Hope someone can help as my daysack is starting to drive me mad.

I have always been a big fan of the Berghaus Freeflow range as I find them really comfortable and they help me stay cool when we get to see sun. My only complaint is that for some reason my rucksacks just won't stop creaking.

I first owned a Freeflow III 20, which was the perfect size for me. After about 8 months of regular walking in all types of weather (including up a few Munros) it developed a nasty creak that not only annoyed me but also anyone around me. For those un-aware of this pack, the back panel is shaped away from the body using plastic (or nylon) support rods. These form a rigid arched back plate. The creaking seems to come from the points where the rucksack hip belt connects to the base of these rods / lower corner of the rucksack.

In need of a quiet life I replaced it with a Freeflow IV 20 only to discover that Berghaus had changed the design of the sack resulting in it having much less accessible room than the original 20. In need of the extra space I replaced this with the bigger Freeflow IV 30 and at last found the perfect fitting daysack that was slightly longer than the 20 and just sits right. Best thing of all was the fact that it was completely silent. 8 months later and the same creaking has returned…......I am gutted. To make matters worse, I have a few pals with similar / identical Freeflow packs and not one of them has started creaking.

What am I doing wrong? Is there something I can use on the creaking points to silent them once more? It is definitely worse in humid / damp weather but now it has started creaking there is no going back. Surely I should not have to be replacing this thing every 8-12months?

I have tried contacting Berghaus but they are not interested and just tell me to return it to the shop so they can send it off for investigation....and as such be without a rucksack.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Hi Simon,

I have sold many Berghaus freeflow rucksacks over the years and never heard of one creaking like yours.  Unfortunately the only way to resolve this is to return it to where you purchased it from and get them to send it back to Berghaus which means you being without it for a short while.  Berghaus are usually very prompt in sorting out returns so you should not be waiting too long.  If there is any fault with your rucksack they will replace it for you, something is clearly not right.

Alternatively you can send it back to Berghaus directly and if you require their customer service address please feel free to contact me.

Hehe.

Well I emailed one of the repair centres on the Berghaus website and they said they have had a few like this. Apparently the creaking is caused by the plastic/nylon rods rubbing together. They have suggested wrapping the ends in electrical tape or the like. Just need to work out how to remove them now. Will let you know how I get on.