How many rucksacks do you have?

[IfInDoubt]

A military career has resulted in me having too many Bergens (a phrase i never thought i'd use) off the top of my head I currently have:

USMC ILBE main and patrol/assault packs
DPM Air support field pack
Lowe Alpine Dutch Army Saracen (Dutch DPM)
Lowe Alpine Frontier
CamelBak BFM (foliage)
Condor BFM style 3 day pack (black)
Bulldog Golani (green)
5.11 Rush 24 (black)
PLCE L/Back Bergen x 3
PLCE S/Back Bergen SF modded
PLCE O/Arms Bergen x 2
NI Patrol Pack x 3
Karrimor/PRI Bowman backpack
Karrimor/PRI MTP Inf Bergen/Patrol pack
Karrimor/PRI TECMAC (green)
Original 90s Karrimor Hot Route (Red/Black)
Blackhawk Patrol Pack (green)
Blackhawk RAPTOR (black)
Blackhawk STRIKE Cyclone (C/Tan)
Dragon Supplies Commanders Patrol Pack (C/Tan)
Multicam Assault Pack
BugOutGear Bug out Bag (ACU)
US medium ALICE (no frame) (woodland)

In addition I have a Maxpedition versipack, 2x SOLO grab bag (black and Marpat), Blackhawk Battle Bag, Craghoppers Drypack bumbag. Plus half a dozen cheap unbranded daysacks

There is also a large collection of canoe bags, side pouches and other accessories.

all in all enough to give the local army surplus shop rucksack section a run for its money.

(The irony is i only use the Blackhawk patrol pack and karrimor hot route now!!)

Pics and reviews available on request!!

 

[Rabbitsmacker]

1 x osprey kestrel 38
1 x large alice and frame
2 x medium alice
1 x berghaus crusader, old type
1 x lowe alpine outback
1 x norwegian canvas pack, the one that berghaus copied into the munro
1 x framed nylon and leather swedish? Norwegian rucksack? Two side pockets, grey leather. Very good whatever it is.

 

[Angry Pirate]

A military career has resulted in me having too many Bergens (a phrase i never thought i'd use) off the top of my head I currently have:

USMC ILBE main and patrol/assault packs
DPM Air support field pack
(Lots of packs)

In addition I have a Maxpedition versipack, 2x SOLO grab bag (black and Marpat), Blackhawk Battle Bag, Craghoppers Drypack bumbag. Plus half a dozen cheap unbranded daysacks

There is also a large collection of canoe bags, side pouches and other accessories.

all in all enough to give the local army surplus shop rucksack section a run for its money.

(The irony is i only use the Blackhawk patrol pack and karrimor hot route now!!)

Pics and reviews available on request!!

Blimey! How many were issued and how many private purchase?
I've always fancied an air support bergen though I'd never carry enough stuff to fill one. It's just all those pockets begging to be filled

Quick edit: how do you find the solo int grab bags? I bought one recently in the sale and it was made.of cheap polyester rather than cordura and nylon straps. I suspect that they made a job lot of cheapies for the sale or is that the standard?

 

[Quixoticgeek]

Hands up if you just googled all of ifindoubt's bergens?

You mention that you only really use 2 of them. What is your reasoning for choosing those 2 over the others?

Julia

 

[Angry Pirate]

Sadly (geardo that I am) I knew pretty much all of them already. I do know how bad that is!

 

[Grooveski]

Mad Dog Gear daypack(realtree) - Maybe 10l - Motorbike, cycling and general day-to-day.
Karrimor Alpiniste 30(Blue) - Motorbike, climbing and the sailing canoe(it fits nice as a backrest).
Highlander Forces 55(Green) - Summer hiking and weekenders in open canoes.
Karrimor Jaguar 75('80s two-tone green(with pockets)) - Main sack, winter hiking and beer transportation.

Have had a few other daypacks over the years - they've all been cheap&nasty and most were scrapped after they'd seen too many soggy miles on the bike. One of these days I'll splash out on something tasty with more weather resistance and a chest strap.
The Jaguar is the only remaining(regularly used) bit of kit from the original loadout in my teens. Has a few issues at the moment but they're all fixable and when done I'll likely get the same out of it again - making it pretty much a bag for life. Good thing too because as a 14 year-old it was a huge purchase that took half the summer in the workshop to afford. At other times I could have dropped the cash on it no bother but when it happened the major justification was "I like it and it'll be a bag for life".

 

[Polecatsteve]

To many yeah. Big PLCE Bergen in OG with side pouches(stupidly big and heavy when fully loaded). Use(used) it for camping.

Dutch 20l patrol / day pack. In OG which is rare in told. Great wee pack for day hikes.

Double PLCE side pouch on he yoke(understated and very rugged little pack). Keep in my car now under seat.

My new main pack is a ALICE pack (med) with frame and MOLLE shoulder straps/kidney strap and MOLLE sleep system carrier. Most comfortable pack ever due to frame. Canoe bags inside keep everything bone dry.

I also recently had money burning a hole in my pocket and got a Maxpedition Typhoon. I know I know. But I really really like it for all my day to day stuff. I'm also quite preppery and can be up to 100 miles from home due to work on a daily basis. So it's by get home bag too now.

Think that's it. Loads of other smaller bags like a nighthawk waistbag which is basically the snugpak response pack. That's on my bike.

 

[IfInDoubt]

Blimey! How many were issued and how many private purchase?
I've always fancied an air support bergen though I'd never carry enough stuff to fill one. It's just all those pockets begging to be filled

Quick edit: how do you find the solo int grab bags? I bought one recently in the sale and it was made.of cheap polyester rather than cordura and nylon straps. I suspect that they made a job lot of cheapies for the sale or is that the standard?

Wow, not as much ridicule as I anticipated, thanks for your understanding, perhaps we could form a Bergen's anonymous support group.

There were a fair few issued one way or the other (PRI and COs funds for deployments etc) but an unfortunate amount were private purchase.

The black solo bag I got through the system (intended as a car bag and its fairly robust cordura (certainly as robust as the Blackhawk battle bag), the USMC MARPAT one I too bought in a sale (not a popular colour I imagine) and its of similar quality, although if it has one fault its that the MOLLE on the ends is slightly unevenly stitched making the addition of extra pouches s tight fit (perhaps it was a factory second)

Quixoticgeek - the reason I use the Blackhawk Patrol Pack is that it is well worn in and very comfy. a manageable size so no danger of overloading and with its six external pouches is excellent for organising (each pocket is dedicated to one of the five Cs with the sixth holding my nav kit) The main compartment also has further divisions (camelback style slots) and I can still squash in a lightweight sleeping bag and a few other bits.

The Karrimor again just feels right, it is a single compartment and can actually hold a bit more than the BPP but is mostly used for climbing as it sits securely on my back with little sway or risk of unbalancing.

The field pack was issued to me for s specific use and having just googled it I personally don't think its worth the money some companies are charging, its a shortback design and as I am comfortably over six feet it is not for me - when fully loaded it is a beast.

 

[Angry Pirate]

Wow, not as much ridicule as I anticipated, thanks for your understanding, perhaps we could form a Bergen's anonymous support group.

The black solo bag I got through the system (intended as a car bag and its fairly robust cordura (certainly as robust as the Blackhawk battle bag), the USMC MARPAT one I too bought in a sale (not a popular colour I imagine) and its of similar quality, although if it has one fault its that the MOLLE on the ends is slightly unevenly stitched making the addition of extra pouches s tight fit (perhaps it was a factory second)

"Hello, my name is Simon and I'm a bergaholic"
Cheers for that. Mine's definitely a cheap job lot then. It's pvc fabric with very thin and cheap webbing. I certainly wouldn't want to deploy with it. Nowhere near as robust as the issue one. I did wonder why they'd dropped from sixty quid to twelve!
It's now my work bag.

 

[ANDGRIN]

I only have four;

1. Berghaus Mustang 65L, nearly 30 years old I rarely use this convertible travel pack now as I do less globe trotting.

2. Berghaus Cyclops 2 Alp 70L, my mountain walking pack for over 20 years now only used for music festivals.

3. Go lite Gust 56L, my current main pack for mountains and woodland for the last 10 years or so.

4. Karrimor Mountain Crag 30L, 20 years old and starting to wear out.

I have just ordered a Frost River Summit pack 30L to replace the Karrimor.

All my gear seems to last well as I do take good care of it, I have a Robert Saunders Jetpacker Tent that is 36 years old and still used regularly.

Cheers Andy

 

[BlueTrain]

Okay, you asked for it. I will admit to having a lot but I deny having too many.

Here goes, from biggest to the smallest:

A PLCE rucksack, the older olive green version, with side pockets.
A US Army mountain rucksack, made in 1942.
Another US Army mountain rucksack, made, I think, in 1950.
Two relatively recent Norwegian, probably, rucksacks, one with a nylon sack, the other canvas.
A commercial Norwegian rucksack, like a real Bergans, "Noronna" brand.
A Swedish L-35 rucksack
A Swedish M-39 rucksack
A French army post-war rucksack made by Lafuma
A commercial Norwegian Bergans, purchased new around 1969 from Gerry of Colorado. The good old days.
A frameless Czech rucksack, army surplus
And finally, an L.L.Bean Stowaway day pack.
I also have a Trapper Nelson packboard.
I may have one or two others I have stashed away but nothing of great interest.

The two I have used the most are the PLCE rucksack, because it holds the most stuff, is easy to pack and is almost the most comfortable to use. The US Army mountain rucksack made in 1942 is easily the most comfortable. Both of them are surprisingly heavy, though.

The other once I use a great deal in the summer is the LL Bean "Stowaway" day pack, because it's the lightest and good for when I only want to carry just a few things. I also use the Czech rucksack, too, which holds a little more.

All the others in the middle are, well, they're just to play with. None are perfect. Not even close.

 

[Trojan]

I am to embarassed to say!

 

[BlueTrain]

It isn't how many I have that's embarrassing, although I'm not exactly proud to own those I do. But rather, it's the unimpressive nature of what's on the list. The commercial Norwegian "Norunna" rucksack took some effort to find and acquire and I do use it fairly often but it was probably made fifty years ago. Otherwise, I really haven't kept up with the times. And I also haven't kept all the packs I've ever had, either.

One such pack and it was used a lot when I had it, was a Northface "Ruthsac." It was a panel-opening, internal frame backpack that I purchased about 35 years ago. I thought it was quite advanced. It was fairly compact and held the load in close to the back (unlike all A-frame rucksacks) and without being too high. I'm certain that many "modern" packs place the load too high, creating a potential problem when it comes to balance. That's also the reason I'm not a fan of waist belts on packs, even though the Ruthsac had one and that was what allowed it to easily carry a fairly heavy load. I also realize that's a contradiction in what I like. The waist belt did cause some irritation to my hip bones, as I recall.

On the subject of carrying heavy loads with a pack, it is true that a waist belt will tend to allow you to carry a heavy load more easily and, in theory, take the load off your shoulders. But it has to go somewhere and since my knees, ankles and feet are what complain the most these days, it doesn't matter so much whether my shoulders or my hips, such as they are, have the load.

 

[@depose_nwo]

wow...I dread to think...

1/ Karrimor SF Sabre 45 [olive] +PLCE side pouches
2/ Karrimor SF Sabre 45 [dpm] +PLCE side pouches
3/ Karrimor SF Tecmac 50 [dpm] +PLCE side pouches
4/ Berghaus Vulcan 80 [I think] with Berghaus style PLCE pouches
5/ Berghaus Centurio 45 with MMPS side pouches
6/ Snugpak rocketpak with side pouches
7/ Lowe Alpine Sting with side pouches
8/ Lowe Alpine Strike with side pouches
9/ PRI "old school" radio Bergen with PLCE side pouches
10/ DPM infantry Bergen 120L
11/ olive infantry Bergen 120L
12/ Northern Ireland Patrol Pack [dpm]
13/ Karrimor SF Predator 30 [with multiple add-ons!!]

Plus a couple of EDC grab bags, and Multiple high quality [that means rubbish!!] civilian
packs from earlier years. my woman says I am obsessed with "bag-porn"!!! looking at this
list for the first time, I am starting to see her point!! if I had to choose just one, then at this point
I would choose the Tecmac 50 because it seems so versatile, not nearly so heavy as everyone
seems to think, and because it is my latest acquisition!! Acquisition favouritism aside, I would
have to say the SF Sabre 45 has been my closest friend for a long time!!

 

[Bindle]

Green Karrimor Jaguar 75l, my old Army rucksack, just can't be parted from it
An old skool external framed thing from my Air Cadet days, just can't be parted from it
A 35l KIMM sack, my mountain marathon bag for 25 years, just can't be parted from it
A 45l Blacks daypack, that could go and I wouldn't shed a tear
A 45l Army daypack, that has to stay
A Camelbak, well if the truth be told 3 Camelbaks (MULE is my favourite)
Then there are various unbranded bags ranging from 25l to 75l, probably around 4 of them
A Berghaus 60+10 Verdun which is shared between whichever kid is with me at the time
My Berghaus 65+10

Are we counting bike panniers too

 

[sausage100uk]

Berghaus freeflo 35, lk35, dpm bergen with side pouches, m39 swedish (customised), swiss rubberised mountain pack, unknown canvas and leather jobbie?

 

[woodsrunner]

ive got a kelty internal frame built around 73
got a really cool norwegian telemark that i'm quite fond of
i own a swiss canvas ruck that is in nearly new condition, i'd like to keep it that way so i don't use that one.
i own a usmc filbe and several alice packs,...a number of smaller packs, buttpacks and waistpacks and a linen czech ruck thats great for day hikes...woods

 

[Andy_K]

Just the one at the moment. A simple 50ltr ruck sack with 3 attached bags but room for another as well as maybe one on top. Aint nothing fancy as I dont have the money to exactly go on a shopping spree right now. But for getting me started, it beats carrier bags I will say though that it has quite comfy straps which also fasten at the chest and waist. All in all, it will do me for the odd long weekend under a tarp.

 

[IfInDoubt]

Berghaus Munro
Kifaru E&E
Mystery Ranch Wolf pack
Mystery Ranch 35 litre job
True North 50 litre canoe pack
Arizzon Wolverine 50 litre pack + pockets

My sons have snaffled a couple of older but still useful packs but these are the ones that I use regularly.

How do you rate the Kifaru and (more interestingly) the Mystery Ranch, we had a handful at work to trial and I wasn't that impressed considering the price for private purchase, are you able to post pics of the MR 35 litre?

 

[Tiley]

How do you rate the Kifaru and (more interestingly) the Mystery Ranch, we had a handful at work to trial and I wasn't that impressed considering the price for private purchase, are you able to post pics of the MR 35 litre?

The Wolf pack is superb: it is very comfortable, offering flexible load carrying from the bottom pouch thing and pretty much everything you could wish for in terms of pack facilities. The fabric is not as burly as the Arizzon corder stuff - mine did suffer a little at the hands of Attila the Baggage Handler on the way to Greenland where others might have been more resistant. It is quite heavy empty but, once full and on, the comfort and support afforded by the external frame makes you forget the load. It is certainly expensive and I'm bot sure that I would pay that much for a pack again but it is formidably well designed and made.

The 35 litre version is OK but, to my mind at least, it is over-fussy and over-designed. I am not sure I like packs with a zip closure though it may suit some. There are some clever little bits to it - the hip belt that tucks out of sight completely is very good, as are the wand/waterbottle pockets - but I find that currently it sits in storage rather than use; it has lost out to the simplicity of the Berghaus Munro. It was fiendishly expensive for a glorified day sack and it does annoy me that I spent the money and haven't really had any meaningful use out of it. I think that I might well sell it, if anyone is interested.

The Kifaru E&E is a really useful, superb little bimble bag. That said, I have done an overnighter using it with a whole selection of stuff strapped to the molle things on the outside. I have gone for the more luxurious shoulder straps which makes carrying it that bit more comfortable. Despite what I have said about the Mystery Ranch 35 litre job and its zipped entrance, the zipper on the E&E works really well. For short days when you want to go minimal, it is a superb little pack and is faultlessly made of good, durable material.

As for pictures of the MR 35 - I'm afraid I don't have any. If you'd like some, I could take them and email them to you. Posting them takes me forever as I'm not that confident with technology, I'm afraid!