Patagonia and Cotopaxi have a lot in common. Both brands make bags designed for adventure, and both have made sincere commitments to improving the planet. To this end, both brands use recycled or repurposed materials in many of their products, seek to sustainably source their other materials, and donate to charitable organizations.
If you’re an eco-conscious or socially conscious buyer, you cannot go wrong with either brand; few companies are as ethical as Patagonia or Cotopaxi. With that in mind, there’s really only one question to ask: Which one of them makes the best bags?
The answer is complex, but here’s the simple version: Patagonia bags are more durable, while Cotopaxi bags are more colourful and (to some people) easier to pack.
Want to know more about the difference between some of our best-selling Patagonia bags and Cotopaxi products? Keep reading!
What’s The Difference Between Patagonia And Cotopaxi Products?
There are two key differences between Patagonia and Cotopaxi bags: The materials used and the design philosophy.
Cotopaxi bags are typically made using deadstock nylon and polyester (deadstock is leftover fabric from other manufacturers). Patagonia bags, on the other hand, use more durable materials like recycled polyester ripstop and TPU-film laminates.
In terms of design, Cotopaxi bags are known for being incredibly playful; its flagship Del Día series bags are a mix of different colours, and no two bags are alike thanks to its use of deadstock. Cotopaxi bags also tend to come with well-defined packing regions.
Patagonia bags, on the other hand, feature a much more utilitarian design. Its bags are often grey, beige, or black, and they feature fewer defined packing spaces so that customers can create their own using dividers or packing cubes.
Patagonia Vs. Cotopaxi: A Head-To-Head Comparison
Here’s the basic brand identity you’ll see for Patagonia and Cotopaxi: Patagonia bags are Spartan, utilitarian, and rugged, while Cotopaxi bags are colourful, adventurous, and easy to organize.
That’s pretty accurate, but it can’t tell you the whole picture. That’s why we’re here – and to help make everything as clear as possible, we’ve created infographics comparing four of the most popular bags from each brand.
Patagonia’s Best Backpack, Fanny Pack, Duffle, And Sling Reviewed
Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L Carry-On
The Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L Carry-On is one of the most versatile and durable carry-ons available on the market. The straps on the bag allow the bag to be carried three ways: As a duffle, a shoulder bag, or a backpack. The straps can be tucked away when it’s not in use, the bag can be attached to rolling luggage, and there’s a mesh, padded laptop pocket for your electronics.
It’s a testament to Patagonia’s Spartan design choices that it’s managed to create a 45L bag at a size of 55.9 cm (22") x 36.8 cm (14.5") x 19.3 cm (7.6"); small enough to be used as carry-on luggage on most major airlines. The Black Hole features extremely durable recycled polyester ripstop and weather-resistant TPU-film laminates.
Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack 1L
The Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack 1L is one of the most portable hip packs on the market – and that’s saying something, given how small and wearable hip packs are designed to be. What makes it so portable is that it can be tucked away into its own pocket to drastically reduce its size when not in use.
The Mini Hip Pack is available in a wide range of different colours, making it one of the more Cotopaxi-like Patagonia products from an aesthetic point of view. The bag is still constructed with nylon ripstop and features both a roomy main compartment and a zippered pocket for small items.
Patagonia Atom Sling 8L
The Patagonia Atom Sling 8L is a great small sling bag, made of recycled polyester ripstop with a polyurethane coating and a durable water repellent (DWR) finish. Much like the Mini Hip Pack, the Atom Sling is available in some more out-there colour palettes.
Feature-wise, the Atom Sling has a divided main compartment, along with a zippered front pocket for your phone (or anything else you need instant access to). There’s also an asymmetrical strap that keeps the weight of the bag closer to your body for comfort.
Patagonia Black Hole 40L Duffle Bag
Recycled polyester ripstop with TPU-film laminate? Check. Padded shoulder straps that you can detach when you’re not using them? Double check. A duffle bag you can convert into a backpack? You got it – and you can even stuff the duffle bag into itself when not in use to save space!
The Patagonia Black Hole 40L Duffle Bag is one of our favourite duffle bags on the market; it’s small enough to be used as a carry-on (especially if you stow away some straps), it’s got a tough padded base, and it even has some extra storage through its interior mesh lid pocket.
Cotopaxi’s Top Backpacks, Waist Packs, Duffels, And Sling Bags Reviewed
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack
The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack has a lot going for it. Made of deadstock nylon & polyester, it’s small enough to fit as a carry-on with most airlines. The Del Día variants all feature one-of-a-kind colourways, so your bag will always be different from everyone else’s!
Where this bag really shines is the sheer number of pockets and the internal storage. There are four exterior webbing loops, three internal pockets (large, medium, and small), two from zip accessory pockets, and a 15” laptop sleeve. People also love the incredibly comfortable shoulder straps (we agree).
Cotopaxi Todo 2L Hip Pack - Cada Día
Made of 100% recycled polyester, the Cotopaxi Todo 2L Hip Pack - Cada Día can carry a surprising amount given its compact size. The strap can be adjusted from 71.1 cm (28”) to up to 142.2 cm (56”), making this a true one-size-fits-most hip pack.
The vibrant colours you expect from Cotopaxi are here, as well as a spacious main compartment with an interior sleeve and an easy-access front zippered pocket for your phone or other important accessories.
Cotopaxi Todo 8L Sling - Cada Día
The Cotopaxi Todo 8L Sling - Cada Día is an incredibly convenient sling bag. Made out of 100% recycled polyester, it features a padded cross-body strap with Cotopaxi’s signature airmesh, making for comfortable wear. There’s a zippered accessory pocket at the front for your phone or other must-access accessories, and the large main compartment can be accessed by either a side zipper or a top zipper.
We love the convenient design of this bag; it’s really easy to access anything you’ve got stored inside thanks to the dual-zip configuration. And, as always, it’s available in a wide array of colours – it wouldn’t be a Cotopaxi bag without some flair!
Cotopaxi Ligera 45L Duffel Bag
The Cotopaxi Ligera 45L Duffel Bag is lightweight and durable; it’s made with 100% recycled 330D ripstop nylon for the main body and 630D nylon for the bottom, making it one of the most durable bags in Cotopaxi’s line. There’s also 100% recycled 225D ripstop polyester lining.
You can pack the Ligera into itself, making it incredibly easy to store. The bag also features a removable shoulder strap, grab handles on either side, and an accessory pocket for your phone or other must-have accessories.
Which Brand Should You Choose?
Generally, you should choose Patagonia if you’re looking for something a little more durable, and you should choose Cotopaxi if you love its colour palettes or you want a built-in storage system.
We don’t recommend working on generalities, though; we made this article so that you can compare the bags they offer side-by-side and choose the one that works for you. Both brands make incredible products, so it’s worth taking the time to really think about which features best suit your needs!
Shop Patagonia And Cotopaxi At U.N. Luggage
At U.N. Luggage, we care about the selection of products we offer. We only sell bags that we would use ourselves, and both Patagonia and Cotopaxi fit the bill – not only for their quality, but for their commitment to making the world a better place.
We are Canada’s luggage store; whether you’re travelling in our country or anywhere on our beautiful planet, we’ll help you travel with care and compassion for the world and the people in it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Patagonia of better quality than Cotopaxi?
Typically, Patagonia bags are made of more durable materials than Cotopaxi bags; if durability is your main concern, they are of better quality.
Are Patagonia bags worth the extra price?
Yes, Patagonia has an excellent guarantee, and its bags are incredibly durable. It’s not uncommon for people to use their Patagonia bags for well over a decade without issues.
Which brand has a better warranty for bags?
Patagonia offers a better warranty than Cotopaxi; it offers a damage warranty (at its discretion), while Cotopaxi only offers a warranty on manufacturing defects.
Is the Patagonia Black Hole or Cotopaxi Ligera duffel better for travel?
The Patagonia Black Hole is better for travel if you want a carry-on-sized duffle; the Ligera is better for travel if you want a more spacious bag.
Do Patagonia or Cotopaxi bags last longer?
Both Patagonia and Cotopaxi bags last longer than some lower-quality competitors; between the two manufacturers, Patagonia bags typically last longer than Cotopaxi bags.