Experience w/ Lowe Alpine-

[Marc]

Anyone ever use any Lowe Alpine gear or apparel that can speak to their overall quality, reliability and durability as a brand?

 

[BeanoNYC]

Funny...I was at the LL Bean outlet in Delaware this Saturday and spotted some nice backpacks from Lowe Alpine at a real good price....I was wondering the same thing.

 

[Marc]

Yeah, they make some pretty reasonably priced Gore Tex shells too.

 

[thetrailboss]

I've heard good things. Don't have any particular experience.

 

[ts01]

Overall quality and reliability = high. Good design and materials. Durability not Patagonia level but still quite good, better than North Face, LLBean, etc. My general take is Lowe = good design, good value. YMMV.

 

[bvibert]

Lowe's has alpine equipment and apparel now? I think I'd stay away from that... :smash:

 

[powers]

I bought a shell back when I worked @ True Sport and I still have and use it. I'm wearing it in my avitar photo. I can't kill it. The waterproofing has worn of the fabric but the membrain is still good. A little Nik Wax and I'm good to go. I bought it in '94, retailed for about $325. I would say I've got at least $28 a year out of it. I can't speak of thier quality now but if its still the same, I would defintely buy more of thier product.

 

[Marc]

Thanks for the opinions ts01 and powers, I know someone who has a large (55L I think) Lowe Alpine backpack, and that too seems to be well made.

 

[skibum9995]

I have a Lowe Alpine pack that my parents got me when I was 9. It's durability is great and has lasted for many abusive backpacking trips over 13 years and the only thing to break were the plastic buckles. I replaced it this summer for a lighter weight option but it is still in perfect working order.

 

[Mike P.]

I have a couple of small fanny packs that have worked well & I bought my brother-in-law a backpack several years ago that he still has. The many ways to adjust the model I bought was a big selling point because he could not try it on before I bought it.

 

[BoB]

nothing but good things to say

I've got some older bibs and jacket made freom 'Triplepoint' fabric, the best I've ever used, including Gore-Tex. All their stuff is bomber, but haven't bought anything recently. (Stuff doesn't wear out)
Still using an ancient Contour IV backback, faded but still functional...

 

[SkiDog]

Ive got three different packs made by them and they are very comfortbale as well as nicely priced...check out sierra trading post closeouts..they ALWAYS have a wide variety of packs from Lowe.....

Good stuff...IMHO

M