Lowe Alpine
Lowe Alpine is a UK-based specialist manufacturer of technical outdoor backpacks, founded in 1967 and owned by Equip Outdoor Technologies UK Ltd. It sells day packs, hiking and trekking packs, and accessories through DTC e-commerce across the UK and Europe, authorized outdoor retailers, and a B2B hub, targeting day hikers, trekkers, and women and smaller-frame consumers via its ND fit system.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1967
- HeadquartersWales, United Kingdom
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Lowe Alpine does
Lowe Alpine is a specialist outdoor backpack manufacturer founded in 1967 by the Lowe brothers (Greg, Mike, and Jeff), credited with pioneering the modern internal-frame backpack through the original Expedition pack. The company is now owned and operated by Equip Outdoor Technologies UK Ltd, a privately held UK-based parent that also owns the Rab equipment brand; the two brands share corporate infrastructure including a joint 2025 Sustainability Report, B2B hub, social media presence, and customer support systems. The product portfolio is narrow and technically focused, spanning roughly 58 SKUs across day packs (18-26L, £50-£100), hiking and trekking packs (28-70L, £120-£210), travel/cabin packs, and accessories (£12-£36), with AirZone Active, AirZone Ultra, AirZone Trail, AirZone Trek, Sirac, Sirac Plus, Edge, Escape, and Phase as the principal lines.
The core technology stack centers on the proprietary AirZone™ ventilated back-system family, including the AirZone™ LT suspended-mesh design with anti-barrel plate and the newer AirZone™ FormKnit™ knitted construction with convection channels, complemented by the TipGripper walking-pole attachment, lightweight spring-steel frames, and the ND (Narrow Dimensions) fit system for smaller frames. Materials engineering is increasingly a strategic axis: 56 of 58 SKUs use PFAS-free fabrics, 10 products are manufactured with renewable energy, and the AirZone Active 20L contains 43% recycled fabric content. The AirZone Ultra ND26L won a 2023 ISPO Award for innovation.
Lowe Alpine monetizes through unit-priced hardware sales via three distribution routes: a direct-to-consumer e-commerce website with regional storefronts for the UK, Europe (EN), France, and Germany; a curated network of authorized outdoor retailers accessed through a 'Find a stockist' locator; and a shared B2B hub serving dealers and bulk purchasers. Customers are horizontal end-consumers segmented by use case (day hikers, trekkers, backpackers, climbers, travelers) and by persona (women and smaller-frame buyers served by the ND range). Marketing is multi-channel, combining owned e-commerce content, social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok under the Rab Equipment handle), Basecamp adventure storytelling, and earned media. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.
Lowe Alpine firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lowe Alpine
- Legal name
- Equip Outdoor Technologies UK Ltd
- Website
- https://lowealpine.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1967
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Lowe Alpine is a UK-based specialist manufacturer of technical outdoor backpacks, founded in 1967 and owned by Equip Outdoor Technologies UK Ltd. It sells day packs, hiking and trekking packs, and accessories through DTC e-commerce across the UK and Europe, authorized outdoor retailers, and a B2B hub, targeting day hikers, trekkers, and women and smaller-frame consumers via its ND fit system.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lowe Alpine industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Outdoor Backpacks
- NAICS
- Sporting Goods Retailers (45911), Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers (458110)
- SIC
- Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600), Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Backpacks, Bags & Load-Carriage Retail (CRAMAMAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Camping, Hiking & Backpacking Gear Retail (CRAMAMAA), Climbing & Mountaineering Gear Retail (CRAMAAAB)
Keywords
Where Lowe Alpine is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wales
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Lowe Alpine business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Backpack Sales: Direct retail sales of technical backpacks and hiking packs through owned e-commerce website and authorized dealer network. Products range from day packs (18-35L) to trekking packs (40-70L) plus accessories.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Day Packs (£50-£100) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Hiking & Trekking Packs (£120-£210) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Accessories (£12-£36) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Belt Packs (£20-£50) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Lowe Alpine product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lowe Alpine designs and manufactures technical outdoor backpacks featuring proprietary AirZone™ ventilated back systems. The product range spans day packs (18-35L), hiking packs, trekking packs (40-70L), backpacking packs, and accessories, with ND (Narrow Dimensions) variants for smaller frames. Products are sold direct-to-consumer via lowealpine.com and through a network of authorized outdoor specialty retailers.
Product overview
Lowe Alpine is a specialist outdoor backpack manufacturer founded in 1967 by Greg Lowe, now part of Equip Outdoor Technologies UK Ltd. The product portfolio centers on technical backpacks organized into distinct lines: AirZone series (Active, Ultra, Trail, Trek) featuring ventilated back systems for varying activities; Sirac and Sirac Plus trekking packs for multi-day expeditions; Edge day packs for compact versatility; and Escape series (Trek, Flight, Tour) for travel and backpacking. All major lines offer ND (Narrow Dimensions) variants for smaller frames. The range spans 18L-70L capacities across day packs, hiking packs, trekking packs, and backpacking packs, complemented by accessories including belt packs, raincovers, drysacks, packing cubes, and compression sacks. Products feature fluorocarbon (PFAS) free fabrics, with many incorporating recycled materials and renewable energy in manufacturing. Key technologies include AirZone LT and AirZone FormKnit ventilated back systems, TipGripper pole attachments, and hydration compatibility.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- AirZone Active Day Packs
Quantifiable outcome
- 58 product SKUs available across day packs, hiking packs, trekking packs, and accessories
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Lowe Alpine
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Lowe Alpine technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Lowe Alpine partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Equip Outdoor Technologies UK LtdcoreLowe Alpine is owned and operated by Equip Outdoor Technologies UK Ltd, which also owns the Rab equipment brand. The company shares sustainability reports, corporate policies (Modern Slavery Statement, Tax Statement, Anti-bribery policy), and B2B infrastructure with the parent company.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Lowe Alpine competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Arc'teryx: Premium technical outdoor brand with hiking and alpine pack lines (e.g., Aerios, Alpha SK). Operates at the premium end of the same channel and consumer set as Lowe Alpine but with a much broader apparel and footwear catalog.
- Mammut: Swiss premium outdoor brand with hiking and mountaineering packs (Trion, Ducan). Comparable in target market (technical hikers/mountaineers) and European specialty channel presence; broader apparel/footwear portfolio.
- The North Face: Broad outdoor incumbent with significant technical backpack lines (e.g., Borealis, Router). Sells through vastly larger wholesale and DTC networks and competes with Lowe Alpine in hiking, trekking, and travel pack segments as part of a much wider apparel portfolio.
Direct peers
- Osprey Packs: Specialist technical backpack manufacturer with the most directly overlapping product range (day packs, hiking, trekking, travel). Holds the leading share of the global backpack travel bag market alongside Samsonite and is the most direct head-to-head competitor to Lowe Alpine across trekking and ultralight packs.
- Fjällräven: Swedish outdoor brand with iconic Kånken day pack and trekking pack portfolio; comparable heritage-led, sustainability-positioned technical backpack brand with premium pricing — direct conceptual peer to Lowe Alpine's AirZone range.
- Gregory Mountain Products: Technical backpack specialist (owned by Samsonite) with deep trekking and expedition pack heritage, directly comparable to Lowe Alpine's AirZone Trek and Sirac lines. Strong North American distribution makes it a key competitor in the geography where Lowe Alpine is absent.
- Deuter: German technical backpack specialist with overlapping Aircontact/AirLite ventilated back systems and comparable trekking/day pack assortment. Competes directly with Lowe Alpine across European specialty outdoor retail.
Others
- Rab (Equip Outdoor Technologies): Sister brand under the same parent company (Equip Outdoor Technologies UK Ltd). Shares B2B infrastructure, customer support, and social channels; complementary rather than competing assortment focused on clothing, shelters, and sleeping bags with selective pack overlap.
Emerging players
- Black Diamond Equipment: Climbing and mountain sports specialist with a focused backpack line (e.g., Mission, Distance). Directly comparable to Lowe Alpine's climbers/mountaineers segment via gear attachment points and durable construction for technical terrain.
- Mountain Hardwear: Outdoor brand with a focused backpack range (e.g., Scrambler, PCT) targeting hikers and trekkers — comparable product positioning and price points to Lowe Alpine AirZone, with similar specialty-retail channel focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Lowe Alpine social profiles
Digital presenceLowe Alpine financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lowe Alpine leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Lowe Alpine funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lowe Alpine M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lowe Alpine
What does Lowe Alpine do?
Lowe Alpine designs and manufactures technical outdoor backpacks featuring proprietary AirZone™ ventilated back systems. The product range spans day packs (18-35L), hiking packs, trekking packs (40-70L), backpacking packs, and accessories, with ND (Narrow Dimensions) variants for smaller frames. Products are sold direct-to-consumer via lowealpine.com and through a network of authorized outdoor specialty retailers.
Is Lowe Alpine a public or private company?
Lowe Alpine is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Lowe Alpine founded?
Lowe Alpine was founded in 1967.
Where is Lowe Alpine based?
Lowe Alpine is headquartered in Wales, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Lowe Alpine make money?
One revenue line is on record: backpack Sales.
Who are Lowe Alpine's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Arc'teryx, Mammut and The North Face. Direct peers are Osprey Packs, Fjällräven, Gregory Mountain Products and Deuter. Rab (Equip Outdoor Technologies) is listed as an others. Emerging players are Black Diamond Equipment and Mountain Hardwear.
Does Lowe Alpine have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lowe Alpine.
What industry is Lowe Alpine in?
Lowe Alpine's product category is Outdoor Backpacks. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMAMAI, Backpacks, Bags & Load-Carriage Retail, with a secondary code of CRAMAMAA, Camping, Hiking & Backpacking Gear Retail. Its NAICS code is 45911 and its SIC code is 5600.