View Full Version : Good Bergens
Hey, I was just wondering if any one could suggest a good brand/model of rucksack. so its hardwearing , and comfy. thanks :)
charliefox
29-05-2005, 15:45
Hi Willie
I've been using Berghaus kit for the last 20 years. Hard wearing, reliable, good quality.
Wouldn't be without my Munro 35 litre day sac or my Vulcan 100 litre, particularly as the side pockets zip off to make a 20 litre day sac.
I know they're not cheap, but quality never is. Sometimes come up on Ebay quite cheap.
PM me if u want any more info - pics etc.
Chris
steven andrews
29-05-2005, 15:52
What Charliefox said...Munro and Vulcan.
Alright cheers guys ill check them out :D
arctic hobo
29-05-2005, 16:31
Best Bergans are made by Bergans... hence the name :D
www.bergans.no, don't know whether you'll find a supplier over here, and they aren't cheap, but very good bags.
Graham_S
29-05-2005, 16:43
i like karrimor. my jaguar has been going strong for years and i plan to get a sabre 45 in the not too distant future.
innocent bystander
29-05-2005, 17:50
Likewise, a jaguar e75 dating back some 23 years, and a sabre 45 +pouches.
I always use the karrimor-sf sabre range they're very similar to the karrimor rucsac range but are produced for the special forces so are made to higher specifications.
The General
02-06-2005, 11:50
I use my PLCE for the longer trips, or if there are suitable facilites, I try to use my Maxi Vulture. Its surprising how much you can get in that fellow, esp after adding couple side pockets... :cool:
Hey is the plce comfy say for doing like long distance routes i.e The West highland Way ???
Cheers
The PLCE is very comfy, for me wearing any other bergan just feels wrong. The PLCE will take unlimited amounts of abuse, has all the room you could need, the side pockets can be used as a day sack and its pretty cheap.
Beer Monster
02-06-2005, 14:48
Hey is the plce comfy say for doing like long distance routes i.e The West highland Way ???
I'd personally say no. Basically you could do it but it wouldn't be very comfortable. The PLCE rucksack has a very basic back system i.e. foam padded back (basic internal aluminium frame) shoulder straps and waist belt.
The back doesn't really allow for air circulation so when working hard you get a sweaty back which in turn can lead to bergen burn over long distances. Whilst the shoulder straps are padded and reasonably comfy the waist belt has none at all ..... it's just a webbing strap ..... and as most of the load should be resting on your hips this can mean it is particularly uncomfortable over long distances. Having said that these observations are based on my experiences carrying very heavy loads with the Army and I expect you won't be carrying as many bombs and bullets as I sometimes do :) so with lighter loads it may be ok ....... and to give it its due it is very very hard wearing.
My recommendation would be a Karrimor Jaguar/Sabre type rucksack (I think they have the same back system?) or the Berghaus Vulcan. The Vulcan has a slightly smaller capacity than a PLCE bergen (only by about 20L difference though) but has a much better back system (I find it just as comfortable as the Jaguar/Sabre).
I mentioned on another thread that the RV-1 shop people have added an extra couple of zips to the Vulcan (http://www.tss-online.com/index.asp?mainframeurl=/docs/products.asp?producttypeid=12) so you can add an extra PLCE side pouch to the back of the pack. A handy little option.
I've also heard good things about the Lowe Alpine Military range (http://www.lowealpine.com/Products/SearchMenu.asp?ProductTypeID=2 2) of sacks particularly the Saracen (looks suspiciously like a Vulcan!) ....... they come in green as well as DPM :D !
I definitely would go for the berghaus Vulcan. The older model, the Crusader, was better as I prefered the single compartment, whereas the Vulcan has a zip near the base. They are very hard wearing and much lighter than the PLCE and much more comfortable. I was told once that berghaus actually made the PLCEs as well but I'm not sure. And yes, the Munro is equally as good. I like the simple design of berghaus which doesn't have thousands of adjuster straps all over it which get in the way and squeek when your'e walking.
The only thing negative I've ever found with the berghaus is that the elasticated lid can lose its elasticity after a while, but they take a really good pounding unlike many others. Basically, anything military is heavy and bulky,but strong. Both can be thrown out of helicopters fully loaded without damage.
The vulcan used to be nearly £200.00 but you can get them for £140.00 now from various places. It's well worth it. Munro approx £60.00.
Julian.
I'll vouch for the Lowe Alpine range, they can be made very comfy with the different back systems that they have, I must admit I prefer the salient though.
I have used and bought a Karrimor Jagauar SA bergen also and found it very good. I have the sabre 45 with side pouches. I used to like the old Berghaus Cyclops Roc although not massively adjustable a good pack :)
NickBristol
02-06-2005, 16:50
Both can be thrown out of helicopters fully loaded without damage.
Julian.
Not entirely true tho I wish it was - I had a fully-loaded Vulcan disappear out the back of an HC-2 and perfectly placed down a deep ravine courtesy of an over-enthusiastic RAF loadmaster about half mile short of the planned drop off. After a slog back to find it, the lid and one strap had been ripped off and contents deposited all over. Biggest loss was my stash of hot choc from the rat packs :(
Did some running repairs using lots of paracord and some duct tape, and it was back in use :D
sandbender
02-06-2005, 17:04
'West Highland Way with PLCE"
In April I walked the GR70 (Chemin de Stevenson) in France, thats about 250 km - ish.
I used a Sabre 45 with rocket packs, its a great pack, very tough, good array of pockets etc. but I will never walk a long distance with one again, it nearly killed me!
I've walked much longer routes (up to 1500km) using a both a Lowe Alpine and a Crux pack and will stick with them for distance work from now on.
Beer Monster
02-06-2005, 18:12
I used a Sabre 45 with rocket packs, its a great pack, very tough, good array of pockets etc. but I will never walk a long distance with one again, it nearly killed me!
What problems did you have? Did it have a lack of padding/could you not adjust it to your back properly? Was thinking of buying one .......
I've used and abused a Karrimor Jaguar for years now and love it ...... from a look at the various websites that stock them I think its only the Sabre 70 upwards that have the same SA Supercool back system that the Karrimor Jaguar?
sandbender
02-06-2005, 18:49
What problems did you have? Did it have a lack of padding/could you not adjust it to your back properly? Was thinking of buying one
No none of the above, I did have a fairly heavy load (heavy for me) 12-15kg, I was walking up to 35 km a day over various types of terrain and I am nearly 40 ;)
Quite a drag on the shoulders, abrasions on back, hips etc. I found that by the end of the day I spending all my time looking at the ground four feet in front of me rather than the wonderous scenery I was walking through.
For two days hired a taxi to take my pack ahead to my next destination and had a much more enjoyable walk.
The pack just has a very basic back system, ok for a couple of days in my local forest but not something which I'd recommend for long distance travel. That said the Sabre 45 is a very tough and versatile pack, I'll be holding on to mine and was using it earlier this week during a day and a night walking in Perthshire.
I walked the 500km of the Lycean Way in Turkey with a much heavier load (mostly water) using a Crux AK50, the terrain was extremely rough, the heat appalling but my back was fine.
I also walked 1500km across Europe over three and a bit months, including one 60 km day. I used a Lowe Alpine 70 L pack then, no problems and sometimes I was blissfully unaware that I was even wearing a pack.
These packs just have better designed back systems, they're more expensive yes, but then so is a chiropractor ;).
steven andrews
02-06-2005, 20:11
Not entirely true tho I wish it was - I had a fully-loaded Vulcan disappear out the back of an HC-2 and perfectly placed down a deep ravine courtesy of an over-enthusiastic RAF loadmaster about half mile short of the planned drop off. After a slog back to find it, the lid and one strap had been ripped off and contents deposited all over. Biggest loss was my stash of hot choc from the rat packs :(
Did some running repairs using lots of paracord and some duct tape, and it was back in use :D
I know what Jules means -not from a flying helicopter! Out of the door and onto the ground after the chopper has touched down.
I got a web-tex plce, it's great. Hardwearing, quite comfortable and has alot of useful little pockets aswell as a main sack. Another good addition is the detachable side pockets that can be clipped onto a yoke and used as a daysack :)
You must try rucksacks before buying. I tried 5 before settling on my current one, and that was with weight in them. I currently have an army issue bergen for short range high capacity and a 70+L Lowe Alpine. I did try on a range of sacks before the LA but it ended up fitting better and cost a bit less :)
Great Pebble
03-06-2005, 20:30
I'm firmly in the Lowe Alpine camp when it comes to load carrying kit.
Best back sizing system I've come across and the "crossbow" models are quite an eye opener if you're not used to them.
Also like the Karrimor SF kit though.
Squidders
03-06-2005, 20:54
I have a Lowe Alpine Alpamayo 75+20 or something and I use it for climbing... very good and indeed very comfy... the only problem is the bright red colour :o
I have a Lowe Alpine Alpamayo 75+20 or something and I use it for climbing... very good and indeed very comfy... the only problem is the bright red colour :o
If you like the Alpamayo you will like the Salient, slightly less capacity, but you can by it in Olive :)
Squidders
03-06-2005, 21:12
If you like the Alpamayo you will like the Salient, slightly less capacity, but you can by it in Olive :)
I've had the Lowe alpine for years and years now... I have a webtex bergen and a Swedish army 35ltr sack for bushcraft stuff.
It's all good though ;)
Great Pebble
03-06-2005, 21:26
I have the Alpamayo in green & black, horrified the guys in the local outdoor shop by hanging side pockets on it. Which apparently defeats the purpose of the design or something.....
Good capacity and an absolute joy to carry in comparison to most.
Although I would like something that could take bulkier items. One of the larger Sabres might be on my over winter shopping list.
Biddlesby
03-06-2005, 22:15
What do you people think of the Highlander forces range?
m.durston
15-06-2005, 22:28
never tried the highlander system myself but consider buying a good berghaus vulcan off ebay.
these are the bergens that the plce bergen was based on.
if you decide to get one second hand make sure you go in to a good camping shop and get yourself measured up as the vulcans come in a few different sizes!
if you cant afford to get one of these than there are plenty of good second hand olive green plce bergens about. also make sure that you get the longback version and check the condition of the internal frame as the rivets have a nasty habit of breaking when you dont want them to!
Moonraker
16-06-2005, 09:33
'West Highland Way with PLCE"
In April I walked the GR70 (Chemin de Stevenson) in France, thats about 250 km - ish.
I used a Sabre 45 with rocket packs, its a great pack, very tough, good array of pockets etc. but I will never walk a long distance with one again, it nearly killed me!
I've walked much longer routes (up to 1500km) using a both a Lowe Alpine and a Crux pack and will stick with them for distance work from now on.
So you wont be needing the shiny new Norrona 35l then Andrew :D Seriously would be interesting to hear how it goes in use ( nice photos in the other thread). I guess you will use it for shorter trips rather than long distance walking?
sandbender
16-06-2005, 09:50
So you wont be needing the shiny new Norrona 35l then Andrew :D Seriously would be interesting to hear how it goes in use ( nice photos in the other thread). I guess you will use it for shorter trips rather than long distance walking?
Yes, really just for trips into the forests where I live, although Its ideally sized for lashing down in my canoe.
Will probably sell the Sabre, if I place it on ebay, and attach the the name 'Ray Mears' to it, I will probably get back double what I paid for it...
;)