Lowe Alpine Cerro Torre 75:100 Backpack

Volume

The numbers above are not a misprint: The Cerro Torre has up to 100 liters of storage. That lets stronger hikers rethink resupplies on long trips. One tester stuffed the pack with everything he needed (about 70 pounds worth of supplies) for a two-week trip in Wyoming’s Wind River Range. Downside: The pack’s size and weight make it best strictly for big-trip duty—not overnights and weekends.

Durability

Big loads stress pack materials and construction, but the 420-denier nylon ripstop with its silicone-PU coating easily withstood sharp rocks and thorny underbrush.

Comfort

Molded rebound foam (think: memory mattress) lines the backpanel; a rotating hipbelt keeps the weight from working against your gait; and spring steel absorbs bumps. “Seventy-plus pounds felt manageable,” one tester says.

Access

Gear can get lost in a pack this big, but this top-loader effectively uses a 28-inch side zipper and big, 24-inch, U-shaped bottom zipper to keep gear within reach.

Adjustability

We liked the streamlined adjustment process that tweaks the torso length (a huge 19 to 24 inches) with the pack on your back. Two cords on either side of the hipbelt give you a full 6 inches of play—spare tires welcome.

Bonus

The hydration sleeve converts to a daypack.