Rucksacs leak because they're full of holes, called 'stitching', but not any more. We take a scoop look at new Berghaus packs that should stop your sandwiches from getting soggy...
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Lazer-cut pack panels are welded
or, where
necessary, taped. Seams are stronger than
sewn.
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From the outside, the '04 Crag
looks a totally
normal mountain pack
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Lid and hip-belt combine to
produce a neat
bum-bag complete with gear loops
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Here's a bit of a scoop for you - new from Berghaus later this year,
is a pair of new water-tight rucksacs.
Up till now, the only waterproof packs we're aware of were the
Craghoppers range of Drypacks. They worked by incorporating what was
effectively a canoe-type sealed dry bag within a conventional sac
body. Not a bad solution, but one that's heavier and more complicated
than a normal pack.
Dry Fusion Technology
The Berghaus answer is completely different. Normal rucksacs leak
since although the pack fabric is generally waterproof, the seams
aren't. Every inch of them has approximately 15 tiny holes punched
through, and that's where the water gets in. Taping them, as per
waterproof clothing, has always been too time consuming and
expensive.
Berghaus has got round the problem by using a process they call
'Dry Fusion Technology'. Essentially panels are lazer cut and
then 'welded' together using something not unlike a giant Corby
trouser press and glue, so eliminating stitching altogether.
As a bonus, tests show that the resulting join, using 15mm of
industrial adhesive, is approximately one-third stronger than the
company's existing triple-stitched pack seams, which can't be bad.
Some 3-dimensional seams still have to be stitched, mainly ones at
the base of the sac, but these are sealed with thermally-bonded
tape.
Two Packs
There are two packs using the new technology, both updates from
this year's Extrem series, the Crag and the Ski Tour 2.
Realistically most OMer's will be more interested in the Crag, which
is an update of the modular all round climbing sac.
Not only does it use the watertight technology - a hydration
system exit is well protected by the way, though it means technically
the company are reluctant to use the term 'waterprooof' - but it has
a couple of other neat tricks up its sleeve as well.
The best of these is that both the lid and the hip-belt can be
removed, then teamed together to create a neat bum-bag complete with
gear loops. Ideal for super-lightweight summit pushes, or simply
carrying the bare minimum on routes. It's like Transformers only
useful in the real world.
On top of all that, the price of the Crag remains the same at
£90, so you're getting the benefits of Dry Fusion at no
extra cost despite the extra manufacturing expense.
The Ski Tour 2 is aimed squarely at ski mountaineers and tourers
and features some neat, carefully thought out ski features including
grippy side ski-transporting straps and a fold-open back panel giving
quick and easy access to rescue equipment. Berghaus pack designer Tim
has been using one for cragging and reckons the easy access is a huge
bonus when it comes to sorting out the gear quickly and easily.
The Future
Right now the Crag and Ski Tour - out late summer - are the
only packs in the range to take advantage of the new technology, but
next year Dry Fusion should also hit the top-end backpacking
sacs.
More Berghaus information at their web
site.
