Lowe Alpine Crossbow 90+15, 70+15 & ND60+15

Review Date
April 4, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: shotwell(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $175.00 at Used

Summary:
This pack is excellent from what I have seen so far. At this point the pack has gone with me for a short 12 mile day hike on the Low Gap trail in Indiana. It was very comfortable, and with a light load (35 lbs.) felt as if it was barely there. I plan to take it for a 70 miler this summer in New Mexico, so it is obviously a very large pack.

Customer Service:
Have not needed it. But I did replace the bite valve from the hydration with a Bullet Bite Valve from MSR.

Similar Products Used:
Kelty...Jansport...Gregory

Review Date
March 5, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: Leif(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Quebec, Quebec,Canada

Price Paid:  $199.00 at Trailhead Ottawa (gr

Summary:
geez, can't believe the pack is discontinued, I have been using it bi-WEEKLY since 1999 on trips (I used to always get by with it as carry on in airplanes, the 50 litre size crimps down so small!). I have hiked in France, Spain, USA (east) and Canada (east west) with this pack. Exept for a little sun bleaching and a small weird discoloration from some chemical on the side of a train wagon cutting through a rail park it still looks new. I have replaced only the waist buckle once, it snapped off on an ice climbing trip when the car trunk was shut on the buckle.
As far as waterproof goes, the fabric is more than comparable to the competition. Besides, you can't rely on that alone when you hike, you gotta keep your stuff (wet and dry) seperated in baggies anyhow. The lengths of hikes I go through and the terrain, there is no way anything stays dry. It become a matter of how quickly it can dry.
the pack is a little more expensive than the competition but SOOOO much more stable and form fitting. sure there are not many pockets, but if you organise your stuff, no problem. You have no idea what I have strapped on this puppy: snowshoes of all types, axes and skis, crampons and snow shovels. I have hiked, walked and biked (yes, for my height, biking is fine with this pack), ice climbed with it. The load is stable and flat, you don't project a huge mass of weight way past your COG. I like to say it is a 50 litre pack with an 70 litre set of straps: I filled it with water bags and put it on and it was as comfortable as a 70 litre weighted pack!
It is a shame that all not enough consumers saw how worthile it is to spend a bit more. All my friends are bouncing around with their packs, and my stuff is snug, secure where I need it. It is the ONLY pack I climb with. I guess that is what happened, not enough people actually climb with their packs, so they don't invest in a climbing pack. I went to Banff Alberta last fall for a hike. I carried the empty crimped down pack with me in the plane,wearing my boots. These are the two things I can't replace easily on a trip.
this is not crazy, this is logical.
oh, one more thing, I love the fact that all straps on this pack are easily tuckable out of the way, they never get caught in branches or equipment and don't flip flop in your face while on mountain tops either.
Thanks Lowe Alpine.

Similar Products Used:
Canadian Army 60 litre 64 issue pack.
Jack wolfskin 40, 60
Salomon Raidwind (for adventure races)

Review Date
November 22, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Henrieta(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Mexico

Price Paid:  $200.00

Summary:
I've been using this sack for about 2 years now all over the trails in Mexico, I was happy to find that this pack is really comfortable and found that the hydration system was very useful. The crossbow system makes the sack very stable unlike previous sacks i owned. It has taken a lot of beatings from my expeditions and still hold pretty well. I would reccomend this sack to anyone. Unfortunately this sack has been discontinued by Lowe Alpine.

Similar Products Used:
Kelty.. Karrimor.. Eureka

Review Date
May 15, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: JY(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Boulder, CO

Summary:
It's too bad Lowe discontinued this pack (70+15)...it is a great one! This is the most comfortable pack I've ever worn, handsdown. Immaculate construction, built like a brick, generous padding that molds with a use or two, and numerous straps allow very customized fit. Once it's dialed in, you can run down a mountainside, in control, with a large load. The only 2 downsides are the list price and lack of true exterior water bottle pockets. The pack has basic ski slots, with an internal water bladder holder. The internal system is nice, but I always like extra exterior water bottle holders. If you can find one on sale, try it on with some weight and the crossbow tightened down...you'll probably be sold.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
May 12, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Keh Eng Sim(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from KL, Malaysia

Summary:
It's the best pack i've ever tried in terms of features and comfortability. Got it for US 199.00 from REI. I recently took it out for an expedition doing a tough traverse of my country main range, the Titiwangsa range. It prove to be very useful pack, it certainly drew lot's of admiration from my fellow friends because of it's comfortable cooling harness, useful features like the hydration system and the cool looking design. The pack helped me a lot in my expedition as i had to track around 8 hours a day, carrying around 20 kgs and climbing the tough and steep terrain in the tropical forest. I'll definitely recommend this pack to anyone. It certainly impressed my climbing mates as one intends to buy a Lowe Alpine to replace his aging Karrimor. I'm sure this pack will serve me well in future trips.

Similar Products Used:
Karrimor Jaguar 65GR, Lowe Alpine Appalachian ND55+15 and Kelty.