Rab-parent company Equip acquires Lowe Alpine

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Equip Outdoor Technologies, based in Derbyshire, UK, has announced that it has agreed to the purchase of the internationally renowned Lowe Alpine brand and all its associated assets for an undisclosed amount. Equip, a private UK company owned by Matt Gowar, has grown rapidly in recent years following its acquisition of the Rab, Podsacs...

Full article at http://www.trailspace.com/articles/2011/07/14/equip-acquires-lowe-alpine.html

I guess this sounds ignorant, but "I didn't even know Lowe Alpine still existed"!  I have a microfleece-type jacket from them that I bought 11+ years ago, and haven't seen any of their gear since.  I assumed they'd gone out of business.  That jacket has been great though!!

So Pleased to know that Lowe Alpine is going to survive and hopefully, experience a resurgence in market influence. I have a sizeable collection of their clothing and gear (wearing an LA fleece in my profile pic) and I couldn't be more satisfied. I bought one of their packs this past Winter and learned of their troubles when they cancelled their clothing line about a week later.

One can still buy their clothing on SierraTradingPost.com at great discounts. 

The Lowe packs broke a lot of new ground back in the day.Loved my original Lowe and took it to many summits.They have had some ups and downs over the years but hope to see them come back strong with a great product line,have really enjoyed there clothing over the years.

I used to use an old late 1970's model Lowe pack called the Backpacker II, or something.  When did Lowe become Lowe Alpine?

Here's a fotog of my buddy Johnny B with the Lowe Backpacker II. 

Has been Lowe Alpine for many years but can not give you an exact date.They did wander off the path a bit,quality and innovation,but this is good for their future.

Skimanjohn said:

The Lowe packs broke a lot of new ground back in the day.Loved my original Lowe and took it to many summits.They have had some ups and downs over the years but hope to see them come back strong with a great product line,have really enjoyed there clothing over the years.

Indeed Lowe products have been some of the highest quality over the years. Even as Lowe/Alpine they were still an innovative company. As RAB seem to a least for now intent on keep the outdoor industry entities they acquire separate I would guess that this is the best outcome a failing business. I will hold judgment for now but I'm hoping that RAB will fill a long dying niche of high quality gear at somewhat reasonable prices that, though is not totally extinct in North America, very hard to find and getting harder to find every day. Here is my only piece of Lowe equipment I have now, the Lowe/Alpine II.   I have had a number of Lowe and or Lowe/Apline over the years, mostly backpacks.

The original name of the company was Lowe Alpine Systems (LAS).  After a bit they dropped the Systems part.

Good to see they are still going to be around, I was wondering why the clothing line dried up.  I really like my Lowe shell parka, I have a couple of packs as well.

I have two of their newer packs, and they have performed without flaw. Their apparel was top notch. I have many, many pieces. My favorite is their Mountain Cap and their Warm Zone technology, namely on their L/S Ninja Hoody. Only a few years old, and still some of the best layering technology ever designed. I am also a big Polartec fan, and most of Lowe Alpine's clothing is made with it.

Hope there is a revival :)

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