User Review: Lowe Alpine Contour IV (1996)

Reviewed January 20, 2001 by Rick Story

Rating: rated 4 of 5 stars
Design: Internal Frame
Size: 5400 CI Plus (60 liters)
Number of Pockets: 1 (top pocket)
Max. Load Carried: 65 (winter)
Height of Owner: 6'1"
Price Paid: Paid $199 in 1996

Well, now that I have had this pack for five years and close to at least 100 trips (weekends and longer adventures), I feel that I can write of the good and bad.

Design - The pack is made with a wider profile rather than a taller thinner profile. I find this nice for cruising through blowdown.

Pockets - not enough. I added the side pocket for winter use, but they always seem to be sloppy and catch on things.

Top Pocket - Fallback is that it does not turn into a hip pack for daytrips into town or side trips whilst on longer trips.

Suspension - Comfortable and not bad for $200, but certainaly not of the quality of gregory or dana.

Overall Quality - The materials and overall design of this pack are great. I have had cheap packs (Kelty and Eureka and Camp-trails) over the past 20 years, and it is things like bar tacked stitching, heavy duty cordura in wear spots, good high density foam for shoulders that doesn't break down over time with heavy loads. A comfortable hipbelt and good plastic/nylon buckles. This pack makes a great all around pack and I know it will give me many more years of great use - I haven't even begun to wear out the PU coating even after all these trip so far.

I am sure that others will find this pack a great value and trusted piece of gear.

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