Lowe Alpine Rush 25 Pack - 1500cu in - 2008 BCS

I bought this backpack to replace my old Vaude Rock Ultralight 25. I only have two complaints. #1 - The opening is annoyingly small. #2 - The foam back panel is removable and its pocket on the inside of the pack has no Velcro or button closure so it is constantly open and getting in the way when I try to load the pack. I ended up sewing it shut which solved the problem. Other than those two complaints I love the pack.

I mainly use it for my climbing gear and for when I go to work. I can fit two pairs of climbing shoes, a harness, a nalgene, a fleece, and a sandwich or two in the main compartment. The harness pockets are huge! I carry a wind jacket in one side and a headlamp/knife/paracord in the other. There is also a small pocket on the lid where I usually throw a few power bars and an expandable front pocket that I use for my dirty gym clothes. The compression straps work wonderfully and keep all of the gear in place. The material is thick and durable with a waterproof coating on the inside. The pack rides awesome on the back and I just love this thing. It is a killer backpack and I have no doubt that it will last me a long time.

This is now my favorite day hiking pack for in the White Mtns. Perfect size for camelback and fleece inside, and lunch and camera in outside pockets. Even though there is no frame, it is the most comfortable pack I have worn - hugs my back perfectly!

Nice pack for 1 day adventures.

I'm 5'7" and 180 lbs, fits well. Small emergency kit fits into the top mesh pocket (Adventure Medical 1.0 version), Canon SX200IS fits in the hip pockets. I use the shoulder strap mesh pocket for easy access to my GPS, Garmin 60CSX. 2 liter camelback fits nicely. I'm not a big fan of the compressions straps, but they work well enough. no gear loops for mounting poles when they're not being used... anyone with a decent imagination can work around this.

Overall I would recommend this to others. Went hiking with my little sister and she's considering getting one herself.

Looks like it would be a great pack if you have a shorter torso. It is very well made and is a great size for a day pack. The hip-belt pockets and the mesh pockets on the shoulder straps are great, more packs need to start incorporating this into their designs. However, the entire pack is only 17" from top to bottom, and about 14" from the top to the middle of the waistbelt. I normally wear a medium to large backpack and this puts the hip-belt far above my hips and even above my belly-button, so its going back.