 Am trying to choose between the Lightwave Ultrahike and the Lowe Alpine Nanon. Can only find the Lowe Alpine one to try on in a shop so it's a bit hard to compare them.. Does anybody have either of these and if so what do you think of it?
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 i was looking at these two too (does that make sense?) Comparing them side by side. Lowe alpine is adjustable (still in two sizes). The lightwave is in two sizes but no adjustment. To me fine tuning is important. Unless the lightwave fits perfectly of course. The back is mesh on L.A. On the lightwave it aint. I'm sweaty. Mesh maybe better... Nice big pocket on the front of L.A. So all this points to the Lowe Alpine, except the Lightwave is a couple of hundred grams lighter and to me looks more pleasing. Stupid perhaps but you know , when sleeping next to your rucksack all night.... Which one would I go for. The most comfortable one! so I guess you'll have to find a shop that stocks both. I think Tiso stock L.W and L.A do you live near one of them? You could get them to order both and then try them on promising to buy the one you like most. And then do a runner when you go to get the cash and buy it cheaper online!
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Thanks. Yes I am near Tiso's - they (Rose Street) didn't have the Lightwave last time I was there but they may do now - or I could go down to Leith if they have both there.
I also thought the back mesh and front pocket on the Lowe Alpine were plus points but not deal breakers and as you point out I need to try them both on as comfort is the main criteria. However I have found that just like boots, rucksacks often don't reveal all their flaws and strengths until you have actually used them 'on the hill' for a few days - even something which feels fine walking around the shop may not turn out to be as good as expected after 'actual use'.
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Aye im with you there. the extra adjustment of L.A might make a difference then. As you can fine tune it when being used in anger. I've got the old L.A hyper light and am pleased with it. It's 1.8kgs which at the time (4yrs ago) was amazingly light for a framed pack. Now they've gone and knocked another half a kilo off it ! Bloody annoyingly expensive these improvements! i'm sure you've seen it but the new tgo has both of them in it. Drop Chris Townsend a line on his blog. He's a helpful chap and probably the only person to test both so can give you a realistic opinion. I won't be buying either till there in a sale at the end of the year. Hopefully....
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 Hello mellowmark i was in Tiso in Rose Street last week buying a lightwave rucksack and asked about the ultrahike,the assistant checked the comp and according to them no 2010 lightwave rucksacks show up in the system,we think it looks like they might be only stocking lightwave tents from now on  .TBH tiso have stocked the old krux sacks but never had the AK57 in when i have been in so maybe lightwave just can't supply tiso with enough? I also wonder if this is because they are now stocking Go-lite sacks(hooray!) cheers John
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 Lightwave's rucksacks do seem somehow very elusive in shop terms. Not sure why - they always seem to review well and the Crux ones certainly aren't impossible to find.
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 Hi, I have just purchased a Lowe Alpine Nanon 50:60. My initial thoughts are great, i have loaded it up with the same gear i used on a two day route last weekend around Skiddaw House. I was worried by the minimal padding but have just walked for 20 minutes with the pack loaded and feel reassured. I will review the pack in detail once it has been out into the Mnt's
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 I own an ak57 from LW's sister company, crux. I reviewed mine here . Very good pack design which shares a lot in common with the lightwave ultrahike. Both the packs you have selected come from well recognised manufacturers and are well reviewed so it will come down to factors like comfort, price, features etc. I doubt you'll find anyone who owns both to compare them side by side.
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 I've also just got a Nanon, hoping to try it this weekend so be able to tell you more then but it does look very good. If price is a consideration, I got the nanon for much less than the LW would've cost or the golite pinnacle which i was also looking at at the time.
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£99 from Taunton Leisure????
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If it's any help i have and have used the Zepton. Very nice. A nice light pack with a proper back. The only small niggle, it could have done with hip belt pockets.
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The Nanon has hip pockets!!
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 Bob at Backpacking Light sells hip pockets which can be attached to the Zepton.
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Oh and by the way,Ultimate Outdoors were recently selling both the Nanon and Zepton off at bargain prices.From memory I think the Zepton was £69.99 and the Nanon around £89.99.Can't get onto their website at present time to check if they are still available.
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Bob at Backpacking Light sells hip pockets which can be attached to the Zepton. thanks for that.
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