Coowoz Essentials Review

There are certain features that you can't compromise on when looking for a piece of carry on luggage. The bag must fit all your items and protect them during transit, and you need to be able to use it without stress levels rising. The Coowoz is a budget-friendly travel backpack that outperforms many pricier models in our lineup of the top travel backpacks. It lacks the high-end materials of our top-scoring models, but it also manages to avoid the eye-popping sticker price that many of the best carry on suitcases and bags seem to have.

Performance Comparison

Storage & Protection

The Coowoz backpack is relatively average in both the storage capabilities and the level of protection that it offers its contents. Despite this, we still found some of the features to be quite useful. It fits a slightly less-than-average amount of gear and clothing, given the size of the bag, but we like the external compression straps and appreciate the extra shoe/wet-item pocket that it has. We were pleased to see that the claim of waterproof fabric really did keep contents dry and that several other interesting protection features worked well.

The main compartment of this travel backpack was only able to fit one of the three packing cubes that we used in our standardized capacity tests, which was just about enough room for a set of spare clothes and toiletries. The bottom panel of the backpack provides access to a "hidden pouch" that we like for storing shoes or wet items separate from your clean clothes. That said, this pouch takes up space from the main compartment, reducing the capacity of the main pocket and limiting its usefulness for extra gear.

The waterproof polyester fabric on the Coowoz kept contents dry during our rain simulation, and we were pleased to note that protective flaps over the exterior pockets were effective in keeping water from seeping through the zipper. The Coowoz provides ample electronic and theft protection features as well. The dedicated laptop sleeve has rigid foam paneling against the back and soft foam on the interior side of the compartment. There is an anti-theft pocket located on the back panel of the bag as well, large enough to fit important documents, money, or slim electronics. When wearing the bag, this pocket is placed directly against the small of your back, protecting contents from pickpocketing.

Ease of Use

The Coowoz backpack is relatively user-friendly, though it might lack some of the more refined features found on more expensive models. There are a handful of organization pockets, and it's easy enough to pack and unpack for life on the go.

There are three external pockets on the Coowoz: one full-size pocket that runs the length of the bag and two smaller pouches set on the front flap of the larger pocket. While there are no true small item pockets, like a cellphone or wallet pouch, the three pockets do provide some basic organization and a place to stow and access travel essentials. There is also a bottle pocket, though its size may limit the type of water bottle that you can place inside.

We assessed the livability of this backpack to be perfectly adequate for the non-discerning traveler or for someone who only travels occasionally. The Coowoz holds its shape well, unzips, and unfolds relatively flat for easy access to the main compartment. There are plenty of internal pouches and zippered pockets for organizing smaller items as well. The inner material of the bag is quite slippery, so clothes are prone to slide around a bit inside, and there are no internal compression straps to keep items snug and in place if the bag ever gets tossed around. However, this can be somewhat mitigated by tightening the external compression straps. We found the lower shoe pocket, especially when full of shoes, gets in the way and detracts from the livability of this bag.

Unlike many other bags in our lineup, the straps on the Coowoz are permanently affixed to the exterior. If you're not using the backpack straps, they can be cinched tight but not stowed away in a discreet pocket. There is a decent grab handle, but it is located on the top of the bag only. A convenient ease-of-use feature that the backpack has is an integrated USB charging cord leading from the main pouch to the exterior of the bag so you don't have to worry about locating the ever-elusive airport outlet or USB port.

Comfort & Fit

The Coowoz Bag, given its plush padding and small size, is comfortable to wear. It is almost impossible to overload it to the point where it is too heavy, but just to give your shoulders a break, there is a suitcase handle sleeve to attach the backpack to a suitcase vertically.

The padding on the back panel of the Coowoz is one of the more plush models that we tested. For moderate loads, we found it to be very comfortable. It features a large supportive lower section, plus split padding on the shoulders. This allows for a pleasant amount of ventilation without sacrificing support.

The backpack straps are reasonable but not as comfortable under heavy loads due to the lighter padding. This is where you may begin to appreciate the luggage strap more. Although a travel backpack might be used in place of a rolling suitcase, there's no reason why they can't be combined, and having the ability to secure the backpack to your bag can make airport transitions much more comfortable.

Versatility

Between the different size options and an impressive 21 available color options, the Coowoz is versatile enough to meet a variety of needs, whether it be a travel backpack, a work/school bag, or a carry-all for use around town.

Provided that your adventures keep you within sight of the beaten path, so to speak, we think the Coowoz is fairly versatile. Its smaller size and dimensions mean you can leverage the bag as a day pack in a pinch, although it does not have a belt strap that you may want on more extended day trips. A sleek exterior and multiple colors to choose from help it appeal to a broad range of users.

Should You Buy the Coowoz Essentials?

The Coowoz travel backpack is a cost-conscious carry on for travelers who are looking to ditch their wheeled suitcase in favor of the mobility that a backpack offers. There aren't many other travel backpacks in this price band that perform quite as well, and in fact, there are several that cost quite a bit more and fail to live up to the Coowoz, in our opinion. Depending on the travel you intend to do, you can find a size and color that will work best for your needs. If you need the ability to travel light, want some basic organization features in your bag, and don't want to spend a fortune on your luggage, we recommend this model.

What Other Travel Backpacks Should You Consider?

If you're willing to shell out a few extra dollars for added durability, features, or comfort, then several bags in our lineup of the best travel backpacks might catch your eye. The eBags Mother Lode is the next step up in both performance and price and while it is easier to use and live out of, it isn't quite as comfortable. One of our top recommendations for livability is The North Face Base Camp Voyager. It's slightly larger at 35 liters; however, it holds significantly more items and organizes them much better than most other duffels. It also has a plethora of external pockets and laptop or tablet-safe pouches. Skyrocketing up in terms of both cost and capabilities, the Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L is a modern and convenient travel backpack that boasts waterproof fabric and zippers with a supportive suspension and strap system for extra heavy loads.