Another case of Sams Fault!
Sorry for the long post
I found this pack and though I quite like that, its got character ... for a modern pack . And having bought it (£20 ~ RTI Military Surplus* ~ or ebay ~ currently no listings) I then set out to find out a bit more about it ~ like Is there a belt available for it? (load lugging with no belt is no fun!). Other than being having been told it was Austrian I hadn't a clue ~ and the pack itself gives nothing/zip/nill/nada away either After a bit of searching I found that the pack is part of the Austrian Armys Bundesheer KAZ03 system ~ knowing the system name or model makes searching for information a lot easier and quicker! I found that there are a few odds and ends available to give a few options ~ I expected there to be side pouches but not for there to be a choice of three sizes . I also discovered that there isn't just one but two belts ~ and also that and that theyre harder to find in the UK than the pack or the pouches :yikes:
* No connection other than being a satisfied and repeat customer ~ By the way, their site doesn't offer general mail/web orders so youll need to go in in person .
First impressions are good though. Well thought out and put together well I like the tabs on the zip pulls ~ but I don't like that they're sewn on ~ because I prefer to loop zip cords in different way, a way which takes the strain off the zipper and actually eases the pull. Changing the pull system might be the first mod .
Some pics and a bit of general info.
Off-set front ~ showing pocket attachment strips and compression straps. Compression straps can be used to compress the pack and/or side pouches (which can stop _some_ rattling). Attachment strips on the front are for use with a shovel pouch (more of this strip later ).
Close up of the side. The snaps on the attachment aren't standard snaps, each one has Pull the dot impressed onto the cap (similar in use but not the same as Lift the dot snaps) and these pop on and off in one direction only ~ and that direction probably isn't the one you instinctively want to use. Trial and error will get you there .
The rear of the mid-size pouch ~ theres a piece of Velcro on each retaining strap to act as a back-up to the snap. The male part of the lower pair of snaps fastens to the snaps at the base of the side of the pack to stop it bouncing around.
Mix and match the side pouches at your fancy . Pic below shows the compressions in use over the side pockets. The large-size pouch is roughly the same as the side pouch on PLCE and type Bergens and will swallow a couple of small folding camp tables with ease. The small-size will hold a Coleman 400/Peak1/Exponent in its Coleman rectangular mess tin with space to spare. And the mid-size pocket could have been designed to take my Vihe LoueII! There's also a loop and strap for an ice axe.
Close up showing how the Small and Mid-sized pouches sit together. This is definitely a pack which needs the main compartment filled (or compressed) for the lid to sit correctly. EDIT: Bit of an epiphany moment. The reason the lid sits so poorly is that it was on back to front! (What should be _the_ authority show it used both ways so I'd not considered that one would be better than the other . Correctly oriented lid is on the right (look for the webbing loop above the side release buckle )
Back to that front attachment strip (the one for the shovel pouch) It would be easy enough to use a compression strap to hold the base of the pouch against the pack. I have to admit that I didnt consider that a pouch could go on there until I was most of the way through taking these pics ~ fortunately Id used a second Mid-sized to pad out that little pocket at the base . So I strapped it on and took a quick pic.
On the basis that someone might ask how far down the Large-size pouches go
See that little snap and tab on the triangular dart the shoulder strap anchors to? Ill come back to it .
No real use to me, but Ill include the next couple of pics as an out of interest series of shots
Right shoulder strap has a quick release system ~ yank the slightly beige bit And Ill come back to the metal bit shortly.
and having yanked it
And back to the metal bit it connects the pack to the belt (which Im still trying to source for a good price
). Remember that snap and tab on the triangular dart? Its what holds the bar securely in place. The idea is that you can have pouches on the belt independent of the pack ~ letting you remove the pack whilst keeping the belt and pouches in place. See that zip right at the bottom of the pack?
No idea what the pocket is actually for but its just the right size for a wool cap and mitts
Snow lock, grab handle and floating lid pic ~ zipped compartment inside the lid.
Adjustable back
Padding unzips for access. The straps are a 'Y' shape. The leg of the Y forms the loop which hold the straps in place.
Zipped rear pocket on the lid.
Detail of the top straps. Three loops makes for multiple attachment options. The top straps are sewn in place between the two loops closest to the rear zip.
Two pics of one of the two belts available ~ the high back (I'm not sure of the correct name at this point ). Intended to have pouches attached and to be utilised (with either a vest or yoke) independently of the main pack.
EDIT: How the pack attaches to the belt:
I can only assume that the L marking translates as Lang (German for long) and that different sizes _might_ be available
. I suspect that L might be too long for racing snakes ~ below 36" you might struggle ... unless you're wearing bulky clothes .
Apparently Heereseigentum just means 'Army Property'.
From above:
How the pack's quick release system attaches to the belt ~ just pull the black metal dee and the snapper comes away, keep pulling and the bar disengages pack from belt:
Belt flipped up and held in place by the shoulder straps (which is how I store it between uses). The yoke straps would come out of the oblong holes and fasten onto the plastic buckles ~ the oblong holes prevent the potential for the long flap folding down and rubbing your back:
The pouches were purchased on top of the cost of the main pack. They arent cheap, cheap but I consider them worth the outlay for the increase in options ~ I have 2x small, 2x medium, and 2x large pouches. The spares will be used as carry options inside the main pack.
Time will tell, but Ive an inkling this will become a firm favourite .
Thanks for taking the time to look and/or read through this rather long and wordy post ~ I hope it makes sense .
Sorry for the long post
I found this pack and though I quite like that, its got character ... for a modern pack . And having bought it (£20 ~ RTI Military Surplus* ~ or ebay ~ currently no listings) I then set out to find out a bit more about it ~ like Is there a belt available for it? (load lugging with no belt is no fun!). Other than being having been told it was Austrian I hadn't a clue ~ and the pack itself gives nothing/zip/nill/nada away either After a bit of searching I found that the pack is part of the Austrian Armys Bundesheer KAZ03 system ~ knowing the system name or model makes searching for information a lot easier and quicker! I found that there are a few odds and ends available to give a few options ~ I expected there to be side pouches but not for there to be a choice of three sizes
. I also discovered that there isn't just one but two belts ~ and also that and that theyre harder to find in the UK than the pack or the pouches :yikes:* No connection other than being a satisfied and repeat customer ~ By the way, their site doesn't offer general mail/web orders so youll need to go in in person
.First impressions are good though. Well thought out and put together well I like the tabs on the zip pulls ~ but I don't like that they're sewn on ~ because I prefer to loop zip cords in different way, a way which takes the strain off the zipper and actually eases the pull. Changing the pull system might be the first mod
.Some pics and a bit of general info.
Off-set front ~ showing pocket attachment strips and compression straps. Compression straps can be used to compress the pack and/or side pouches (which can stop _some_ rattling). Attachment strips on the front are for use with a shovel pouch (more of this strip later
). Close up of the side. The snaps on the attachment aren't standard snaps, each one has Pull the dot impressed onto the cap (similar in use but not the same as Lift the dot snaps) and these pop on and off in one direction only ~ and that direction probably isn't the one you instinctively want to use. Trial and error will get you there
. The rear of the mid-size pouch ~ theres a piece of Velcro on each retaining strap to act as a back-up to the snap. The male part of the lower pair of snaps fastens to the snaps at the base of the side of the pack to stop it bouncing around.
Mix and match the side pouches at your fancy
. Pic below shows the compressions in use over the side pockets. The large-size pouch is roughly the same as the side pouch on PLCE and type Bergens and will swallow a couple of small folding camp tables with ease. The small-size will hold a Coleman 400/Peak1/Exponent in its Coleman rectangular mess tin with space to spare. And the mid-size pocket could have been designed to take my Vihe LoueII! There's also a loop and strap for an ice axe. Close up showing how the Small and Mid-sized pouches sit together. This is definitely a pack which needs the main compartment filled (or compressed) for the lid to sit correctly. EDIT: Bit of an epiphany moment. The reason the lid sits so poorly is that it was on back to front!
(What should be _the_ authority show it used both ways so I'd not considered that one would be better than the other . Correctly oriented lid is on the right (look for the webbing loop above the side release buckle )Back to that front attachment strip (the one for the shovel pouch) It would be easy enough to use a compression strap to hold the base of the pouch against the pack. I have to admit that I didnt consider that a pouch could go on there until I was most of the way through taking these pics ~ fortunately Id used a second Mid-sized to pad out that little pocket at the base
. So I strapped it on and took a quick pic. On the basis that someone might ask how far down the Large-size pouches go
See that little snap and tab on the triangular dart the shoulder strap anchors to? Ill come back to it
.No real use to me, but Ill include the next couple of pics as an out of interest series of shots
Right shoulder strap has a quick release system ~ yank the slightly beige bit And Ill come back to the metal bit shortly.
and having yanked it
And back to the metal bit it connects the pack to the belt (which Im still trying to source for a good price
). Remember that snap and tab on the triangular dart? Its what holds the bar securely in place. The idea is that you can have pouches on the belt independent of the pack ~ letting you remove the pack whilst keeping the belt and pouches in place. See that zip right at the bottom of the pack?No idea what the pocket is actually for but its just the right size for a wool cap and mitts
Snow lock, grab handle and floating lid pic ~ zipped compartment inside the lid.
Adjustable back
Padding unzips for access. The straps are a 'Y' shape. The leg of the Y forms the loop which hold the straps in place.
Zipped rear pocket on the lid.
Detail of the top straps. Three loops makes for multiple attachment options. The top straps are sewn in place between the two loops closest to the rear zip.
Two pics of one of the two belts available ~ the high back (I'm not sure of the correct name at this point
). Intended to have pouches attached and to be utilised (with either a vest or yoke) independently of the main pack.
EDIT: How the pack attaches to the belt:
I can only assume that the L marking translates as Lang (German for long) and that different sizes _might_ be available
. I suspect that L might be too long for racing snakes ~ below 36" you might struggle ... unless you're wearing bulky clothes . Apparently Heereseigentum just means 'Army Property'.
From above:
How the pack's quick release system attaches to the belt ~ just pull the black metal dee and the snapper comes away, keep pulling and the bar disengages pack from belt:
Belt flipped up and held in place by the shoulder straps (which is how I store it between uses). The yoke straps would come out of the oblong holes and fasten onto the plastic buckles ~ the oblong holes prevent the potential for the long flap folding down and rubbing your back:
The pouches were purchased on top of the cost of the main pack. They arent cheap, cheap but I consider them worth the outlay for the increase in options ~ I have 2x small, 2x medium, and 2x large pouches. The spares will be used as carry options inside the main pack.
Time will tell, but Ive an inkling this will become a firm favourite
.Thanks for taking the time to look and/or read through this rather long and wordy post ~ I hope it makes sense
.
Last edited:
Your Bergen's bigger 
