Where to buy decent bergen?

[alex h]

Hi guys,

I bought the 80-130l Karrimor SF bergen form AWE outdoors website for 185 quid. Worth every penny. Amazing build quality, well thought out, great backing padding and enough straps to sink a small battleship.

The way its going, I expect to still be using it in a few years time when (hopefully) i'll be serving.

Alex.

[Ghostrider]

Yeah i see what you mean about the karrimor rucksack, looks pretty impressive in the pdf file, but still a but pricey, the qmstores site is prob best i have seen yet, though, one last thing. Is the build quality good enough for what your paying and is the IRR important?
J

[42]

if your going to put your hand in your pocket get a decent one like a vulcan. around the 150 mark

[alex h]

In a word, yes. I personally believe that the karrimor is worth it (you an get smaller capacities). Something like a bergen must be super reliable and so buying cheap will only cause problems when you are in the middle of Dartmoor and one of the clips breaks and you can't close the pack!! Don't touch Webtex!! Cheap plasticy rubbish.....

Invest. I've never carried a fully packed sack with such ease as with the karrimor.

It the mo i'm a civvy so the IRR isn't important but once I'm serving I need it to be full-NATO spec and that it is!!

Enjoy; for extra fun add the 15l side pouches. I did!! 160 litre!!

Alex.

[Guest]

Personaly I don't mind the Web-tex bergen, but the webbing...Is as rubbish as anything and the pockets are so anounying.

[adj125]

ALright guys,

I'll think you'll probably find a lot of guys in the armed forces don't buy webtex for two main reasons. One, it's not IRR protected like issue bergens are, and secondly they aren't as hard wearing. I've seen Web-Tex fall to pieces on one or two occassions.

The issue bergens are good, there are no real faults with them (except, as you said, price). I would suggest Arktis gear, as they are generally very good.

Happy shopping.

Si

Much is made of the infra-red reflective (IRR) properties of camouflage prints. IRR properties of materials are rendered less definite when smeared with grime. For example, light coloured dirt is almost certainly less IRR than the fabric that is covered by such dirt. This means that the laboratory conditions where such materials are researched and tested cannot replicate the real conditions in which fabrics are required to perform. The best overall solution is to ensure that you are not encountering an opponent equipped with IRR detection devices in either brand new off-the-shelf product or in a garment that is smeared with dirt much lighter than that of the surrounding terrain!

Furthermore, IRR materials offer little protection against thermal imaging (TI).

http://www.arktisltd.co.uk/kitcare.htm



Web-Tex ULTIMAX Bergen Rucksack 135 Litre Capacity



1000D IRR Cordura
Internal detachable ali frame
Double stitched seams
Reinforced lid attachments.
Comes complete with Day Pack Yoke.
8cm extra wide vented padded shoulder straps
Extra vented back rests
Extra thick padded detacheable hip pad
2 Lid pockets
Detachable side pockets
Integral water bladder holder
Full waterproof DPM cover in base
2 Extra front utility pouches
Extra stash pockets on side pockets
Extra lid pockets on side pouches.

[Thrithraing]

Eh up, I think we have an employee of Web-Tex 'ere

Fair do's, you've done your research there. We get told not to use Web-Tex (and occassionally you'll get it taken off you), because if your Gucci Go-Faster webbing/bergen/boots fall apart in the field, you're stuffed basically.

But, flipside, if you're were buying a bergen to go stamping about with in the Civvy side of things, or possibly when you aren't in the field so much, buy the bergen mentioned above. It's a decent buy.

Looks like a mattress, with storage capacity. Aces.

Keep it breezy

[skygod75]

Id have thought in the civilian context 'Highlander' forces and TT type rucksacks would be ideal. Superior build quality than 'Webtex' and a bit easier on the budget.

[Doc]

Issue bergen is fine....sick of cadets buying £200 150 litre bergens to put their sleeping bag and spare socks in!

FFS get a grip if your carrying anything over 50lb is going to farking hurt no matter who makes your bergen. Id rather a tough wearing one on my back that wont fall apart with a heavy load than a comfy one that will!

I carried 100lbs plus in the Gulf with an issued bergen, webbing and chest rig and it farking hurt but remained in one piece, even if I didnt!

Like Harry said in the beginning, just get an old crappy one from your oppos grot when he's on weekenders and exchange it down stores on Monday!


If your just getting one for training, then my first tip is dont, it will wreck your knees and you'll have plenty of time once in to carry the farking things. My second tip is if you ignore first tip then get an old SAS bergen from army navy store and wear it high on the back. Great bit of kit that lasts, even if your knees dont.

using civvy kit within a commando unit is all down to the RSM, so you could spend stacks on gucci kit and then the RSM gets drafted and the new one goes ape and your back using pussers rig and all the gucci stuff is under your pit gathering dust. One of my RSMs wouldnt allow non isssue boots, but did allow berghaus gaiters. SO yep we all wore scarpas under the gaiters and he never twigged (or let on more like)

Id rather spend my earnings on beer and Guz slappers than a bergen. Even if the bergen is a better, more attractive and safer shag!

[markthestab]

ive only ever bought 2 webtex items, a dpm wash bag and a dpm notepad holder(yeah i know its sad but im a sprog)

the washbag fell apart and the notebook holders on its way, no f@#k way would i trust them with something as important as a bergan

ghostrider, whats wrong with your issued bergan? is it one of the combat handbag types?

ive got one of those and had to borrow a proper one for pre-para, but the only gucci kit i'd spend loads of money on would be LOWA boots

[42]

i`d choose a berghaus vulcan over pussers every day of the week.no question.few minor adjustments. pussers side pouches go quite nicely and youve got a nice little house ready to deploy.

[skygod75]

Me too.
Vulcan is very pricey but you get what you pay for. 'highlander' forces 100 is an exact replica but about £100 cheaper. Its 100ltr Capacity dunno about weight carrying ability but lets face it I dont reckon many people are gonna go marching with 100Lbs + on their back outside of the forces!

[markthestab]

can anyone recomend some good insoles cos im starting to feel it in my knees, but ive got to tab loads because p coys coming up in less than 2 months and i need to knock a minute of my 2 miler

[Tugg]

Mark,
Do you have flat feet or ever suffered from stress fractures in your shins,ankles?
If so,I got issued 'special' ones off the DPMO or whatver the top navy dog in the sickbay is called,I cant remember the name of the sole,but if they dont fit you properly they send you to civvies to get them customized I.E. moulded to your feet.

If all of that is useless to you,then so is this lol have you ever seen them spongy red ones?Some of my mates said theyre hoofin,however,some of them said when you sweat or the rain drenches them they weigh shit loads and cause trench foot etc.
So ermm...nope I dont reeeeaaaallllly know but theres my input

TUGG

[DWW]

Mark,

Try http://www.return2fitness.co.uk/Foot_Ca ... _Footbeds/

the sorbothane insoles are cracking, theres also loads of other foot goodies available!

However I now have my tailor made orthotics from my podiatrist, just the job!

Dave