Looking at the spec on the firms site, the Ridgeway is 'alpine style' - it has no side pockets. But yeah, not vastly different apart from that. Just look for berghaus 65 (rather than just one model), and then see what comes up - you might do well with one of their slightly older high level sacks, for about the same amount. Always check the weight - high level sacks tend to be slightly better specced (but often fewer pockets) and will often be lighter.
Backpack comparison - please advise
- Thread starter OrtesPL
- Start date
Looking at the spec on the firms site, the Ridgeway is 'alpine style' - it has no side pockets. But yeah, not vastly different apart from that. Just look for berghaus 65 (rather than just one model), and then see what comes up - you might do well with one of their slightly older high level sacks, for about the same amount. Always check the weight - high level sacks tend to be slightly better specced (but often fewer pockets) and will often be lighter.
Seems to me that older rucksacks are around 1kg heavier than modern ones(berghaus).
Thank you all for very educational and comprehensive answers and advices!
Will keep my eyes on Trailhead and Ridgeway packs within my price range
Good stuff!
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I suppose this won't be "tech" enough, but Army surplus....Large Alice pack. Simple, strong, cheap. Works...........
Heavy, uncomfortable. camo, and no back system. If I've got c.£40 to spend, which gets me most for my money?
imo either OEX from Gooutdoors or used Berghaus 65.
Read the posts because they are spot-on!
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I've also got a Berghaus Cyclops, but its got no more in the way of a back system than my 25L day sack, and the waist straps are a joke - it would just knacker you using it with a heavy load. Buying a used decent Berghaus pack from Ebay will be lighter and much more comfortable for the same money.
If army surplus is so good, why is there an extensive industry devoted to modifying, supplementing or simply replacing stuff that people in the army get for free? At the end of the day, its just kit. The question to ask if its cost effective. If its not, dont buy it.
If army surplus is so good, why is there an extensive industry devoted to modifying, supplementing or simply replacing stuff that people in the army get for free? At the end of the day, its just kit. The question to ask if its cost effective. If its not, dont buy it.
Cant say I have problems with mine. Army packs try to fit many different body size's you wont always get that right so they get modded that dose not say to me the kit is bad just they have to average and compromise, main point is there not expensive, but are dam tough and if you wish to mod there are a plentiful supply of straps buckles clips poppers etc.
True, but with that in mind I have a leather coat at least 50 years old and still in use and a pack 30 years old also still in use so what dose that say........Remember anything 'millspec' was made by the lowest bidder
Lowe Alpine is worth the punt, I enjoy my edge 22l for commuting and bimbles round the trossachs. For any longer walks the issue Daysack mits rocket pouches suffices. Karimor SF do their own version of the issue daysack, they are squaddie proof
so what dose that say........
That they were stored well lol
Not all (if any ) military stuff was made by the lowest bidder.
You do not see much European mil equipment made in China, do you?
But they were made after extensive research and development to last.
To extremely high specs in materials and manufacture.
Get a good (used) Swedish LK70 and it should last you for many years.
If you google ’Ryggsäck LK70’ you should find some good ones in Sweden, googling ’LK70 backpack’ and you will get sellers outside Sweden.
Might find better ones in Sweden.
Remember, two types, old and new. The new version is more user friendly, specially in wet conditions.
The older version is more old school exotic with leather straps and so on, but if the leather gets wet it swells and is difficult to use/open.
You do not see much European mil equipment made in China, do you?
But they were made after extensive research and development to last.
To extremely high specs in materials and manufacture.
Get a good (used) Swedish LK70 and it should last you for many years.
If you google ’Ryggsäck LK70’ you should find some good ones in Sweden, googling ’LK70 backpack’ and you will get sellers outside Sweden.
Might find better ones in Sweden.
Remember, two types, old and new. The new version is more user friendly, specially in wet conditions.
The older version is more old school exotic with leather straps and so on, but if the leather gets wet it swells and is difficult to use/open.
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Your countering my point with fair logic....not sure I like that!
But isn't that an indictment of Army purchasing? The Infantry 90 bergan has a long and short version. Thats it. Possibly OK 30 years ago, but just outmoded now. Adjustable back systems have been around for years (Berghaus had them in the eighties) - my LA Liberty 70+20 is about 17 years old, and has one. So its not new technology, and not expensive either, since Go Outdoors will do one from Hi Gear for £50!
So they could have one pack, which would be more comfortable...
its designed to be robust, and relatively cheap, but not all countries follow this particular course. There was a discussion a while back about the replacement for the old Norgie (itself a garment you never saw in any civilian hiking shop) - it might have been OK, but as someone commented 'the Danish lads get Montane, we get whatever's cheapest'. And thats often the way the army approaches kit. The US Marines, on the other hand, have a very good looking pack, which I understand has been designed by a civilian company, and of course both Lowe Alpine (for the Dutch) and Berghaus make military packs.
The problem with surplus for hiking is that when I've bought stuff, I generally end up thinking 'why did I buy that?'
Even if its not bad, it in turn means its relatively heavy, because of the materials involved. And often its issued for a long time, so its often not very current compared with the civilian market. And even when its OK, its designed for the military - civilians dont need things like Molle, for instance.
The civilian market is much more fluid, and there simply much more choice. And you have to see surplus as just part of the market. That can work well if its what you want, but if its not, you dont need to buy it. And most of the time, its not really want you need for hiking.
The best frame I ever had was the Coleman plastic (nylon?) frame. You could adjust it to suit your body, from a short skinny woman to a tall wide man.
I do not understand why it is not made today.
I do not understand why it is not made today.
Some good points Old bones, I guess it might be down to what we want, I like tough and simple that's my prime want, that tends to mean a tad heavy and less adjustment but I'm so Mr average 5"11 with I think what is called a pigeon chest so I have more back than chest and been used to heavy crap all my life, I think that has made me insensitive to comfort, for me its always that has to move so best get too it, the best one I can think of for that was a bike engine in a backpack, my brother helping me on my bike like a jousting knight and him thinking it dam funny, got it home tho!
There is nothing wrong with tough or simple, and the market will supply that, if you want. But you dont have to be uncomfortable, and frankly, how tough do most of us need a pack to be? Everything is a tradeoff, and since I'm 50 with a dodgy back and a touch of arthitis, I'd trade abject bombproofness for comfort anyday.
I'm 47 with a good back so that's got to be a factor, the pack I have distributes load via the straps and waist (as we know they all do) with an internal frame as long as the waist band is at the right height and all is snug I find no issue, so what in your mind is the problem and what do other packs do better? from what I have noted of more modern thinking is the frames are more akin to a cradle and more hugging with hammock like straping and padding spreading load over the back more?