Packs Testimonials
Red Rock
A friend of mine bought one of these packs and lent it to me for my son to use on his first pack trip. I liked it so much that I bought one for my other kids to use. I am quite impressed with how rugged yet light weight the pack is and the ability to adjust it to the size of the child. I have 5 kids and was able to adjust this pack to fit all of the comfortably. The belly band and shoulder straps are adjustable as well as the length of the frame with little difficulty. For a first time, young backpacker, I would highly recommend this pack!
- John B
Bryce External Frame Pack
A friend found this pack for me and sent me the website. What a great deal! Its a bit heavier than some internal frame packs I've had but this is probably the last pack I'll ever buy! I added a few mods for my own convience, but with an external frame thats a simple thing to do. The balance is incredible and the comfort level cant be beat. I pack light and try not to ever take more than 35-40lbs. I will have no problems if i ever do have to replace this pack, with buying the exact same one again. Well designed and perfect for a woman! Cant wait to hit the trails again! Also the shipping and pkging was great. I have no issues whatsoever. I paidfor standard shipping and recieved this pkg long before i expected.
- jam186
Solitude Plus
I'm not a hard-core backpacker, but I do have 2 young kids and always have extra stuff that I'm lugging around. I bought the Solitude Plus by ALPS a couple of weeks ago before we took a trip to visit my parents because I needed a good carry-on bag for the flight. This was the perfect size for that and I was able to bring my books on board, as well as my kids' toys and snacks. It held up nice and I especially like the big outside pockets that kept my daughter's crayons and stuff handy and separate so we could get to it easily.
- Heather
Denali 4500
After using the ALPS Mountaineering Denali 4500 pack, I was very pleased with how it held up. The pack is incredibly spacious, which was great for the three day hike I recently used it on in Wyoming near Casper, as I was elected to carry the groups tent in my pack, as well as all my gear. The padded harness and waist belt accommodated the weight of the full pack very well, and the easily adjustable load lifters made a world of difference after being on the trail for a while. The frame seemed to hold up well against the weight as well, which was impressive because most packs I have used have not been able to do so like this one. Lastly I very much enjoyed being able to remove the top pack and use as a fanny pack when we stopped in areas to do some exploring!
- Will
Red Rock
I bought this pack for my son who just started scouts and we are both very pleased with the purchase. It's the perfect size for a beginner. He really likes the large water bottle pocket so he can get to his water easily. For the price, this pack can't be beat.
- Scottie
Montauk
Now that I've had a chance to use my Montauk several times, I thought it was time to write a review. This pack has proved to be very comfortable every time I've used it. I can tell it is well made and will last for many trips to come. I usually use it when I go on short hikes and don't need much ... just the essentials. I like all the different compartments so I can keep my stuff organized. The front "kanagroo" pocket (as they call it in the description) is nice for stuffing an extra layer in if the weather is iffy. I like the bungee on the front too so I can clip stuff on and keep it handy. Nice fanny!
- Jeannine
Zion
I have long been a fan of the external framepacks for ease of packing, balance and sturdiness. I am a tall woman (5'11", 185#, 19" measurement for backpacks) When it was time to 'modernize' my gear, I originally switched it up with a North Face internal frame pack, I measured as suggested, but the balance felt all wrong, the waist band and straps hit me funny. No amount of adjusting yielded in a comfortable fit. So I exchanged it for the Zion 64 L external frame pack (and some money back). My next trip was a weekend hike in the Upper Hoh, Olympic Natl Park. This pack felt balanced, loaded well, and held everything I needed with a good amount of room to spare. I packed: 1.5 person tent, sleep pad, sleeping bag, bear can, mess kit/stove/kitchen stuff, water bottles and filter kit, toiletry items, clothing layers, fire start kit, first aid kit, maps, journal, even luxury items like wine and glasses. All the stuff! We were rained on pretty good the 2nd day, but the inside of my pack stayed dry. I like the double top closure of the main compartment, and also the metal stay-open frame that holds it open while you look for stuff inside. The top part of the main compartment is plenty big for your bear can, with still room to put all your other junk in there too. Upon inspection, the seams, zippers and attachments all appear well done. This pack exceeded my expectations for the price. I am not a fan of any gear or clothing having the manufacturer's name or logo on prominent display, but that's me. I sewed a patch over it- problem solved. This would be a great choice for someone who is an occasional user because of the low investment, or for who likes to bring lots of stuff.
- Kitsap Hiker
Synergy
Light, but strong nylon materials. Plenty of pockets. Zippers are large and seem to be of very high quality - easy to zip. Hip belt is helpful when I bike to work. Fits very well. Overall, very high quality. Love this pack.
- kestral_fire
Synergy LT
My other Alps Mountaineering backpack has been great for 15 plus years, got this for work and its a great size and quality craftsmanship. Great buy.
- Tom
Orizaba 3900
I was very impressed with this bag. I have an Alps Mountaineering tent, and really was very impressed with the quality for the price, so I wisely chose to purchase a bag from thier company when the time came. I really have no complaints. It is relatively lightweight in comparison to other bags of similar capacity. Especially around the price, this weighs under a pound lighter then the popular Teton bags on Amazon. The ripstop material seems tough, the zippers are large and functional. The sleeping bag pocket perfectly fit my sleeping bag and mattress. The main section had enough room for my tent, a bear canister, and room for clothing. I especially like the removable top. This is a great place to put small items and essentials, so you can simply have the small removable bag near you to use while the rest of the bag can sit somewhere else. Utilizing the outer mesh pockets, the drawstrings, and this top pack, the bag did seem to hold more than its stated capacity. There is definitely flexibility in terms of space that this bag provides. Another benefit is the waterproof cover-bag which hides in a pocket on the bottom of the bag. This suitably covers the entire bag. It would be quite easy for a friend to find the bag and put it on properly while you are still wearing the backpack. Other companies will make you pay seperately for this.. Alps is a great company. This bag really has all the features I was looking for, and then some. I also do not have any complaints about the bag, everything seemed to fit and work as I expected. The only thing I would like to see is a dedicated hiking pole holder, although I must admit I would be using the poles when actually carrying the bag anyways, and the drawstrings can be used to hold the poles - it is just a bit awkward. I would recommend this for 2,3, perhaps 4 day backpacking trips. 5 or more and you would want to get something larger for the added gear. I must also thank Amazon for offering open box specials. I purchased an open box model at a very reasonable discount and was basically shipped what appeared to be a brand new bag with tags attached. Only the plastic overbag covering it seemed to have been opened for inspection. *Edit: Upon closer inspection with this bag, the top part of the bag is actually also a fanny pack in addition to being removable.. either save some pack weight, or have a great fanny pack, not bad!
- Mirrorsaw
Compression Stuff Sack
I love these things! I can fit my 3 season sleeping bag in a small bag and get it down to the size of a cantaloupe, my tent WITH the fly also fits in a small stuff sack that I can get down to about the same size as my sleeping bag. I would recommend only buying the small ones, or maybe a medium if you want to throw clothes in the stuff sack with your sleeping bag or if you have a large tent/fly or if you have a 4 season mummy bag, my thicker mummy bag (negative whatever degrees it is) won't fit in a small stuff sack so I toss my clothes and the that in a medium one when I need to take the thicker sleeping bag. These things save up SO much space it's crazy, get them.
- RobbySkateboard
Compression Stuff Sack
Love it. Use it for a larger size sleeping bag, so I have to really use some force to get it all in and this bag holds up. So far I love Alps equipment! I bought a Slumberjack and the seam split when I stuffed it the second time. But this Alps is great on strength. I like the zipper pouch as a bonus too!. The only thing I wish, was that two of the straps would have "pop-off" clips (like a small Kelty I have) instead of the 4 cinch straps on this Alps. It would make it just that more quicker to access. Also, the cap that goes over the end is very helpful to cover your stuff that kinda pops-out the end drawstring when overstuffing. *********UPDATE*********** after a year and a half later, still going strong. No failures, no wear, holding up great.
- M. A. Welch
Zion
This is a nice backpack, it is one of three different packs that I bought from Alps Mountaineering. Their packs are a good quality and very affordable. Everything is as advertised, I have corresponded with them via email and they were prompt and very helpful. I would recommend the Zion 3900, Denali 5500, and the Orizaba 3900 to anyone. I will try other products from them in the future and expect the same good quality and value.
- Rickster1397
Cascade 5200
I picked up this pack for a steal, and first impressions are great. I've not had a chance to hike with it yet, and I'll update the review once it hits the trail. For the price, and considering it comes with a rain cover, I'm not sure Ive seen a better weeklong bag. The design allows for a lot of storage. The main compartment has a drawstring separator about two-thirds of the way down. In the picture for the blue pack, it lines up where the bottom blue section is. Conveniently, the zipper opens to access the bottom section. As the description says, there is a small bottom pocket where the rain cover is stored. There's enough room there to stash your rain shell as well. The top drawstring closure has extra room so that you can over-stuff the pack, then compress it down. The convertible lumbar-pack/top pouch is a neat idea, though I'm not entirely sure how useful. For a day hike I prefer something hydration-compatible, and the space is on the small side. I suppose you could stash a water bottle and some clif bars for a quick trek away from the campsite, but for the extra weight between the padding and the very sturdy waist belt, I don't know that its a great addition. If, however, you're looking for a lumbar pack in addition to a very large hauler, this would meet the need. The side pockets are huge. There is enough room for food, water filter, and anything else you want quick access to. They open very wide and have heavy duty zippers, so stuffing them full is easy. There is also a pocket on the front which has enough space for your headlamp, compass, map, and any other small necessities you don't want to be without. In addition to four straps connecting the top pocket, there is a fifth that connects from the middle of the back of the pack to the middle of the front of the pack. Having five compression straps really lets you crank the back down. The straps and buckles all feel very sturdy, and I was not concerned when yanking on them. The design also lets you use the bottom straps to hold your sleeping pad and tent poles if you need the extra space. The tie-ons are very sturdy and could hold just about anything if laced with some paracord. The waist belt and shoulder straps are comfortable, well padded, and fit comfortably. I've got a JanSport 5000cu as well and the waist belt seems too big (I've got a 34" waist). This one is much more comfortable and tightens down easily. The mesh side-pockets are small, but would fit a thin water bottle, small shovel/trowel, or anything else you need quick access to. The bag is on the heavy side at nearly six pounds, but the amount of space is really astonishing. It is comfortable when weighted and fits well. I'm excited to pack it full and head to the wilderness for a week.
- D. Philips
Cascade 5200
Just got back from a nice weekend out in the Cohutta in N. GA w/ this bag. For the price I doubt you'll find a cushier bag, it has all the features except maybe a whistle built into the sternum strap buckle. The bag is very large, and the pockets let you keep all of your gear separated out so you can get to what you need when you need it. The bag is a bit wide with the side pockets full, but very manageable. The suspension adjustments may not be great if you are over 6'1", so see if you can try one on at REI or another outfitter before buying if you are a tall one. I carried about 45lbs (I overpacked some food, water, and rigging items etc since we had some kids and first timers with us). For this weight the bag was very well padded, and comfortable. The only nit I have is that the hip belt had to be pulled on now and then to keep it tight so the weight sat where I wanted it. It carried very well and the mesh pads on the back were very breathable and my back wasn't hot under the bag. ALPS has the two bungies on the front to secure trekking poles, etc and a single loop at the bottom. I found that to secure two poles well, I had to cross my lower load control straps to cover the poles, but once done they were not moving at all. Also, I was able to put EVERYTHING inside my bag. This was a first and I loved it. Even my therma-rest was inside the bag. Best of luck, for the money you get a great piece of gear.
- Robert L
General Testimonial
After trying out two of your products, a tent and backpack I needed to thank your company. My escape from everyday stress has long been the knowledge that come the weekend I could head out to the deserts, canyons or mountains of Colorado and spend some time in nature. Financial circumstances have made this harder to do however. It became apparent last year that without at least replacing a few pieces of gear I would not be making it out much. I could only scrape together so much and so went shopping for gear within my budget. I had never tried your company's products before but based on great reviews and being competitively priced but not "cheap" I tried out a backpack and tent. I can tell you today that these two products exceeded my expectations and have performed much better than much pricier brands I have owned in the past. As a matter of fact I have been unable to find ANY flaws with either of the items. Thanks for keeping me out there.
- Mitch B
Cascade 4200 Pack
I have the 4200 cu. in. variety and although this is a 5lbs.+ bag, the comfort was well worth the extra weight. The bag is great for 3-4 day get-aways if you're an "average" packer. By "average" I mean that I don't care how much my items weigh, but I bring only what is necessary (i.e. backpacker's tent w/ fly as suppose to a tarp or a family cabin). I really appreciated the two large zippered pockets on the sides of the pack, where my old pack just had more webbing pockets. It was a great place to stash additional gear that I neither wanted buried inside nor exposed in the lower web pockets. The sleeping bag compartment was roomy enough to swallow my tent, my bag, and fleece blanket, while the internal divider helped to keep the rest of my gear at the right height along my back. The material felt nicer than my old pack and the bag's quality looked to be nicer than that of my girlfriend's new Kelty. The large #10 zippers were also much appreciated. Like most bags, the top compartment can be used as a waist-pack. The belt within is wide, so I was able to sling it across my back like a messenger bag, cinch it tight, and monkey around while bringing the essentials along without discomfort. I have to say, I honestly love this bag. The Cascade was everything I was hoping for and a little more.
- ElGalloGigante
Denali 5500
I just got back from a moutaineering trip in the Cascades and took the Denali 5500 pack with me. It performed great. My pack on the way in was in the 65-70lb range. The ascent to base camp took me through low trees and bushes that kept snagging me and the pack but no damage was done because of its durability. Obviously, that kind of weight can not be described as comfortable to carry in any pack but I believe because of the design of the Denali my discomfort was minimized.
- Charlie S.
Denali 5500
This is one of the best packs I've ever used. I've used packs that cost 3x as much and didn't feel as good.
- William D.
Cascade 5200
I want you to know how happy and satisfied I am with your products, your customer service, and everything about your company. After a long hiatus from backpacking, I was thrilled when my sons expressed an interest and were old enough to go with me. One thing that was clear, though, was that some of my ancient gear would need to be retired. Over the last couple years, I have purchased a Crescent Lake 20 sleeping bag, an Extreme 3 tent, and a Cascade 5200 backpack. All have outperformed much more expensive gear from other "bigger" companies that I have used or that other trailmates were using. On my most recent trip to the Sangre de Cristo in New Mexico, we chose a beautiful campsite near treeline that we later learned was the windiest place on earth! The Extreme 3 handled it beautifully, and the pole design was much more sturdy against the wind than most tents (which tend to "lie down" flat in a strong wind.) My new Cascade 5200 backpack is the most comfortable backpack I've ever carried, and it only took me a few minutes of fitting to get it just right. When I was having trouble finding a retailer for this product, I called your office and received friendly help above and beyond what I expected. You are clearly doing it right--keep the great products coming, and you have a loyal customer in me. (A loyal customer with two rapidly growing backpackers in the family, so you can be assured that more gear purchases are in my future.)
- Craig W.
Solitude
I first used the pack on a 15 mile hike at Devil's Den State Park and it was comfortable the whole time. I like the option of removing the belt. The pack is great.
- Matthew S.
Cascade 5200
This performed above my expectations. Huge improvement over military ALICE pack I've used for years. The capacity combined with the narrow width made a perfect fit in my Rock 22 tent. I'm looking forward to using this pack again on my next trip!
- Adam M.
Denali 5500
Overall, the performance and value of this pack is astounding!!! This pack does and should rank with other higher dollar bags. I showed several fellow hikers, two of which worked for the forest service, and everyone was amazed at the pricetag vs. quality. They all asked for your website and information. I gave one guy the the tag brochure (could use a stack of them to help you market). Look forward to using it again soon. You guys rock!
- Troy L.
Hiker Pack
I received the buckle the next day. What great service! Thanks! By the way, I like the Hiker pack. It is much more comfortable to wear than my old Jansport.
- Mark
General Testimonial
It was good to hear from you and to see how ALPS Mountaineering keeps maintaining and increasing your excellent product line. The purpose of this letter is to let you know that I retired from Baylor last August... In my 32 years at Baylor, I thought your equipment was the best designed and most favorably priced I purchased for the department. Because of its comfort and ease of use, the students really enjoyed using it. Please keep me on your mailing list. I am still active in adventure activities as a participant, author, and group leader.
- Buddy
Denali 5500
Held all my gear for snow-cave camping with room to spare! Incredibly comfortable and well balanced, hardly even knew it was on my back. Great pack at an AMAZING value! Thank you!!
- Joseph E.
Red Tail 4500
I want to congratulate you on a great product. I did a pro testing contract back in 2005 with the Red Tail and I have been pleased with it ever since. I work in the Bob Marshall Wilderness in the summers and I have put at least 1100 miles on the pack. It has been used as a day pack, a multi-night pack, and a wildland fire-fighting linepack. It has shown some wear over the years, but nothing has ripped out and no parts have broken. The pack is very comfortable with all different weight levels. I put a 33 mile day on, and the Red Tail was comfortable during the entire 12 hours of hiking. With all of this hiking, I'm pretty sure my legs will give out before this pack will. Thanks for an awesome product.
- Eric K.
Red Tail 4500
I really enjoy using this pack. The overall performance and functionality really blew my old pack out of the water!! I'm very happy with this pack and have already begun suggesting it to friends. You guys have a solid product and I look forward to continuing to use this pack for all my outdoor adventures!
- Jason
Red Tail 4500
Total pack weight on trip 47 lbs. Regular pack is Bora 95. I think the Red Tail compares well with my more expensive pack for less than 1/2 the price. EXCELLENT VALUE!
- Tim
Cascade 4200
Having never heard of ALPS, I was a bit hesitant in purchasing the pack. However, the pack has met and exceeded my expectations. Looking at the low MSRP, I thought the pack would be constructed with cheap fabric and cheap zippers but I have been proven wrong. My Lowe Alpine pack lasted over 10 years, and I feel like I will get the same use out of my ALPS pack.
- Austin N.
