What is the Lowe Alpine AirZone Trek?
This Airzone Trek is a well-equipped mid-sized pack for long-distance hiking or minimalist multi-day trips.
What is it made of?
The main bulk of the bag is made from a super tough yet lightweight 210D ripstop nylon with a HydroShield (PU) water-resistant coating. This fabric provides high levels of abrasion and water resistance without unnecessary weight. Please note that despite the HydroShield coating and DWR, this pack is not 100% waterproof. So, if it's hammering down, you will want to use the included rain cover.
What is the back system?
The Formknit Airzone + back system is a fully suspended (trampoline-like) system that creates a gap between your bag and the pack itself, allowing constant airflow during use. Providing the structure and support for the whole backpack is a lightweight wire frame with a TPU sheet hidden away inside the back panel.
The soft knitted fabric provides optimum comfort by forming to the shape of your back, hence the name – "Formknit". The fabric knitting produces zero seams, massively reducing the chance of rubbing or hot spots over long distances. Cleverly, it also features a looser knit in areas which require greater comfort and ventilation and a tighter knit in regions which require higher levels of durability and support. It extends as a single entity down into the hipbelt to increase comfort.
The forward pull webbing belt ensures you can get the hipbelt really snug and secure. While the lumbar pad increases comfort and support on longer treks.
The shoulder straps feature breathable cut-outs to enhance comfort and ventilation and are lined with a fast-drying and high-wicking fabric. You also get a fully adjustable sternum strap to help equalise the load and relieve pressure across your shoulders.
No technical rucksack would be complete without plenty of custom-torso-length-adjustability.
What are the features?
Entry into the pack is achieved via a traditional top lid opening by unclipping the two webbing straps on the front of the bag. The lid can also be extended to give you that extra 10 litres of volume indicated by the 35 to 45 size.
Under the lid is a handy top tension strap with a reinforced panel that acts to store ropes etc., or to help control the load, and there is a generous drawcord-controlled valance to keep the contents protected. This valance also extends when you want to increase the pack's volume.
You can also enter the main compartment via a large u-zip running around the front of the pack, allowing you to open it up like a duffel. Inside is an internal divider that lets you split your pack's contents to help organise your gear.
Inside the pack, the hydration sleeve will accommodate up to a 3-litre bladder. The opening is controlled by a small webbing loop that also stops the bladder from slumping down to the bottom of the sleeve.
Other storage is provided by a plethora of pockets; you get:
A large stretch mesh front pocket is perfect for stashing soggy overtrousers, gaiters or even a wet tent flysheet.
Two large stretch mesh side pockets for water bottles etc.
Two zipped hipbelt pockets, perfect for energy foods, compass, phone etc.
An external zipped lid pocket for hats and gloves or other essentials
An internal zipped security pocket under the lid with a helpful key clip.
Other valuable features include the Headlocker ice axe attachment and TipGripper attachment for walking poles. An integrated rain cover, stashed in a small zipped pocket at the bottom of the pack, stretches over and is secured with a toggle/loop system on the back panel.
External lash points add valuable tying points, allowing you to attach even more kit. However, I'm not a big fan of loads of things dangling off my pack; if it doesn't fit inside, you've probably packed too much stuff.
- Zipped front entry with divider panel
- Stretch mesh front pocket
- Front lash points
- Featuring FormKnit technology
- Internally adjustable back-length
- Breathable harness and hipbelt
- HeadLocker axe attachment system
- Secure TipGripper walking pole attachments
- Large stretch mesh side pockets
- External zipped lid pocket
- Forward pull hipbelt adjustment with zipped hipbelt pockets
- Internal zipped security pocket with key clip
- Rain cover
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.