A while back, Cotopaxi sent us their Luzon Del Dia 18L daypack, and a Lithium 4400 battery pack from Power Practical. This is the perfect blend of two great products, from Utah-based companies.
First, the Luzon Del Dia. This 18 liter daypack is just right for everyday use, and outdoor excursions. It has a ripstop nylon shell that keeps weight down to well under a pound (.66 pounds/300 g). There is a zip pocket on the front, drawstring top, and an internal sleeve for a hydration bladder. It open wide, so you can find stuff inside easily. And the shoulder straps are very light mesh. What really makes it special is that each bag is individual in color. Employees who make the bags start with re-purposed nylon, and get to choose which colors to use for each panel. No two are alike. And the colors are mostly bold and bright, which adds a bit of fun.
As mentioned, the package included Power Practical’s Lithium 4400 battery pack. It adds 4.2 ounces (120 g) to the weight of the Luzon. But for that small weight penalty, you can charge your phone or other USB device with ease. After a 4.5 hour charge, the Lithium 4400 should top up most phones about two times. That’s more than enough for most days, and maybe even a weekend. A simple switch with a charge symbol, “Off” and light bulb icon make the Lithium 4400 easy to use. It has a USB micro in, and standard USB out. So unless you Output is 5 volts at 2 amps (10W), fine for most USB devices. At only 3.5 x 2 x 1 inches, it fits in most packs, and is easily hand-held. You can even use the 4 LED lantern to light your way for 30 hours or more.
So who is the ideal tester for this setup? Our teenage daughter. On a trip to Colorado, she went to a concert, hiking, shopping, and spent a full day at the zoo. She used the Luzon to carry all her necessities, such as water, snacks, her phone, and a compact camera. And she used the Lithium 4400 to keep that phone going. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, texting, photos, and games – all that drains a battery quickly. But the Lithium 4400 kept her going on the longest day, when we got home at 1 AM. She even topped up her mom’s phone with it.
Since that trip, she’s taken them both to New York, and Virginia. Again, the Luzon carries all that girl stuff, and she never has to search for an outlet to charge her phone. She loves the colors of her backpack, and the fact that no one else has one exactly like it. She says the size is not too big, and not too small. It fits well, looks good, and is comfortable. Like all Cotopaxi products, it’s of very high quality, with even stitching throughout. Even the thread for the stitching is in contrasting colors. It really stands out, and hardly shows any wear, after months of use.
Find the Luzon at Cotopaxi, and the Lithium 4400 at Power Practical. Sign up for newsletters from both, and you’ll be notified of the best deals from these two great outdoor companies.
– Brian