What is the Alpha AR 55 Backpack?
The Alpha AR is a large-capacity rucksack for ice climbing excursions or multi-day alpine climbing trips. It features one of the toughest fabrics available on a rucksack and the ability to remove components to reduce the overall weight.
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, 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 version and is a staggering 6-7x more abrasion resistant than AC². What this gives you is a face fabric that will not only shrug off all but the worst weather but is also tough enough to handle constant abrasion.
What is the back system?
The back system is another area where this pack excels. The frame sheet of the back panel is now removable, lightening the load for fast ascents or allowing the pack to roll down and pack away when travelling. The Alpha AR 55 also has an additional framesheet that adds shape and stability to the pack, but can also be removed with the back panel. The back panel is also effective at protecting your back from all the jabby bits you usually get in a climbing/trekking pack. Moving down, the hipbelt fits like a climbing harness and encompasses virtually all of your lower back. If you were to look at where the take-off point for the hipbelt sits, it starts near the centre of the back panel, rather than on the side of the pack like most other bags. This gives you a feeling of complete stability and comfort and also suits a wide range of waist sizes. The low-profile shoulder straps wick sweat away 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 features a traditional lid which can be extended for more space or removed to shed further grams. Underneath this, it's 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. There is also an additional zipped security pocket on the inside of the lid 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. The pack also has side compression straps to synch down your pack when it isn't full to capacity; this adds to the stability and stops the bag from sloshing around.
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Lightweight
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Highly Water-resistant
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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
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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
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.