Lowe Alpine Strike 18 Review

Last Updated on 10/08/2023

Lowe Alpine Strike 18 Review

I bought the Lowe Alpine Strike 18 Backpack while traveling through New Zealand in 2015 and have been using it on a daily basis since then. It is a perfect everyday backpack to wear to work or the shops but equally as good for day hiking or heading out on the mountain bike.

Specifications

• VOLUME: 18-liters
• WEIGHT: 570 g / 20.1 oz
• DIMENSIONS: 46 x 28 x 25 cm
• CARRY SYSTEM: AdaptiveFit breathable back panel, adjustable breathable shoulder straps, chest strap, and hip belt
• MATERIAL: N6.6 Mini Rip / 210D mini ripstop

Features

Why I Bought the Lowe Alpine Strike 18

I originally bought it as a daypack to accompany my main 65-liter backpack with larger loads while backpacking – for which it served its purpose very well. There were 2 important features that I was looking for and this daypack had both of them.

The first feature was to be easily rolled up and packed away in a bigger bag. The second feature was if it would be comfortable to wear on my front, whilst wearing my bigger backpack on my back. I found that anything larger than 20-liters was too big to wear on my chest and I didn’t actually need more than that anyway. I could see myself using it in the future so I offered the shop owner 10% off the label price and he took it, deal done.

I also considered the smaller Mammut MTR 201 backpack but decided 18 liters was more practical than 12 liters for a daypack.

Comfort

The Strike 18 has a super comfortable Air-Contour foam back panel which reduces contact area and allows air to flow and cool your back. The foam is shaped with 5 air holes for every 4 contact points and is thick enough to ensure plentiful padding. The contact points are shaped like little bubbles to further reduce contact with your body (and the sweaty back that goes with it). The combination of padding and ventilation makes the pack very comfortable to wear.

The straps are fully adjustable and can be tailored to suit any body size. With soft foam padding in the shoulder straps, you stay comfortable with heavy loads. The chest and waist straps are perfect for trail running or hiking and prevent any unwanted movement. Unlike some backpacks which can feel awkward when they don’t have much in them, the Strike 18 is comfortable empty or full.

Size, Shape, and Weight

I really like the size of the Lowe Alpine Strike 18 as it fits everything you could possibly need for a day hike. I have no problem fitting in waterproofs, insulated jacket, wide-brimmed bushcraft hat, gloves, camera, food, and water as well as other basic essentials like a knife, head torch, first aid, phone, and maps etc…

The pockets are positioned in convenient places and the main compartment opens nice and wide. The design of the bag means it fits smoothly to the contours of your body without clinging to you or your clothing. With no rigid parts bigger than the buckle, you can easily fold/roll/stuff this bag away when not in use. At just 570 grams, the technical daypack can be used for lightweight activities without sacrificing features or comfort.

Packing

One thing I really like about all Lowe Alpine backpacks are the pockets and this Strike 18 review is no different. There is no lack of pockets to keep your valuables and essentials close to hand and they all have a very low profile from the outside. On the inside, everything is very organized and easy to access.

The zips are all very good quality and show no signs of stress even after repeated heavy use. The compression straps on the side do an excellent job of providing support to the zips when the bag is full and are ideal for hanging things like wet socks. I like to keep 500 ml water bottles in each side pocket for balance when the pack is full and use the shoulder strap pocket for a Leatherman multi-tool and Sawyer mini water filter.

Ventilation

As mentioned earlier in this Lowe Alpine Strike 18 review, the ventilation on both the back and straps goes hand in hand with the padding and comfort. The ventilation holes, mesh lining, and low contact point area all help increase airflow and in turn reduce sweating on your back and under the straps.

Best Uses

This Lowe Alpine rucksack is ideal for day hiking, mountain biking, skateboarding, daily shopping, or as a trail running pack (more trail running packs here). It will fit everything you need for a full daypack on the hills and is compact enough to be packed always whilst traveling and not in use. There are separate pockets for all your daily essentials and the tight locking zips will keep the sand out at the beach. Perfect for backpackers and hikers but will not look out of place on anyone’s back (or front).

Verdict

I really like the Strike 18 daypack which looks simple and low profile on the outside but has plenty of strategically placed pockets for quality user experience. The straps are comfortable and easily adjustable for even the smallest or largest of body shapes and sizes. The low contact point padding on the back works nicely to allow air circulation without sacrificing comfort or protection from the contents of your bag.

If you are looking for a compact daypack for hiking or casual use then this is an ideal choice and you will not be disappointed.

Where to buy?

Thanks for reading this Lowe Alpine Strike 18 Review and stay tuned for a list of the best daypacks for hiking.