CONSTRUCTION
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Buying a Lowe Alpine pack is a long-term investment. Not only do we use the best and most durable fabrics we can find, there's a whole hidden agenda of design features making sure that your pack always does its job. Internal frame staves
All our larger capacity packs use aluminum staves to direct the load onto the hips. We use expensive 6061-T6 aircraft grade aluminum for its light weight, strength and ability to be customized by hand without losing load-transfer properties. High density polyethylene (HDPE) back-frame sheets are used in our medium-capacity packs, often in conjunction with lightweight aluminum staves, giving strength and durability without warp. Crossbow® packs use Delrin staves to create the ultra-strong Crossbow 'hoop'. Bi-laminate foams
We use two types of foam in our packs; closed-cell and open-cell. High quality closed-cell is used in the shoulder harnesses, and also in some of the waistbelts, back panels and lumbar pads. It is highly resistant to stretch and compression damage, and will not be affected by the cold. Stiffer closed-cell foam is used in the waistbelts of our backpacking and large capacity mountain packs. Laminated to softer open-cell foam, the combination provides shape and firm support while ensuring body-contact comfort. We only use 'physically blown' foams. These are more stable at a molecular level, and score over 'chemically blown' foams in strength and durability. Triple sewn seams
We use nylon 3-ply bonded thread to sew our packs together. Made to our own specification. This thread is rot resistant, strong and long-lasting. Major seams are stitched twice, capped with fabric tape and stitched a third time. Stress points are strengthened with five lines of stitching. We are perhaps the last major pack supplier whose products are still entirely stitched together . No rivets, screws or plastic fastenings are used. This means that wherever you are, however far from civilization, you can always field repair a Lowe Alpine pack with needle and thread. Double bases
You may not realize that your larger capacity Lowe Alpine pack has a double base. Or at least not until some time in the distant future when you've worn away the outer base by hauling it over granite slabs. Even packs made for less punishing usage incorporate an extra-tough base fabric. |
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