What is the Alpha AR 20 Backpack?
The Alpha 20 is one of the most versatile packs in our range. It's perfectly suited to long multi-pitch days as well as hut to hut treks in the Alps. It's incredibly tough and incredibly comfortable - we were absolutely blown away with it!
What is the Alpha AR made from?
One of the most impressive features of the Alpha AR is the face fabric - the pack is constructed using N315r-LCP which is a high tenacity nylon with a Liquid Crystal Polymer ripstop grid that Arcteryx helped design. You may be familiar with Arcteryx's AC² fabric which is used in the Bora and Alpha FL packs - well this fabric is a new breed and is a staggering 6-7x more abrasion resistant than AC². Basically what this gives you is a face fabric that will not only shrug of most of the weather but is also tough enough to handle long scrambles and being hauled up huge rock faces.
What is the back system?
The back system is another area where this pack excels - the frame sheet of the back panel is removable meaning you can roll up the whole pack and stash it away when you're travelling or use it as a bit of protection under your bum when you stop for cake on a rocky hillside. The back panel is also highly effective at protecting your back from all the jabby bits you usually get in a climbing/trekking pack. The hipbelt is a super simple webbing hipbelt that adds to the stability of the pack but can also easily be clipped out the way for descending off scrambles. The low profile shoulder straps wick sweat away even on the warmest days and sit snug to your body to avoid chafing.
What are the features?
The Alpha AR is a more stripped down pack than some of the others in our range. The main compartment is a super simple space that is tailored towards hauling vast amounts of climbing kit. The compartment is easy to get into, even with gloves on - it is a simple pull to open/pull to close drawcord with a weather protection top flap to help further seal out any bad weather you may incur. Your full trad rack, a helmet, your shoes and a variety of mountain snacks will easily fit in. If your rope doesn't fit into the main compartment then fear not! There is a ladder lock hook top strap that can be configured to hold ropes securely. On the outside of the pack is a zippered external pocket that is large enough to fit a map and compass and there is also an additional internal zipped security pocket with a key clip to safely stash all your valuables. External storage consists of ice axe loops that have been designed to fit a wide range of axes and custom webbing daisy chains for additional external storage.
Summary
The Alpha pack is going to become your best friend on long mountain days and climbing trips - the incredible fit of the carry harness in second to none and the simple yet tough design will give you reliable durability when you need it most. You won't need another pack in your kit room after you see this.
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Lightweight
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Durable
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Incredibly abrasion resistant
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N315r-LCP fabric
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Pull to open/ Pull to close drawcord main compartment with weather protective top flap
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External front zippered pocket for map, compass etc
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Ladder lock hook top strap can be configured to hold ropes securely
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Custom webbing daisy chains for external storage
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Ice axe loops
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Removable framesheet and back panel
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Removable lid with zippered pocket
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Security pocket under lid with key clip