Lowe Alpine Attack 50

I've used the Lowe Contour Mt. 40 and 50 for many years and still love those packs. Their tear-drop shape really works well whilst climbing and skiing! but I finally succumbed and bought something with all the extra features that those elegant basic contour mountain(s) lack.

The Alpine Attack has got every feature you can think of plus a couple more: hydration system pocket, crampon pocket, optional climbing gear slings, you name it! And, to tell you the truth, I have come to love a lot of those extra features. The crampon pouch and ice tool attachments especially, are really nice upgrades over the old contour mountain packs.

Where the contour mountain packs still have the new-fangled alpine attack pack beat (hands down) is how well it works while you are actually climbing!! The alpine attack isn't bad - it's just like every other technical climbing pack on the market. It's just that the contour hugs your body and keeps the weight in just the right places.

So, if I'm using my pack mainly to lug gear to the crags, I'm going to use the alpine attack. If I'm really going to have to climb (or ski) extensively with the pack on, I'm going to revert to my trusty old contour mountain.

This is an excellent pack for weekend trips or light mountaineering. It comes with a hydration system which some people may find useful. The construction and quality of materials is superb. It is made of Lowe's diamond tech nylon, which makes it shed snow and rain very well. It has a removable foam back pad to use as a bivy pad or to save space. The pack has a large spindrift collar, and the hood telescopes up to increase the packs volume. In all, a very comfortable and good looking pack with amazing quality. I highly recommend this pack.