Cotopaxi 24 L Batac Pack Review

Analysis and Test Results

I found that this pack does well for quick and light hiking – quick after work jaunts and last minute hiking ideas. Tested in these circumstances, this pack does really well. Anything other than this and it starts to fall down. However, if this is the kind of hiking you intend to do and you want a sustainability focused pack, then this is a good option.

I did find that this pack didn’t offer a lot in terms of back and shoulder support and it isn’t ventilated at all, so on hotter hikes, the comfort wasn’t there. Fine for more temperate conditions though. One area where it really excelled is its durability – this pack is certainly built to last!

Performance Comparison

Type and Style

This daypack is intended for light and simple hiking where you don’t need anything really technical. It’s great for ad hoc days on the trail and it also makes an excellent work bag or commuting pack as well as being good for traveling. At its price point, I’d also say it’s more on the budget side too.

I’d say this falls slightly into the fashion/lifestyle realm too – due to its use of fabric and the statement this makes, and I think this makes it suitable for all round use. Though I would advise against using this pack to carry anything heavy (over about 7kg) or as a technical pack. The support offered just isn’t there for that.

Material

The materials are where the Cotopaxi Batac 24L stands out, not so much because of their durability on the trail, but more so for the brands production process. This pack is part of their Del Día range which is made in the Philippines from leftovers of other companies’ larger productions.

This is great in terms of sustainability, and it also means that each backpack is one of a kind – as no two are quite the same. I loved this about this daypack, and I think this will surely appeal to a lot of hikers.

The body fabric, however, is pretty durable and is made of ripstop nylon which is also lightweight (482g/17oz). I’ve put this pack through its paces in a range of demanding environments and it holds up extremely well in this regard. I’ve seen others mention that their pack so far has lasted well over 10 years, so I have no questions about its durability.

Breathability

One area that I did find a bit of a letdown on the Batac was in terms of breathability. There is virtually nothing by way of ventilation on the back at all and you do notice this when you use this pack in hotter temperatures. I did come away with sweat on my back. The same can be said for the shoulder straps.

That said, this pack really is more intended for simple hiking, and I would say hiking in hotter climates does call for more specialist gear. When I used this on a variety of mild and moderate temperature hikes, it really came into its own and the breathability offered wasn’t really a problem.

If you know you’ll be hiking in the heat a lot of the time, then I’d really recommend you go for something with more back ventilation such as The North Face Basin 24L. However, for basic hiking and temperature climates, you will likely be happy with how this pack handles.

Waterproofing

This daypack isn’t waterproof at all and contains no DWR coating to help it with water repellency. Therefore, in order to waterproof it, you’ll need to buy a waterproof cover elsewhere suited to the shape and size of the pack.

You can also look to add a waterproof liner too, this can help to keep the pack dry in mild to moderate rain. It would be good to see Cotopaxi offer this with a DWR coating to help protect it against mild to moderate rain and improve it’s usage.

Dimensions

This pack is offered in a roomy size of 51x28x18cm. I found that this pack has more than enough space for everything you need for a basic day hike and it’s also got enough space for a laptop (up to 15 inch) to stow nicely inside too.

It does feel quite long on the back, which for me is no problem being slightly taller, however I do think for more petite hikers the 24L might feel a little too big and be overkill. With this in mind, if you’re smaller, I would advise you go with the 16L version, which shaves off a few cm in size and has a better fit.

Fit

This pack’s fit is in line with a general hiking/lifestyle hybrid pack and is a pretty solid rectangle shape. Actually, more so than many of the other packs I’ve tested, and with this, it sits a similar shape on the bottom of the hips to the top of the back.

I didn’t find this gave any discomfort really, and it actually felt pretty comfortable to wear, but it is important, considering its shape, to get your packing and weight distribution right. Especially considering it doesn’t offer any support in the form of a hip belt.

Storage

The Cotopaxi Batac 24L is pretty simple in terms of its storage and offers 6 pockets in total. Two side mesh pouches for water bottles a front zippered pocket which is great for putting smaller and quick access items in like your phone. It also has a main pouch, which inside has a divider for a laptop and also a hanging pocket for things like your keys.

If you’re looking for something that will attach hiking poles easily, or also other specialist gear, then this pack may not be right for you. But then that isn’t really what it’s intended for. That said, you can fit foldable hiking poles easily in the side pouch and the length of the pack doesn’t have them hanging out too much at the end.

Comfort

One area I feel could be improved on this pack is the comfort it offers. To be honest, it’s pretty shapeless on the back and nothing about it really fits or hugs your shape. Which means it does bounce around a little. That said, for light hiking, this isn’t a problem.

I think I’d love to see more done to improve to comfort of this pack in terms of the shoulder straps. You really cannot carry more than about 7kg in this pack as it will start to feel uncomfortable and rub on your shoulders. So, make sure you don’t overpack it.

Features

This pack doesn’t really offer a great number of features and is fairly no frills, but for many hikers this will be more than enough. I found this pack was more than enough personally for some quick after work hikes in my local area and I didn’t need to think too much about where everything was.

If you want a no frills pack that puts sustainability first, then this pack would be a good option for you. Especially if you just need a quick and simple pack for the odd hike.

Durability  

This pack is really well built, and I can genuinely see why many people have had this pack or a similar variant for a long time with no problems or real tell-tale signs of wear and tear. The stitching is incredibly well done and the attention to detail is great.

Of course, the pack isn’t water resistant, so getting it particularly wet without a cover will impact it’s long term durability, but aside from that, I really do have no concerns about it and am confident to say you will be using this pact for a long time.

Sustainability

One of the Cotopaxi Batac 24L’s strong points is its key focus on sustainability. Cotopaxi are a sustainability focused brand as it is, but the Batac takes it one step further than any of the others in our best day packpack for hiking round up. Cotopaxi’s Batac sits in their Del Dia range, which is made in the Philippines using offcuts and unwanted materials from larger brands production runs.

This also means that each backpack is slightly different and uses a slightly changed colorway depending on the fabric available, which will appeal to a lot of hikers who want an individual pack. However, one area where I do feel this pack lets down in terms of sustainability, is that for a lot of hikers, this won’t be the only pack they need.

Conclusion

The Cotpaxi Batac 24L is a fun pack that is designed for light hiking, and I love the fact that no two packs are exactly the same due to the sustainable production process. If you’re in need of a basic, day to day quick hiking pack that can double up for work, then the Batac may well be your best friend (you may also like the 16L option too.

However, if you are looking for a better featured pack, this may not be for you. It’s lack of ventilation on the back is an issue in hotter climates and there are no attachment points and very little by way of pockets. However, many hikers will love the minimal design and find it perfectly fitting for all they need. If this is you, you can expect this pack to last you a long time.