Bergen / Rucksack / Pack what are the top 5?

[Frogo]

I have to admit that with a lot of the top names these day's all seem to be manufactured in China and they still demand top price. A couple of years back I purchased a Lowe alpine Saracen to replace my old one only to find it was made in China the quality of material was crap. I also purchased a light my fire, fire steel recently only to find they where 1cm shorter. Just think I'm getting fussy the older I get.



Johnboy, I just want to make one purchase and have the pack for the next 20 or so years. If I could find the ultimate pack then I would be happy, I guess I should have hung on to some of the packs i have owned. I have gone from packing all my kit in one pack then having different packs for different seasons. At times my pack has weighed in at 20 ~ 30 lbs and a lot heaver. As I'm moving around a lot I'm carrying all my kit in one bag, from sleeping kit, footwear, cutting tools etc. I know it seems silly carrying all your kit but I have not got anywhere to store my kit long term so it goes almost every where with me, within reason.



Thanks



Frogo

 

[_mark_]

Here's my old vc, still going strong!

 

[John Fenna]

Thanks again for all the input.

So I have my 5 to choose from.


Berghaus Vulcan.

Karrimor Sabre.

Wolverine.

kifaru.

Lowe Alpine.


As I have said I really need a pack that has the capability of comfort, durability, quality and reliability.


Frogo

Strangely enough those top two are the ones I use most - both are excellent across your list of needs.
If weight is not a big issue and price is I would plump for a used Vulcan from Endicotts (no conection etc) - storming kit and great service!

 

[johnboy]

Here's my old vc, still going strong!

So where did the Abseiling harness thingy go???

 

[johnboy]

I have to admit that with a lot of the top names these day's all seem to be manufactured in China and they still demand top price. A couple of years back I purchased a Lowe alpine Saracen to replace my old one only to find it was made in China the quality of material was crap. I also purchased a light my fire, fire steel recently only to find they where 1cm shorter. Just think I'm getting fussy the older I get.



Johnboy, I just want to make one purchase and have the pack for the next 20 or so years. If I could find the ultimate pack then I would be happy, I guess I should have hung on to some of the packs i have owned. I have gone from packing all my kit in one pack then having different packs for different seasons. At times my pack has weighed in at 20 ~ 30 lbs and a lot heaver. As I'm moving around a lot I'm carrying all my kit in one bag, from sleeping kit, footwear, cutting tools etc. I know it seems silly carrying all your kit but I have not got anywhere to store my kit long term so it goes almost every where with me, within reason.



Thanks



Frogo

Most stuff seems to be made in China these days...

Anyhow... The Quality on the Vulcan of Chinese manufacture is as good as it was on my UK made Berghaus stuff.

Basically quality out of Chinese factories comes down to:

1. Picking the right factory to start with
2. controlling your manufacturing spec tightly
3. Having really good QC and QA processes.

I'd reccomend you try out a Vulcan...

HTH

 

[Nat]

ANother vote for the Vulcan. Fantastic bags and Endy's do a good deal. Wish i'd bever gotten rid of mine

 

[Twodogs]

Endys only have size two in stock ,

 

[Mastino]

Here's my old vc, still going strong!

IMHO the Vector was the example for the US FPLIF (Field Pack Large Internal Frame), part of the modernisation program around 1990 (together with teh ITLBV webbing). IIRC the original design was from Lowe.

 

[drewdunnrespect]

PLCE 120 litre bergen does me perfectly fine and dandy

drew

 

[Frogo]

Strangely enough those top two are the ones I use most - both are excellent across your list of needs.
If weight is not a big issue and price is I would plump for a used Vulcan from Endicotts (no conection etc) - storming kit and great service!

Hi John,

Have you got a link, I'm unable to find them on there site.

 

[Frogo]

Thanks for all the Information, plenty of good suggestions. All I need to do now is choose wisely



Cheers Guy's

 

[John Fenna]

Hi John,

Have you got a link, I'm unable to find them on there site.

Erm...google?

 

[John Fenna]

Hi John,

Have you got a link, I'm unable to find them on there site.

Ooops try search on the endicotts site - thats how I found a replacement pocket....

 

[Twodogs]

I cant get on Endicotts site at present ,

if you can put vulcan in the search box

http://www.endicotts.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1318

Twodogs

 

[Mikey P]

I'd avoid SAS/Para Bergens, GS bergens, and Alice packs. All are an uncomfortable nightmare...

HTH

John

Too true. Never understood the fascination with all things military/SF. Had to wear them for years and couldn't wait to replace them with something more comfortable and practical.