What is the Altus ND?
The Altus ND is a female specific pack designed pack for any kind of hill walking or travel in general. It will easily carry plenty of kit for overnight camping trips, travelling for weeks at a time and hut to hut walking further afield. The supportive, breathable and exceptionally comfortable AirContour back-system and 55 litres of total space means you're able to carry multi-days’ worth of kit in comfort and with confidence.
What is it made from?
As soon as you pick the Altus up for the first time, you realise it's been built to last. The main bulk of the bag is made from a super tough 210D Ripstop nylon with a durable water-repellent finish to keep your kit dry during light rain (a rain-cover is included for heavy downpours). This fabric is reassuringly thick yet light enough that you barely realise you're wearing the pack, even when fully laden. A thicker 450D fabric is then used on high wear areas such as the base and front of the pack.
What is the back-system?
This is where the magic happens! Lowe Alpine call it an AirContour+ Carry System, as it's far more than simply a back system, it covers the hip-belt, shoulder straps and essentially the entire back of the pack. This women’s specific ND version has been shaped to follow the female form to ensure maximum comfort and stability.
Every contact point has been meticulously refined to offer the greatest comfort without sacrificing heavily on weight. A lightweight foam with cut-outs in certain areas allows airflow to the points of your back which generate heat quickest, then a layer of mesh is added to prevent the pack moving excessively. The Altus ND comes in one back length:
Small/Medium = 43-48cm
This is adjustable to ensure the perfect fit using a simple, yet highly effective, Velcro pad on the shoulder harness that can be easily set to various heights depending on the user. Please remember that your torso length and not your height will determine the back length your need. For more advice on pack fitting have a look at our video here.
The hip-belt is pre-curved and hugs your hips superbly, you also get tension straps on the sides of the hip-belt to really lock the belt in place when you’re on uneven terrain or just want more stability. Overall the hip-belt provides a reassuringly stable and supportive feel. Unlike many hip-belts out there, the Altus' is made using several sections of foam to wrap around your hips more effectively. If all of this sounds a little confusing then don't worry, just take our word for it; it's comfortable!
What are the features?
It isn't just the comfort and support that we love about the Altus, we also love the attention to detail and the number of clever features. The main entry point is under the extendable top lid, and through a large drawcord valance. The extending top lid and valance allow you to carry extra 5 litres of gear (hence the 50:55 name). You can also get into the Altus via a zipped compartment on the bottom of the bag. The base compartment can be separated from the main compartment using the zipped internal divider, this is particularly useful if you want to separate wet dirty kit or just keep the packs contents nicely organised.
There’s also a really handy large zip down the side of the bag that allows quick access to the main compartment so you can dig out items from the bottom of the pack without emptying the rest of your kit into the mud.
Lowe Alpine equip the Altus with attachment points for walking axes and walking poles, daisy chain loops to attach further gear, a hydration sleeve for a bladder, a rain-cover, a sternum strap with built in whistle and two compression straps on either side to pull the weight closer to your pack, increasing comfort and carrying efficiency. It also stops gear rolling about and clanging against one another (pet hate!).
Pockets wise, you get zipped pockets on the outer and inner of the lid, the one on the inner contains a key clip and features an 'SOS panel' to record your personal details. The two side mesh pockets will easily take an insulating layer or a 1L bottle and feature a tougher fabric over-layer to stop the stretch mesh from being damaged by abrasion. The base compression straps also attach to this over-layer, again to avoid stressing the lighter weight mesh fabric. There are two zipped pockets on the hip belt that you can still gain access to even when the hip-belt is done up tight. On the front of the pack is a large zipped pocket with an easy-access stash pocket behind. We thought this last stash pocket is worth a special mention as we think it's the perfect place to store a wet tent flysheet or waterproof gear that you need to grab quickly. Rather than stuffing your flysheet back into its stuff-sack and into the bottom of your bag where it will struggle to dry (and breathe), you can stash it in the front pocket where the water can drain out and the gear can breathe.
Summary
The Altus ND 50:55 features the perfect amount of space for those who are heading into the hills for a long day of winter walking with plenty of kit, or alternatively those who are heading out for a multi-day trek and require plenty of space.
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Axe attachment points
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Walking pole attachment points
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Side zip access
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Two pockets in lid
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Expandable lid (50-55 litres)
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Internal divider panel
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Internal hydration sleeve
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Compression straps
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Durable outer fabric
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Included rain-cover
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Adjustable back length
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Zipped hip-belt pockets
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Internal hydration sleeve
Getting the correct fit for your rucksack is as important as getting the fit right for your boots. A badly fitting pack can inflict misery and discomfort and completely ruin your adventure. This guide is designed to help you get the best fit and comfort from your chosen pack so that carrying all your kit becomes a pleasure and not a chore.
ADJUSTING THE BACK LENGTH
If the pack has an adjustable back length, adjust this to your correct level. Your back length is not related to your height but your torso length. Many packs, and specifically the bigger and more technical packs are available in different back lengths or feature adjustable back systems. Contrary to popular belief, your torso length and not your overall height is the key to getting a well fitted pack. Tall people don’t necessarily have long torsos, just as shorter people don’t always have a short torso length.
Your torso length can be found by measuring from your C7 vertebra (the bony protrusion at the back of your neck when looking down) to the height of your iliac crest (top of your hip bones, where you put your hands on your hips). This measurement will give you an idea of which pack back length to choose.
Once you've got the back length sorted, either by selecting the correct size pack or adjusting the back system, you can begin to follow these simple steps to help achieve a comfortable carry.
LOOSEN OFF ALL STRAPS
Before you start fitting the pack, loosen off all the straps as this will make it easier to get the correct tension later.
TIGHTENING THE HIPBELT
Fasten the backpack hipbelt, the general position is the same as where you’d put your ‘hands on hips’ This area is called the pelvic girdle, and what you can feel when you rest your hand on the area is the bony protuberance, the iliac crest. The iliac crest can support the weight from a pack comfortably, and for sustained periods. The padded section of the hipbelt should encompass this and fit securely.
Tighten the straps so the hipbelt feels secure and held firmly around your body. Ensure that the lumbar pad is centered to your lower back to give you maximum support. Remember that your hips carry most of the weight of the pack, so this should be firm but comfortable.
ADJUSTING THE SHOULDER STRAPS
Next, adjust the shoulder straps, pull them until they start to become snug, but ensure that they are not too tight as to lift the pack off your hips. Remember tightening them will stabilise the pack but will increase pressure over the shoulders. If the back length of the pack is correct the shoulder straps will be flush to your shoulders whilst the hipbelt sits in place comfortably. The point where the shoulder straps attach to the main body of the pack should be roughly half way down your shoulder blades; this ensures that the shoulder straps rolls evenly over the top of your shoulders to distribute the weight correctly.
FASTENING THE CHEST STRAP
Fasten the chest strap and pull until taut but not tight, the elastic section should not be extended. This helps keep the shoulder straps from catching in your shoulder joints and keeps the stability of the pack when moving over rough ground.
ADJUSTING THE TOP TENSIONERS
Top tensioner straps link the shoulder straps to the top of the pack. When tightened, their main function is to stabilise the top part of the pack. The optimum angle for these straps in 45º, but they will stabilise the load even when horizontal or at a more obtuse angle. Tighten them until you feel the top part of the pack rest against your pack, over tightening them will create excessive pressure on the front of your shoulders.
ADJUSTING THE SIDE TENSIONERS
Side tension straps are linked to the hipbelt. By tightening these straps you can stabilise the load but reduce the hipbelt flexibility. Where balance is critical tightening them can help you feel more secure. However, if you are striding out over easy terrain it’s better to loosen these straps to allow full hip flexibility.
ADJUSTING THE SIDE COMPRESSION STRAPS
Side compression straps come next, pulling these tight does two things: firstly, it stabilises the load, secondly it can lift the lower part of the pack, repositioning the load closer to your back.
ADJUSTMENTS ON THE GO
Following these steps should give you a comfortable but secure fit on your pack. Sometimes adjustments will need to be made on the go depending on the terrain or the load you are carrying. The perfect fit is very much a personal preference so experiment with different tensions on the pack to find what suits you best.