The fourth incarnation of the Berghaus Freeflow Daysack range hits the shops this month, in case Santa overlooked your latest pack needs. The model is broadly the same as the Freeflow III, which we found comfortable in our latest test, especially as it made a good job of reducing sweaty-back syndrome. We reckon the Freeflow IV should be well worth a look as well ...
The main differences between the two models are in the back and the straps. Firstly, the back....
The Freeflow III features a fist-sized hole in the mesh back system so that moisture can escape directly from your clothing without hindrance. By the same principle, the Freeflow IV recycles the same feature, except that it's larger, and it's joined by a second bite out of the mesh at the top of the back. Basically, less back system equals greater airflow equals greater breathability. Isn't maths great?:-)
Secondly, the straps have been filled with Evabreathe Matrix Foam Technology. Berghaus describe this as "a honeycomb of foam laminated together in an offset pattern so that air can continue to circulate even when it is being worn and compressed". We've tried it in other packs and found that, however hard we worked, we never ended up soaking because the holes in the fabric physically couldn't hold the moisture.
Other new features include reinforced hip belts on the larger models - 50 l and 40+10 l.
Styling includes the addition of bright new colours including gold, paprika and kiwi. And there we were thinking that kiwi's a bird and paprika's something you use when you're cooking :-)
As before, capacities range from 20 l to 50 l.
More information from outdoors stores around the country later this month, and from www.berghaus.co.uk.
Alex Thompson
