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Berghaus Dart 28
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Price:
£40.00
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Weight: 1005 grammes (one
size)
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Features: 28-litre
capacity, Esdura 600 fabric,reinforced double-thickness
base, Kinetic mesh back system, packaway waterproof rain
cover, two zipped side-pockets, zipped extermal lid pocket
with key clip, zipped internal lid pocket, hydration system
pocket and outlet, two walking pole holders, zipped hip-belt
pocket, chest harness, waist tape retainers, grab
handle.
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Reworking of classic all-round day sac range
The 28 is a tad diddy for most people, go for a bigger
one unless you're diddy too...
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The Dart range of day sacs seems to have been around forever, almost
literally since in our experience, the bloody things are
indestructible.
The styling was starting to look dated though, so this year the
entire range got a touch of the old Changing Rooms magic to bring it
into the 21st Century. We opted to check out the 28-litre version,
but there are also 33, 38, 43 and 48-litre Darts built along very
similar lines, but, erm, bigger.
While we're on the topic, the 28 is quite diddy and unless you're
built on the small size yourself, you might better off with a 33 or
38. The 28 is built short in the back so taller users will have to
let the pack sit low if they want the waist belt anywhere near their
waist.
If you know the Dart of old, you'll be pleased to hear that the
general build quality still feels excellent with tough material and a
reinforced double base (no, not a double bass...) and we'd put money
on it being as tough and durable and the old models.
Things get better...
Where the new version really scores though is in a host of detail
improvements, so many it's hard to know where to start. First the
back system has been beefed up with a reinforced plate for carrying
comfort, the straps are now ergonomically curved and use a thin but
dense foam that's very comfortable and the back itself is padded with
breathable foam for ventilation and covered with wicking
mesh.
We liked other touches too: the hip / waist belt is thicker and
more comfortable than the old narrow waist straps and we liked the
handy race-sac type zipped pocket on the belt which is ideal for
quick access to compact cameras and chocolate, if you dare mix them
that is...
There are plenty of pockets and the twin side items take a full
litre water bottle easily, not that you'll need one if you have a
hydration system since there's a built-in pocket for a two-litre
bladder even on this, the smallest of the Darts. Nice touch.
What else? At last there's a packaway rain cover sitting in a
zipped base compartment and a key fob in the lid pocket, plus twin
walking pole attachments and a carry loop. In short, all mod cons
present and correct.
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Verdict: The Dart may not look all
tough and macho like a climbing sac, but this is a tough
durable staple that's been successfully made over to bring
it bang up to date. It's comfortable, well thought through
and has just about every useful feature you can think of.
Even the ends of the waist belt can be neatly tucked away
and when's the last time you saw a sac this small with a
hydration facility?
If you're after a durable, unpretentious
walking sac that's been carefully and thoughtfully designed,
you can't really go wrong with a Dart. The Dart 28 is a tad
small for most walkers mind, but there are four larger
variants to choose from. Nowt wrong with it
really.
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Performance
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Value
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Pushed for time:
Modern re-design of classic walking sac. Tough, durable
and really well featured. The 28 is a bit small, but there
are four larger versions to choose from.
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Know more or want to?
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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.
