Berghaus Cyclops III Quartz
Anthony Dyer
Reviewed: 14 July 2012
It's lasted me 10 years, and going strong.
I've had this ricksack for the last 10 years taking it out on weekend backpacking trips, longer trips to Norway and for a time it saw regular use on my business trips.
It's a rucksack that's designed to suit a large range of packing capacities. The top pockets house my 2 x 1litre bottles without problem, the side pockets will stow some more.
Despite lasting 10 years, the rigid frame broke after just two years (failed rivets), but despite that it still keeps its shape just fine.
It is a rucksack with too many gimicky features however. The side and bottom zips I never use for example. This results in a rucksack that's heavier than it needs to be. As an example I took my knife to it and managed to strip out 100g of straps, dividing compartments and so forth. It still weigth 2.5kg, and that amounts to 20% of my basic pack weight (without food / water etc...)
This rucksack has proven its worth over the time I've owned it. The colours are certainly more faded than the picture on this site. But it'll soon be time to replace it. I'm hoping that 10 years has seen much innovation to bring pack weights down without sacrificing comfort.
Anthony Dyer would recommend this product
Bozle
Reviewed: 16 May 2008
THE BIG RED LOAD-LUGGER WORK HORSE.
Comfy back system handles heavy loads well.
Offset base zip works well.
Very durable.
Stable.
Good compression system.
Quite heavy- 2.5kg
Fixed backlength.
Waist belt fins are set quite far apart so gaps can appear if not completely
adjusted.
A bit of hit and miss with this one (mainly hit), Berghaus have added some weight saving features like the fixed backlength, then put in stuff like heavy waterproof zips (onto non-waterproof material). I've had mine for 3 years and its seen heavy use with very little wear.
Morten Larsen
Reviewed: 15 June 2007
GREAT.. CAN TAKE SOME WEAR AND TEAR...
great back support
spacious compartments
too small side entrance
I've owned this one for years now, and i have never regretted buying it...!
My biggest concern is really that after 40-60 km, i tend to get wear-marks on my hips from the hipbelt - dunno if it's me using it in the wrong way, but it's a problem every time.
One of the top-string-locks is snapped, but other than that it really seems solid!
Have never had back-aching from it :)
Steven Shaw
Reviewed: 24 January 2006
GREAT. A NICE REPLACEMENT TO MY OLD CYCLOPS II AZTEC
Loads of nice features. Plenty of external pockets
Perhaps it is a bit gimmicky. Some features never get used (but then better there than not)
I have a Cyclops II Aztec which has given sterling service. When I noticed one of these on ebay, I knew it would be a great update.
No problems with this sack, loads of nice features (like bladder pouch, plenty of pockets etc). Perfectly comfortable to wear, and looks hardwearing.
Justin Thomas
Reviewed: 18 March 2005
BIG LOADS DONE COMFORTABLY
Big carrying load
Excellent compression to reduce size when not fully used
Excellent load division
Pocket on belt
Comfortable
Bladder compatible
Occipital cavity is hard to notice, it doesn't work for me
It doesn't carry itself for me
I am recently back to hiking and trekking after a 14 year break and I know that the rucsac is the single most important piece of equipment that you will own. I am quite short and stocky (5'6" and around 12 stone), therefore I am not really bothered about carrying moderately large loads over long distances (bit of a pack horse), but I am keen that it is comfortable and provides me with the most freedom that is possible. I tried on the BioFlex pack and found it very strange indeed, this pack felt strong and comfortable. I have been out quite a number of times now carrying up to 20kilos over 10-20km, I have been very content and I have felt little to no damage to my shoulders/back. I like this pack and it is tough (I am the original "test to destruction" man).
