British Army Bergen with Practical Tips

[@1malikalik]

American here, we use a regular candle or candle wax to lube the Zippers and even to waterproof the Entire Bag. What you do is take a white candle stick (non scented) run it the entire length of the zipper a few times then, using a hair dryer heat the residual wax to melt it. Once melted, open/close zipper a few times. Repeat as needed. Do the same for the bag body as well. Scribble the Candle Haphazardly on then heat it with a hair dryer. Wax, unlike Lube/Oil is long lasting, does not attract dirt, rejuvenates the colors and repels water and mold and stains. Wax also quiets the Zipping Noise Dramatically. This application was commonly used by the Gold and Cole Miners on their blue Denim Jeans as it allowed them to dust off their Denim Pants after work and go straight to a bar with Clean looking pants and not having to go home and change. Also, Wax stiffens the bag giving it an upright, rigid look and not a flacid empty look. Wash the Bag fast and maintain a 1 foot distance between the bag and the hair dryer to prevent burns.

[@ianwatson194]

Got one of these, and trust me, they are spacious. Packed everything i needed for two nights of camping during winter and had room to spare

[@gud2go50]

Wow, your Bergen is in really good shape. I just ordered one from a military surplus store online and they warned in the description that they are used and need some cleaning up but have many miles left on them. I am kind of expecting the worst. It cost me $40 U.S./33 Pounds. Not that cheap but I am hoping to get a good one to use as a get-home bag if I get stuck on the road in the wilds of the American countryside one day. I need something that will hold up and the ALICE pack doesn't really fit my needs. I have been looking up reviews on the Bergen and came across your channel. You have given me some great advice, Thanks!

[@manoftheroad55]

I just sent reply to Canadian viewer ...curiosity I looked up cost which is about £25 per Kg... about $90 US shipping plus cost of buying ... EBay UK .. Military Bergen

[@LowPlainsDrifter60]

The PLCE bergens were designed to be supported on belt kit & the waist belts, incapable of carrying any weight on the hips, are just to stabalize the pack & stop it from swaying.

[@ozdavemcgee2079]

Absolutely they are. A cheap molle belt harness, surpluss same, ALICE, and 3 to 4 waterbottles. Ride very nicely and it doesnt collapse as you use it, as it would if you use pouches for food. Grab an extra PLCE pouch and cut it up to make extra pouch on the back of a pouch. Gives you a spot for those who must have a water bladder

[@OldNavajoTricks]

@@ozdavemcgee2079 I've opted for a third rocket that sits over the mini pouch in the middle, one mod of several I'm doing 👍 I also carry waterbladders behind the side rockets, 2l in each if I fill them full.

[@LB__]

Hi Can you guys link me or fully name the PLCE waist kit and belt kit. Having a hard time find it❤

[@angusfreeman8149]

I love the german army mountain bergen in 80 to 110 litres. Strong and incredibly modular

[@easygroove]

which one ? - are you talking about that Berghaus Atlas/Vulcan/Crusader ?

[@stealthandysteath1069]

Evening mate, I've got two. Short back, for summer an long back for winter. I use my 58 webbing with my short back. Nice find right there mate. Used an abuse my kit. Rainy season. Would be good if you could useed the rain cover as well. Thanks for sharing buddy. Tc Andy

[@kennethquesenberry2610]

I've been using one of these for over thirty years or thereabout. Don't remember where I got it, but it wasn't Silverman's, the only one I've actually visited in person. It has held up very well and will hold more than I want to carry. My only complaint is that it tends to press against the middle of my lower back. I attempted to ease that problem with a curved piece of metal. It completely eliminated the problem, but it added a lot of weight. My overnight trips are probably all in the past, but I continue to use a couple of genuine Bergan's Original rucksacks and a couple of more recent nylon Bergan's too. I keep wondering what the two little loops on the back are for. And by the way, the zippers pulls on the side pocket zippers are really easy to lose if you ever remove the pockets, so be careful.

[@Mat-eq8mk]

Interesting about the hip strap. I don't think I've ever seen a soldier use it. They're normally cut off or taped up.

[@manoftheroad55]

I have found belt does support SOME weight off my shoulders onto hip.. not perfect .. is also dependant on posture when carrying load. Those adopting a coalman position loads rest on your back.. I think waist straps retain load on steep assents ..preventing pack from swinging back and miss balancing the wearer..It's necessary to have correct Size length of pack..Am just off for a cycle ride and my 20lt is waistband to me so create stability in my balance.. MotR

[@5FFM]

In training you have to use the strap, and it does offer a lot of relief on your back with modern issued bergens, once you’re at unit some people do like to cut them off, but that often depends on the build of the person, and the purpose of the Bergen, I have 2 bergens I used throughout my service, both short back, 1 with a hip strap for tabs, the other with them cut off for use on exercise to get it on my back easier, no faffing about trying to pull the straps from behind my back. As you can see from my name I’m not very tall, but customising my bergens to better suit their purpose made them very comfortable, so it all depends

[@hixyhicks]

Ive just brought a brand news short version for £20 off ebay,they really are the Dogs .

[@manoftheroad55]

That is a good buy..just the time of year for a summer bargain

[@OldNavajoTricks]

I have a third rocket over that middle mini pouch, and a yoke with four rockets as a throwover/running pack, eotw I have massive capacity but normally I just use one to three rockets dep on requirements.

[@manoftheroad55]

Coincedance yesterday in Larkhill military gear shop (camping at Stonehenge hoping to cycle across Larkhill Range...non stop ref flag) chatted about detachable side pockets ...version they sell..(progress??)..has that option ..thanks for email ..got me thinking if sacks came with different tweeks for specific reasons..ie..radio power packs ..night vision..being ’outside"..suggests important kit??

[@OldNavajoTricks]

@@manoftheroad55 could be a sales angle lol, XYZ base pack and then pouches to suit different requirements, drone storage W/huge powerbank pocket inside, one with a draining fabric base to act as a waterfilter etc, the only limit is imagination :-)

[@OldNavajoTricks]

Actually modded a rocket into a filter water now, I can filter a good 8l of water into the rocket below on the move 👍

[@thebackingpackinggeordie]

Great video.

[@wingaard]

The "pocket" on the front was known as a messing pouch. Never ever used the waist belt.

[@manoftheroad55]

Thanks ..gathering a fuller knowledge ..not using hip belt was this for long periods of carrying ..was it more comfortable than tight hipbelt ..just this week bought small 30 liter civi daypck from charity shop clasp missing ...for me prefere it locked to my back..also a chest harness keeps sack in place.

[@christelledixon9366]

I've never broken the clip on the hip belt and think it's unnecessary to carry a spare. As an another poster said the weight on the hip came from the bergan sitting on top of the belt kit.

[@manoftheroad55]

My view Christelle .. is clasp weighs nothing takes no space and if it breaks when your load is heavy, ( likley time) .. your F# good and proper Try loading bergen with just 20kg of essential items and romp without the hip belt..Hip belt also prevents swaying and your posture has to change with you leaning forward it also slows down the accompaning group.. I also always have a spare zipper for my sleeping bag...what will never happen sometimes does....

[@manoftheroad55]

Yes Luke the problem was anticipated and replacement is easy and simple ...as everything should be...Regards MoR

[@jonnyinch8158]

@@manoftheroad55 worth mentioning that para don't use hip belt. And do a lot of tabbing

[@longkeithdiablo8812]

Thanks for rhe video.

[@manoftheroad55]

Very Kind ..Hope it inspires you to explore the great unknowns ..

[@ah757]

Where can I find these that ship to Canada? As well as the plce webbing

[@manoftheroad55]

I searched prices shipping to Canada..DHL was £90 .. 1 kg comes in average £25 .. spo it would be expensive... EBay .. UK ..would be search.. military Bergen.. camo is the usual colour.. the side pockets must also be included and preferably fitted to prove zip compatibility. Regards MotR

[@ah757]

@@manoftheroad55 thank you for the reply. Much appreciated

[@deeeeeeeench1209]

Is it the long version? If so can you give me an idea of how long it actually is in the main compartment as I have a tent pack that is 63cm long or in old money 26". This bergen is from the Gulf conflict era.

[@isaacbirks7941]

How many litres is the main cavity?

[@manoftheroad55]

@@isaacbirks7941 main body capacity 90 Lt for size short back length.. 100 Lt long back length .. each side pocket is stated as 10 Lt .. sipped together and with a specific webbing they form a day sack of 20lts

[@munyanezabosco8202]

Nice bag

[@joepublic7264]

How far you walked with it ?

[@louisfranklin4501]

Where did you manage to get the plain green one?

[@LowPlainsDrifter60]

The OD versions pop up regularly on eBay & some mil-surplus stores stock them from time to time.

[@LowPlainsDrifter60]

@Lloyd Smart Yep, they are harder to find & are older than the DPM ones. The OD versions were the first, designed by Berghaus & issued from the late 80's to around 1991 when NATO forces changed their uniforms & gear from Olive Green to various camoflage patterns. DPM was the first UK camo. In 2010, DPM was replaced with MTP.

[@RoninGroupUK]

Please please please tell me you said "Specifically" and "Pacifically" LMAO

[@alexfoster3563]

The side pouches were also known are rocket pouches. The bergan should come with a yoke. You could either zip together both side pouches or just carry one. Very versatile bergan. The waist belt is not very functional. That bergan was designed to be worn over a set of webbing. The webbing is around the hips and the bergan would actually rest on top of the pouches on the belt kit. The waist strap would go around the stomach and offered very little support. Was mainly there to stop it flapping if you were running. I would always just clip it up so it wasn't in the way. The front pouch was were you would put an entrenching tool. You could fit it to the belt kit but it was best to have either another utility pouch or an extra water bottle. You see the top pouch on the lid, there is actually another zip compartment on the underneath of the lid. Behind the side pouches are also 3 adjustable straps. This makes it great to making the pack narrower. Or you can also strap waterproofs or other kit to the outside then attach the side pouches. Before anyone asks, I was not in the military. I was in the cadets and this equipment was issued to us for exercises. I used it for many years after i left. They are cheap and very robust.

[@hongchang9370]

I got the dpm British,and 2 Dutch only one came with the rocket pocket yoke, love them, bearhunter5 maine

[@AirstripBum]

I have a dumb question. I know that there's a strap on top that is not the carrying handle. What is that for? I know that a few have cut that strap off is it better to leave it?

[@manoftheroad55]

Don't cut ..leave it ..I believe lid pocket strap is there should addition space on top is needed .. perhaps a second kipmat.. a securing strap/ bungee is looped shoulder strap through strap you identified. ?? Possibility/?? OR.likly to hold on a rain cover.. Yes they have been removed because sometime confused with lifting strap.. which caused lid to tear..That I know as fact. A top load secured only to lid pocket wobbles .. lateral strap stops securing strap slipping sidewards .. There are a few photos images .. Google Falkland Soldiers .. image shows clearly a rain cover.. MotR