Berghaus Freeflow IV 40+10 Tested
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Price:
£70.00
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Weight: 1670 grammes (one size
only)
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Features:
Large-capacity day sac wtih revised Freeflow back system,
EVAbreathe shoulder straps, reflective, twin lid closure,
stretch lid panel, side expansion pockets, integrated wand
pockets, zipped lid pocket with large side opening, front
pocket, internal lid pocket, two walking pole holders, two
compression straps, daisy chain. hydration reservoir pocket,
rain cover, key clip, 40mm Bergbuckle, removable,
height-adjustable chest harness, grab handle.
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What's It For?
Berghaus says the Freeflow IV 40+10 is a large daysac and they're
not kidding. Why, in these days of lighter weight clothing and kit
would anyone need 50 litres of capacity for a day walk is a mystery
to us, but obviously, it has the capacity to double as a weekend
packing sac as well.
It also has the latest, revised incarnation of Berghaus's Freeflow
back system designed for cooler carrying as the pack is held away
from your back and air can circulate between you and the pack.
The Techy Bits
Freeflow's been going for ages, but the new Freeflow IV version is
substantially revised. The mesh has been cut away to increase the
airflow to your back and decrease the amount of mesh in contact with
it.
There are also new shoulder straps using EVAbreathe foam which is
perforated to aid breathing but also doesn't absorb moisture which
should minimise soggy strap syndrome issues.
How It Performs
Freeflows have always been competent all-round walking packs, but
with a couple of issues. One is that in our experience anyway, they
don't carry well with heavier weights and the size of the air gap
tends to mean the pack levers away from your back uncomfortably.
First impressions of the new Freeflow IV were good. It looks
sleeker and modern than its predecessors and the EVAbreathe straps
are quite space age. It's also got all the mod cons you'd expect
including a stuff-away waterproof cover and enough pockets and
carriers for your extra gubbinses.
Unfortunately, for us at least, the new looks weren't reflected by
an improved carry. Loaded lightly we found the pack simply sat badly
on our shoulders and didn't seem to rest properly on our hips as if
the back length were too long, but up the loading and it simply
couldn't cope.
The padding on the hip-belt feels a tad soft soft, the wide gap
between the mesh and the back means there's too much leverage from
the load and the lack of top tensioner straps means you can't
compensate by pulling the top of the pack in closer to your
shoulders.
Similar vented packs from Osprey and Gregory have significantly
smaller air gaps and more sophisticated harnesses and as a result
seem to carry a lot better with the same load levels. We also reckon
any pack capable of toting 50 litres of kit either needs to have an
adjustable length or come in a choice of sizes. As things stand, the
40+10 either fits you or it doesn't.
Otherwise the pack is nicely put together and hard to fault on the
feature front. We were never at a loss at somewhere to stow kit and
the wand pockets also double as water bottle holders.
The air back seems to work better than previous versions as well
with those extra cut-outs letting more air get to your back. We're
not sure there was appreciable venting from the shoulder straps mind,
but they look neat and don't absorb moisture which is a bonus and you
can tell the difference in hot conditions. In winter you may notice
added chill though.
We simply thought that the Freeflow IV 40+10 didn't carry as
well as it ought to. Smaller models should be better, but we found
the combination of quite a basic harness, the leverage from the air
gap and lack of adjustability at the top of the straps didn't really
make for a comfortable carry.
That's a shame, as the rest of the pack is nicely thought out and
works well. One thing we do like about this sort of pack that's
rarely mentioned is that the mesh doesn't absorb water, so on top of
the added ventilation which is nice in hot weather, but less welcome
in winter, you also miss out on the soggy foam back system experience
common to many more conventional designs. Ditto with the shoulder
straps.
We wouldn't write off the Freeflow IV system on this basis, but
our advice would be to try carefully before buying and make sure
you're happy with the fit and carry with the sort of loads you expect
to be carrying.
We suspect the smaller versions in assorted sizes from 25+5
upwards, will perform better and make more sense than the 40+10.
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Nicely made and styled, ingenious perforated shoulder
straps.
Lack of carrying assurance and limited adjustability.
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Performance
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Value
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