Staff Review - Lowe Alpine TFX CERRO TORRE

For over a year now I’ve been in denial about my current heavy hauling expedition bag. My Lowe Alpine Appalachian 65 has given me a stunning service. It’s been with me since my early scouting days; about 15 years. A simple pack designed for extended trips, hard wearing, comfortable, stable. It has seen me through overloaded Scouting and D of E expeditions, overseas travels, just about every night I’ve spent under canvas, and my work as an instructing. After all those miles, all that adventure has taken their toll on the pack. The shoulder straps have worn thin, the fabric is delaminated, worn out, and a little ripped. Not to mention my poor old sacks less than fashionable appearance.

After many happy years it was an easy choice to turn to Lowe Alpine for a replacement. However things have moved on a little. When I brought my old pack the revolution was internal frames, nowadays we’ve got new back systems, fabrics, straps, attachment points, compression straps, even whistles on the chest strap! (Genius).

Lowe Alpine still make the Appalachian but before I put it in my shopping basket I had a quick look at the rest of the range. Lowe Alpine’s Cerro Torre 65:85 caught my eye. A classic trekking exped pack. This thing is a beast! Massive holding capacity: from a comfy 60 litres to a huge 80 litres. Top of the line back and hip strap system. Super tough waterproof fabric (ideal for the Lakes and my clumsy hands). It’s got loads of different attachment points, ideal for only having 1 bag for loads of activities. However the biggest selling point would appear to be the front entry zip. This allows the user to get access the main compartment without going in through the lid and having to pull everything out. If, like me, you pack everything in waterproof stuff sacs, in the wrong order, a quick unclip and unzip and all your gear is on display. Happy times!

Sizing was easy with the help of the shop staff and full of anticipation, I left the shop; hoping that the Cerro Torre would fill the empty space my 15 year old pack has left behind. First inspections; Lowe’s build quality is incredible, all the fabric, seams, and straps are nicely trim. The clean lines of the Cerro Torre means even the heaviest loads should be stable on steep ground. And it turns out I’ve treated myself to the most comfortable back system around-well I’m getting old now.

First mission??? Guess it should be a relaxed and easy introduction to each other. Perhaps just a quick night out up in Langdale. Hopefully I don’t miss my old pack too much.

PART TWO

A couple days had past and it was time to load up the Lowe Alpine Cerro Torre 65:85.  Just a single night to bivvi up at Side Pike in Langdale.

Loading the bag was quick and easy.  The pack has two compartments; the main and the base or sleeping bag compartment split by a divider that can be unzipped, but not removed completely.  You can access the main compartment through the lid, through to base compartment, or through the front entry zip.  I’m pretty organised these days; with different equipment stored at home in waterproof stuff sacks, just a matter arranging this jigsaw inside the pack.  The Cerro Torre holding  capacity and wide deep shape swallowed my gear up.  Stuff sacks, bivvi and sleeping bag, ground mat, stove, food, a fleece and a jacket disappeared from sight.  I treated myself to an extra belay jacket and a beer, just to use up some space.  The side compression straps, squashed the pack down nice and evenly removing any dead space.

The lid section contains a well sized main pocket, a smaller inside pocket; ideal for keys, personal items or even maps, and a rain cover. The cover is made of the standard orange nylon and is elasticated to fit the pack nice a snug.  Personally I’m not a fan of rain covers, but it can be completely detached from the pack to save weight and space.  Another nice touch is the emergency signal instructions printed on the underneath of the lid, add that to the integrated whistle on the chest strap and I’ll give the pack my mountain rescuer thumbs up.

It was only a short walk in (about an hour), a little cross country as I explored the fell-side.  The pack was great.  With this load I hardly noticed it.  The adjustment straps are in all the right places.  They adjusted quickly and easily. I was most impressed by the hip belt. Lowe uses an adaptive fit system, which contours the belt nicely to the body.  And both shoulder and hip straps are well padded, and surprisingly comfortable from the off.

The bag performed so well on this mini mission, I actually look forward to loading it up properly., and giving it a proper test.