70-ish liters backpack of good quality?

[Mikkel]

I'm looking for a new backpack in medium size, around 70 liters plus sidepockets.
The criterias are:
* It has to be tough.
* Natural colours (black, green or a combination of these two).
* Good belt and back system.
* Avalible in my size, either adjustable backsystem, or different lengths offered by manufacturer.

The Karrimor Sabre 75 would seem to be the obvious choice, but sadly it's too short for my back. So it have to be something else.

Pricing is not an issue, as i know good quality pays off in the long term

 

[Karl5]

You can try the Berghaus Vulcan.
I've used one very hard the last 15 years, and it's never failed me. Comfy to carry and extremely hard wearing.
The only two gripes I have is that it doesn't have any wand pockets, and that I sometimes pack too much stuff into it (because I can).

Or try the Norrona Para Ranger.
It might be too big for you, but this too is a sack that will take anything you can throw at it in its stride.
I've had it's smaller brother (which sadly is out of production now) for 10 years now, and if I go for longer hiking trips where I change location every day, I choose this before the Vulcan (better carrying system).

Or why don't you try the Lundhags V8 75.
Again a hardwearing rucksack that will last you many, many years. It's missing the side pockets you're asking for, but has some smaller pockets that take more stuff than you would believe.

Or you have the slightly cheaper Snugpak Bergen.
I don't have so much personal experience with this one though, but I'm sure someone else on the forums can help you out there.

Just a couple of suggestions from rucksacks that I've had carried on my back for longer stretches and that I found that I like.
Good luck in your search!!

/ Karl

 

[Matthew.Passmore]

Ive got a "Forces 88 olive" i think it is about 80 litres, its very comftable and well made, i got it from www.sofmilitary.co.uk cost £44.99

 

[SOAR]

I have a Highlander 75 litre its been a good rucksack up so far I have completely filled it to the top and it has held out. It even got completely submerged in water when i went to loch awe when our boat took on alot of water in very heavy weather, and to my suprise it was bone dry inside. Lucky for me as my wifes camera was inside. I think it was about 30 pond from evil

 

[Greg]

British Army Infantry Bergen. No side pockets attached (But they can be bought) But 100lt of hard as nails bergen at a very good price - I have two!
With the side pockets on(which can also be turned into a 20lt daysack with a yoke attachment) the bergen becomes a 120lt.
They are also made in log and short back versions.

Check this site out its quite good:
http://www.britishmilitarysurplus.co.uk/ishop/1069/shopscr87.html

 

[Mikkel]

The Danish bergen is an exact copy of the british one, and i really hate it
The load bearing system is also designed to be worn over a PLCE system, so the hip belt is not going to the hips.

The berghaus vulcan seem a tad big for me, but maybe it's just a question of packing disipline, so the backpack can be sued for both summer and winter.

What about Lowe Alpine Salient? I have heard good things about this one also, but it seems to be a bit aged (15 year old design).

 

[EdS]

aguille alpine.

http://www.aiguillealpine.co.uk/Scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=15

Best sacs in the UK and made here. They'll als do modifications for you.

 

[Bardster]

Has anyone tried the military Tatonka range? The Tasmanian Tiger brand. The pack look quite good and the loading system very comfortable. best of all they accept modular attachements.
I am looking at the Pathfinder - an 85l pack.

 

[Mikkel]

The bigger packs should be a tad heavy and the load carrying system isn't top of the range compared to what you pay for it. The smaller ones should be excelent.

 

[mace242]

Got to second that - I've got a forces 88. Excellent bag.

 

[Ramapo]

Have you looked at the stuff made by Osprey? I think the Crescent comes in the size you need and that it comes in a green color.

I swear by the Osprey stuff. It wears hard and is very comfortable.

 

[Spacemonkey]

The Berghaus Vulcan can be made 'smaller' by feeding the lid straps through the loops at the bottom first before clipping onto the lid. This allows the lid to be pulled down a lot further than normal and thus giving a smaller tighter pack.

 

[benp1]

Snugpak Bergan is a great pack. I sold it because it was too small for me, i'm 6'3 ish though

I've got a Macpac Glissade so would highly recommend it. Fits me really well and is quite adjustable. I have a size 3. Not sure about colours though