Gear

Hi guys, I'm looking for a new rucksack for hiking.  At the moment only the odd night or two but would be useful to have some spare capacity for maybe a week in the future.

I've settled on around 60litres as being a sensible compromise in size and weight as there is a possibility I may have to carry some of my girlfriends gear as well as she is unused to having weight on her back.

So far I have tried on a few different models from Berghaus, Lowe, Macpac, North Face, Deuter, Karrimore and Blacks own. 

Best fit I feel have been the :-

• Berghaus BioFlex C7 1 65+10 (Can get around £85 on net)
• Blacks Apline 60 (£70)
• North Face Terra 60 (£80)

I also like one of the higher Lowe ones but its way too expensive at over £120....

The Blacks one has a pull forward waist belt which is very easy to tighten but does the waist belt need to be that tight anyway?

 I think my favourite is the Berghaus but I am a little concerned about the reports of squeaking in use due to the bioflex system......

 Any thoughts, opinions or suggestions readily received!!

If you are not sure, it's worth going to a shop where they have trained staff to help fit a rucksack. What normally happens is they will measure your back and check which size rucksack suits you best (s/m/l) or adjust one with a variable back. You then put it on your back, put a few weighted sacks/something heavy in it, loosen the shoulder straps, then tighten the hip/waist strap. Most of the weight should be carried through the hips and low down on your back. Then gently tighten the shoulder straps until the sack feels balanced. Shoulder tensioner straps are also very useful for re-distributing the weight.

Then have a wander round the shop for 20 minutes and see if it still feels comfy!

I can't comment on any of those sacks because I have a ridiculously small back (petite lady) and have only found one sack that fits me! I have a deuter ACT lite 35+10. I really like deuter sacks because they are well thought out without being silly expensive or flashy. For your girlfriend, if she can try the sack I mentioned, she might find it good - it has an adjustable back system and it handles loads well - but it isn't really a day sack, more overnight and short trips.

Hope that helps...

Paul, Tenkian's advice is good - get some help with the fitting, and take your time. The Berghaus Bioflex is heavy - don't know about the others - and it may be worth trying some lighter packs too. But the best pack will be the most comfortable one, even if it is cheaper or heavier than others!

Deuter are good, as Tenkian points out they're very adjustable. 

In fact, Tenkian, I've got eyes on the ACT Lite 35+10 SL. How do you find it for overnighters?

You have narrowed it down to 3, having tried on (presumably) several.  Did all these sacks have some weight in them?  You only need a couple of tents or climbing ropes from elsewhere in the shop to get an idea of how it feels loaded.  What feels great when it is stuffed with plastic bags for display purposes can be very different once some weight is added.

The Berghaus Bioflex is a quality product.  It's fairly heavy (2.5kg for a 65L sack, if I remember correctly) but very well manufactured, extremely well featured and a great carry.  It's also adjustable.  I had one and it does make some noise but all packs do to some extent.  Bung in some weight and walk up and down the shop stairs - you should be able to tell whether the noise problem has now been solved or, indeed, if it doesn't bother you anyway.

Sorry, can't comment on the other 2.  A pull-forward hipbelt tightening system can be quite convenient, especially if you are taking off the pack frequently during the day but it's not essential by any means and, no, you don't have to tighten the hipbelt like a tourniquet.

Hope the above helps and don't be afraid to keep trying packs on - after your boots, the pack is arguably the most important bit of kit to get right.