New Bergens on a budget

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shocker
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New Bergens on a budget

Post by shocker »

Ive passed my 30 litre Lowe Alpine to my mrs as its more suitably sized for her. Im after a 40 litre-ish for myself. I like the concept of the multi compartment layer bergens around these days as it means no more rummaging or unpacking the whole thing to find what I need. Plus they have compression straps to reduce bulk when not filled to brim.

I see plenty around from 20 quid up- Im not expecting the earth for cheap and would use dry bags inside as a matter of course. Has anyone experience of the Kombat brand ? I have read a lot of bad reviews on the Milcom products but not seen much on Kombat. Money is a very scarce commodity with us these days, every purchase means a day without food.

Its either that or stick to what I know and get the old 30L NI Patrol Pack and add some extras like the respirator pack to the top. I keep my "to hand" kit in an ancient Specialised waist pack that has served me well for decades and with running repairs I will get some more years out of it. Everything is on an arms reach of paracord- old habits die hard ! That adds a few litres to my carry.

So...anyone have experience of these new style bergens and brands ? Its not like I can walk far so it will most likely be a "sling it in the Rangey" type of thing, but with my walking frame and a lot of strong coffee I can still move 40 litres if pressed. Just not over the Brecon Beacons at the run as once was the case !
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Plymtom
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Re: New Bergens on a budget

Post by Plymtom »

shocker wrote:but with my walking frame and a lot of strong coffee I can still move 40 litres if pressed. Just not over the Brecon Beacons at the run as once was the case !
Have you ever seen those "The Mule" wheeled backpacking systems, I'd have one of those if we ever considered bug out, and a huge garden trolley for the other things.
I have a strategy, it's not written in stone, nor can it be, this scenario has too many variables, everything about it depends on those variables, being specific is not possible.
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shocker
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Re: New Bergens on a budget

Post by shocker »

No, Im totally unaware of these...any details Tom ?
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Plymtom
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Re: New Bergens on a budget

Post by Plymtom »

shocker wrote:No, Im totally unaware of these...any details Tom ?
http://themule.com/ There you go ;)
I have a strategy, it's not written in stone, nor can it be, this scenario has too many variables, everything about it depends on those variables, being specific is not possible.
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shocker
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Re: New Bergens on a budget

Post by shocker »

Thanks buddy, Janners to the rescue again !
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shocker
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Re: New Bergens on a budget

Post by shocker »

Hmmm, I reckon I could fab one of those, if not from thin steel then copper plumbing tube, or even john guest push fit. Need to find somewhere that stocks them nearby so I can take some covert piccies with tape measure scale...cos Im a mean old chiselling skinflint
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sethorly
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Re: New Bergens on a budget

Post by sethorly »

For bugging out I'd go for gucci wheelbarrows - 6 of 'em for each member of my family. Serious sh1t deserves serious solutions. :twisted:
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shocker
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Re: New Bergens on a budget

Post by shocker »

Calm down, Seth ! :D The OP was about budget rucksacks/bergens/bags, as in cheap because I dont have an income as such anymore. Tom knows that I am in a wheelchair a lot of the time and can manage a wheeled walking frame sometimes, so that mule thing was a nice idea. Im interested, its a good solution for me but I couldnt afford one...but I could probably make one. ;)

Its part of the human condition to measure others by your own standards, we all do it. However, since I have very little money and am disabled, those factors need to taken into consideration when answering the original question. I thought that I had made the question clear - obviously not. There will be no "gucci" kit here, but I would like it to be "ally" even a bit "warry", OK ? :P

So, we will be using bags when we go away to visit relatives, to take stuff to the caravan, allsorts. We cannot afford to have bags sat by unused waiting for a situation which in all probability will not happen, not enough money or space.

Please read the OP before answering. I really would like some input on the cheaper bergen choices out there. Thanks guys and gals !
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shocker
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Re: New Bergens on a budget

Post by shocker »

Soooo....no one got any tips or advice on the budget buy bergen ? Do I go with something like this :

http://www.military1st.co.uk/bvbaggarvc ... v-cam.html

as a core and expand with molle pouches as I can afford them ? Or this :

http://www.military1st.co.uk/30253t-bw- ... -camo.html

and go the whole hog but not fill it, or this kind of thing :

http://www.military1st.co.uk/8008-70-br ... camel.html

with its more modern look and more access points (apparently) or stick with what I know :

http://www.ex-mod-textiles.com/shop/har ... 14266.html

...and molle a couple more bits on ?

Really my experience is limited to Vango, MOD, Berghaus, Karrimor (of course!) and Lowe Alpine. Most of which are out of my price bracket and more than I need. I know that "you get what you pay for" but its not going tabbing for miles with full kit, but I dont want it to split a seam if I sling it in the truck.

Anyone ?
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Deeps
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Re: New Bergens on a budget

Post by Deeps »

There's a fairly recent thread about the new Karrimor bags, Blinking Cory (I think it was) flagged them as cheap at JJB sports or somewhere similar and I ended up getting a 65L one for about 35 quid. It was fine but the zips seemed a bit cheap, took it away for a weekend and it passed the test. If its not getting heavy usage then you should be fine with them mate, they're not the military looking ones with all the wee pockets and nooks and crannies. Don't know if this is any use as you seem to be looking at the more tactical bags. It was flagged up that JJB sports bought the Karrimor name, I've got an old Condor and while its heavy compared to more modern bags, its solid and dependable and still very comfortable, the new ones are different but from what you've said, probably ok for what you need, just not very 'pongo looking', for me a bonus but whatever works.