Berghaus Arete - First Look

Berghaus Arete Pack- First Look Price: £40.00 Weight: 1,000 grammes Features: 35-litre climbing pack with single buckle fastening, Esdura 600 RS polyester fabric, smooth-faced Fusion back system, four gear loops, two-point haul loop, wand pockets, side compression straps, ice axe holders and crampon attachment. Hydration system pocket and exit.

The Concept The bottom end of a range of updated Berghaus climbing sacs, the Arete is a simple, basic, all round pack that's reminiscent of some of Karrimor's classic small-capacity 'Hot' sacs in that it's neat, well priced, not over-featured, but still quite capable. We reckon most serious climbers are likely to go for the Crag 'ultimate climbing sac' which is more adjustable and sophisticated, but if you're on a budget and after a smallish, decently priced and tough all rounder for walking, climbing and scrambling, the Arete fits the brief. Features Simplicty is the new black as far as climbing packs go and the Arete has it. The basics are all there - the same tough-feeling, abrasion resistant Esdura fabric as the other new Extrem packs, a trick-looking, smooth-faced Fusion back system that won't hold snow like mesh and stiffened gear loops on hip-belt and on the front of the shoulder straps. Very neat.You also get twin haul loops, ice axe and crampons fittings and a simple lid pocket. What you won't find is any sort of back length adjustability, or even a set of top tension straps, any strippability or the tough base reinforcement material you get with the Crag. Even the exit point for the hydration tube is basic, with no stretchy Neoprene. But then this sac is half the price of the Crag, which we also have on test. In Action We've only had the Arete for a couple of weeks, so we've not really had the chance to thrash it horribly, however first impressions are that it's a well built, tough, basic little day sac that looks and feels neat. Loading it up with rope and rack started to expose a few limitations in comfort - the Fusion back system relies on an internal plate for support and offers basic support rather than luxury - and we missed having a top tension strap to pull the pack in towards the shoulders. It feels stable and reasonably comfortable just the same and the narrow shape will work well for climbing and scrambling use as well as basic walking. If your back is significantly longer or shorter than average, you should try carefully before buying as lack of adjustability means the basic hip-belt may sit too high or low. One feature we really like, which is common to other Extrem packs, are the new, stiffened gear loops. There's one on each hip fin and another on the front of the shoulder straps. Practice clipping was hassle free and the shoulder loop is a nice addition for those awkward 'where the hell do I put this' moments. The small hip fins also give decent access to harness loops at the front. One minor misgiving. There's no snow lock closure on the main pack body, and the relatively thick fabric means it's near impossible to cinch the opening right down... Mice could get in. Provisional Verdict Top value and actually all the basic features you need for a climbing / walking / scrambling day sac. It's not perfect, but then that's the compromise you make when you get this much pack for only 40 quid. The one glaring omission, we thought, was a set of top tensioner straps, but that was only really a factor with heavy climbing loads. Otherwise it's stable, feels nicely made and durable and looks the part too. And we do like those gear loops. Good value all-round mountain day pack. Berghaus web site Know more or want to? If you'd like to add your own experiences of this product check out our user review system and post your opinions to the world. If you have questions you can mail us direct, ask Richard Gear or try a posting to our gear forum.