Clase 28L Daypack

I really wanted to like this backpack, but the zippers ultimately made me return it. The biggest issue is that the zippers are difficult to operate one-handed. To open the bag, I often have to use one hand to hold or tension the bag in a specific spot while using the other hand to pull the zipper. Even with two hands, the zipper frequently snags or gets stuck instead of opening smoothly. The main compartment is particularly frustrating because the zipper follows a curved path. As you pull the zipper around the curve, it tends to bind and stop, requiring you to adjust the tension on the bag or pull from a different angle to get it moving again. It makes something that should be a simple, one-handed operation feel unnecessarily difficult. I used the bag for about a week, hoping the zippers might become easier to use with time, but the problem never improved enough for me to feel comfortable keeping it. This is especially disappointing because I’ve generally had a great experience with Cotopaxi products. My wife and I own their jackets, duffles, backpacks, and several other items, so this isn’t a brand I’m unfamiliar with. Unfortunately, this has been my least favorite Cotopaxi product by far, and the zipper design has made me hesitant to purchase another Cotopaxi backpack in the future. I ended up finding a non-Cotopaxi replacement backpack in the same price range whose zippers open smoothly and easily, so for me, the zipper issues were enough to make this backpack a return.