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Berghaus Bladdered
Tested
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Price: £35.00
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Weight: 550 grammes
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Features: 3 + 4
litres capacity hydration pack with expandable main
compartment, internal insulated pocket and outlet for
2-litre bladder (not supplied), extendible mesh pocket,
front pocket with water-repellant zip, reflective trims,
front mesh pocket, internal security pockets and key clips,
chest harness, stashable waist belt.
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Nicely thought-out features and a good price
No easily accessible hip storage pockets
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The Concept Okay, first it's a great name, but on top of that
it's a fast-moving, hydration system-specific sac that's also got
enough storage space - 3 plus 4 litres - to handle lightweight
clothing, a bit of food and other sundries if you go light enough.
The great thing is that kit like Berghaus's own Paclite Smock
encourages you to do just that.
And of course, a hydration pack is the easiest way to stay
hydrated when on the move, particularly when you're moving fast with
limited drink stops.
Features The Bladdered's nicely thought-out with some neat
features that even hardened Camelbak users thought were ingenious. Two we particularly like are: the brilliant foldaway waist strap-cum- compression system that's attached right at
the back of the sac so that the contents are compressed as you
tension it up, and the zipped, extendible main compartment.
The latter means you can keep the sac slim and neat, but if you
need to stow extra kit - say a waterproof top - you can un-zip and
increase the effective volume of the sac at a stroke. Need more
storage? There's a clip-on elastic netting gizmo stored in the base
of the pack that'll hold a cycling helmet or clothing, or conceivably
a large loaf of granary bread.
Obviously you also get an insulation hydration system pocket and
exit hole and a 3D mesh Berghaus back system made to the same
standards as larger Berghaus pack.
In Action We've been using the Bladdered for a few months now
for both mountain biking and running plus the odd ultra-lightweight
stroll across the tops. First point is that although the pocket is
specced for a two-litre bladder, we managed to use a three-litre
Camelbak without problems, though it did make the pack a tad
cyclindrical, or barrel-shaped when full, but it is possible.
The waistbelt / compression arrangement works brilliantly and
together with ergonomically-curved shoulder straps and chest strap
makes for a very comfortable and extremely comfortable carry -
everything feels well cinched down with little bob when running or
cycling.
The two compartments - a main one plus outer pocket - make it easy
to keep tools, suncream, snacks etc, separate from the main
compartment which you can use for spare clothes or whatever and the
zip extendible features makes it easy to expand or shrink the pack in
seconds. Very neat. And the pop-out, clip-on mesh also works well if
you need even more capacity.
We were less convinced by the rear mesh pocket, which is a bit of
a sloppy fit and with a low, slanted opening means smaller objects
can go missing if you're not careful. Tighter elastic and a higher
opening would help.
We'd also like to see some sort of quick access hip-pocket
arrangement as used by Karrimor with its Rush Air packs. It's a
personal preference, but when you're moving quickly, instant access
to snacks is a real advantage.
A really good hydration pack / ultra-lightweight day sac. It's very
stable in use, appears to be exceptionally well made and has some
neat and highly functional features. At £35 we think it's good
value for what you get, but bear in mind that you'll also need to buy
a hydration system to go with it. Our current fave is the Camelbak
Omega bladder with Ergo valve.
Stick on some easy access hip pockets and it'd be damn near
perfect. As it is though, it's a great little sac that complements
the latest super lightweight, ultra compact kit nicely and asks the
question whether you really need more.
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Performance
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Value
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Pushed for time:
Top little hydration pack that'll suit fast movers and
ultra-lightweight freaks. It's stable even when running and
comfortable with extra storage available at the swish of a
zip and from a foldaway elastic net. We'd add quick access
hip pockets by preference, but really that's just quibbling,
this is a really good small pack. You'll need to add on the
cost of a hydration system though.
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