Ogden said:
Another thread for the external frame-specialists:
What is your experience with the Bergans(Norway) Powerframe 130l and
the Finnmark 100l?
http://www.bergans.no
Pros and Cons?
I feel a bit obliged to reply... In this post I won't go through the frame vs. Softpack disscussion again, you could search the forum or google it. But I will try to gives some hints on those two models.
First of all, one thing you have to consider when bying a bergans rucksack is that the pack-volume really is what they say. In an indepedent test I read some weeks ago a number of brands and models of backpacks where tested for weight and packing volume. Bergans where the only brand who didn't understate the volume, in some cases the rucksack would actually take more than stated (Bergans Alpinist III for example). Some brands where under 60% of the volume stated, most brands where somewhere around 80-90%. So when you buy a finnmark you will actually have 100 cubic decimeters. Some brands defend themselves with statements that their specified packing volume concerns compressed luggage and shouldn't be taken literally, in my opinion they should state the true volume! (The tests were made with plastic garbage bags and water, and I would really like to see how the berghaus and karrimor would do in a similar test)
The only one I've tried for real of those two models is the monster-carry-everything-you-own-rucksack Powerframe. It a good rucksack for the purpose it was designed, carrying bulky & heavy loads. And as I said, you do get the 130 liters. I borrowed a friends powerframe before I got my sacci 100 liters, and used it for a 20 days trip. The frame works really well and is worth it's heavy weight, when you're carrying 25+ kgs. The sidepockets are good and you could attach your skis behind them with the attachment points there. The waistband is really nice and stiff and is probably one of the better ones I've come across. But there are of course cons as well. First of all the volume itself is a problem, how often do you need 130 liters? I might need it 2-3 times a year, and usually I could do those trips in the winter using a pulka instead. If you use the powerframe with less volume it gets unevenly distributed and kind of floppy, I would say 100-140 liters would be optimal, and ask yourself how often you really HAVE to have that much stuff, the only time I use that much space is when there are NO ways to resupply. The other BIG issue with the powerframe is the weight. I don't know how your fitness is, but carrying 30-40 kilos isn't a walk in the park, and it's in that range you will end up with 130 liters. How far have you hiked for the longest? And how much did you carry? If you haven't started doing squats and deadlifts with a lot of weights, you better start now. 130 liters, I would recommend for 20+ days, and with the distance you would make in that time, you are bound to come across some place to stock up again, hence the huge backpack isn't really necessary, unless you're going to Siberia. But it is a very good rucksack, but be prepared, otherwise it's going to be a long hard struggle carrying it.
The other one have I only heard about. Only good things, except for the sidepockets, which can be a bit floppy. A friends friend use the frame for carrying dead game, when hunting. It too has attachment points for skis, as well as a lot of general attachment points. Overall the finnmark seem a bit simpler, and therefore a bit more reliable (as less things can go wrong).
Anyway, Bergans is a reputable brand, and either one you choose will probably serve you for years and years. Just make sure that you need the 100-130 liters so often that it's worth buying one.
(If you could oversee that it isn't bergans, my personal favourite frame-pack, which I really can recommend is
this, the url is a bit strange, you don't get the frames...)
)
