The British army 110 L PLCE pack advice wanted

[grey-array]

Dear people of the board,
I'm looking into buying a new pack and since I always have been a heavy carrier I was looking for something large. I found this 110L pack with side pouches, 10 L on each side.
I found a great deal for that pack used by British forces for only a third of the price that usually is given, I could buy one of these for about 58 pounds, Yet I heard a lot of nasty things about military bags and such, allot of complaints about them not being comfortable and I cant try the bag on before purchase so need to know if it will fit me, I'm 186cm in length with my torso only a few centimeter longer then is usual. I wanted to give guys a product name yet the place where they offer it is rather on specific.

I hoped anyone of you could give me any advice, or tell me something about their experience with these type of packs.
Yours sincerely Ruud

Ps a picture to clarify:

 

[surfingstevie]

Mate im in the Army there not comfy but you can modify them with padding ie Rollmat and tape
I would look on ebay and there is 2 sizes long back and short im 5 foot 7 i use short back

 

[blacktimberwolf]

The PLCE infantry bergen (120 liters with side pouches).....there are 2 types longback & shortback....so be careful, you will need a longback.

I have one & I love it but they don't work for every one.....to be honest they are not the most comfortable packs out there but with a few modifications (I've improved the hip belt for a start) they can be made comfortable, though comfort is a personal thing.
They are heavy at over 3 kilos empty but very robust & well made.
There are a lot for sale on ebay so have a look......

Here's my baby..as you can see it has had a few repairs

If you have any specific questions, ask away.

 

[spandit]

Did you add extra straps to that?

I've got the OG version, bought it brand new about 15 years ago - it's certainly capacious but I've never hiked long distances with it. I've replaced the belt buckle with a Bergbuckle but the rest is standard.

It's very rugged but quite heavy as a result.

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Did you add extra straps to that?.

Yep ...............

 

[spandit]

Yep ...............

Thanks for the detail What happened to the rear pocket? Is it under that bigger one or did you remove it?

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Thanks for the detail What happened to the rear pocket? Is it under that bigger one or did you remove it?

No that's the original pocket but because it's bottom & part of the front was so worn I just replaced the worn parts with some flecktarn cordura....

 

[grey-array]

And If I may ask the mods that you have applied, where did you get the improving gear, and how much did the lot cost you?
Thanks for responding with well structured info, it really helped ^^
yours sincerely Ruud

 

[blacktimberwolf]

And If I may ask the mods that you have applied, where did you get the improving gear, and how much did the lot cost you?
Thanks for responding with well structured info, it really helped ^^
yours sincerely Ruud

Most of it came from a German army rucksack ( kampfrucksack) which I already had but because it was too small & too uncomfortable with any weight in it I didn't mind sacrificing it for spare parts ....

 

[grey-array]

one last question If I may be so bold Blacktimberwolf, could you give me any measurement, say from the attachment from the shoulder straps to the bottom so I can confirm that I'm dealing with a long back? Cause I would not be a happy customer if I got myself the wrong backpack, if you know what I'm saying ^^
Thanks a million already!!
Yours sincerely Ruud

 

[blacktimberwolf]

The height from the lower edge of the shoulder strap panel to the bottom of the pack is 40 cm ........confused ?.......

the back panel is 35 cm wide ( the shortback is wider) also make sure the pack you're buying has the removable aluminium alloy frame (some used packs are missing them though they can be bought (on ebay ) it means spending more money unneccessarily..the longback frame is 53 cm long....
There are several ways of telling the short from the long but I don't want to confuse you.. If you upload a photo of the bag you're thinking of buying I will tell you if it's a longback or shortback.

Also make sure you're getting an original army issue & not a copy such as Web-Tex..

If you want any more info or photos I'll be happy to help....

 

[grey-array]

sadly the company from which I will be ordering it is pretty limited in information, as all I can get is the Shabby picture I showed above, its small and undetailed, so I will be calling the company for some additional confirmation on the brand, and the size of the pack to make sure its the right kinda pack for me, its a european company, called Camonet.eu and from what I understand the lot of the stuff they offer are access material from the armies of Holland, and allot of stuff still left from the East German army ( from 1960's/70's) I will ask them for some photo's probably and if possible a brand name.
Thanks for the advice and the Photo's Blacktimberwolf ^^

 

[blacktimberwolf]

The pack in your first post, though the photo is blurred I'm pretty sure it's a shortback.....have you tried eBay ?....you can pick them up for around £30 (often less) not including postage of course...I got mine from ebay Germany for 12 euros + 17 euros postage about 2 years ago....It needed some repairs but I enjoy repairing & modifying gear.

If you're really interested then I'll have a look later on ebay & post some links of sellers that ship to Europe..

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Just a thought, the Dutch army often uses Berghaus Vulcans & there are a few sites in holland that sell the army's used packs....can't think of one off hand but I do remember a link was posted somewhere on Bushcraftuk..

 

[grey-array]

Yeah that might be an Idea, I send the company an email, seeing the fact they will have about 200 of those things lying around they could have both.
So for that its just waiting and ebay is worth investigating especially if the price range of 30 bucks in total is available ^^ and I like to fix things up too so no problem there^^
Yours sincerely Ruud

Ps if you see something worth investigating feel free to put those link on here ^^ Thanks blacktimberwolf!!

 

[FGYT]

Just a thought, the Dutch army often uses Berghaus Vulcans & there are a few sites in holland that sell the army's used packs....can't think of one off hand but I do remember a link was posted somewhere on Bushcraftuk..

the PLCE ones are designed to work with webbing belt so sit high resting on this so dont offer much if any load transfer to the hips where you need it when used on there own so you carry all the weight on your shoulders and being short to get the capacity they are fatter off your back making weight away from your shoulders (a big no no when packing rucksacs ) this acts as a lever pulling you backwards and down counter acting this puts massive strain on your back.
PLCE Bergen is designed as part of a system that meets specific criteria for a specific type of person so as a stand alone Bergen is compromised in lots of ways (note the modifications most do to get it almost usable)

if you can get a Vulcan do it the most comfy heavy carry bergan ive used ( available in 4 back lengths ) had a propper hip belt

ATB

Duncan

 

[grey-array]

By the way what is the big diffrence between a Bergen, and a Webtex? Quality of stitching or fabric?
yours sincerely Ruud

 

[grey-array]

That is a very useful bit of knowledge Duncan thanks for that ^^
will browse around for one of those vulcans or anything like it
Yours sincerely Ruud

 

[johnboy]

Ps if you see something worth investigating feel free to put those link on here ^^ Thanks blacktimberwolf!!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/army-ruck...Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item4ab5a667ad

Here you Go. Berghaus Crusader looks like the side pouches are missing and the photos are crap but a cheap bergen...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Karrimor-...ackpacksRucksacks_Bags_EH&hash=item19cf01f0d2

Another one here Karrimors of this vintage are really good and better than the current PRI stuff...

have fun....

 

[The Lord Poncho]

Webtex and other copies- generally poorer quality materials, fastenings, and quality control.

To be honest, you would be much better off looking for a ex dutch marines Saracen (Lowe Alpine Design, made under licence by a dutch contractor) - that is if anything bigger than an PLCE bergen, just as well made, and infinitely more comfortable. It also takes the same side pockets and has an adjustable back. I would imagine that they are availiable in your country?