I'm 6'1" and use the short back Bergen for canoe camping in the backcountry...absolutely,love it. It does ride high, but I think makes it easier to carry heavy weights. Soooooooo much better than 'modern packs' at 5x the price. British DPM Bergen are so tough!
Try ride the hip pads over the Illiac crest (hip bone) and under the rib cage, so it buckles on your belly button, rather than use it like a ruck around the hips, makes an unbelievable difference, feels like cheating...lol
Great review and so helpful, long back does my hips in, prefer the Northern Irland 12kl, patrol pack and for winter would take kit belt and strap sleep system underneath. Your short back Bergen sound just right. Thank you. Harry
Good choice! NI IRR 30 is all I use for the weekend. I still doubt the validity of the plce 120 for use as a bug out bag IMHO (guess i will be in the minority with that though) Take care of you self H....bex
Short back and the Turtle back Bergen’s rule! Add the Ni Patrol pack and you have a great set of packs. (Although I also like the ALICE medium pack with frame too!). 😂. Great video Bex. 👍🏴
Agreed. The turtle used for wild camps rocks. I use my NI patrol sack with the sleeping bag in a dry bag bungeed to the top lid, and now my old longback bergen is redundant.... I have the large alice too, sucks if you overload it, but better with sleep system carried on the outside, under the top straps....bex
Hello Bex and that was very interesting and informative and I like the short Bergen because it is wider and I dont know why they dont make the long Bergen wider also . That was an excellent video. Thanks for sharing and all the best.. David
The closes thing too what you describe would be the Karrimor 80-130 litre predator pack, and is on my radar, the compromise is bigger equals more weight...bex
I know most people will disagree with me, but I always found the all arms Bergen the most comfortable for me, and carried a highland patrol pack where the sleeping bag was supposed to go, for quick access. The issue 120 litre Bergman, used to cause numbness in my left arm, and the tightness of the shoulder straps were not the problem. Shame all arms were never made in green, or blue for civilian an use.
There seems to be quite a fan club of the S95 120L plce bergen on-line. (people are like sheep) or moth to a flame. I too am in the minority of preferring the all arms turtle back. Easier to load, with more comfort and lighter, strapping for my large tent on the top, and strapping for the bed roll underneath. The S95 although assumed is 120 litres. is only 70 litres up to the snow collar, with 30 litres divided into the snow collar front pocket and top lid pouch, and x2 10 litres rockets make up the 120 litres. The weight to volume litreage ratio, is a bad trade off for me with the S95 bergen.....bex
Yank here... I'm a fan of the British style top loading bergen, and I'm currently using a Fox Rio Grande, listed as 45L. 600 denier cordura nylon. It's "DPM" Camo pattern (which I LIKE, and the second to least expensive) but wouldn't pass British milspec. Has two permanent sewn rocket pockets, a top zipper compartment on top of the lid, a smaller one on the bottom. I plan on ordering a British gas mask pouch to velcro to the outside middle as a med/trauma kit. I had been using one of those "assault packs" with a dozen zipper compartments. But I was worried about one or more of the zippers failing. . . Not a good thing in an "emergency" situation. Great video mate ! I'm one who enjoys his comfort as well, so I'm going to have to sit down with it again and try to make it lighter. All the Little things we carry, by themselves, don't weight much. Until you add them all together... In the military here, we're taught that "One is None, and Two is One" So I think I'll still keep multiple ways for fire and water, and eliminate some other duplicates i.e. rations, clothes, stoves ... ...
I try and empathise in my videos for those who want to shed pack weight, to focus only on (Shelter Insulation & cook set) meaning you will be warm dry and well fed. I add in a compact sundries kit (seen on my channel) a med kit, food and water. The ability to stay warm, is to keep you fatigues dry, so adding in water proofs is prudent also. Anything else I count as luxury items. Sundries include.... Illumination wash kit fire making water purification For filming purposes, which seem confuse some, I may need a bigger pack to include, camera bag, spare batteries, tripod, chargers, cables, Rode microphones....etc Thanx for watching....bex
@@bexbugoutsurvivor It was my three/four days of food and some clothes that was adding weight. I found that freeze dried meals weigh much less & went to a lighter fabric for my extra BDU trousers & shirt. My cookset is a standard size Esbit stove and stainless U.S. GI canteen cup.
Great Bergen Video! I'm 6'2 in my hiking Boots, Haaaaa. Got So many Choices. Cool. Not sure about US Marines bag.Looks Like the British have a Excellent Set up for Cool and Cold weather gear and Bergen pack. Cheers from Swansea SC. Be Safe out there on the Trails. Hope you get a good couple days with no Bad weather. Take Care Brother!
Snowing here this morning....The MTP pattern 120 PLCE bergen load out is about 5 kilos lighter, kit designed for dessert climates, but I do like the warmer 90s BDUs heavier but sooooo cosy. Take it easy...bex
Bex! I thought you were taller?!? I too am 5’8” and have been thinking I needed a short, wider pack. Thanks for doing this video and confirming my suspicions 👍🇺🇸🇬🇧
i remember (a lifetime ago) being told the plce bergen was 90L, each rocket pouch was 12.5L and the lid/front pouch rounded it up to 120L. Last year i did a head to head with the ... Short back, Long back and Engineers bergen, and discovered the one that worked best for me (5'8) was the short back, which was a surprise because i had been issued a long back and used it for years (but saying that, as i recall everybody had a long back regardless of height, because at the time it was all that was available). So now i've kept and modded the short back and sold the others.
Great review as ever Bex. I’ve always favoured my long back even though I’m only 5’8” Will give the short back a try and no doubt add one to my ever increasing selection of packs 🙄. Thanks for taking the time to share. All the best Pete 👍👍
Good video, surprised that everything went into the turtleback. All my PLCE bergans are short back but the hip belt rides a bit too high unless the load lifters are slackened off, I'll probably get a long back to see how it feels as I'm not wearing webbing. As you point out fit is dependant on the individual but the Brandit pack 'looked' a better fit on you, the load lifters were above shoulder height, another thing was that the shoulder straps looked a good bit wider on the Brandit, which IMO is good, I find wider less padded straps are better than thickly padded narrow straps, I think wider straps spread the load better, again people will have different preferences depending on their physical build. I'm curious to see how much of the kit you listed I can get in or on my issue patrol pack. Cheers :-)
Although people call it a hip belt on the PLCE Bergen, it was originally designed to fit over the top of the illiac crest (hip bone) and under the rip cage, and not around the waist like a rucksack. If you look at the shape of the hip pad it will instantly become clear to you I think. As you spotted the the load lifters can be slackened right back, and the primary adjusters, are only there to stop the pack falling off your back, and zero weight is on the shoulders, if fitted correctly. I even carry ruck sacks like that now, most will argue I need to split the weight 60% on the hips & 40% on the shoulders. Luckily I don't get lactic acid build up in my legs till about 7 miles in, by which time I just stop for a brew any way....The brandit has a lot of thought put in to its design, but is pretty much maxed out at about 18 kilos for me, but is about right for 75 denier poly. Load lifters above head height as you rightly spotted, as where if we look at the Bergens load lifters, they fall below our shoulders, rendering them useless, a point not many people spot....ATB bex
@@bexbugoutsurvivor Hi Bex, thanks for the reply, re. the hip belt, I have a very early PLCE bergan in OD with completely different shoulder straps, they have metal sprung adjusters and the straps are vinyl on the underside, there's no hip/waist belt at all although there are 2 loops like on a Patrol pack but with studs, seems like a belt can be added, also the rocket pouch zips are reversed left to right so regular regular pouches don't fit, apart from that the pack is identical, the NSN is pretty faded so can't quite read it, it's a strange one, ever come across one like that? I'm going to experiment with my patrol pack later, then when your video comes out I'll see how close I get to your method. On a side note, have you managed to compare the newer Virtus pack? I haven't seen any decent reviews yet, seems to have a strange top lid arrangement, also seems to be a couple of variations, maybe an early version and an updated version. Cheers.
A lot of military backpacks have the same problem. Maybe its vendors trying to sell them by exagerating the capacity. I have a surplus backpack from Spain and I have seen it ranging from 80L to 120L. All I can say is that its bigger than my old 65L civilian pack. I saw a method to measure the internal volume in a video: put a 100L trashbag inside and fill it up with water. In the video they got around 70L in the main pack and did not measure the side pockets or the top lid. So beware of what the internet tells you! Size matters and they will lie to you ;)
I intend to test the literage with a 100 litre dry bag this summer, taking into account the snow hood liner is included as part of the overall capacity, I measured to 30 litres. All that being said, as you seen my 80 litre brandit makes the PLCE look a baby, and the much smaller at arms bergen (turtleback) 60 litres took nearly all the contents of the 120 litre PLCE including the X2 rocket pockets...Thanx for watching...bex
Ok so rocket pouches are just over 10 liters 1 liter is 1000cm³ So you measure the width and length of the base and the top, (both to ensure uniform measurements and that the pack doesn't taper) Then you measure the height L*W*H in cm³, divide results by 1000 to get litre capacity. My DPM pouches are 15x19.5x35.5 = 10383.75(divide by 1000) 10.3 liters My DPM shortback Bergen measures 21x34 across the base 54 up the side to the top of the DPM pattern, 81 to the side of the extension rain cover I know the front is longer and the back is shorter, so I took the side as an average. That gives an unextended capacity for a shortback of... 21x34x54= 38556cm³ or 38.5 litres With extension 21x34x81=57834cm³ or 57.8 Litres We could round that up to 60L due to my in accurate height measurement Ok so let me measure the front pocket and top pocket and see if we can get that number closer to the 80/90L that everyone advertises the size of a small back as. I'm also curious, I'm going to go and measure my long back MK1 Olive drab Bergen too
I got 41~ litres and 60~ liters On my long back too, those aren't accurate as the front is longer then the back on both short and long, so for accurate measurements we need to fill the bags, then calculate volume based on the shortest height (back) measurement, then seperately calculate the volume the difference in height (a triangular prism) from the back to the front and add those capacity together It's not going to make up the different to make these bags 100 Litres though I think somewhere down the line we have gone from Bergen's being 80+10+10 = 100, too 100+10+10 = 120 The top pouch is roughly 3L and the front pouch is roughly 2L which only adds another 5L to both long and short In short, I don't think army Bergen's are anything close to 80L capacity
Cracking video, I've found a lot of litreage white lies with many packs. I think like you say, it's how it carries for you that's what really counts at the end of the day.
Between me & you, I have never believed the litreage of the PLCE Bergen, the fact everything went into my 60 litre turtleback, gotta make ya stop and think... take care mate bex
Hi Bex Great video as always have both long and short but perfer short with webbing belt But alas can't use either at mo as damage shoulder so am working on haver sack and belt kit for over nighters longer trips out i guess will have to wait a bit Keep up the great work Tony
A few years ago my spine was fu**ed up pretty bad, still in a lot of pain, so made a cowboy bed roll. Basha laid out on the floor with the kip mat on top, then the sleeping bag inside the bivvy, with spare set of togs inside the doss bag, and roll it up, With shoulder sling running thru it all, held together with bungees. You will only need to carry it on your good shoulder...Only works for bivvy bag camping tho...lol water food and cook set in smock pockets.... Can be seen tested in this video skip to 34.25 ua-cam.com/video/V2RruEUCSvg/v-deo.html And similar cowboy roll here skip to 12.13 ua-cam.com/video/NWoJb-2CkH0/v-deo.html Gotta be better than not going out at all I guess. Get better soon my man...bex
Very informative video Bex. I have a dilemma, I have the long back and I have a NI patrol pack and I’m thinking of getting something in between, say a 65-80 litre pack. I’ve looked at the highlander forces 66 and the Brandit you have aswell as hiking packs, but I’ve also considered a using a short/long back without the rocket pouches and modifying it. I’m concerned about spending a lot of money only to find it doesn’t work so I welcome any advice please 👍
HOLD FIRE ON BUYING ANOTHER PACK. What if I could show you how I get my entire 120 litre contents into a 30 litre NI Patrol pack. That video coming up in the nest few weeks, and sheds about 4 kilos off the base weight, without compromising any of the usual items used in the 120 Bergen....A Bergen might be effective on the battle field, but often fails to translate into a bug out bag in a real word environment, hence my need to hand tailor my Bergen in such a way it works for me.....bex
That felt like a high energy video Bex. I suppose it'd be quite interesting to actually measure the exact volume of each of the bags? I wonder how accurate they are? Anyway, great video as per usual, all the very best to you and yours Bex 👍 👍 👍 🍻
Hello Bex, Can you help? I just washed a 100% cotton 1980's combat smock and now the zip is knackered! It's a fine toothed 'Opti' zip, it's plastic, the smock has two internal chest pockets and a buttoned rear game pocket. Any ideas?
Man that takes some doing to bust that....Not to worry, its a perfect time to sew in a brand new YKK (toothed) crash zip. Before we start examine carefully how the old zip placement looks, take pictures in order to replicate it #Unpick the original sticking, using seem ripper or razor #with an ink pen draw a line along the existing stitch holes #hand sew, starting from the bottom, where the zipper box is, using a back stitch, making each stitch about 3 mil max following the ink line pen in earlier. 50% of the zipper grosgrain should be visible. Take your time, make each stitch count, make the next stitch better than the last. If when one side is finished, you decide it looks bad, un pick your work and start over until you feel you have achieved perfection. I too have about 3 broken coil zips, that need replacing with YKK toothed zips, so will film the whole process for you to follow, in bite size steps. Remember there was a time I never picked up a needle before, and had to learn from scratch (granted I started when I was eight years old) so have confidence in tailoring, and you WILL TOO> If the teeth of the zipper look intact, and the slider and box is the part that is broken, I use something called a zip and fix, and it screws on to the existing teeth, I will do it on a quick tips video for for soon-ish. I am on winter tour right now, and the videos you see on youtube are pre-recorded and are automatically uploaded, so when I get back to Wales in a couple of weeks after my trek, will film both options. >Last resort pay a seemstress, but you will learn nothing from never trying.... Learning tailoring for me is a very calming meditation, and I focus on perfection, regardless of how long the task takes.... You could always take some well light photos of the zipper problem, so I can assess the issue, and send them to bexbugoutsurvivor@gmail.com bet cha its an easy fix ...bex
@@bexbugoutsurvivor Hello Bex, I didn't expect such a comprehensive reply, not sure if I'm up to that, l thought the washing machine caused it because the zip worked perfectly before but l purposely didn't use a hot wash to protect the zip. I can't see any damage or reason for failure other than the washing machine, I'll send pictures but l think it would be easier to use a professional. Thanks for all your help though.
I have always been told that the short back is so you an use plce at the same time, which you cannot do with the long back. Nothing to do with the night of the wearer.
I had the turtle back as a kid (car boot specials are all you get when you don't have a job haha) man oh man was it uncomfortable, but the worst offence of all was it creaked and squeaked as you walked which got old fast. I did the Duke of Edinburgh award with it and would have been carrying easily 15kg and my shoulders were completely destroyed after the first day.
@@bexbugoutsurvivor hi Bex, unrelated to this video/ comment, I was thinking about possibly buying two British army roll mats and layering them which should be around 20mm of foam. My question is, in your opinion/experience would this be comfortable enough to replace a inflatable Mat? Thanks.
British army roll mats 600 grams each and offer little in the way of real comfort or insulation. You might be better off with x2 highlander Nato 4 season mats at 280 grams each. Inflatable mats are generally insulated 5.6R these days, and better comfort is gained thru not over inflating them... www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NATO-ARMY-STYLE-BLACK-4-SEASON-EVA-FOAM-ROLL-SLEEPING-MAT-CAMP-SLEEP-CAMPING-BED/254791668403?hash=item3b52c452b3:g:becAAOSwle5ewqXs You could try to experiment with your Army roll mat folded in half, to see what the comfort is like, and use the pack under your legs. I use the Nato mat under my multimat adventure 38 inflatable, as a puncture protector....
I though the capacity for the Bergen's listed capacity were to the top of the rain cover extension, which you didn't seem to be using in the long back Bergen. It'd be interesting to know how capacity is calculated, if they just used a durable flexible waterbag, and filled it then measured the water used to fill the bag
BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS ONE THAT WAS INTERESTING SHOWING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PACKS HOW THEY ARE SO DIFFERENT IN DESIGN I HAVE A LONG BACK AND FIND IT SOMETIMES A PIG TO PACK DO NOT HAVE SIDE POCKETS BUT GOING TO GET A FLOATING LID DONE BUT BURGENS ARE HEAVY BUT BOMB PROOF....?TRADE OFF GREAT EPISODE LEARNED SOMETHING NEW...ATVBB...Dean
Just changing the shape of the Bergen changes the whole dynamics of the pack. For use in the field of prepping or bushcraft etc, the floating lid is the best modification to make, and frees up a good 30-35 litres, were the sleeping bag usually would be. The compromise of the floating lid is you loose the ability to pack quickly, but I have work arounds for that issue..... The longback is more of a pig to load, unless it is well modified, hence the hand tailoring series, first Friday of every month...Atb...bex
Afternoon Bex, I've just received a short pack Bergen in DPM today I'm 6ft and quite broad 19st and this pack is spot on over the moon with it mate Atb Darren
Just been watching this again I ended buying a long back bergen in DPM and still preferred the short back then not to long ago I had the opportunity to buy another long back bergen in olive green off an ex soldier who used it in the 1990 gulf War and now I prefer this one over my short back bergen for carrying and comfort.
You should try the new Virtus MK3 comfortable and sits just right, no short or long backs all one size now. Or get a Crib Gogh anaconda or a Savotta jääkäri large both excellent and comfortable too, and also worth a mention are the Warrior assault systems x300 and a Mystery Ranch 6500 for long sustainment treks
I use the Virtus GU Bergen, but intend using it with the DWD system, (bionic back bone) as I nick named it...The MK3 looks a more straight forward version, and perhaps one day will add that to my ever growing collection...lol The Warrior reminds me of the old air support para Burgen, which is just a shortback modified with utility pouches, might turn my at arms turtle back in to similar.... For a spot of night trekking or wild camping, I enjoy the Berghaus Cyclops 90 litres @ just 2.3 kilos, just need the berghaus rocket pockets, as the PLCE don't fit it....thanx for watching bex....
@MT Does the Virtus mk3 have an integrated hip belt or is it designed to attach to the webbing hip pad? none of the Virtus packs I've looked at have a hip/waistbelt. Also is the Source manufactured Virtus pack, NSN 8465-31-016-0649 90L Bergan (which I assume was the 1st Virtus issue pack) a clamshell design rather than a toploader? the so called Virtus mk3 (NSN 8465- 31-016-5046 90L Bergan GU) seems to be a regular toploader with snowlock extension, was there a mk2 or is the MTP PLCE pack classed as mk1, the Source pack mk2 and the toploader mk3? I know they aren't officially labelled as mk1/mk2/mk3 but the 90L Bergan GU is almost always referred to by sellers as the mk3.
Very interesting, l have always wondered about all that stuff, though l have never used a Bergen. I am 5ft 8 though when l was younger l was 5ft 91/2 ! If l used a Bergen l might have been even shorter by now ! I'm looking forward to the N Ireland review, take care of yourself Bex.
Hello I've been bushcrafting and long range patroling for some time now. But i got into the point where my 75 liter backpack cant hold it anymore. (I know a lot of people gonna be all mad up that i use all of the 75 liter.. but i mean.. let everybody do what they want) Im 188 cm or 6¨3¨. Im currently looking for a Bergan in MTP. Is there any difference between the DPM and MTP (except the camo). And should i go for the long back then? When im quite a tall person. Thanks a lot Also love your vids man.. you remind me of Cpt. Price so much :D
The Dpm has the inner dipped with a water resistant coating, making it slightly heavier. The Mtp has less need for water resistance due to it being issued for a dessert environment. A shortback will be fine for someone of 6.3, and is easier to load, and has better weight distribution for long range tabbing (if worn correctly). If a lighter weight more comfortable option is required with high durability, I highly recommend using Berghaus instead....Bergens have a big fan base, but no comfort.....lol hope this helps...bex
@@bexbugoutsurvivor Thanks a lot man :) i see you really know a lot about things you are talking about.. :) Ive been addicted to your vids for the last month and been watching all the old vids too :D sending regards from Czech Republic
I'm 6'1" and use the short back Bergen for canoe camping in the backcountry...absolutely,love it. It does ride high, but I think makes it easier to carry heavy weights. Soooooooo much better than 'modern packs' at 5x the price. British DPM Bergen are so tough!
Try ride the hip pads over the Illiac crest (hip bone) and under the rib cage, so it buckles on your belly button, rather than use it like a ruck around the hips, makes an unbelievable difference, feels like cheating...lol
bex bugoutsurvivor thank you for the tip!
Great review and so helpful, long back does my hips in, prefer the Northern Irland 12kl, patrol pack and for winter would take kit belt and strap sleep system underneath. Your short back Bergen sound just right. Thank you. Harry
Good choice! NI IRR 30 is all I use for the weekend. I still doubt the validity of the plce 120 for use as a bug out bag IMHO (guess i will be in the minority with that though) Take care of you self H....bex
Short back and the Turtle back Bergen’s rule! Add the Ni Patrol pack and you have a great set of packs. (Although I also like the ALICE medium pack with frame too!). 😂. Great video Bex. 👍🏴
Agreed. The turtle used for wild camps rocks. I use my NI patrol sack with the sleeping bag in a dry bag bungeed to the top lid, and now my old longback bergen is redundant....
I have the large alice too, sucks if you overload it, but better with sleep system carried on the outside, under the top straps....bex
Thank goodness for fri nights.thanks for sharing your findings man.good video.👍
No problem 👍
Hello Bex and that was very interesting and informative and I like the short Bergen because it is wider and I dont know why they dont make the long Bergen wider also . That was an excellent video. Thanks for sharing and all the best.. David
The closes thing too what you describe would be the Karrimor 80-130 litre predator pack, and is on my radar, the compromise is bigger equals more weight...bex
I know most people will disagree with me, but I always found the all arms Bergen the most comfortable for me, and carried a highland patrol pack where the sleeping bag was supposed to go, for quick access.
The issue 120 litre Bergman, used to cause numbness in my left arm, and the tightness of the shoulder straps were not the problem.
Shame all arms were never made in green, or blue for civilian an use.
There seems to be quite a fan club of the S95 120L plce bergen on-line. (people are like sheep) or moth to a flame. I too am in the minority of preferring the all arms turtle back. Easier to load, with more comfort and lighter, strapping for my large tent on the top, and strapping for the bed roll underneath. The S95 although assumed is 120 litres. is only 70 litres up to the snow collar, with 30 litres divided into the snow collar front pocket and top lid pouch, and x2 10 litres rockets make up the 120 litres. The weight to volume litreage ratio, is a bad trade off for me with the S95 bergen.....bex
I love the turtle back Bergen. Works well and underestimated!👍🇬🇧
Yank here... I'm a fan of the British style top loading bergen, and I'm currently using a Fox Rio Grande, listed as 45L. 600 denier cordura nylon. It's "DPM" Camo pattern (which I LIKE, and the second to least expensive) but wouldn't pass British milspec. Has two permanent sewn rocket pockets, a top zipper compartment on top of the lid, a smaller one on the bottom. I plan on ordering a British gas mask pouch to velcro to the outside middle as a med/trauma kit. I had been using one of those "assault packs" with a dozen zipper compartments. But I was worried about one or more of the zippers failing. . . Not a good thing in an "emergency" situation.
Great video mate ! I'm one who enjoys his comfort as well, so I'm going to have to sit down with it again and try to make it lighter. All the Little things we carry, by themselves, don't weight much. Until you add them all together... In the military here, we're taught that "One is None, and Two is One" So I think I'll still keep multiple ways for fire and water, and eliminate some other duplicates i.e. rations, clothes, stoves ... ...
I try and empathise in my videos for those who want to shed pack weight, to focus only on (Shelter Insulation & cook set) meaning you will be warm dry and well fed. I add in a compact sundries kit (seen on my channel) a med kit, food and water.
The ability to stay warm, is to keep you fatigues dry, so adding in water proofs is prudent also.
Anything else I count as luxury items.
Sundries include....
Illumination
wash kit
fire making
water purification
For filming purposes, which seem confuse some, I may need a bigger pack to include, camera bag, spare batteries, tripod, chargers, cables, Rode microphones....etc
Thanx for watching....bex
@@bexbugoutsurvivor It was my three/four days of food and some clothes that was adding weight. I found that freeze dried meals weigh much less & went to a lighter fabric for my extra BDU trousers & shirt. My cookset is a standard size Esbit stove and stainless U.S. GI canteen cup.
Great Bergen Video! I'm 6'2 in my hiking Boots, Haaaaa. Got So many Choices. Cool. Not sure about US Marines bag.Looks Like the British have a Excellent Set up for Cool and Cold weather gear and Bergen pack. Cheers from Swansea SC. Be Safe out there on the Trails. Hope you get a good couple days with no Bad weather. Take Care Brother!
Snowing here this morning....The MTP pattern 120 PLCE bergen load out is about 5 kilos lighter, kit designed for dessert climates, but I do like the warmer 90s BDUs heavier but sooooo cosy. Take it easy...bex
Bex! I thought you were taller?!? I too am 5’8” and have been thinking I needed a short, wider pack. Thanks for doing this video and confirming my suspicions 👍🇺🇸🇬🇧
You're so welcome!
I thought he was too. 5'8" here - we're the average joes LoL
i remember (a lifetime ago) being told the plce bergen was 90L, each rocket pouch was 12.5L and the lid/front pouch rounded it up to 120L.
Last year i did a head to head with the ... Short back, Long back and Engineers bergen, and discovered the one that worked best for me (5'8) was the short back, which was a surprise because i had been issued a long back and used it for years (but saying that, as i recall everybody had a long back regardless of height, because at the time it was all that was available).
So now i've kept and modded the short back and sold the others.
Great review as ever Bex. I’ve always favoured my long back even though I’m only 5’8” Will give the short back a try and no doubt add one to my ever increasing selection of packs 🙄. Thanks for taking the time to share. All the best Pete 👍👍
My Bergen collection is well out control, my missus says I have more bags then her...lol
Excellent vid. On the Brandit pack, how would you carry a camp ax and/or folding saw?
there are cargo nets on the outside pouches, and or space to bungee underneath...
Good video, surprised that everything went into the turtleback. All my PLCE bergans are short back but the hip belt rides a bit too high unless the load lifters are slackened off, I'll probably get a long back to see how it feels as I'm not wearing webbing. As you point out fit is dependant on the individual but the Brandit pack 'looked' a better fit on you, the load lifters were above shoulder height, another thing was that the shoulder straps looked a good bit wider on the Brandit, which IMO is good, I find wider less padded straps are better than thickly padded narrow straps, I think wider straps spread the load better, again people will have different preferences depending on their physical build. I'm curious to see how much of the kit you listed I can get in or on my issue patrol pack. Cheers :-)
Although people call it a hip belt on the PLCE Bergen, it was originally designed to fit over the top of the illiac crest (hip bone) and under the rip cage, and not around the waist like a rucksack. If you look at the shape of the hip pad it will instantly become clear to you I think. As you spotted the the load lifters can be slackened right back, and the primary adjusters, are only there to stop the pack falling off your back, and zero weight is on the shoulders, if fitted correctly. I even carry ruck sacks like that now, most will argue I need to split the weight 60% on the hips & 40% on the shoulders. Luckily I don't get lactic acid build up in my legs till about 7 miles in, by which time I just stop for a brew any way....The brandit has a lot of thought put in to its design, but is pretty much maxed out at about 18 kilos for me, but is about right for 75 denier poly. Load lifters above head height as you rightly spotted, as where if we look at the Bergens load lifters, they fall below our shoulders, rendering them useless, a point not many people spot....ATB bex
@@bexbugoutsurvivor Hi Bex, thanks for the reply, re. the hip belt, I have a very early PLCE bergan in OD with completely different shoulder straps, they have metal sprung adjusters and the straps are vinyl on the underside, there's no hip/waist belt at all although there are 2 loops like on a Patrol pack but with studs, seems like a belt can be added, also the rocket pouch zips are reversed left to right so regular regular pouches don't fit, apart from that the pack is identical, the NSN is pretty faded so can't quite read it, it's a strange one, ever come across one like that?
I'm going to experiment with my patrol pack later, then when your video comes out I'll see how close I get to your method. On a side note, have you managed to compare the newer Virtus pack? I haven't seen any decent reviews yet, seems to have a strange top lid arrangement, also seems to be a couple of variations, maybe an early version and an updated version. Cheers.
A lot of military backpacks have the same problem. Maybe its vendors trying to sell them by exagerating the capacity.
I have a surplus backpack from Spain and I have seen it ranging from 80L to 120L. All I can say is that its bigger than my old 65L civilian pack.
I saw a method to measure the internal volume in a video: put a 100L trashbag inside and fill it up with water. In the video they got around 70L in the main pack and did not measure the side pockets or the top lid.
So beware of what the internet tells you! Size matters and they will lie to you ;)
I intend to test the literage with a 100 litre dry bag this summer, taking into account the snow hood liner is included as part of the overall capacity, I measured to 30 litres. All that being said, as you seen my 80 litre brandit makes the PLCE look a baby, and the much smaller at arms bergen (turtleback) 60 litres took nearly all the contents of the 120 litre PLCE including the X2 rocket pockets...Thanx for watching...bex
Ok so rocket pouches are just over 10 liters
1 liter is 1000cm³
So you measure the width and length of the base and the top, (both to ensure uniform measurements and that the pack doesn't taper)
Then you measure the height
L*W*H in cm³, divide results by 1000 to get litre capacity. My DPM pouches are 15x19.5x35.5
= 10383.75(divide by 1000) 10.3 liters
My DPM shortback Bergen measures
21x34 across the base 54 up the side to the top of the DPM pattern, 81 to the side of the extension rain cover
I know the front is longer and the back is shorter, so I took the side as an average.
That gives an unextended capacity for a shortback of...
21x34x54= 38556cm³ or 38.5 litres
With extension
21x34x81=57834cm³ or 57.8 Litres
We could round that up to 60L due to my in accurate height measurement
Ok so let me measure the front pocket and top pocket and see if we can get that number closer to the 80/90L that everyone advertises the size of a small back as.
I'm also curious, I'm going to go and measure my long back MK1 Olive drab Bergen too
I got 41~ litres and 60~ liters
On my long back too, those aren't accurate as the front is longer then the back on both short and long, so for accurate measurements we need to fill the bags, then calculate volume based on the shortest height (back) measurement, then seperately calculate the volume the difference in height (a triangular prism) from the back to the front and add those capacity together
It's not going to make up the different to make these bags 100 Litres though
I think somewhere down the line we have gone from Bergen's being 80+10+10 = 100, too 100+10+10 = 120
The top pouch is roughly 3L and the front pouch is roughly 2L which only adds another 5L to both long and short
In short, I don't think army Bergen's are anything close to 80L capacity
Peoples misconception is the main chamber of the Bergen is 100 litres....
Cracking video, I've found a lot of litreage white lies with many packs. I think like you say, it's how it carries for you that's what really counts at the end of the day.
Between me & you, I have never believed the litreage of the PLCE Bergen, the fact everything went into my 60 litre turtleback, gotta make ya stop and think... take care mate bex
Hi Bex
Great video as always have both long and short but perfer short with webbing belt
But alas can't use either at mo as damage shoulder so am working on haver sack and belt kit for over nighters longer trips out i guess will have to wait a bit
Keep up the great work
Tony
A few years ago my spine was fu**ed up pretty bad, still in a lot of pain, so made a cowboy bed roll. Basha laid out on the floor with the kip mat on top, then the sleeping bag inside the bivvy, with spare set of togs inside the doss bag, and roll it up, With shoulder sling running thru it all, held together with bungees. You will only need to carry it on your good shoulder...Only works for bivvy bag camping tho...lol water food and cook set in smock pockets....
Can be seen tested in this video skip to 34.25
ua-cam.com/video/V2RruEUCSvg/v-deo.html
And similar cowboy roll here skip to 12.13
ua-cam.com/video/NWoJb-2CkH0/v-deo.html
Gotta be better than not going out at all I guess. Get better soon my man...bex
@@bexbugoutsurvivor many thanks
Good stuff! Lots of useful info! Thank you sir 🙏🏻
My pleasure!
Very informative video Bex. I have a dilemma, I have the long back and I have a NI patrol pack and I’m thinking of getting something in between, say a 65-80 litre pack. I’ve looked at the highlander forces 66 and the Brandit you have aswell as hiking packs, but I’ve also considered a using a short/long back without the rocket pouches and modifying it. I’m concerned about spending a lot of money only to find it doesn’t work so I welcome any advice please 👍
HOLD FIRE ON BUYING ANOTHER PACK. What if I could show you how I get my entire 120 litre contents into a 30 litre NI Patrol pack. That video coming up in the nest few weeks, and sheds about 4 kilos off the base weight, without compromising any of the usual items used in the 120 Bergen....A Bergen might be effective on the battle field, but often fails to translate into a bug out bag in a real word environment, hence my need to hand tailor my Bergen in such a way it works for me.....bex
@@bexbugoutsurvivor Looking forward to the Patrol Pack video as mentioned in my earlier comment :-)
Good video Bex , thanks for sharing , God bless mate !
Always my pleasure. God bless mate....bex
That felt like a high energy video Bex. I suppose it'd be quite interesting to actually measure the exact volume of each of the bags? I wonder how accurate they are?
Anyway, great video as per usual, all the very best to you and yours Bex 👍 👍 👍 🍻
I'm a big believer the MOD lie about litreage (its good for morale) I will water test them in the summer....b
Hello Bex,
Can you help?
I just washed a 100% cotton 1980's combat smock and now the zip is knackered!
It's a fine toothed 'Opti' zip, it's plastic, the smock has two internal chest pockets and a buttoned rear game pocket.
Any ideas?
Man that takes some doing to bust that....Not to worry, its a perfect time to sew in a brand new YKK (toothed) crash zip. Before we start examine carefully how the old zip placement looks, take pictures in order to replicate it
#Unpick the original sticking, using seem ripper or razor
#with an ink pen draw a line along the existing stitch holes
#hand sew, starting from the bottom, where the zipper box is, using a back stitch, making each stitch about 3 mil max following the ink line pen in earlier.
50% of the zipper grosgrain should be visible.
Take your time, make each stitch count, make the next stitch better than the last. If when one side is finished, you decide it looks bad, un pick your work and start over until you feel you have achieved perfection.
I too have about 3 broken coil zips, that need replacing with YKK toothed zips, so will film the whole process for you to follow, in bite size steps.
Remember there was a time I never picked up a needle before, and had to learn from scratch (granted I started when I was eight years old) so have confidence in tailoring, and you WILL TOO>
If the teeth of the zipper look intact, and the slider and box is the part that is broken, I use something called a zip and fix, and it screws on to the existing teeth, I will do it on a quick tips video for for soon-ish.
I am on winter tour right now, and the videos you see on youtube are pre-recorded and are automatically uploaded, so when I get back to Wales in a couple of weeks after my trek, will film both options. >Last resort pay a seemstress, but you will learn nothing from never trying....
Learning tailoring for me is a very calming meditation, and I focus on perfection, regardless of how long the task takes....
You could always take some well light photos of the zipper problem, so I can assess the issue, and send them to bexbugoutsurvivor@gmail.com bet cha its an easy fix ...bex
@@bexbugoutsurvivor Hello Bex,
I didn't expect such a comprehensive reply, not sure if I'm up to that, l thought the washing machine caused it because the zip worked perfectly before but l purposely didn't use a hot wash to protect the zip.
I can't see any damage or reason for failure other than the washing machine, I'll send pictures but l think it would be easier to use a professional.
Thanks for all your help though.
I have always been told that the short back is so you an use plce at the same time, which you cannot do with the long back. Nothing to do with the night of the wearer.
I have video of using the longback, with a roll mat strapped under it, and wearing my webbing...
have you googled the NATO number on the longback bergen label? that should find you the MOD spec sheet for that bag
If the MOD told me it was raining, I would need to look out the window to check....
@@bexbugoutsurvivor lol, I only asked
I had the turtle back as a kid (car boot specials are all you get when you don't have a job haha) man oh man was it uncomfortable, but the worst offence of all was it creaked and squeaked as you walked which got old fast. I did the Duke of Edinburgh award with it and would have been carrying easily 15kg and my shoulders were completely destroyed after the first day.
????
@@bexbugoutsurvivor hi Bex, unrelated to this video/ comment, I was thinking about possibly buying two British army roll mats and layering them which should be around 20mm of foam. My question is, in your opinion/experience would this be comfortable enough to replace a inflatable Mat? Thanks.
British army roll mats 600 grams each and offer little in the way of real comfort or insulation. You might be better off with x2 highlander Nato 4 season mats at 280 grams each. Inflatable mats are generally insulated 5.6R these days, and better comfort is gained thru not over inflating them...
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NATO-ARMY-STYLE-BLACK-4-SEASON-EVA-FOAM-ROLL-SLEEPING-MAT-CAMP-SLEEP-CAMPING-BED/254791668403?hash=item3b52c452b3:g:becAAOSwle5ewqXs
You could try to experiment with your Army roll mat folded in half, to see what the comfort is like, and use the pack under your legs. I use the Nato mat under my multimat adventure 38 inflatable, as a puncture protector....
I though the capacity for the Bergen's listed capacity were to the top of the rain cover extension, which you didn't seem to be using in the long back Bergen.
It'd be interesting to know how capacity is calculated, if they just used a durable flexible waterbag, and filled it then measured the water used to fill the bag
Peoples misconception is the main chamber of the Bergen is 100 litres....
BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS ONE THAT WAS INTERESTING SHOWING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PACKS HOW THEY ARE SO DIFFERENT IN DESIGN I HAVE A LONG BACK AND FIND IT SOMETIMES A PIG TO PACK DO NOT HAVE SIDE POCKETS BUT GOING TO GET A FLOATING LID DONE BUT BURGENS ARE HEAVY BUT BOMB PROOF....?TRADE OFF GREAT EPISODE LEARNED SOMETHING NEW...ATVBB...Dean
Just changing the shape of the Bergen changes the whole dynamics of the pack. For use in the field of prepping or bushcraft etc, the floating lid is the best modification to make, and frees up a good 30-35 litres, were the sleeping bag usually would be. The compromise of the floating lid is you loose the ability to pack quickly, but I have work arounds for that issue..... The longback is more of a pig to load, unless it is well modified, hence the hand tailoring series, first Friday of every month...Atb...bex
Afternoon Bex, I've just received a short pack Bergen in DPM today I'm 6ft and quite broad 19st and this pack is spot on over the moon with it mate Atb Darren
No worries....b
Just been watching this again I ended buying a long back bergen in DPM and still preferred the short back then not to long ago I had the opportunity to buy another long back bergen in olive green off an ex soldier who used it in the 1990 gulf War and now I prefer this one over my short back bergen for carrying and comfort.
Good video great info thanks for sharing
Stay safe ATB Del 👍
Thanks 👍
Bex when you doing the bergen modding vids bud ?
First Friday of every month...part 1# 05/02/21
@@bexbugoutsurvivor ah cool looking forward to it
I read it as Bergen modelling - I've really got to get out more!
You should try the new Virtus MK3 comfortable and sits just right, no short or long backs all one size now. Or get a Crib Gogh anaconda or a Savotta jääkäri large both excellent and comfortable too, and also worth a mention are the Warrior assault systems x300 and a Mystery Ranch 6500 for long sustainment treks
I use the Virtus GU Bergen, but intend using it with the DWD system, (bionic back bone) as I nick named it...The MK3 looks a more straight forward version, and perhaps one day will add that to my ever growing collection...lol
The Warrior reminds me of the old air support para Burgen, which is just a shortback modified with utility pouches, might turn my at arms turtle back in to similar....
For a spot of night trekking or wild camping, I enjoy the Berghaus Cyclops 90 litres @ just 2.3 kilos, just need the berghaus rocket pockets, as the PLCE don't fit it....thanx for watching bex....
@@bexbugoutsurvivor
Try Endicott surplus for your berghause rocket pouches they have a decent selection
Cheers Fin, just missed out on a set for a sky diver "GUTTED"...lol
@MT Does the Virtus mk3 have an integrated hip belt or is it designed to attach to the webbing hip pad? none of the Virtus packs I've looked at have a hip/waistbelt. Also is the Source manufactured Virtus pack, NSN 8465-31-016-0649 90L Bergan (which I assume was the 1st Virtus issue pack) a clamshell design rather than a toploader? the so called Virtus mk3 (NSN 8465- 31-016-5046 90L Bergan GU) seems to be a regular toploader with snowlock extension, was there a mk2 or is the MTP PLCE pack classed as mk1, the Source pack mk2 and the toploader mk3? I know they aren't officially labelled as mk1/mk2/mk3 but the 90L Bergan GU is almost always referred to by sellers as the mk3.
@@bexbugoutsurvivor
If I remember right their about a fiver each
Take care my mate
Very interesting, l have always wondered about all that stuff, though l have never used a Bergen.
I am 5ft 8 though when l was younger l was 5ft 91/2 !
If l used a Bergen l might have been even shorter by now !
I'm looking forward to the N Ireland review, take care of yourself Bex.
Bergens are best avoided if your base weight is under 18 kilos. I used to be 6 foot 7...lol
Hello
I've been bushcrafting and long range patroling for some time now. But i got into the point where my 75 liter backpack cant hold it anymore. (I know a lot of people gonna be all mad up that i use all of the 75 liter.. but i mean.. let everybody do what they want) Im 188 cm or 6¨3¨. Im currently looking for a Bergan in MTP. Is there any difference between the DPM and MTP (except the camo). And should i go for the long back then? When im quite a tall person.
Thanks a lot
Also love your vids man.. you remind me of Cpt. Price so much :D
The Dpm has the inner dipped with a water resistant coating, making it slightly heavier. The Mtp has less need for water resistance due to it being issued for a dessert environment. A shortback will be fine for someone of 6.3, and is easier to load, and has better weight distribution for long range tabbing (if worn correctly). If a lighter weight more comfortable option is required with high durability, I highly recommend using Berghaus instead....Bergens have a big fan base, but no comfort.....lol hope this helps...bex
@@bexbugoutsurvivor Thanks a lot man :) i see you really know a lot about things you are talking about.. :) Ive been addicted to your vids for the last month and been watching all the old vids too :D sending regards from Czech Republic
Cheers man....
I always thought the short backs were 90l and the long backs were 100l?
dasoutdoors.co.uk/products/british-army-bergen
I can’t find part one
Thanx for watching...