What is the Cerro Torre?
The Cerro Torre is a premium trekking pack offering the ultimate in backpacking comfort and practicality for those heading out for a weeklong expedition or even a year of adventures. Featuring 80 litres of space that can be expanded to 100 litres when necessary, the Cerro Torre has the capacity to comfortably carry everything you’ll need and more.
What is it made from?
One of the most vital aspects of a trekking bag has to be its ability to survive harsh terrain over long periods of time. As soon as you get your hands on the Cerro Torre, you can tell it has been built to last! The bulk of the bag has been made from a super tough TriShield fabric, basically, a 210D Ripstop Nylon with a durable water repellent finish, while areas prone to extended wear get an upgraded 330D fabric; the base for example.
What is the backsystem?
Lowe Alpine use their VT Flex system on the Cerro Torre. Rather than a backsystem, Lowe Alpine label it a “Carry System” as it involves far more than just the back; it encompasses the hipbelt, shoulder straps and size adjustable back panel as a whole to promote natural, flexible movement on undulating terrain and effectively transfers the load from the pack body into the lumbar area and the hip belt. The whole system is built around a TPU sheet with twin aluminium stays, hidden away inside the pack under the zip that’s labelled “not a pocket”. That’s the best place to leave it as it’ll shape itself to your contours over time and with use.
The main load-bearing part of the Carry System is the hipbelt, and this one is particularly special as it features independent pivoting hip fins with a load-bearing flex-bar to ensure maximum weight transfer and comfort when you’re carrying loads of up to 25kg. The hipbelt is also is pre-curved and hugs your hips even before you've even tightened the straps using the forward pull straps. This hipbelt can be adjusted to suit varying girths and ensures a perfect fit for smaller and larger people alike. A large lumbar pad increases comfort and prevents the bag from digging into your lower back over long periods of time.
This Carry System features an incredibly simple system to adjust the torso-length which is quicker and less time consuming than previous models; simply lift the Velcro section, adjust to the desired length and push the Velcro back down. When you adjust the back system the whole shoulder harness slides up and down in two ratcheted channels to ensure it always stays level and means you always get an accurate fit.
Please remember that your torso length and not your height will determine the back length. For example, I’m 191cm tall, yet only have a 48cm torso length, so I’d go for a M/L size in this pack. For more advice on pack fitting have a look at our video below.
The pre-curved shoulder harness is lined with a soft, breathable mesh and are fully padded to ensure your comfort. That same mesh extends right down throughout the Carry System to help with ventilation and comfort across your whole back. The shoulder straps also have a stiffened section over the top to distribute the load and to stop them from deforming under heavy loads.
Having tried this bag on with 20kg inside, we were amazed at its ability to carry weight so effortlessly. Once adjusted, the hipbelt takes the weight brilliantly and transfers the load onto your hips so comfortably that you forget you've got any weight in at all.
What are the features?
This advanced and technical rucksack is packed with features. Starting with the entry points, you get three ways to enter the bag; a traditional top entry, through the bottom zipped section (generally used to store a sleeping bag) or via a large 'U' shaped zip on the front, this allows you to remove items from the bottom of the pack without emptying the rest of the pack out. It’s worth mentioning the top drawcord at this point, Lowe Alpine have made it super easy to open up the main compartment through the valance; simply grab both of the webbing loops and pull them apart.
While we're on the topic of the top lid, this can be extended upwards to offer an additional 20 litres of storage, or completely removed and transformed quickly and easily into a 15 litre daypack. When the top lid is removed, a cover is built in to shield the entrance to the bag from light rain.
Pockets wise, you get an external and internal pocket on the lid, the internal one has a secure key clip, one large zippered pocket on the front panel which is where you’ll find the raincover in a separate zipped section. The massive stash pocket on the front is the perfect place to store a tent flysheet or wet gear during the day (far better than stuffed in the bottom of your bag where it can't breathe). Two large stretch mesh pockets on the side of the bag for will easily swallow 1L water bottles and there are two side zippered bellows pockets for spare layers or tent poles. At first, these can be hard to find as the zips are neatly tucked away on the side seam, but they are there. The two zipped pockets on the hipbelt are the ideal place to store snacks, a GPS or your smartphone/camera. Oh, and there's an internal sleeve for a hydration bladder with a clip to stop the bladder slumping to the bottom of the sleeve.
Other useful features include Lowe’s TipGrippers to attach your walking poles, HeadLocker ice axe attachment, internal and external load compression straps to pull the weight closer to your back and to prevent items rolling about during transit, an adjustable sternum strap with built-in whistle (another good safety feature), lash points to attach additional gear and a large front grab handle to easily pick the bag up or to load it into a vehicle. There’s even an SOS panel under the lid to make sure you know how to summon help in an emergency. All zips on the bag are designed to work well with bulky gloves, and all buckles, clips and toggles are designed to last years of rugged use.
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330D Nylon hardwearing base
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Extendable hipbelt with dual-pivot hip fins and a stabilising load transfer bar
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Extendable lid to increase volume by an extra 20 litres
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External zipped lid pocket
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Forward pull hipbelt adjustment with zipped hipbelt pockets
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Front grab handle
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Front stash and zipped front pocket
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HeadLocker axe attachment system
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Hydration compatible
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Integrated drawcord cover for when lid is removed
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Internal and external load compression straps
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Internal lid security pocket with key clip
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Large stretch mesh side pockets
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Lash points to allow additional external carry
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Rain cover
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Removable lid converts to 15lt daypack with front stash
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Secure TipGripper walking pole attachments
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Side zipped bellow pockets
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SOS panel
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Sternum strap with whistle
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VT FLEX Carry System
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Web loop compression strap for fastening poles and axes securely
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Zipped front and lower entry with internal zipped divider panel
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.