Backpacks

Lowe Alpine Airzone Pro 35:45 Backpack | Review

The Lowe Alpine classic gets a 2020 makeover, most notably with the addition of a suave new back system

Why We Chose The Lowe Alpine Airzone Pro 35:45 Backpack: excellent back system and carry, useful details, versatile size

We like Lowe Alpine backpacks. A couple of years ago, their Aeon daypack made it into our Outdoor 100 and last year it was their mightily impressive Altus day/weekender pack that we included. For the Outdoor 100 this year, we didn’t need to think twice about including this, their modernised, rejigged and relaunched version of their Airzone Pro – one of their most popular hiking packs over the last few years.

Who Is The Lowe Alpine Airzone Pro for?

This pack is unashamedly hiking-specific. What we mean by that is Lowe Alpine haven’t tried to make it something that’ll tempt in all manner of outdoor enthusiasts, from ultra runners and fastpackers, to climbers to ski mountaineers. They’ve made it for people who hike. Simple.

While there are a bunch of different sizes of packs in the Airzone family, and both men’s and women’s specific fits, this particular one sits in the middle of the range and offers a 35:45-litre volume that’ll suit, say, a hut-to-hut trek in the Alps or a summer backpacking adventure.

The main material of the bag is a PU coated ripstop nylon that feels very durable. Photo: Mike Brindley

Materials And Design

As the name suggests, the key feature on the Airzone Pro is its back system. Lowe Alpine have gone for maximum comfort and ventilation with this design. At all points of contact across the back and hips there’s a suspended knitted nylon which has a body-mapped weave density to provide differing levels of ventilation, cushioning and support, depending on where each is needed.

This panel leaves as much as three inches of space between the main body of the pack and the middle of your back, resulting in a huge gap for airflow. At the lumbar, there’s still a slight suspension but most of the space is filled with a comfy foam padding that feels very ergonomic. There’s then modest padding right around the hipbelt and around and the shoulder straps too, the latter of which use a 3D-style mesh for ventilation.

These packs either come in S/M or M/L back lengths so be mindful of which one you’re choosing if when you make your purchase. There is some length adjustment in the form of a velcro adjustable panel that’s located on the inside of the bag’s main compartment, however, there’s only a few inches to play with here.

“They’ve made it for people who hike. Simple”

The main material of the bag is a PU-coated ripstop nylon that feels very durable (it must be about 200 denier, maybe more) though the mesh side pockets could be the points at which you eventually get some wear and tear. The stitching all looks solid and reliable.

The floating lid gives the pack an additional 10 litres of storage. Photo: Mike Brindley

At all points of contact across the back and hips there’s a suspended knitted nylon. Photo: Mike Brindley

The Airzone Pro comes in either S/M or M/L back lengths. Photo: Mike Brindley

Features

It’s a feature-stacked pack. You have a floating top lid (non removable) which at its limit gives you an extra 10 litres of volume, there’s an integrated waterproof cover tucked away at the base, trekking pole tips and an ice axe lock, a forward pull hipbelt, emergency whistle on the sternum, side compression straps and hydration bladder compatibility.

Lots of pockets as well; including an overlid and underlid with a key clip inside, two zipped stretch pockets on the hipbelt which are wisely reinforced by nylon at the base and then side stretch mesh ones that are both big enough for a water bottle or even a sleeping mat.

On the front of the pack there are two lengthways zips. One of these has a large pocket that would accommodate a waterproof jacket or say, your guidebooks and maps. The other one, which has a water resistant laminate, gives access to the main compartment so you can quickly get hold of anything you might’ve stuffed down at the base.

Tester’s Verdict

Will Renwick, Outdoors Magic editor.

“Suspended mesh packs can be hit and miss. I remember hiking the Camino De Santiago with a Deuter one and the mesh panel managed to channel all the pack’s weight down into its two corners, each located either side of the small of my back. It was very uncomfortable.”

Outdoors Magic editor, Will Renwick found the Airzone Pro to be a well balanced pack. Photo: Jordan Tiernan

“Fortunately, this one hits the mark, offering masses of airflow but still managing the weight and balance of the pack, ultimately making for a very comfortable carry.

“The 35:45 litre volume won’t be big enough for the ridiculous demands of a D of E kit list, but for me, it was absolutely spot on for carrying all the equipment I need for a couple of nights out wild camping. I’d say it would suit summer backpacking adventures of any length in the UK, so long as you’re not having to carry food and water for days on end. Planning on hiking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path? This would be spot on, I reckon.

Putting the Airzone Pro 35-45 to the test on Sharp Edge, Blencathra. Photo: Jordan Tiernan

“What about for winter use? It has the volume and technical features to suit big days in the mountains where you need to carry winter equipment, however, you’re not going to enjoy having all that back ventilation when there’s spindrift coming at you from all angles. Packs with suspended back systems do tend to be on the heavy side, and at 1.56kg, this is just about hitting heavy territory. Still, there are certainly heavier packs of a similar spec out there.

“The thing that I reckon I’ve come to appreciate most about this AirZone Pro is how it handles weight. This keeps the load (and weight) as close to your back as possible, creating a reassuring centre of gravity. I hate it when a pack feels like it’s pulling me backwards (this can happen with some Osprey models), but that’s not an issue with this.”