Opinions on Lowe Alpine Alpine Attack 35:45L & Montane Torque 40L Packs

I spent the last week researching the backpack market looking for a versatile pack to use for hauling trad rack w/ doubles to 2-3 night backpacking trips. To accomplish this I was looking for a pack around 40L and comfortable carrying of 35 lbs. Overall I was unable to find a combination of features, size, weight and price until I found Lowe Alpine products. The Alpine Attack 35:45 perfectly meets my target pack volume with good comprehensibility and weighs less than 1.2kg with ability to drop weight to 850g. The pack has all the attributes I was looking for including removable brain, hip belt with option for minimized webbing system for use with a harness, haul loops and other well thought out features.

Other top contenders in order are Montane Torque 40L , Cilogear 30:30 and Gregory z40. I have read a lot of positive reviews for Cilogear and like the design but was skeptical of the 30:30 suspensions comfort on 3 day backpacking trips. I was also looking for a pack with some airflow in the back to help during use in the Texas summers. The airflow system of the Z40 was of interest to help mitigate sweat but after reading it shifts the weight further away from the back which can cause instability when scrambling over rock. My only complaints with the Torque design are the lid isn't removable and its a little heavier.

I was unfamiliar with both Montane and Lowe Alpine and wanted to hear if anyone else had any experience with these bags to understand how they carried on the approach and climbing since they aren't available locally to try on. Would also like to hear how the materials and fittings hold up over time.

Thanks,

Steve

Steve,
I have both the Alpine Attach 35:45 and the 45:55. I love the 35:45 it is one of the best packs that I have used. It is very simple but carries really well. I use it as an ice and alpine pack mostly but do use it for trad climbing as well. I think it is one of the best packs on the market. Simple elegant and does exactly what it is supposed to do.
Dallen

maybe have a look at the Exped Mountain Pro 40 to totally confuse you ;)

After hearing what Sunny-D had to say about Lowe Alpine's Alpine Attack series and after a little snooping around online, I pulled the trigger and purchased the Alpine Attack 45:55. I am extremely happy with this pack. I use this pack for strictly alpine/ice as well.

I feel like Lowe Alpine has thought of everything an ice/alpine climber wants or needs. From glove friendly buckles to strippable features like the lid and hip belt. I love that fact I can tuck the hip belt away w/o actually having to completely remove it and bury it in my pack. The rope sling is perfect allowing you to keep the rope strapped in tight, but still able to push it aside to get into the main body of the pack. The web catcher concept is genius and easily holds my tools, poles or skis. I was worried the dongs that hold the heads of the tools to the pack would be a pain in the ass, especially with cold hands, but they are a breeze to use. No issues at all.

The material is bullet proof and the best part is the pack carries weight very well. It wouldn't be my 1st choice for 3-day backpacking trip, but it definitely wouldn't be my last either.

My only wish : an external crampon pouch. As Sunny-D has mentioned before : Lowe Alpine doesn't get much credit for their alpine packs here in the states. They should. Very well thought out gear.

I have a Montane Torque 40 in my stable of packs - it is a very nice pack, well built with loads of features but, in my opinion, the pack designers spent more time dreaming up nifty features than actually using it. I find the tool attachments a bit cumbersome and the straps are too short to stuff a pad under. I like it, it's comfortable but I wouldn't buy it (it was given to me).

Thanks for the feedback on the packs. I did check out the Exped Mountain Pro and liked the waterproof feature but think the Alpine Attack is still the better option for me. However, the waterproof feature did bring up a question that is never answered clearly on manufactures websites, how well do the fabrics on the Alpine Attack resist water? Can you get away without a rain cover? If a rain cover is necessary, did you use the Lowe Alpine rain cover or something else?

For those of you with the Alpine Attack 35:45, how does the pack handle a volume of 40L and at what point does the pack become unmanageable in terms of weight and volume? I want to get the smaller version but fear it will not carry well at the 40-45L range.

After hearing your positive responses I feel this is the right model for me. However, I have been unable to find an online US retailer selling this pack. Where did you guys buy the Alpine Attack? The only information on Lowe Alpine's website I found was an email address for a distributor usa-sales@equipuk. Campsaver had the pack listed but is out of stock. I sent an email asking when and if it will return but would like other options to find the best price.

Thanks

Not to throw a wrench into things, but any pack discussion deserves a mention of Cold Cold World. Simple, bomber, customizable, and handmade in New Hampshire.

I got my Alpine Attack 45:55 at CampSaver at the end of December. I know your really looking at the 35:45 version, but these packs are so light weight and strippable, I think you'd be very happy with the larger size. I can hike in all my gear (harness, crampons, helmet, screws, biners, rope, etc.) with no problem.

When I get to my objective or crag, I take out all my gear, put it on and rack up. Then I stuff my mitts, belay coat/extra layers, water, food, etc. and cinch the pack down. It compresses so well, I've never wanted a smaller version.

The past couple of outings I've left the lid home and love the easy accessibility of just opening the pack and diving right in. I miss the organization a bit, but I've some-what mitigated that by storing items in the hydration sleeve to keep them out of the way. My headlamp, insulated glove inserts and food go in the hydration sleeve while everything else is in the main compartment. Couldn't be easier.

I did a quick Google search for the Alpine Attack, but couldn't find one. Good luck!

yes, seriously consider a cold cold world - I've got a chernobyl and it's a really great pack - the best I own actually, and I've got a lot.

Just another viewpoint, I have the 35:45 and despise it. Most annoying pack I've ever owned.

I find the futzy hook closure buckle annoying, but what I really hate is the way the pack carries on just one shoulder. Even with a minimal load, the pack turns sideways like a purse. No matter how carefully I try to balance it, it won't carry upright on one shoulder. Now, obviously job 1 is for the pack to carry well in the conventional 2-strap mode, and I guess this does that OK, but I've had plenty of packs of all different sizes from tiny to huge that carry fine both ways.

The pack is also really narrow, making bulky items tough to fit.

Ugh.