Lowe Alpine Dutch Saracen

[Chris the Cat]

Looking into the possibility of one of these for week long Expeds, including Arctic trips were a lot of quite bulky kit and large Sleeping bag are needed.
I know they are not light but hear they are very good as large load carriers.
Any thoughts please Cats?

Best.

Chris.

 

[maddave]

Phaestos on here bought one the other week and brought it to the Giants Seat meet.... Good sized heavy duty pack with the Lowe Alpine adjustable harness. Drop him a PM and I'm sure he'll rave about it.... I'm thinking of one after my brief nosey around it.

***EDIT*** Sorry mate he bought the STING not the Saracen.

 

[Johnnyboy1971]

Saracen on EBay at the moment but be warned they are huge.
Another one to look at is the Berghaus Atlas.

 

[Andy BB]

Got one - although hve to fight with my daughter to use it!

Excellent in my opinion - bullet-proof, lots of molle, floating lid, bottom pockets on sides to carry skis/walking/tent poles behind the zip-off side pockets - which make a day-pack when zipped together - they have integral yokes), comfortable and very good adjustable back that means it fits almost all sizes. My soon-to-be Son-in-law is ex RM, and he says they all swore by them (strangely enough, my ebay saracen has a 45 RM Commando tag on it!)

And big......very, very big!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dInNyNWgzbk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6aKaUJuqBo

 

[Claudiasboris]

I got one from Endys and all I can do is echo everyone else: huge and bombproof. I must admit that I don't use it too much because when I do it gets full and is very heavy. PLCE side pockets can be used instead of the supplied ones and PLCE pockets are a little bigger (if you need to carry even more stuff).


Claudiasboris

 

[Chris the Cat]

All good stuff chaps,
Thanks very much!
Best.

cat.

 

[The Lord Poncho]

Yes, I've had one for about a year- fantastic bit of kit - pretty heavy unladen, but you know that. Stated capacity seems actually lower than it really is- which is huge. Side compression straps do a good job of reducing it down though if not needed. Floating lid is good, as is the top lid pocket which has a zip on both sides (really really handy) and can be compressed. Amazing for the money. As has been stated above, PLCE pockets are a little better than the supplied ones (and have a wider opening).

Lovely chunky hip belt and lumber support. Buy buy buy!

 

[Andy BB]

......... As has been stated above, PLCE pockets are a little better than the supplied ones (and have a wider opening).

Lovely chunky hip belt and lumber support. Buy buy buy!

tHe advantage with the saracen side-pockets is that they have an integral harness, so no carrying around - and losing - a separate yoke as the pcle pockets need.

 

[The Lord Poncho]

tHe advantage with the saracen side-pockets is that they have an integral harness, so no carrying around - and losing - a separate yoke as the pcle pockets need.

Very true, although I tend not to use the side pouches for that purpose. I didn't actually get the shoulder straps with the pouches that came with my surplus saracen, although i have some arktis ones that fit. If the shoulder straps for the side pouches are important to you, best double check that they are included before you buy.

 

[Twodogs]

The only down size is the unlaiden weight ,,, very heavy pack

 

[andywragg]

Apologies for resurrecting this thread.

I just ordered one of these packs (less the side pockets) and it will arrive next week. Need a large but comfortable bag for my winter hammock sleep system and warm clobber. Seemed to tick all the boxes as I was going to get a UK PLCE bergan (had my fair share of time wearing the OD and 1st gen DPM ones) but saw them advertised on FB and Ebay so took a punt. I like the idea of a comfy and adjustable harness.

 

[The Lord Poncho]

No comparison with PLCE - far far better if you aren't wearing with webbing - I'm sure that you won't be disappointed!

 

[andywragg]

It arrived this morning - I'm very impressed, but the batch mine was made in has the side pocket zips upside down (but still compatible with PLCE pockets) and the external top flap pocket zip is U/S so requires replacement. I'll get the rocket pouch zips swapped around when I get the flap pocket zip replaced. It also has a dual crossover belt on the harness that I haven't seen before.

Just uploading a video of it for YT, will publish the link when ready.

 

[andywragg]

Got the zips sorted, a pair of PLCE pockets and also a Molle pouch for the front to put small items in. I find you can fit an issue camelbak inside the internal side sleeves as well.

Video of the bag before modification.

[video=youtube_share;t5wnQv5BYsg]https://youtu.be/t5wnQv5BYsg[/video]

 

[Philster]

Thanks for the video - very tempted to source one now!

 

[The Lord Poncho]

Yours looks a more modern model than mine - the back system and waist belt are somewhat different - probably better! I'm sure you won't regret your choice above a UK bergen.

 

[andywragg]

2009 on the label, made by Arwy. I've now got a quick release buckle on the belt and a chest harness strap too. Will be using it this weekend with all my other new stuff.