What is the Lowe Alpine AirZone Trek?
This Airzone Trek is the perfect mid-sized pack for long distance hiking or minimalist multi-day trips.
The AirZone range of packs from Lowe Alpine have recently undergone a complete overhaul, including a redesigned “Formknit” backsystem, a more versatile pocket layout and a host of buckles and attachments for your various mountain and trail accessories. These upgrades have cemented it as one of the most comfortable and well-equipped hiking packs we stock.
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 resistance without increasing weight. The addition of a DWR applied to the face fabric helps to repel light rain and snow shower. Please note however, that despite the HydroShield coating and DWR, this pack is not 100% waterproof, so, if it’s really hammering down you can use the included rain cover.
What is the backsystem?
The main update comes in the form of a fully redesigned Formknit Airzone + backsystem. This new fully suspended, or trampoline, system creates a gap between your bag and the pack itself, allowing constant airflow during use. Providing the structure and support for the whole pack is a lightweight wire frame and TPU sheet hidden away inside the pack. The bit which makes contact with you is made from a soft knitted fabric to provide optimum comfort by forming to the shape of your back.; hence the name – “Formknit”.
The knitting of the fabric produces zero seams or stitch points, 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 areas which require higher levels of durability and support. This new “Formknit” fabric extends as a single entity down into the hipbelt to increase comfort. The hipbelt is incredibly comfortable and effectively transfers the load to your hips thanks to the continuous and seamless Formknit technology. A forward pull webbing belt ensures you can get the hipbelt really snug and secure.
The lumbar pad has also had an overhaul, making it softer than previous generations and with improved ventilation through the foam cut-outs, increasing 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, with a built in whistle, to help equalise the load and relive pressure across your shoulders.
No technical rucksack would be complete without plenty of custom-torso-length-adjustability, and the AirZone is no different. Rather than the traditional method of adjustment which is via the outer of the pack, the AirZone Trek's backsystem is adjusted from the inside. Simply access the main compartment of the bag, undo the Velcro and adjust up and down to your desired length. No forcing your hand between two pieces of Velcro or wrestling with fiddly buckles, just nice and easy.
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 pack. The lid itself can also be extended to give you that extra 10 litres of volume indicated by the 45 to 55 size.
Under the lid is a really useful 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 volume of the pack.
You can also get into the pack via a large u-zip running around the front of the pack that allows you to open up the whole pack, much like a duffel. Once opened up, you will see the internal divider that can either be zipped up to create two separate internal compartments, or left unzipped for one big compartment. This is a really versatile features that enables you to split the contents of your pack or to help with organising your stuff.
Once inside the pack you’ll find the huge hydration sleeve that’ll easily swallow a 3 litre bladder. The opening is controlled by a small webbing loop and buckle that also acts to stop the bladder slumping right down to the bottom of the sleeve.
Other storage is provided by a plethora of pockets; you get:
A large stretch mesh front pocket, the perfect place to stash 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 useful key clip.
Other useful features include the Headlocker ice axe attachment and TipGripper attachment for walking poles. An integrated raincover, stashed in a small zipped pocket at the bottom of the pack, stretches over the front of the pack and is secured with a toggle/loop system on the back-panel. You can also completely remove the raincover if you are absolutely certain that it isn’t going to rain.
External lash points add useful tying points give you the option to attach even more kit, however I’m not a big fan of loads of things dangling off my pack; if it won’t fit inside then I’ve probably packed too much stuff.
Summary
The Lowe Alpine Trek is a technically advanced, incredibly comfortable and well ventilated trekking pack for all mountain and hill activities where you need to carry stuff.
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Zipped front entry with divider panel
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Stretch mesh front pocket
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Front lash points
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Featuring FormKnit technology
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Internally adjustable back-length
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Breathable harness and hipbelt
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HeadLocker axe attachment system
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Secure TipGripper walking pole attachments
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Large stretch mesh side pockets
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External zipped lid pocket
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Forward pull hipbelt adjustment with zipped hipbelt pockets
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Internal zipped security pocket with key clip
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Rain cover