Berghaus Arete - First Look
First impressions of Berghaus's brand new, £40 Arete walking / climbing / scrambling daysac which is in the shops right now
Posted: 4 August 2003
by Jon
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Berghaus Arete Pack- First
Look
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Price: £40.00
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Weight: 1,000 grammes
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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.
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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.
 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.
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.
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