Bergen vs Roe Sack

tarponhead

Well-Known Member
Anyone using a Bergen style sack for its waist-belt and weight on hips not shoulders, vs a Roe Sack? I’ve see impressive weights carried in Monarch and Ogden sacks on here, but I prefer Bergen for comfort over rough and steep terrain, but not tried putting a deer in it. I do have a simple Roe sack but a heavy Roe is its comfort limit, so thinking of a new one…
 
I've used issue Bergen in the past, minus rocket pouches. Two roe no problems apart from the obvious 😂 three muntjac once, two even easier.Have also used large decoy rucksack but the strap stitching not designed for heavy weight although two roe will fit in. Good to sit on too whilst waiting,long in comparison to Bergen.
 
I could fit a spaniel; three geese and the shotty in the bergen. That was a tight fit. A roe would probably need cut up to pack in. The bergen not quite the right shape but you'll carry a heavier weight in it if needs must.
 
Hygiene with a Bergen ?
How do you get it proper clean ?

Roe sack has removeable liner usually to make it easier / job for purpose and guesss will dry quicker

Better yet for size if multiple beast is monarch country products sika sack

Paul
 
Hygiene with a Bergen ?
How do you get it proper clean ?

Roe sack has removeable liner usually to make it easier / job for purpose and guesss will dry quicker

Better yet for size if multiple beast is monarch country products sika sack

Paul
 
Anyone using a Bergen style sack for its waist-belt and weight on hips not shoulders, vs a Roe Sack? I’ve see impressive weights carried in Monarch and Ogden sacks on here, but I prefer Bergen for comfort over rough and steep terrain, but not tried putting a deer in it. I do have a simple Roe sack but a heavy Roe is its comfort limit, so thinking of a new one…
If you want to use a pack with a frame and a proper waist belt, then the best option is an external frame back pack. Either one of the specifically designed American hunting packs (like Exo, Stone Glacier or Kifaru), or a ‘load carrier’ pack, like Tatonka.

You can often find old external frame packs on eBay for not a lot.
 
Bergen gives better support but is that really needed with a Roe? It would be a huge benefit with a Sika but then you can't get a Sika in one. You can pick up cheap mil surplus Bergens which is a plus.

External frames would be idea but when I looked they were ridiculously expensive. Saw nowt second hand. You may have better luck.

I went with a Monarch Sika sac and manned up. Good bit of kit.
 
I use the other arms bergen, the one with the zip top, opens really wide to allow easy loading. Hygiene not an issue, just hose out, allow to dry then food safe disinfectant.
 
I use thick polythene bags inside my roe sack. My stalking mates all use the same now too. The liner is far too thick and heavy and I don't have time to clean and dry it properly between stalks. It's sat in my loft unused.
 
I could fit a spaniel; three geese and the shotty in the bergen. That was a tight fit. A roe would probably need cut up to pack in. The bergen not quite the right shape but you'll carry a heavier weight in it if needs must.
I’m just enjoying imagining the Spaniel et al!🤣😁
 
Hygiene with a Bergen ?
How do you get it proper clean ?

Roe sack has removeable liner usually to make it easier / job for purpose and guesss will dry quicker

Better yet for size if multiple beast is monarch country products sika sack

Paul
My idea was the deer go into a dry sack and into the Bergen. Possibly overthinking it but I already own both.
 
I use a bergen, standard short back, can take two Roe. I just use thick black bin liners, which I later use as 'drip trays' and then disposable bags for the skins/carcasses.
Inside of the bergen stays clean.
Using a bergen I can extract the deer after shot, no need to get back to a vehicle, then drive back etc. and it makes a great support for prone or sitting shots, so no bipod needed.
Edited to add - I cut the hip pad things off, I prefer the weight on the shoulders :thumb:
 
If you want to use a pack with a frame and a proper waist belt, then the best option is an external frame back pack. Either one of the specifically designed American hunting packs (like Exo, Stone Glacier or Kifaru), or a ‘load carrier’ pack, like Tatonka.

You can often find old external frame packs on eBay for not a lot.
Thanks - good idea. That said, most on here cope with a Roe Sack, so not sure why I think I should be different, but I often use things for uses other than their original intention. It’s a bloke-thing according to SWIMBO. Like when she caught me in the bath with a roe doe, but that’s another story…😳
 
Bergen gives better support but is that really needed with a Roe? It would be a huge benefit with a Sika but then you can't get a Sika in one. You can pick up cheap mil surplus Bergens which is a plus.

External frames would be idea but when I looked they were ridiculously expensive. Saw nowt second hand. You may have better luck.

I went with a Monarch Sika sac and manned up. Good bit of kit.
This is my preferred option.
 
Bergen gives better support but is that really needed with a Roe? It would be a huge benefit with a Sika but then you can't get a Sika in one. You can pick up cheap mil surplus Bergens which is a plus.

External frames would be idea but when I looked they were ridiculously expensive. Saw nowt second hand. You may have better luck.

I went with a Monarch Sika sac and manned up. Good bit of kit.
For external frames, have a look at the American issue large ALICE packs. They are lightweight external framed bergens.
 
Anyone using a Bergen style sack for its waist-belt and weight on hips not shoulders, vs a Roe Sack? I’ve see impressive weights carried in Monarch and Ogden sacks on here, but I prefer Bergen for comfort over rough and steep terrain, but not tried putting a deer in it. I do have a simple Roe sack but a heavy Roe is its comfort limit, so thinking of a new one…
I Had a old Berguas AB 95 that had been damaged i had it slit down the middle and eyelets fitted it was so good my mate borrowed and i never got sight of it again. The two big pockets was good for a spare fleece and raincoat (no goretex in those days) i used to use a fridge bag as a liner to keep it clean
 
A bergen with a waterproof liner and the carcass quarter up and put in game bags is a method I have used and will probably use again.

Liner gets hosed out and wiped out with washing up liquid, game bags go on a hot wash.
 
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