Lowe Alpine Edge 26 Backpack

Product Information

These are voluntary guidelines used to demonstrate their commitment to good environmental, social, ethical, and food safety practices. The backpack has plenty of pocket space with a security pocket on the top, side mesh pockets and many more. A large zippered main pocket provides ease of access, generously sized to carry everything you need. The 18 litre capacity was just enough to contain our usual day walk gear minus camera but wouldn’t accommodate our winter hill kit. In a generous 26-litre capacity, the Edge can fit everything you need for a busy day out, whether it’s the city or the summit.

The back is simple but didn’t provide much in the way of stiffening and ventilation was only moderate. The lower attachment of the straps is to a contrasting-colour webbing loop running from lumbar area to the hips. The removable chest and hip straps mean that you can adapt the pack to meet your personal needs whilst the compression straps give a secure pack that will balance the weight comfortably on your back. Inside is a slightly padded sleeve that will accommodate a laptop but also doubles as a holder for a hydration reservoir. Each strap has two double and four single daisy-chain slots, which allow a carabiner to be inserted to hold gear.

Durability also adds to the sustainable aspect of the pack, along with its comprehensive use of recycled materials, plus a PFC-free durable water-resistant coating. The top and bottom foam pads in the back system initially felt a little firm, but over prolonged use there was no discomfort.

Within it is a plastic key loop and there’s a smaller zipped pocket and a second small pocket with soft tricot lining that will protect a smartphone. Backpacks uniquely designed for people on the move, whether in the mountains or on the street - Lowe Alpine aims to ensure maximum comfort as you put your best foot forward. The body of the rucksack is made from recycled polyester with polyurethane coating to offer water resistance. The opening is rolled forward and secured by a webbing strap and metal hook into a thick webbing loop which forms part of a larger handle which can be used to carry the pack if required.

Slacken off the two adjustment straps and put the pack on, then pull down on the straps until the correct back length is obtained. The back system worked well, allowing venting without the pack feeling it was pulling away from the body. There are load adjuster straps at the top of the harness for pulling the pack closer to the body for increased stability. As a fairly small woman, I would have liked to see more consideration given to the weight of the packs. The back is also adjustable for length by pulling up on a locking buckle to allow the panel to which the harness is attached to slide up or down before relocking the buckle to hold it in the best position for the wearer.

The Osprey pack has twin stretch mesh bottle pockets on its side and it has two ice-axe or walking pole loops at the bottom. There are twin stretch bottle pockets at the sides of the Zyp 28 and the pack has upper and lower compression straps with plastic buckles. For general hillwalking or country walking, the Fjallraven pack is ideal and should give long service thanks to its robust construction and quality manufacture. The Edge 26 is a tough-feeling pack that should stand up to the rigours of use on a daily commute, on foot or on wheels.The Edge 26 is a decent idea in the city though in fact it is completely capable of adapting to multiple situations. The main large opening is designed with easy access in mind and the front zipped pocket perfectly fits a OS map. This has two foam-covered pads at shoulder and lumbar areas which rotate in opposite directions, the top one being attached to the harness and the lower one to the hip belt.