back, it has become my go-to backpack for everyday outings. However, what it doesn’t do a great job with is if you want to take jackets, clothes, or other bulky items, especially when going on a multi-day trip. That is where the 24-liter capacity of this bag comes into play.
I was incredibly impressed with the capacity of this pack; all of the pockets seemed well laid out to allow for optimized (and easy to access) storage throughout the pack. I was extremely thankful that I had this pack on a recent trip throughout my journeys across the world.
Now, on the flip side, it isn’t too big either! You don’t feel like you are going to knock anyone over when you turn around, and it doesn’t sag or flop around. It seems to be the ideal size (especially since you can cinch it together with the straps we talked about earlier).
What do I not like about this 24L backpack?
1. The material feels cheap (even though it isn’t)

I’ve run into this a lot with products recently, where I full-well know that the material of the backpack or product is high quality, however the feel and look of it just doesn’t quite reflect it. A great example of that is Groove’s OG Belt Adam reviewed over here.
Anyway, this backpack is quite similar in that way! The bag is made of 100% recycled 840D nylon with TPU coating, which essentially makes it a high-quality material; however, to the touch, it feels very plasticky and smooth. When you are used to fabrics that have texture and threads to them, this can feel cheap-ish. That said, it isn’t cheap material; it just feels that way, unfortunately.
2. It definitely isn’t minimalist

I am normally the type of person who likes to buy things that are more minimalistic, and that just isn’t the case with this backpack. There are different colors everywhere, buckles throughout, and pockets and straps to hold different things. Now, I do very much enjoy the utility that this brings, but it might steer people away from wanting to use this backpack as a daily driver, as it likely won’t go with all of your clothes and doesn’t sorta blend into its environment like some other backpacks.
Who is the Cotopaxi Torre Bucket Pack for?
This really is an awesome backpack (Paid Link), and I have no problem including it in my collection of gear permenantly! The upsides far outweigh the downsides on this pack, and the ability to expand or contract the size of the pack means you can use it for just about anything, making it a well rounded pack.
Now, it isn’t for everyone though! If you are a true minimalist, that would enjoy simplicity and toned down colors, you probably aren’t in the market for a Cotopaxi anyways.
Where can you buy this backpack?
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
- The bright colors are awesome
- Incredibly comfortable straps
- Expandable main compartment
- The pack’s lid is the most usable I’ve ever used
- Just the right size pack for longer travel, but not too big
- The material feels cheap (even though it isn’t)
- It definitely isn’t minimalist