plce bergen rucksack

[Andie]

hi all I'm after a new rucksack and I'm thinking of the military plce infantry rucksack with side pouches but as I'm only 5ft5 I'm thinking of going for the short back version,now from what i have been told the short back version is about 20 liters less in volume due to being smaller is this right??? and are these Bergen's any good any help on the subject would be great

 

[chris_r]

I've got the long back and it's a monster. Are you sure you need to carry that much? I aim to get everything I need into a 45 litre sack and only add side pouches if it's absolutely necessary. I can remember lugging the weight of an almost full bergen for miles and it's not a lot of fun. Downsizing was the best choice I've made with regards to kit. Time out doors is way more enjoyable with a lighter pack.

 

[spandit]

It's a heavy old pack when empty but rugged & lots of pockets to stow stuff. Haven't used mine for years, mind (bought it brand new). Sits quite high as supposed to be worn with webbing, I think

 

[TinkyPete]

The short back rides higher on the lower back and is slightly wider so no real loss of volume overall. They are beasts and are rugged but especially with the short back is best worn with webbing as it was designed for as they are also not the most comfortable bergens to wear. The bergaus Roc or Vulcan are just as hard wearing or better and more comfortable.

 

[spandit]

I'd also like to be able to replace the main waist buckle with a Karrimor style one (where you put one buckle through the other...)

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Both the long back & short back bergens are 100 liters (without the side pockets), it's just that the shortback is wider than the long back. If you insist on buying new make sure it's genuine military issue & not a Web-Tex copy.
The buckle your after is called a bergbuckle, they are relatively cheap to buy.

These bags are extremely robust so are on the heavy side. .....they are not the most comfortable for long trips either, but I use a battle worn faded long back ( to which I added a proper waist belt) & 1 love the thing & wouldn't change it for anything, some people though, don't get on with them.

 

[spandit]

The buckle your after is called a bergbuckle, they are relatively cheap to buy

You, Sir, are a gentleman... thank you. Any idea of how best to replace the existing buckle?

 

[shaggystu]

hi all I'm after a new rucksack and I'm thinking of the military plce infantry rucksack with side pouches but as I'm only 5ft5 I'm thinking of going for the short back version,now from what i have been told the short back version is about 20 liters less in volume due to being smaller is this right??? and are these Bergen's any good any help on the subject would be great

get yourself over to anchor supplies in ripley, i was in there a couple of weeks ago and they had loads of PLCE stuff, bergans included, loads of nice heavy kit you can load it up with in there too so that you can get a good feel for the fit of the thing

cheers

stuart

 

[blacktimberwolf]

You, Sir, are a gentleman... thank you. Any idea of how best to replace the existing buckle?

Sorry spandit, I'm not quite sure what you're asking.

 

[Andie]

the only reason i was thinking plce bergen of that size was i have recently took delivery of my new snugpak Antarctica sleeping bag and even with the compression sack its still big and bulky that along with my bivy bag,hammock,tarp,crusader cooking set up takes a bit of space i have also been looking at the forces 45 liter but I'm just stuck at the mo because i dont no how big bag i really need to fit all my kit in

 

[blacktimberwolf]

How much dosh are you planning on spending ?

 

[chris_r]

the only reason i was thinking plce bergen of that size was i have recently took delivery of my new snugpak Antarctica sleeping bag and even with the compression sack its still big and bulky that along with my bivy bag,hammock,tarp,crusader cooking set up takes a bit of space i have also been looking at the forces 45 liter but I'm just stuck at the mo because i dont no how big bag i really need to fit all my kit in

I borrowed a 45 litre ruck off a mate to see if everything would fit. I then bought a Forces 44, but soon sold it in favour of a Sabre 45. The rocket pouches take it up to 70 litres which is more than enough for me.

 

[vizsla]

like stu ses id go to a shop a test the bags for size before you get one too small or big, i see were your coming from with the size of you sleeping bag and kit then if your going for a few days its nice to have the option of a few luxuries beer being one extra clothing etc. alot people saggest a 45l pack being big enough but forget to mention the 25l side pockets they put on the side and there foam bedroll they strap to the top so your getting around 70l which is bergan size. that said 45l to the right person can be more than enough. alot of people also use daypacks for summer and bergans for winter but if your only wanting one pack you need one for all seasons all my opinion of course

 

[blacktimberwolf]

There are 2 approaches to the eternal rucksack size question...... either you get or have kit that you like & work for you, then you try & find a bag that will carry it ,.....or, you get a bag (usually on the small side) then try to find gear that will fit into it....
In my opinion side pockets are fine for smaller objects & bits & bobs, but if you have large bulky stuff they arn't very useful, I find that most rucksack lid pockets have enough space to store 'knick-knacks'
The OP has already got his sleeping bag which is probably over 30 liters in it's stuff sack plus some other gear so a 45 ltr.even with side pouches would'nt leave much room for manouvre, I will always prefer to get a larger bag & have some room left for future gear or occasional extra stuff, rather than try & squeeze everything into a smaller bag & be obliged to strap any extra kit onto the outside......

 

[spandit]

The PLCE Bergen is covered in straps that can make it smaller. Still heavy but with side pouches removed, quite compact

 

[blacktimberwolf]

The PLCE Bergen is covered in straps that can make it smaller. Still heavy but with side pouches removed, quite compact

Absolutly, you can even close the side zips together & you then have a reasonable day sack.

 

[Andie]

Right folks just had a look at my currant army rucksack and I'm guessing it's between 50-55 liters and I can just get everything in there with NO room for anything else but it's tight hence the sleeping bag taking most of the room up

 

[yomperalex]

Time out doors is way more enjoyable with a lighter pack.

amen to that

Alex

 

[spandit]

Sorry spandit, I'm not quite sure what you're asking.

From what I remember (rucksack is in loft) the belt buckle is sewn in pretty tight. If I wanted to replace it with a bergbuckle, how would I go about it? Unpick the stitching and resew?

 

[blacktimberwolf]

From what I remember (rucksack is in loft) the belt buckle is sewn in pretty tight. If I wanted to replace it with a bergbuckle, how would I go about it? Unpick the stitching and resew?

On the reverse side of the belt, where the end is folded over, carefully slide a SHARP knife (a swiss army knife blade is perfect ) between the layers starting at the cut edge of the webbing. Gently slice the first few stiches, then pull apart the unstiched bits as you go & you should clearly see the next row of stiches.If your blade is sharp enough, you can simply press the blade onto the thread (one stich at a time if neccessary) & they should give way, if not, just slowly/ gently slice the thread then keep pulling the webbing apart & cut the next row of stitches. The trick is not to cut the webbing, though it won't be seen if you do.
You can then use the original needle holes when resewing on the new buckle, which makes the job a lot easier. As for thread, I use polyester button thread for most things, but any strong thread will do. By that I mean there's no need for a specialised rot proof, super strength bonded nylon thread.