Káťa didn't go easy on her new Lowe Alpine Yacuri ND48. First outing? A traverse of the Jestřebí hory hills. A snowy landscape, thirty kilometres in the frost – and a load in her pack fit for a small Christmas party. "We didn't have any proper grilling sausages at home, so we took ordinary frankfurters. Potato salad, of course, a flask of tea, Christmas biscuits, a few logs and newspaper for kindling, and a grill rack too," Káťa lists.
The Lowe Alpine Yacuri ND48 has a capacity of 48 litres and weighs 1.55 kg. It's suited to multi-day trips and year-round use – from summer traverses to winter hikes in snow and frost.
For the mountains – and the city. An understated design at first glance – with clean lines and a thoughtful mix of textures. "I like that it's not overdone. There's beauty in simplicity," says Káťa. And according to her, the stylish look doesn't come at the expense of practicality – she takes the pack on trips into nature just as much as on train journeys.
The pack is made from recycled 330D Striped Dobby fabric that feels sturdy yet isn't heavy. Thanks to the Hydroshield water-repellent finish, it copes with tougher conditions too.
On ski touring trips, Káťa put the pack through another test – avalanche kit, a flask, a sleeping bag or a drone, everything fitted and the pack stayed stable. Even on the descent it barely moved on her back. "Before my first descent I was worried the pack would swing from side to side," Káťa recalls. "But it held. No bouncing, no twisting. It just sits there."
The V-TRAX™ back system adjusts to your back length – and together with the aluminium frame it helps keep the centre of gravity close to your body. The shoulder straps are wide, softly padded and don't dig in even on long carries. The hip belt transfers part of the weight to your hips, and thanks to clever routing its straps can be neatly tucked away under the side pockets, where they're out of the way.
Káťa also noticed a detail that will come in handy more in warmer weather – the perforated back panel ventilates well and wicks away moisture. "I'll appreciate that mainly in summer. The pack doesn't stick to my back and it breathes nicely. And when I bend down, it stays in place."
The back panel is made from a breathable material that aids ventilation and reduces sweating. Thanks to its anatomical shape, the pack hugs your body and stays put even when you lean or bend forward.
The pack's practical layout is something Káťa mentions again and again. The main compartment is accessible from the top and the front, which makes getting at your things during the day easier. "I don't have to rummage through the whole pack when I just want my gloves or my flask," she explains. She uses the hip belt pockets for her phone, a knife and sun cream. The lid has two pockets – an inner one for valuables and an outer one for, say, a hat or a snack.
On the sides there are stretch mesh pockets, most often used for bottles. But Káťa has another use for them: "In summer I put my sandals in there. When I reach my destination, I take off my hiking shoes and reach for something more comfortable. They're right to hand."
You can get into the main compartment from the top or through the front zip. The lid has two pockets – one inside for documents and one outside for small items. There are stretch pockets on the sides and a large mesh pocket on the front. The body of the pack also has several loops – for trekking poles or an ice axe.
Káťa's winter trips also brought heavy snowfall and tougher conditions. The pack took it all in its stride. "Snow slides right off it, nothing leaks through anywhere. Everything stayed dry." Several times she pushed through dense forest, too, without a single scratch on the fabric.
The pack is made from a tough fabric with a water-repellent finish. The construction is solid, the seams are well finished and the zips run smoothly even in low temperatures.
After several months of heavy use, Káťa has yet to find anything she doesn't like. Quite the opposite – the pack has won her trust not only with its comfort and practicality, but also with its simple look.
While she spent the winter with the pack mostly in Czechia and Switzerland, the summer season will be more demanding. On the plan are the Mönch, the Bishorn and a trip to Chamonix. "We're taking crampons, ice axes, sleeping bags, ropes… so we'll see how it copes. But I trust it."
The Lowe Alpine Yacuri ND48 is a pack designed for women and smaller builds – it has a narrower, shorter back panel. 48 litres is a capacity that opens the door to multi-day traverses with no compromises.
And no downsides so far. Honestly.
