over the last 13 years! I used a
olive green PLCE bergen(short back), I've also used to have the
DPM long back version.
I liked both, both were fine for my needs
you may have noticed from the previous answers, no one can decide on it's actual size?
it's because it's irrelevant to soldiers, it just does the job (often badly!), we are using civilian eyes and to judge military kit, which never works at the best of times.
I should also point out after several years working in outdoor sports shops that the big brand rucksack makers all use different methods of measuring volume, over the years some measure the whole sack, some don't count the pockets. some have measured with water (I was told) or polystyrene balls in plastic bags (which is why the term "liters" came about), all come up with slightly different results and of course the results are rounded up.
also all the standard large sacks over the last 30 years or so seem to be around 60-80 liters why?
over many, many years of scientific and military research everyone has basically agreed that 60-80 liters is about sensible size for a human to carry!
why are Military rucksacks twice the size...
because they have to carry huge amounts of kit (but then they get paid to carry them).
before you buy one without the pouches take a look at the past threads of people trying to get the pouches (if you're buying one get the lot).
also beg, borrow, or steal one to try
BEFORE you buy!
also remember it's designed for soldier and to be chucked out of trucks covered in muck etc
.
but more importantly it was never really designed to be used on it's own, it's part of the PLCE system...confused? read on, this will enlighten a lot of new Bushcrafters!
1: It will be tough.
2: Not the most comfortable rucksack for the price. you may be disappointed.
3: It is 120l of space (and you will fill it believe me!
) normal civilian rucksacks are around 60l (which is half the size!), you can remove the side pockets and compress the sack to reduce the size but it takes a lot of discipline to do so.
4: DPM looks military (well...it is) if you take this sort of bag to some 3rd world countries you could get mistaken for a soldier and shot!.(olive green is slightly safer and will give you less strange looks when out walking (it's why i changed from DPM to OG).
5: The material itself is tough therefore heavy.
6: not many Bushcrafters know this: but the belt is not a hip belt!!! the rucksack is designed to be worn on top of webbing so the belt really is just
to stop it falling off,(not to be comfortable on the hips) it gives no hip support (unlike most modern civilian rucksacks). don't expect much from it (there are even loops behind it to tuck it away when not in use which to be honest I do a lot).
because the bag is designed to fit above webbing you'll find the "hip" belt is more of a "tummy" belt (too high) and useless to support the loads with your hips
7: (remembering 6!) you need to get the right back length.
I'm 6ft and i use the short back version (apparently the right length if you are using webbing),
if over 6ft you should use a long back version (assuming webbing is used).
you see the problem? getting the right back length assumes you are using
PLCE webbing because the webbing
is (in effect)the hip belt .
8: you will get a sweaty back! there is no airflow system or open mesh just cordura.
9: you still have to pack your bag carefully if you fill it with tins you will feel them poking in your back.
10: I've (and many others) feel the shoulder straps and padding are a bit thin. not good if you are carrying serious weight (120l worth) I've made my own add on padding.
hope i haven't put you off just want you and others to be clear what you are buying
oh and make sure it's real there are some fakes around, you can tell because everything's softer on it
including the straps and buckles!
now you have most of the info I've learned over 13 years of use...that 13 years of good solid use nothing has ever gone wrong or broken on either DPM or OG bag. good bag if you are ok with the list above!
I also use webbing often so the whole hip belt issue isn't relevant to me anyway.
I use mine all the time and I love it!
lastly I've done mountain leadership training all of it with my PLCE Bergen, I would use a civilian one next time, PLCE for Military and Bushcrafters only!
As a guide use the sack part on it's own, use the side pockets on their own don't fill all of it and carry all of it, when using the Bergen carry the empty or full side pockets inside the bergen not attached to the outside.
if you are going to carry 120l worth of kit get a better sack! or a better health plan
