Lowe Alpine Edge 18 Daypack

Product Information

There’s a lower walking pole or ice-axe loop. Berghaus images show a top bungee retainer in too, but our sample didn’t have this so we secured our poles using the side compression strap. The Edge is the smallest model in Lowe Alpine’s revamped Edge range, which is now in its fourth incarnation, having been introduced in 2008.

Lowe Alpine | Trekitt UK Lowe Alpine | Trekitt UK

Aquapac says it’s suitable for both urban commuting and outdoor activities as well as cycling. Obviously, it’s suited to wet situations such as stand-up paddleboarding. The sternum strap is unusual in that it’s made from the same stretch cord as the bungees. It can be passed through three alternative daisy chain loops to vary its height. The harness straps are a good width and had ventilated foam padding. They were comfortable in use and there was little moisture build-up. The sternum strap is adjustable via a daisy-chain arrangement with four different heights. This is less convenient than a constantly variable set-up.There’s no facility for a hydration reservoir though you could put one in the inside pouch and carefully route the drink tube through the roll-top closure, but that would be less than ideal. The compact Lowe Alpine Edge 18 is perfect for the casual outdoor enthusiast who commutes to work, walks the hills and travels cool and light. Features

Edge 18 - Day Pack – Mountain Equipment Edge 18 - Day Pack – Mountain Equipment

The harness straps have plenty of foam padding, with cutouts for ventilation and perforations on the inner surfaces. The sternum strap has an elasticated section and its height is continuously variable on rails on the straps. The capacity was good too, easily swallowing our usual day outing’s gear. There’s enough space to stretch to a lightweight winter outing too. Side tension straps are linked to the hipbelt. By tightening these straps you can stabilise the load but reduce the hipbelt flexibility. Where balance is critical tightening them can help you feel more secure. However, if you are striding out over easy terrain it’s better to loosen these straps to allow full hip flexibility. Picture is a brand founded by three snowboarders in France in 2008 and has built itself around strong sustainable and ethical principles. The capacity wasn’t huge, but it was enough, just, to accommodate a day’s gear. Weight was middling, with the Alp Trainer 25 tipping the scales at just over a kilo.

Best uses: hill and mountain walking; longer-distance trail walking; lightweight winter walking; scrambling. Adjusting the height of the sternum strap was slightly involved, and necessitated sliding each side out of the daisy chain webbing and into the new position, which was more time consuming than anchors that slide on rails. We found it was best done before setting out rather than on the hoof.