If you run, hike, climb and bike then you often find yourself repeatedly shelling out cash for multiple sport-specific products when the same item could work across the board in the majority of instances.
Enter the new Aeon range from Lowe Alpine - a series of packs designed for the modern everyday athlete with a range of outdoor interests.
We tested the women's specific Aeon ND20 - a mid-capacity top loader that's ideally suited for day hikes but more than capable on technical mountain bike rides, multi-pitch climbs and/or fast-packing style trail runs.
The first thing that impressed us about the Aeon ND20 was the weight. Or lack thereof. Weighing in at less than 1kg, it won't slow you down when moving at speed so will appeal to fans of fast and light activities.
It may weigh next to nothing but the Aeon ND20 is no lightweight in the features department. This is one technical, well thought out pack - make no mistake. Made from durable abrasion-resistant nylon, it's a weather resistant toughie built to withstand the elements packed with the essential features one would require on multi-activity missions.
In terms of storage you've got a choice of pockets, including an easily accessible stretch front pocket for maps and wind jackets, a secure internal pocket for wallets, phones and keys, hip belt pockets for snacks and cameras, and a spacious lid pocket for sunglasses, gloves etc. It's hydration compatible and the side pockets are more than large enough for carrying a 1 litre sized Nalgene water bottle.
Beyond the basics, three features of the Aeon ND20 made a particular impression. The Flexion harness with its low volume, super comfortable shoulder straps that kept things steady on jerky descents, the ventilated Air Contour back system that kept us cool when the temps went up, and the Multi-Lock Tool that enabled us to attach helmets and walking poles to the pack. The integration of the Multi-Lock Tool really sums up the intention of the Aeon range - to genuinely deliver and perform across a range of outdoor disciplines.
After a weekend of biking, cragging, and fast hiking in the Cairngorms we can confirm that this is pack is the real deal. Multi-activity mission complete.
