ooh, a stretchy paclite that weights 399 grams. How exciting.
Wait a minute, I just read that again. 399? Are they having a laugh? You can get 3-layer event for much less weight, even a few 3-layer pro shells weigh less. My Spitz, with all its reinforced butch nylon, isn't far off that weight!
And stretchy hardshell + Berghaus cut = pointless gimmick. What a waste. Why we keep stocking this brand at EB I really don't know, their stuff last winter was terrible and this winter doesn't look any better.
Why we keep stocking this brand at EB I really don't know
I guess you're not the shop manager then... Economics 101, it's best to stock stuff that sells! I've never been a huge fan of Berghaus myself but the fact is a lot of people do regard it as a "safe" brand to spend their money on.
Berghaus is like one of those steady brands that just roll along with solid stuff but nothing that gets people excited, kind of like Peter said. The brand has not messed up like Karrimor, which was the other equivalent brand in the past. Whilst it is not for everyone it does sell to a wide range of people. On a rainy day in most towns you will see a Berghaus waterproof on more than a few people going about their business shopping. Probably also see Sprayway too. To those people Berghaus is simply a waterproof coat simple and normal looking, no external zips in lurid colours or other such "technical" details.
On top of that their relationship in the past with UK mountaineering and the huge reputation of the likes of Bonnington has further cemented Berghaus as a bulk manufacturer of waterproofs and sacks. although Bonnington is more of the past these days. Sorry but age stops us all doing what we want eventually.
Personally I prefer the smaller brands as they tend to take chances and advance the designs. External zips in lurid colour and all. I use Montane, Haglofs, montrail, Lasportiva, asolo, Marmot, BPL-UK Honey stove (occasionally) and others I can't remember. Some are large brands others are becoming larger through reputation (Montane). I find the old standard, UK brands such as Karrimor, Berghaus, Sprayway and Lowe Alpine just don't suit me these days. I love Rab but don't own their stuff as I find the next best brand a better deal.
Berghaus is still quite good and still has its market. Not dead or dying yet.
Agreed! Mostly Berghaus is for the Chavs on the metro up my way!!
But seriously My Monatne halo stretch is lighter by quite a margin than this paclite offering. Best thing Berghaus make is the Deluge trousers, cheap and funtional!
Errrr, Lowe aren't, and I don't think ever have been a UK brand (though their UK base does a lot of the work on their European packs IIRC). Originally American I think they're now part of the same (Italian) operation as Asolo.
The new Berghaus range looks very ordinary to me looks like its aimed at the masses with a Bonnington endorsement for that credibility boost. I think some of the gear made by buffalo, pod and rab is much better than what Berghaus is serving up. Regarding Karrimor it was a disaster what happened to them, I have a Karrimor Alpiniste 45 +10 sack made in Accrington in 95 that is still going strong and it has seen plenty of mountain action home and abroad.
Buffalo?? There is a thread on here about PP tops. the one thing about Buffalo is they just do pertex or pertex/pile jackets and trousers. They are a specialist and limited manufacturer IMO and personally wouldn't put them into the same category as Rab and POD who make a wide variety of stuff. They might be good at what they do (although I prefer Montane extreme smock myself) but are limited IMO.
Agreed! Mostly Berghaus is for the Chavs on the metro up my way!! But seriously My Monatne halo stretch is lighter by quite a margin than this paclite offering. Best thing Berghaus make is the Deluge trousers, cheap and funtional!
I bought the deluge trousers this summer and they have started to leak already. The tape has even started to come loos a bit. All I can say about them is they are cheap. They didn't last more than a few months. So much for a good product.
Errrr, Lowe aren't, and I don't think ever have been a UK brand (though their UK base does a lot of the work on their European packs IIRC). Originally American I think they're now part of the same (Italian) operation as Asolo.
Pete.
You are correct, but due to their long term popularity in this country and their technical presence over here (got place in Kendal I believe but never found it) I personally think of it as a UK brand. Not true but it is like the Americans thinking every successful English speaking actor or band is American even thought they are Canadian, Australian, English, Welsh or Scottish. I claim Lowe Alpine for Britain. I just wish Kentdale Rambler were still around as they were Lowe Alpine's (Kendal office) outlet for seconds, samples and ends of lines. You could always pick up a backpacking sack for anything up to 50% off (a top of the range one too). Incidentally they sold a less well known (at the time sleeping bag manufacturer called Cumulus (is that the brand or a model of sleeping bag). They were always at ridiculously cheap prices compared to the equivalent Rab bag. Always wished I had the spare cash to do that old shop justice (down UL sleeping bag, Lowe Alpine backpacking sack and one of their lightweight daysacks too if I had the spare cash).
I've found that, like a lot of companies, Berghaus do some very ordinary stuff and a few very good items. I like their Combust jacket a lot -- a really well though out and designed belay jacket, and their Paclite overtrousers are also pretty good. Over the years they've done some other very nice gear -- I still have and use their Rage jacket, which was their take on the shelled micropile concept, and also a 100gsm Polartec fleece jacket they used to do. And, while some of their products are pretty ordinary, the strategy they've chosen to go for has allowed them to remain a UK-based independent firm, unlike a lot of others who've been taken over or fallen by the wayside.
I tend to agree with you Guy about Berghaus gear, i have a pair of Baltoro pants and a top (schoeller fabric) which ive used in the alps and scotland for three years and they have been superb. Even older is a pair of paclite pants which with the help of gaffer tape is still going strong. Best to mix and match with the best of all the brands that suit your individual needs.
Interesting, My deluges are a couple of years old and still fine! OK their never gonna out perfrom some of the more expensive products out there. But, £25 quid (if you shop about) and really how often are the out of the Rucksack, It's really gotta be peeing down to make it worth the effort in my book! Maybe i'm just a light user
Berghaus aims to cater for everyone, to be fair, from top-end technical climbers with their Extrem stuff to casual dog walkers at the other end of the scale with everything in between covered too. Some of their stuff is very good - the Raptor helmet hood, for example, is the best I've ever used with a lid - some a bit more average.
Their new Freeflow Pro packs seemed, on the basis of a day in the Lakes, to be pretty decent - comparo with Osprey and Lowe Alpine's equivalents next week.
