Bergens

[wildadventurer]

What type of Bergen do you use?

[pseudonym]

Now you've gone an done it.

Bergens are a personal choice, best taken when you've tried a few on.

Usage,volume,colour all play into it

I have stuck with a Berghaus Vulcan for the last 25+ years.



Not saying I don't have others, but this is my go to bag - always.

Others may have differing opions.

[24942895]

Berghaus, 1990 vintage


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[wildadventurer]

I use the forces series by highlander i bought a 33lt when i started high school but i am looking for the larger 100 lt i always choose DPC camo and i like alot of useful webbing as this is handy

[elvengate]

Yes I very much agree this subject is a very open, personal preference type of thing.

I'll throw in my 2p worth.

Since I used it during my whole two decades of service, My choice is influenced by such.

I have the good old U.S. Army Large ALICE pack. I think it is due to my understanding of how durable it and it's frame are. Also due to my experiance in getting the highest amount of utility out of it.

[Schrek76]

At the moment I use a German BW 65lt combat rucksack in tigerstripe camo (fashion victim) With added compession straps and molle pouches attached, although I have a 30lt molle daysack I hook up as a chest carrying rig for extra equipment in british DPM.

[2ndRateMind]

I have an 85 litre Olive Green Karrimor Jaguar. It has served me well for the last 30 years, and is still in good nick. It's a very comfortable carry, but I doubt they make them anymore.

Anyway, I feel the need for an upgrade, now. I want something with molle webbing straps in multicam. There's no rush, I'm just waiting for some reputable manufacturer to make what I want, and then I shall pounce.

Best wishes, 2RM

[Trojanhorse]

I use a 55L Bugout Bag By Piper Gear. I got mine from ebay and very pleased!

[ulyssesgrant]

Firstly apologies for the long post!

I think I have to agree with all these guys in that it is a personal thing. It also depends a great deal on your philosophy of how to construct a 'bug out bag' or indeed the other uses you have for it. Is it just a '72 hour away from home bag' max, or is it your never going home again and you have to yomp to your next location over a long distance. This is an interesting example from the US thats a bit tongue in cheek...




I like Pseudonym's converted Vulcan. A lot of my friends had them, I had one back in the days of wearing green. The good thing about those is there are a number of companies set up to do bespoke alterations to them, such as adding extra pouches or molle straps (that or you can do it yourself if you don't have access to the shop in Colly who's name escapes me right now...).

The only issue I found with service specific gear, and this is just a personal thing, is that its not always the most comfortable gear going to use for an extended period of time. Most was created to sit around web gear. As such it tends to have no belt, or if any, one that isn't very supportive. The back systems also tend to be a bit grim. I used to be a soldier, and I didnt carry a great deal of upper body meat back then (more a bony runner...) and it was a bugger to carry with the weight going on to the shoulders and not down through your hips. Since leaving the army I've worked on and off in the outdoors and have done quite a few long expeditions and again I got to understand the joys of a decent pack... If I'm looking for a BOB bag for an extended period of time or expedition use, I want one thats supportive for multi-day use over possibly long distances. There are a few good examples out there right now. The lowly British army PLCE bergen is up for a revamp I think...

This is the Lowe Alpine Saracen. Not sure if they are going anymore, Lowe Alpine just having been bought etc, but it was good in its day and can still be found on ebay etc.



Another is Karrimor SF's Predator 80 which has a decent belt (this is if your not wearing web gear...) and an adjustable back system.



It comes with a good variation of side pouches such as these, which take its storage space to a huge level, but there is a limit to just how much you can carry.



Its also available in OD if MTP/Multicam isn't your thing or your being 'discrete'... as do a number of others. Unfortunately it costs a bomb.

Finally the one I roll with right now, and its damn comfortable (and God forgive me for buying US/Canadian...) is this.



Its a Arcteryx Bora in USMC Marpat. Its very tough, molle everywhere to which you can add other pouches (I've converted mine with a few little extras...), has a very supportive belt and an adjustable back system, and the camo is quite good in Britain with its darker hues. If I'm out for a shorter period of time, and I want a pack that isnt one of my dayglo orange ones as I'd like to blend in a little more, I got the smaller version of the USMC pack included in the deal I got. Here it is below (not my piccy but a good comparison of the two). The only issue is finding one.



All of this gear isn't cheap. Finding some of it is bloody hard like my Marpat pack. That said, once you have a decent pack you like and fits well it will last far longer than a Webtex special that may cost a lot less, you'll thank yourself for the investment. If your miles away from civilisation like a friend of mine and his shoulder straps fall off way beyond the holy fixing powers of gaffer tape, its unforgiving...

[2ndRateMind]

Oh boy! I've fallen in love...with this. I calculate it will take me eight months to save up for it, if I'm very good and brew my own alcohol instead of buying it. But I think it will be worth it!

Best wishes, 2RM