Berghaus Nitro Sac Tested

Two years on the sac's lost a little weight, but is essentially the same. What marks it out from other day sacs aimed at 'fast movers' - runners, mountain bikers, adventure racers, roller bladers (!) etc - is the Limpet compression system.

It's a nylon mesh that covers the entire back of the sac and can be tensioned at each corner by pulling straps on waist belt and shoulder straps. The result is absolute stability. Anything in the pack is simply compressed against the solid PE back plate (no digging in) and held rock solid steady. It's the best compression system we've used bar none, the only one that comes close is Osprey's fin system. Unlike conventional strap systems, it holds everything, uniformly.

We used it for 16 miles of a 26 mile epic run across the Beacons and it easily outlasted the OUTDOORSmagic editorial test foot. Perhaps the highest compliment we can pay it is that we simply weren't ever conscious of any weight shifts or movement from the pack or its contents.

Of course it's not all down to the compression system. Berghaus has also got things very right with its multi-foamed Kinetic 3D back system and harness: curved, ergonomic shoulder straps have relatively little padding, but the density of the foam both here an in waist and back is just right making for a stable but still comfortable carry.

The reticular foam - you can blow through it - deals well with sweaty back syndrome as well and the PE plate means that sharp contents don't dig into your back.

We were also pleased to see the built-in hydration facility. It's designed to take a 2-litre bladder and does, though none is included with the pack. So it's stable, comfortable, well built and can haul water too. You even get a small carrying strap for ease of picking up. Perfection right?

Not quite. First, if you're an anal weight-obsessed type, 900 grammes is on the high side. Berghaus's own race sack the 64ZERO weighs only 639 grammes for example, and is slightly larger into the bargain, but that 240-odd grammes is a low price to pay for the stability of the Nitro.

Second and last, the one thing that would have made the Nitro perfect for us was the addition of some quick-stuff pockets. Our favourite fast-moving packs have a combination of zipped pockets on the waist belt and elasticated mesh pockets on the sides. They mean easy storage for stuff like sachets of gel, sweets, compasses, multitools and the like. The Nitro does have some pockets, but you need to take the pack off to get to them, which in turn means stopping.

Obviously if you don't feel the need to squeeze sicky sweet goo down your face while running, this won't be a problem, but for us, additional pockets would bring the Nitro near to perfection.

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