Cotopaxi Luzon 18L Backpack: A Lightweight Daypack

As avid hikers, we are very attached to our fully equipped hiking backpacks from Osprey. For shorter hikes, though, we usually only need to carry the essentials. A large backpack can feel like more weight and structure than the outing requires.

That is where a small, lightweight backpack like the Cotopaxi Luzon comes in. We received this limited-edition colorway of the Luzon in a Cairn subscription box, and Kim immediately fell in love with it. She has used the pack for hiking and as an everyday bag for carrying her things to and from work on her scooter.

Cotopaxi Luzon 18L Features

18-Liter Capacity

• The Luzon holds a surprising amount considering how small and light it feels. It has enough room for water, snacks, a light jacket, and the other essentials we carry on a short hike.

Front Zippered Pocket

• The front pocket is convenient for anything you want to reach without digging through the main compartment, including a phone, wallet, or keys. The Luzon also packs into this pocket, making it easy to tuck into a suitcase or larger travel bag when you want a simple daypack at your destination.

Drawstring Closure

• A drawstring closure can be a matter of personal preference. Andrea generally prefers a zipper, but Kim likes the Luzon’s simple opening for the way she uses the pack. It is quick to open and close, and there is a little more flexibility at the top when she needs to stuff in a jacket.

Internal Hydration Sleeve

• The Luzon has an internal sleeve that can hold a hydration reservoir. Since the pack is made from lightweight nylon and does not have much structure or back padding, using a reservoir is more comfortable than carrying a hard water bottle inside where it can press against your back.

Colorful Options

• Color is part of what makes Cotopaxi packs so recognizable, and the Luzon comes in plenty of bright combinations. Cotopaxi also offers it as part of the Del Día collection. Those bags are made with repurposed fabric left over from other production runs, and the individual color combinations are selected by the people who make them. Each one ends up looking a little different.

The Luzon does not replace our more supportive hiking packs when we need to carry camera gear, extra water, or supplies for a longer day. For a short trail, everyday errands, or a daypack tucked inside our luggage, its light weight and uncomplicated design work very well.