Lowe Alpine Contour IV 90+15 – Owner Review

Name: Jason Boyle
Age:  26
Gender: Male
Height: 5’ 6”/ 1.68 m
Weight: 170 lb/ 77 kg
Email address: c4jc@hotmail.com
City, State, Country: Waldorf, Maryland, U.S.
Date of Review: March 28, 2004

Backpacking Background:  I have been camping and backpacking for about 15 years.  I started with the Boy Scouts when I was 11.  I first started hiking mostly in the southeastern United States (Florida, Alabama, Georgia).  Later, I went to college in Connecticut and became versed in the New England outdoors.  I currently live near Washington D.C. and hike and backpack in the Mid Atlantic Mountains.  I have been section hiking the Appalachian Trail and have completed all of the Connecticut and Maryland sections, and I am currently working on the Virginia section. I used to carry everything and the kitchen sink, but I have become weight conscious in recent years and have attempted to lighten my load.

Manufacturer: Lowe Alpine
Year of manufacture: 1997
URL: www.lowealpine.com
Listed weight: none listed since this is an older model
Actual weight:  5 lbs 14 oz (2.66 kg)
MSRP: $239.00 US for the 2004 Model

Category: Internal Frame Backpack

Details: Based on observation:
                        Standard top loading pack
                        Two compartments with zip out divider
                        5500 cu in (90 L) of space in main body with 900 cu in (15 L) of extra
                        space in the expandable collar.
                        “Tuck Away” side pockets
                        Extendable lid with pocket
                        Sternum strap
                        Drawcord top closure
                        Radial side compression straps
                        Ice axe loops
                        Lowe Alpine proprietary Torso Fit System
                        Thickly padded hip belt
                        Ergonomically curved shoulder straps

Test Conditions:

            I have used this pack almost exclusively over the last six and a half years and carried it in all conditions to include hot and dry weekend trips, multi-day trips in mid-winter snow, a 10-day trip of constant rain through Shenandoah National Park, and every condition in between.  I have also used it while carrying varying loads.  My normal weekend load was close to 30 pounds (14 kg), while my multi-day load weight was in the 50 pound (23 kg) range.  The Lowe Alpine Contour IV has performed admirably and has my recommendation as a good entry-level pack that can handle multi-day backpacking trips.

Review: 

            Hip belt – The hip belt is made of 2 parts: a cordura type of fabric filled with a one inch (2.5 cm) thick foam that tapers from 6 inches (15 cm) wide at the pack body to 3 inches (8 cm) wide at the woven nylon strap. The second part of the hip belt is a woven nylon strap, 2 inches (5 cm) wide, which connects the foam part of the belt to the buckle.  The buckle is the standard male/female snap together buckle.  Each half of the belt has a load strap which runs from the main body of the pack to the middle of the foam part of the belt that allows the user to adjust how tightly the pack is fitted to the user’s hips and lower back.

Shoulder Straps – The shoulder straps are made of the same material as the hip belt with a ½ inch (1.3 cm) thick foam strap 2.5 inches (6 cm) wide and the attached nylon strap being 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. The nylon straps are attached to the outer side of the main body of the pack and the foam part is attached to the middle of the pack using the Torso Fit System.  Each shoulder strap also has a load strap that allows the wearer to adjust the how tight the pack fits against their body.  If the straps are tightened, the upper part of the pack is pulled closer to the body and if the straps are loosened the pack is allowed to float further away from the wearer’s back.

Pack Body – The main body of the pack is made of a cordura type fabric similar to the fabric used on the hip belt and shoulder straps and consists of a single compartment that can be divided into two compartments by use of an included zip in divider. Regardless of divider use, the upper part of the pack is accessed via a drawcorded closure and the bottom part of the pack can be accessed via a zippered panel.  The outside of the pack has two “tuck away” side pockets which are large enough to hold a standard 1 quart  (1 L) Nalgene water bottle with room for a few other small items.  The pack lid consists of one large pocket that is accessed via a zippered opening.

My Experience – I knew I was going to be spending the summer of 1998 as a Ranger at Philmont Scout Ranch and wanted a new pack to replace my old one. I looked to the trusty mail order company that I will not mention by name, and ordered this pack.  My only criterion at the time was: I wanted a cheap, large pack. 
            After arrival, I packed it up and took it on a weekend trip.  It did not fit well at first, but the directions for adjusting the pack are fairly simple and in no time it fit like a glove.  The secret is in the “Torso Fit System”.  This system allowed me to adjust the lumbar support and the shoulder strap height to fit my body.  Since that first weekend, I have not made any adjustments to the placement of the lumbar supports or the shoulder strap height. 
            I had several other memorable moments on that first trip.  First, I snagged a rock and cut an inch (2.5 cm) long cut directly in the middle of the right “tuck away” pocket.  Such is my luck!  Since that time, I have done nothing to repair the cut, and it has not increased in size.  The ripstop fabric really works!  The other piece that happened to fail on that first trip was the female part of the sternum strap buckle.  I am not sure how it happened, but the female part of the buckle cracked.  It was and is still useable unrepaired, but if a piece of skin was to get caught in the crack it would do some damage.
            I wore that pack for 30 plus days that first summer, often for 5 plus days at a time, and did not have a single problem after that first weekend.  I tossed it down on rocks, leaned on it against logs, and sat on it during rest breaks, and the pack took all the abuse that I could dish out.  I never developed sore spots, or any other problem areas from wearing the pack.
            Since that first summer, I have used the pack on all of my trips including several multi-day treks and the pack still continues to meet all expectations.  Last spring, I used it on a 10-day trip through Shenandoah National Park lugging a 50 plus pound (23 kg) load without any problems either in the fit of the pack or with the construction of the pack.
            I am really impressed with the durability of this pack.  I like the fact that even though I cut the side pocket on my first trip, I have not had to perform any maintenance to keep the cut from spreading.  I like the way I am able to organize my equipment within the pack itself.  I keep the main body divided and place all of my sleeping equipment and clothing in the bottom of the pack and all of my food, cooking equipment, and other like equipment in the upper compartment.  I use the lid pocket for everything that I need to access quickly, like my flashlight, rain gear, and snacks.
            I also like the way I can carry almost everything and the kitchen sink if I need to.  I especially like this option on winter trips or when I am leading a group.  On winter trips, I don’t have to worry about whether or not I have enough space, because if I fill up the main body, the extendable collar will give me the extra space I need.  If I am leading a group, I like to have the extra space in case I need to carry more of the group’s equipment.
            My main problem with this pack is its weight.  In recent years I have been lightening up my load and a pack that weighs 5 lbs 14 oz (2.66 kg) by itself is just too heavy with all the new lightweight packs available.  That being said, this old standby is not going to be replaced anytime soon.  I have upgraded to a lighter pack for weekend and summer multi-day treks, but for all of my winter trips and those that I lead the Contour IV will be with me.

Summary:

Pro’s
Durable
Easy to fit
Easy to organize

Con’s
Weight