Lara Dunn rates the Lowe Alpine Airzone Active ND25 – one of the best budget hiking daypacks she has tested in the hills.
A female-suitable pack rather than female specific per se, the ND range from Lowe Alpine caters to users with narrower dimensions – the ND of the name – whatever their sex. The ND range includes packs across the size range from this 25-litre daypack – Lowe Alpine Airzone Active ND25 – through to 65 litre trekking packs.
Lara Dunn recommends
The AirZone Active ND25 is designed to be a fully featured but lightweight pack, well suited to warmer conditions thanks to its ventilated back system, hydration bladder compatibility and its twin mes- streamlined shape
- comfortable fit
- well-featured
- narrower shape tends towards top heavy
| Quick specs |
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| RRP: $124.95 / £100 (available from Cotswold Outdoor) Weight: 925g (including raincover) Capacity: 25 litres Materials: Woven mini Ripstop (50% recycled) nylon with PFC-free DWR Back system: AirZone LT back system Pockets: interior and exterior zipped lid pocket, hip belt pockets, front zipped pocket, stretch mesh side pouch pockets Features: Trekking pole loops, hydration system compatible, removable rain cover, LED light loop, sternum strap with whistle Sizes: one (non-narrow dimensions available) Men’s version? unisex www.lowealpine.com |
The AirZone Active ND25 is designed to be a fully featured but lightweight pack, well suited to warmer conditions thanks to its ventilated back system, hydration bladder compatibility and its twin mesh water bottle holders. The lightweight but well-padded harness system is easy to adjust and gives a highly comfortable fit.
Thanks to broad but pliable hip pads – with handy hip belt pockets – the fit is secure, stable and poses no risk of discomfort for women. The shoulder straps are shaped such that they curve around the bust nicely, too.
At 25 litres, this isn’t an overly generous pack and it’s very easy to fill up for a day hike, particularly one where variable weather is expected.
Thankfully, there are plenty of pockets inside and out, in which to keep extras tidied away so they’re easy to access. The side mesh pouch pockets easily take a water bottle each and are pretty secure, while the front zipped pocket is especially well-considered, easily taking a folded map with easy access.
With its narrow shape, some care to weight distribution is needed when packing, as it is easy to make the pack feel somewhat top heavy if fully laden. That said, it’s a stable pack and there’s no swinging about even when fully loaded.
The AirZone back system is subtly curved, meaning it sits nice and close to the back for good fit stability, while still allowing for excellent airflow, making it suitable for scrambles as well as hikes.
Testing conditions
Lara used the packs in winter and spring conditions on a variety of walks in the Malvern Hills, Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains. She is 5’5” tall with a relatively short back length in relation to her height. This review was first published in the June 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors.
