King RA

Here's a scoobynet challenge for you all. I need a 50-70 litre rucksack, £70 budget. Go find me the best one, winner will get a surprise present

Suresh

Are you a muslim?

scoobian

I just used a Berghaus Freeflow111 (50l) for a 3 month tour across canada
couldnt fault it

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

richiewong

Aye another for Berghaus.

Bottomfeeder

SWMBO is off to China in the very near future, so we've been investigating rucksacks and day sacks. Berghaus certainly appear to be the manufacturer of choice. Obviously Shona is a girly so I can't recomend her model (unless you have boobies), but I can give you a few pointers on what to look for:
Make sure it has a frame system - this keeps the load central and balanced
Make sure it also has a 'breathable back'
Make sure it come with a separate rain cover
Make sure your purchase is big enough, don't overload a 60ltr, get a 70ltr.

Shona ended up with a C7 2 Series, I'm pretty sure they do a mens version and if you go to Blacks in Wycombe they seem to have a permanent sale on at present.

Matteeboy

A decent Berghaus bergen got me around the World and is still going strong.
Very good pieces of kit.

Iwan

Berghaus, I've had 3 and they're great.

I buy all my stuff from Cotswold Outdoor - see if they have a branch near you. It's worth going in to try a few on for size (they make different sizes for different height people) and to see what you find more comfortable.

Welcome to Cotswold Outdoor Ltd - outdoor & travel clothing, climbing & camping equipment.

TopBanana

Talking of outdoorsy stuff, I've just bought myself a swedish fire steel. This year's BBQ's will be even more fun



With respect to the backpack issue, Berghaus and Karrimor are both good brands. It's important to try them on.

Seamaster

I have some serious experience in this area.

the biggest single issue will be getting a correct fit. very few sales people know how to do this. And what a difference it will make.

I have had just about all the makes known to man. if I was to say the "best" then I lean towards "Macpac" every time.

Try someplace that has some cool staff and ask them who is the best sales person. Cotswolds are good and so is Snow & Rock.

scoobian

shops often have some 'load' they can put in the sack to give you more of a feel for what its like loaded...use it if they have

and go for the snmallest you can get away with......a big pack is a reet pain in the @ss when trying to store it or carry it on public transport
I borrowed an 80l pack...filled it, emptied it, borrowed a 65l pack...filled it emptied it...bought a 50l pack...filled it with what I REALLY needed!

King RA

Good advice all, thanks. Seamaster I was looking at a macpac but it's kinda pushing my budget. I liked this one here (it's small, but so am I, 5'8):

eBay.co.uk: LOWE ALPINE APPALACHIAN ND 55 LTR RUCKSACK BNWT! (item 280046470660 end time 05-Feb-07 14:54:05 GMT)

but after speaking to all of you it's apparent I need to go and try a few out!!

King RA

Here's the macpac. I guess the price is do-able but I was unsure of the size. Do you think a 50litre will do 2 weeks abroad in a hot climate?? I won't need to take any sleeping gear with me. On the other hand I would also like a rucksack that would take all my stuff for 2 weeks + sleeping bag + small tent if I choose to go camping in the future, and am unsure 50 would be enough?!?!?

Buy Macpac Pursuit Classic Rucksack - Alpine / Climbing at Field & Trek

scoobian did you have tent and everything with you??

DCI Gene Hunt

And just what the ***** wrong with using a bin bag!

King RA

Not quite sure what this has to do with rucksacks?? Then on the other hand, maybe I'm going to a training camp in the hills of Pakistan?!?!? who knows

Matteeboy

King - That Macpac looks good - Lowe Alpine make good kit and you should be able to "survive" in the conditions you describe with no problems.

Try it out - Field and Trek are usually a good place to go.

I used an 80 litre Berghaus for Army stuff (you can buy the superb Army Issue PLC from most Army surplus stores very cheap) and it was more than enough - And you won't be carrying an SA80, Ammo, cleaning kit, comms kit, etc, etc either!

Did Australia and NZ with it too - But it was pushing it a bit for that mission (6 months!).

Simon C

Berghaus or Karrimor will see you fine.

I have a Karrimor sac here that was bought in 92, and has been hammered!!! Its still going strong. I also have a Bergaus MOD issue 120ltr and tahts going strong too.

Matteeboy

Simon - Mines the Cyclops Roc 3 - You got the Vulcan (bit bigger)?

Simon C

Tried setting fire to stuff yet??? Its all in the preperation of the tinder

And try practicing the other methods of fire starting fire too, they aind easy in the slightest!!! (the bow droll is to much like hard work!!!)

Simon C

Proabably, its the 1 with detachable side pockets that can be combined with the PLCE system.

Infact this heavy thing!!!



Except mines OG

Matteeboy

Think that's the Vulcan - Mines about the same but without the side pockets.

Good rucksack but often find it a bit too "high" as it has to sit over webbing.

scoobian

.... didnt carry sleeping bag or tent: stayed in hostels mostly
check some places on the net for what you should carry (BootsnAll Travel Network :: Travel Community, Travel Stories, Cheap Tickets, Youth Hostels and all your travel needs as a for instance)
I'm off again in 3-4 weeks ...possibly for good ( ) and I'll be using the same bag again (plus a little daysac for hiking etc.)

Simon C

Was never reg, only joined the cadets (damaged knee means I cant run).

I never had rear pouches fitted when I had to carry the bergen (they went in it) .

Not sure what its called now, but its bloody heavy when its full!!!

Matteeboy

Mine too - When we went travelling it had to fit a tent, wetsuit gear and 6 months clothes and cooking kit.

I could hardly stand up with it on!

Simon C

Hahaha, thats why I love bushcraft inc sleeping bag, my "home" weighs less than 1.5kg

Matteeboy

Hmmm - Lots of nasties in Oz, so the tent was the minimum requirement; in fact after a huntsman spider crawled into our tent and we nearly trod on a brown snake, we decided to stay in cabins!

Simon C

Chicken!!! Mind you I'm on the hunt for a cheap Golite Hex 3 (tipi), weighs in at 850g!!!!! Not bad for a tent a 6 foot person can stand up in!!

stevem2k

I know someone with the hex 3 + nest inner ( floor+mozzie net) that might be prepared to let it go. Used only once or twice. pm me with an offer and I'll put it to him


Steve