What is the Alp Trainer 25?
The Alp Trainer is a lightweight, tough, comfortable and breathable backpack designed to house a day's worth of kit in warmer conditions. It's ideal for walking/hiking here in the UK, no matter where you live.
What is it made of?
Salewa use a 100Dx280D nylon throughout the pack. This ultra-tough fabric offers a high degree of abrasion resistance, yet weighs only a fraction of what old canvas bags used to weigh. This fabric features a durable water repellent coating for added protection against light rain and snow. Please note, this does not make the pack waterproof; pop the raincover over for complete protection.
Which backsystem does it use?
The Alp Trainer uses Salewa's Dry Back Air system — this is a super breathable backsystem which increases airflow and breathability by reducing the overall contact area. Layers of mesh are suspended away from the pack itself, meaning there's a constant source of airflow circulating behind your back. Unlike most traditional suspended mesh backsystems, the Alp Trainer's is made using several pieces of mesh rather than one large one; this leaves a large gap in the centre of your back and between your shoulder blades for maximum breathability.
Both the shoulder straps and hipbelt follow this same theme. The shoulder straps have a large cutout in the centre for greater breathability and less weight with no negative effect on comfort, while the hipbelt has a cutout where your hip bones sit — this allows the belt to wrap more securely around your hips with a reduced chance of it slipping up.
What are its features?
The main compartment can either be accessed via a large zip on the top or through a zipped opening on the front of the pack — this allows you to grab stuff at the bottom of the pack without emptying the lot out. An ISB (internal stability board) provides greater... stability (funnily enough!) and transfers the load of the pack to the hipbelt. The best way to describe this is if the pack was all floppy and lifeless, it'd fall backwards, putting more pressure on your shoulders. External compression straps cinch the load down and pull the weight closer to your back. Inside, there's a sleeve for a hydration system, while the hipbelt houses a pocket for snacks or a GPS. An included raincover keeps the contents of the pack dry when the skies open. Lastly, there are attachment points in place for walking poles.
-
Raincover
-
ISB board
-
Hydration system exit
-
Hipbelt pocket
-
Side compression straps
-
Front access to main compartment
-
Hydration compatible
-
Pole attachment point
-
Split back construction
-
Split hipbelt
-
Split shoulder strap
Getting the correct fit for your rucksack is as important as getting the fit right for your boots. A badly fitting pack can inflict misery and discomfort and completely ruin your adventure. This guide is designed to help you get the best fit and comfort from your chosen pack so that carrying all your kit becomes a pleasure and not a chore.
ADJUSTING THE BACK LENGTH
If the pack has an adjustable back length, adjust this to your correct level. Your back length is not related to your height but your torso length. Many packs, and specifically the bigger and more technical packs are available in different back lengths or feature adjustable back systems. Contrary to popular belief, your torso length and not your overall height is the key to getting a well fitted pack. Tall people don’t necessarily have long torsos, just as shorter people don’t always have a short torso length.
Your torso length can be found by measuring from your C7 vertebra (the bony protrusion at the back of your neck when looking down) to the height of your iliac crest (top of your hip bones, where you put your hands on your hips). This measurement will give you an idea of which pack back length to choose.
Once you've got the back length sorted, either by selecting the correct size pack or adjusting the back system, you can begin to follow these simple steps to help achieve a comfortable carry.
LOOSEN OFF ALL STRAPS
Before you start fitting the pack, loosen off all the straps as this will make it easier to get the correct tension later.
TIGHTENING THE HIPBELT
Fasten the backpack hipbelt, the general position is the same as where you’d put your ‘hands on hips’ This area is called the pelvic girdle, and what you can feel when you rest your hand on the area is the bony protuberance, the iliac crest. The iliac crest can support the weight from a pack comfortably, and for sustained periods. The padded section of the hipbelt should encompass this and fit securely.
Tighten the straps so the hipbelt feels secure and held firmly around your body. Ensure that the lumbar pad is centered to your lower back to give you maximum support. Remember that your hips carry most of the weight of the pack, so this should be firm but comfortable.
ADJUSTING THE SHOULDER STRAPS
Next, adjust the shoulder straps, pull them until they start to become snug, but ensure that they are not too tight as to lift the pack off your hips. Remember tightening them will stabilise the pack but will increase pressure over the shoulders. If the back length of the pack is correct the shoulder straps will be flush to your shoulders whilst the hipbelt sits in place comfortably. The point where the shoulder straps attach to the main body of the pack should be roughly half way down your shoulder blades; this ensures that the shoulder straps rolls evenly over the top of your shoulders to distribute the weight correctly.
FASTENING THE CHEST STRAP
Fasten the chest strap and pull until taut but not tight, the elastic section should not be extended. This helps keep the shoulder straps from catching in your shoulder joints and keeps the stability of the pack when moving over rough ground.
ADJUSTING THE TOP TENSIONERS
Top tensioner straps link the shoulder straps to the top of the pack. When tightened, their main function is to stabilise the top part of the pack. The optimum angle for these straps in 45º, but they will stabilise the load even when horizontal or at a more obtuse angle. Tighten them until you feel the top part of the pack rest against your pack, over tightening them will create excessive pressure on the front of your shoulders.
ADJUSTING THE SIDE TENSIONERS
Side tension straps are linked to the hipbelt. By tightening these straps you can stabilise the load but reduce the hipbelt flexibility. Where balance is critical tightening them can help you feel more secure. However, if you are striding out over easy terrain it’s better to loosen these straps to allow full hip flexibility.
ADJUSTING THE SIDE COMPRESSION STRAPS
Side compression straps come next, pulling these tight does two things: firstly, it stabilises the load, secondly it can lift the lower part of the pack, repositioning the load closer to your back.
ADJUSTMENTS ON THE GO
Following these steps should give you a comfortable but secure fit on your pack. Sometimes adjustments will need to be made on the go depending on the terrain or the load you are carrying. The perfect fit is very much a personal preference so experiment with different tensions on the pack to find what suits you best.