Berghaus Bergens

[Feugh]

I have to get myself a new hiking/expedition rucksack because I have volunteered to help with the school Duke of Edinburgh hikes and therefore need to start using one properly again. After trying out an army friends Bergen many years ago I bought myself a surplus one a couple of years back (£25 from ebay, thought that it was worth buying to try), and trialed it with some weight in a few nights ago. What I found was that the hip belt is not a hip belt; google tells me that it is designed to be worn with webbing and therefore the belt sits much higher, which makes the belt no use for taking the weight without webbing and therefore makes the sack no use for comfortable long-distance hiking. However, I still really like the way that the sack sits – the weight is distributed high up and the sack is very stable.
So, I want a rucksack that sits just like the British Forces Bergen but has a decent hip belt on it. Talking to an ex-army friend, he recommended looking at the berghaus range. Has anyone got any experience of the Berghaus Vulcan rucksack? Do any of the forces / ex-forces folk on here have experience of both this and the Bergen so that they can tell me if the load distribution is similar?

Many thanks in advance.

PS I have a Lowe Alpamayo, but find that it’s too pear-shaped for me and puts the weight too far down and pulls me backwards. If anyone wants one for a very competitive price please let me know!

 

[SimpleSimon]

This isn't what you asked, but it may help. Feel free to ignore!

I spent several years fitting and selling packs. For a few years before that and ever since, I have been using them often. I have always found Osprey packs to be the best in terms of fit, features and longevity. You're right about the Lowe Alpine packs, they're very pear shaped and I could never get on with them, Osprey are almost the opposite. Osprey packs also have the best compression system which stabilises and properly distributes the load even when the pack is less than half full. Their guarantee and warranty service is also one of the best I experienced when I worked in the industry. I have no ties to the company, past or present, but my experience as a salesman and end user is that they're not just marketing and hype.

 

[nun_hunter]

I've got one of the Berghaus ones and I have to say it's very comfortable with plenty of padding in the hip/waist area. Well made and pretty tough. The two side pockets can zip off and be used as a small day pack or to make the main rucksack narrower. It has a few pockets, could do with a few more to save you having to delve into the main compartment everything you need something. Only real downside is that with the side pocket/packs attached it is wide. Fine for open countryside but if walking through a thick Wood or getting on and off trains and narrow doors etc then it becomes a real pain!

 

[Wyre Forester]

the issue you have with the hip-belt may well be to do with the back length of the Infantry bergen you've got - they come in two lengths, shortback and longback. i'm only 5'7'' and i find that the shortback ends somewhere around the bottom of my ribcage...

the longback however fits me perfectly as a treking rucksack.

i also use two of the older (20+ years..) Berghaus Bergens - the Cyclops Roc and the Cyclops Crusader. the Crusader is the 'father' of the PLCE Infantry Bergen, it was the pattern copied and infact Berghaus made some of the first few production runs. i personally prefer the Cyclops Roc as i find that i simply overload the Crusader and make it so heavy that i don't really enjoy my walk.

i've also used another of the stable, the Cyclops Atlas, but i found it unweildy, impossible to get to just 'sit right', difficult to pack properly and the side pockets were both a pain in the bum and utterly useless.

have a look on ebay - you'll get a very good condition Roc or Crusader for £50-60, and tbh, you'll get as much life out of a 20+ year old one as you would a £220 brand new one. they are quite simply indestructable...

 

[FGYT]

Had a Vulcan bergan for over 20yrs superb once you get the correct back length (not adjustable came in 4 sizes if I remember) best bergan I've ever had (tho I haven't tried a modern one for a very long time) Roc and Crusader are good and solid to but no where near as comfy with load . Don't get a PLCE short back unless you 20 fit and where the webbing belt kit with it on its own you will kill your back with no hip belt

Only problem is its cavernous so you can easily overload with kit because it fits

I sold it on several years ago simple because I no longer needed to hump masses of kit over long distance

Now run a Lowe alpine Sting 55ltr Olive Drab with PLCE side pouches perfect for my needs

 

[Feugh]

All very useful posts, thanks to all. SimpleSimon, someone else recommended Osprey sacks at my work so it's something that I'll look at. Nun_hunter, FYGT, I'm most likely to use the sack without the side pockets so the width shouldn't be too bad. I've hiked through thick forest in northern Canada with a mate who was wearing a wide, Bergen-type sack and he wasn't a happy man. I was wearing a narrow mountaineering sack at the time so it wasn't so bad.
Wyre Forester, I have the long back infantry Bergen, but I'm 6ft 3. The hip strap fits just under my ribcage and only has the effect of restricting my breathing, which isn't much use. It's a shame because the fit of the sack is great.
Once again, thanks for the replies so far.

 

[JockStalk]

Replaced my hand me down blue Karrimor canvas sack in the mid 80's with a Berghaus Bergen, when you zipped on the pockets you got well over 100 litres of space and needed a hand to stand up with when skis etc strapped on the pack. Damn good sacks and its still going.

After complaints about its aroma (what smell?) from my better half a few years ago I bought a Crux AK-47 which expands to about 65 litres. Bombproof construction and highly recommended though minimalist/ climbing oriented in design. I like that as its less to go wrong. Comes in a series of back sizes which might suit you?

 

[Feugh]

Given your outdoor background, JockStalk, I wondered if you'd have something to say. Good to hear that the berghaus is still going (and smelling!) strong. But Crux? Never heard of them, and who names their rucksack after a combat rifle? A quick google has shown what they are, and they look good. Not many bells or whistles, and I like that. My lowe sack has heaps of bells and whistles, but it's still not comfortable for me.
The Vulcan sack is 80l without the sidepockets, and that's plenty big enough. I've taken my ex-army Bergen on a ski-ing holiday and fitted in four pairs of ski boots without damaging the sack, and it's that sort of load capability and bomb-proof construction that I like about it. Like the Crux, the Vulcan also comes in four sizes, the largest being 6ft to 6ft 6. That should be just right for me.

 

[JockStalk]

Yep, the worst thing about the Crux sack is the name

I should add that I've deliberately reduced the size I use now and find 60 ish litres is big enough. Forced me to think about what I take and also invest in a couple of smaller bits of more modern kit. For example Karrimats have come on a bit!

Might be of no use to your purpose at all, but if you have the space - you will fill it.......

 

[Wingy]

I've got one of the Berghaus ones and I have to say it's very comfortable with plenty of padding in the hip/waist area. Well made and pretty tough. The two side pockets can zip off and be used as a small day pack or to make the main rucksack narrower. It has a few pockets, could do with a few more to save you having to delve into the main compartment everything you need something. Only real downside is that with the side pocket/packs attached it is wide. Fine for open countryside but if walking through a thick Wood or getting on and off trains and narrow doors etc then it becomes a real pain!

Job issue by any chance? lol I've got about 3 fantastic for what I paid for them.

 

[Jeff8861]

Used alot of bergens during my time in the army had a berghaus for years never let me down but not cheap. However the latest issue is just as good and lots around second hand i would go for one of them

 

[nun_hunter]

Job issue by any chance? lol I've got about 3 fantastic for what I paid for them.

Not this one. Was given to me by a mate who emigrated to Canada. I have got a couple of the Berghaus day packs that were used but great condition from the stores at work when they "upgraded" to 5.11 in cool tactical black! Haha

 

[caorach]

The Lowe Alpine Sting is worth a look if it is a military rucksack type thing you are looking for. These are fantastic and have an adjustable back, they are indestructible and, in the end, mine was just simply too heavy for me. However maybe the load might sit too low for you? I don't know but with the adjustable back you can place the balance nearly anywhere you want.

My advice is to go light now because, at some point, you will decide you need to do it anyhow unless you are very fit and enjoy the pain.

I hacked the Sting in and got myself an Exped Lightning. It is a very simple bag and it is relatively robust and actually does everything I need it to, it is also 7 or 8lb lighter than the Sting. With some thinking plus some lighter gear I was able to bring the weight I am carrying down from about 4 stone to about 1 stone and this makes for more enjoyable days out.

 

[Feugh]

Hi Caorach,
If the Exped bag is 7 or 8lb lighter than the Sting, how much does the Sting weigh?! The Berghaus Vulcan is, I think, around 6lb, which is heavier than some but not as heavy as some others. Unfortunately the Vulcan is no longer made, so sourcing one may be difficult. I'll have to take a look at the Osprey packs too.
Cheers,
Feugh.

 

[welshwarrior]

Height dependent a long back infantry Bergen could work but DPM possibly not ideal during DofE I think you'll find their are much improved back systems from the old Vulcan that would be even better. I don't do a lot of load carrying anymore but do have an Osprey or 2 that are fantastic and wish I'd had that option 20 years ago over the 2 sizes fit no one!

 

[caorach]

If the Exped bag is 7 or 8lb lighter than the Sting, how much does the Sting weigh?!

The Exped weighs almost nothing, it is amazing how they can make something so robust. It is also about the most comfortable bag I've ever tried as the suspension system moves the weight to your hips really well, better than anything else I've played with. The Sting weighs an awful lot, I had the rocket pockets etc. on mine so it all adds up, I think officially it is 3 - 4kg but that is without the pockets.

Another thing worth considering is that, as with stalking gear, a lot of walking gear is a fashion item and so you can get end of line stuff. I got a really lightweight tent (1kg, Vaude Power Lizard) for £200 by waiting until a new model came out and scooping up an old one. I know the Banshee is the standard DoE tent but they are quite heavy and, even worse, when packed they are quite inflexible whereas the Power Lizard can squeeze down between other items in the rucksack even when it is safely in its stuff sack. So, if you have time it is worth shopping around and seeing what new stuff is coming out and if there is any deals on the old model and going as light as you can, you will not regret going light and in the long run it will save you the bother of selling all the heavy stuff and doing it later on.

 

[JockStalk]

Honestly, with all this micro gear the YE's these days must be a soft lot.

What ever happened to good old fashioned canvas sacks and Vango orange canvas tents? You take the poles, I'll take the outer and you can take the groundsheet..... etc. Now where's the primus gone....

(I could be getting old and curmudgeonly!)

 

[Vipa]

Best mil spec pack I ever had (have had 2 actually) is the Karimor SF Sabre 60-100.. They do a larger one too. By far the most comfortable and effective hip belt I have ever used, and that even includes my current, ludicrously expensive Kuiu Icon Pro which comes in 2nd place on that front. The only things the Kuiu has over the Sabre is a slight weight reduction and the ability to have one harness system with different bags ranging from 30ltr to 120ltr.

So... have a look at the Sabres... truly the most comfortable and efficient packs I have ever come across..

 

[Feugh]

Caorach, I'm starting to upgrade my other gear as well. I got a "last years" Terra Nova Laser Competition" 2-man tent (two little men tent, or two very good friends tent! Using it with my eldest daughter will be fine, but she's 10. Sharing with another big bloke wouldn't be a comfortable night) in the January sales and it's ridiculously light in comparison with the other tents that I have. The MSR Whisperlite has been replaced with a Pocket Rocket. I have a lightweight sleeping bag that will replace my four-season one, saving another chunk of weight, and my clothes are better than they used to be back in the day. The clothes are no lighter, but they are better quality so I won't take as many. I should get everything into a 65 litre pack with no problem, but do want a wee bit more space for when I'm hiking with my kids and have to carry weight for them too.
Jockstalk, I do wonder whether young expeditioners know how lucky they are; the tents, stoves and other gear that we used in Scouts, DofE, expeditions weighed a lot more. On the flip side, did we know how lucky we were? Take a look at 2nd WW packs that the forces were humping around with 70 or 80lb in them with no hips belts and canvas shoulder straps - hats off to those guys.
Vipa, I will take a look at the Sabre. Are you able to compare it to the Berghaus personally?

 

[eldon]

Honestly, with all this micro gear the YE's these days must be a soft lot.

What ever happened to good old fashioned canvas sacks and Vango orange canvas tents? You take the poles, I'll take the outer and you can take the groundsheet..... etc. Now where's the primus gone....

(I could be getting old and curmudgeonly!)

A Vango force 10 by any chance?

I once had to put one up blind folded as a silly game to fill the time in lol