High Peak Alpine 70 + 10 Hiking Backpack Review
I ordered this pack with some trepidation, slightly put off by the name of the manufacturer (new name to me). Well, let me say that these concerns were unwarranted. This is a great pack for the price. This pack has a lot of things not listed in the description (see the pro's). One thing, they say that this has four main compartment areas? Not quite. Its got the detachable day-pack and its area for a hydration pack; thats one, the main compartment and its hydration pack area; thats two, the lower compartment for a sleeping bag; thats three, and the detachable hood and its compartments; thats four. There are no separate areas in the main compartment, unless you count the hydration pack area.
Pros:
- Media pouch on left shoulder strap. (For your 2-way radio)
- Hydration hose clip on right shoulder strap.
- Adjustable fitting heights. (5 separate heights)
- Removable lumbar straps - waist straps. (Although I don't know why you would).
- Top lid detaches into a lumbar pack (or fanny pack). Has lots of pockets in it.
- Detachable day-pack (not quite what is shown in picture, but section with double daisy-chain is a smaller backpack). Has divider for a hydration pack but no port (it can come out the top).
- Detachable day-pack has two mesh pockets for water bottles.
- Two side-mounted and one day-pack mounted holders for ice axes or hiking poles.
- Built in rain cover that pulls out and over from its own pockets.
-Compression straps across the back that are designed to hold equipment as well (such as a snowboard).
- Top lid expands upwards with cinch straps.
-Separate bottom pack for sleeping bag with removable divider.
- Two side straps and hangers for skis (one on each side, although I don't know why one would be carrying two sets of skis...).
- 6.05 Lbs (pretty light for a 5000-6000 cubic inch pack with an additional day pack on top).
- Heavier weave materials than other sub-0 packs (420D body and 1000D bottom. Compare to 240D or some such for others in this price range).
- Adjustable aluminum internal frame.
- Lots of thick padding on the back to make some air-gaps and adjust to your specific body shape.
- Expandable drawstring closure for main compartment, both for easy loading and closing, and for expanding up for more room.
- Safety whistle built into chest strap buckle.
Cons (and yes, there are, despite the five star rating)
- Top-only access to the main compartment. No front access. Just be sure that you pack the stuff you may be needing near the top!
- Some sections of the main pack walls seem a bit thin (single layer of material) Of course they are saving weight on this large pack, and with the higher fabric strength of the 420D material you may only need one layer, I still caution that you don't put any pokey objects on the outside.
- Day pack and main pack hydration sleeves don't come all the way up to the top. If using a large (3L) pack, some of it may be buddying up with the rest of your pack's items. Just make sure that there is nothing that a little condensation won't hurt (or buy an insulation sleeve for your hydration pack).
- No water-proof map pocket. Some packs have this, some don't. Of course, in order to get to any of these, the rest of your pack gets soaked, so I would never find myself using one anyways. Just use a large zip-lock bag and keep it in a thigh pocket of your pants or shorts if you need to use a map).
- No internal pockets in main compartment, only in the lid. A little less organizational ability for a little less weight. Some people may care, some may not.
- Buckles are all the same size and color with the exception of the chest and lumbar ones, hindering an emergency pack-out slightly, and making finding the matching end of a buckle interesting the first few times you take this pack out. Color-coding or size-coding would have been nice.
- I'm a bit skeptical about the lower connection for the shoulder straps, where they connect back with the pack. It doesn't look as sturdy as one might like, but as long as you are carrying most of the weight on your hips, then I don't see it ever being a problem. I will update this if it ever does, and how long it took to wear it down.
- Hydration pack ports could be designed better. They could let water in if its raining. My one from Mountainsmith has a nylon flap that comes down over the port, providing a bit more water-proofness.
That about wraps up my initial review. The pro's far out-weight the cons, especially considering the price. I would definitely buy this pack again.
Five stars!
High Peak Alpine 70 + 10 Hiking Backpack Feature
- Spacious 6,000 Cubic Inches
- Removable Day and Fanny Pak ... Waterproof hood zipper (keep out the rain & Snow)
- Adjustable chest strap for women
- Rain fly Cover included
- Electronics Pocket for GPS & Cell Phone ...Inside Hydration pocket
High Peak Alpine 70 + 10 Hiking Backpack Overview
Fully Adjustable Ladder Suspension System, fits torso's small, medium and large.......
Pre Bent Light Weight Aluminum Stays, the backpack is shaped to conform to your body.....
Vertical and Horizontal Compression Straps...
Padded, Sporty Hip Belt is fully Adjustable with Duraflex Buckles...
Divided Main Compartment. Zippered, Sleeping Bag Compartment can be accessed from outside....
2 Large, Bellowing, Zippered side compartments...
2 Water Bottle Pockets...
Day Pak Has padded shoulder straps and divided inside...
Fanny Pak has adjustable waist belt and 2 inside pockets...
Ice Ax Loop on Bottom...
..TECH FEATURES:...
Size: 5,000 / Adjust up to 6,000 Cu In As Shown...
Weight 6.05 lbs...
Materials: 420 Denier Dotted Dobby Nylon Polyurethane Coated to Resist ...Moisture
420D Double Density Nylon PU coated...
420D Mini Block Rip Stop Nylon PU coated...
Galaxy 60 Nylon PU coated...
1000D Kordura Polyurethane Coated Bottom...You won't Be Sorry On This One ~ This Pack Has It All .... 5 Year Warranty
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Apr 13, 2010 08:31:27
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