Two Year Kit Reviews - The British Army PLCE Bergen

Another rucksack that has survived several years of hard wear and neglect. An absolute behemoth of a backpack.
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[@5FourFieldMouse]

My dad bought one of these on a car boot to take me camping when I was 6, I’m 22 now, and have just purchased another one on eBay, £45, after his one finally broke abit further than repair after essentially monthly use for multiple days a time by either him or me over the last 15 years. Paying £40-£70 for a Bergan already 30 years old that can last another 20, sounds good to me, fantastic bit of kit

[@TigerLily7.]

Only you can make something like this so entertaining. I've just spent 5 minutes of my life watching an Army Surplus backpack review and I don't even regret it! 😄

[@simonsignolet5632]

The belt works well for me and a number of people - that'll depend on your back length. But if you remove the internal frame, none of the weight can be transfered to the hips (if it's the right back length) - it WILL then be near useless. I've had my "PLCE 90 Pattern Rucksack Infantry" since 1992, using it at least for half the days in the week since then. Still going strong. For very heavy loads, I'll use the '72 Patt SAS/PARA Rucksack I was issued back in 1983 or the Dragon Supplies version (DPM and takes PLCE Side Pouches). BTW, PLCE is a system, not a rucksack. The pack is a component of PLCE

[@tweedyoutdoors]

This was probably the most entertaining outdoor gear review I've ever seen on KZbin, quite irrespective of whether or not I was interested in the item being reviewed!

[@peterott9162]

I came across this video in my recommendations and I am very grateful. That was a great review, and yes that's me totally, if I can survive more than a year with me then it's good gear...I'm normally not too easy on my stuff! Thanks man for the review, it seems like a well built pack and I like the room it has so if I want to load it out I can!

[@h3ngist]

Bro I about cried with laughter at the cassowary maneuver on a packed bus 😂😂😂😂

[@andrewjames7150]

Excellent video. You've got a proper bergen there too. They're your best mate. As an ex military bloke I'd say try putting 55lb in it and getting over Pen-y-fan at 4.3mph. 80lb and you're laughing.

[@thedartmoorpodcast]

Oof!

[@dogeclanleader1]

The Bergen is also designed to be used in conjunction with plce webbing belt kit

[@zensempai7371]

Im under the impression most of the high riding millitary backpacks are designed to keep clear of their complementary LBE harrness and pouches. Civilian hiking backpacks tend to sit in that rear waist "shelf" and wrap around your waist. So dont overload those high riders - unless you want the common military back and knee issues - they get loaded like pack horses - strong men.

[@kurts64]

🤣🤣 Awesome vid! Volume-by-dog and "Victim Cam" cracked me up. Coincidentally, i discovered the Snugpak rocķet pack online a few days ago and thought it looked pretty handy, so was cool to see this review today and learn a bit more about the design, cheers. 👍👍

[@stealthandysteath1069]

Hello an good morning mi friend, so this dry Sunday morning I find myself grounded, by your podcast, which aren't podcasts lol. But I've really enjoyed it all of em. What no life I here you say...!!!!. I'm sorting my camping gear out as well. I like a good yearn. Thank you an you have a new sub mate 👍🔥🇬🇧

[@mikerilling6515]

Military field gear is NOT intended to provide comfort It’s designed to keep you alive I extended the shoulder straps so the hip belt fits on my pelvis This gives more room to secure gear on top of the pack

[@steveforster9764]

When they replaced 58 pattern LARGEPACk they were a God send.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Really enjoyed that, like the whole concept and the way you put it together was highly entertaining, subbed! I'll have to go through your back catalogue now dam it! It was just that opening line that let me know this was going to be good! I was issued the DPM version and you are spot on with the review. A similar bag which resolves most of the problems is the KarrimorSF Sabre range. Takes everything good like the rocket pouches and toughness but is just a bit more.....refined. Great job! Deserves more views and subs.

[@thedartmoorpodcast]

Ta very much! Only a few kit reviews on my channel, but there's a whole load of whimsical outdoors stuff that you might enjoy. Thanks for the sub!

[@Mat-eq8mk]

Hilarious review. I left the Army 10 years ago and just bought one of these. They really are bulletproof and, sweaty back excepted, pretty comfortable in my opinion. You do need to be careful about how you pack them. The only reason I hadn't bought one until now is I didn't realise you could get them in plain colours.

[@EdwardHurst2323]

Great video

[@CuriousGoose]

Great video, subscribed 👍

[@RainesMedia]

You know what your quite funny haha gonna subscribe.

[@theinvisiblecamper]

Great review - I highly approve of the dog capacity rating system which I think should be adopted by all makers of luggage 😂

[@imremolnar5302]

Amazing.

[@lordzob4874]

thank you for this review, it was very informative as I am looking for a new Bergen for cadets, because the Aus army cadet issued backs are shit, again thank you for the informative review

[@remy7009]

You could make the pack a lot comfortable by packing it evenly and balanced 👍

[@thedartmoorpodcast]

That would be far too sensible!

[@OldNavajoTricks]

I made some comfort pads for mine, the shoulder ones double as tree protectors for hammock suspension. But Bergens really belong perched on top of belt kit/webbing, I didn't want a webbing set but ended up making one, almost ready for a shakedown run so video soon on that Marra 👍

[@thedartmoorpodcast]

Just had a peek at your channel and subscribed - I'll follow the construction of the 'mother of all bergens' with interest!

[@OldNavajoTricks]

@@thedartmoorpodcast She's an odd one I'll grant you but the idea was modularity, hopefully my logic will become apparent as I get to taking it out, thank you for the sub Marra 👍

[@Sarah_and-the_maligator]

Why have I not come across you before 😂 I was crying with laughter so much my ex mil maligator got worried, thought I was crying 😂. Subscribed 😂

[@thedartmoorpodcast]

Thank you very much! :)

[@flatmoon6359]

Cyclops Roc are good as well, still use mine with 40+lbs, thirty years later.

[@SirTickleTots]

British meme: "Ugh, Americans will do anything to avoid using the metric system." Meanwhile this Brit is using dog breeds to describe his ruck. Great video. I have a new appreciation for this massive thing, tho I'll probably stick with my ALICE medium.

[@thefucrew9865]

I need one of those.

[@irvsstella]

If you chop up two dobermans, they would probably fit too, or multiple jack russels. If only the manufacturers would let us know how many dismembered dogs we could carry, it would make life so much easier. Two jack russells equate to about 6 MRE's

[@cowboynetic8587]

Man I bought this pack in the long back version on a surplus website and have used it since then. This is an accurate review of the ruck and it’s absolutely bomb proof but hell if it isn’t one of the most uncomfortable packs I’ve ever worn in my life 😂

[@Pellagrah]

I bet modding or replacing the aluminum frame to shift the load to the hips and adding a chest strap would make it a lot better.

[@jukebox_heroperson3994]

@@Pellagrah Or wear it with the PLCE yoke and webbing that does sit there.

[@liam1666]

i find it works better on top of webbing but nonetheless a tough piece of kit with lots of space

[@davidleonard1813]

Ahh the plce bergan is a science. 2 extra rocket pouches provide enough material to make 2 sleeves with extra padding to go over the shoulder straps. Leaving, 4 long zips...because there just isn't enough rooom(😂😂) you can get a boot repair guy to sew them onto the lid. With a 3rd extra rocket pouch you can add a backplanes and presto 3rd pouch on top for well whatever, but a sleeve on the back for a camel back. Or you can unpick the rocket pouch make it a more modest height 5 Lt or so. Back padding. No frame no worries. Frame still no worries. Old sections of sleep mat or a German fold down mat. Now you have a use for it..padding. Lastly, if you got thelongback version 1m of new 50mm webbing 1 cheap azz Molle webbing belt...snip cut boot repair guy a 20 down presto buckle is now at mid point, and you hot a funky cheap azz cut up Chinese $15 Molle belf sectioned on each side. It ain't about the Molle it's about the padding. Only works on the longback version though

[@thedartmoorpodcast]

Amazing modding... Though I expect I'd then put it on and fall over backwards! 😂

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

I got a long back DPM Bergen with rocket pouches n yoke. I think you’re showing a short back version! Wanna swop? I’m a little short arse.

[@thedartmoorpodcast]

Ha! Afraid I'm a short arse with a long back, too! Would definitely try out a short back version next time.

[@jonathanpork-sausage617]

No bergan is big enough for unfinished novels.

[@thedartmoorpodcast]

Haha! It's almost as old as the backpack at this point.

[@irvsstella]

You're not carring a disected doberman!

[@Rob-qf2fs]

The waist belt is designed to ride above the waist to allow soldiers to wear the Bergen above their webbing system, Also this bergen comes in 2 sizes 2 and 3 depending on how tall you are is which size you need to fit properly. Check on your bergen should be a little white tag which will tell you which size you've got. Can't remember what the heights are to be fair think the 3 is for over 6 ft but should be able to find the info online somewhere. There designed to be bomb proof ( well at least squaddie proof ) but the frames do get broken. Some surplus bergen s sold might have busted frames depending on how scrupulous the sellers are. Should easily manage 40kg to 50kg plus thou if in good nick ( realistic combat load ) hope that helps.

[@thedartmoorpodcast]

Mine's the larger size... which is definitely wrong for me! But I could only find the camo version in the smaller size, and really wanted the olive, so made the sacrifice. Good info on the (seemingly useless) belt. It must be quite a weight once all the webbing, ammo etc. added!

[@Rob-qf2fs]

@@thedartmoorpodcast yeah I'm the same, I'm only tiny lol, but I picked mine up from silvermans in London when they first came out in the early 90s brand new in green ( didn't even come in DPM then If I remember correctly ) they were designed from the bergaus crusader and roc ranges that most switched on squaddies bought back in the day. Cherry picking the best features but on a cheaper budget, definitely able to carry weight and take loads of abuse. I know the OG versions are much sought after now, should give you years of use, mines still going strong now nearly 30 years later. ( little tip try adding a sturnum strap to tighten the load closer, might improve the carry 👍) ATB Rob

[@simonsignolet5632]

Rob, you're thinking of the Berghaus backpacks (little white tag). With a PLCE rucksack, it'll be stamped "Long" or "Short" onto the inside of the lid or have a label stating whichever size.

[@darrenrobson5977]

I've got a olive green one aswell in good condition it's a long back and it's also a 1990 great bags they are

[@gclif9898]

Out of interest how tall are you and does the long back rest on your hips ?

[@darrenrobson5977]

@@gclif9898 I'm 6ft and it sits just above my hips and I always have the belt around my waist above my hips that way I can loosen the straps off now and again if I'm carrying a lot of camping gear I've also got the short back bergen and i have it sitting exactly the same way it does sit a tad higher.

[@gclif9898]

@@darrenrobson5977 so do you find by having it above your hips it takes most of the weight of your shoulders?

[@darrenrobson5977]

@@gclif9898 yeah definitely I always fasten the waist belt first then tighten the shoulder straps to where it feels comfortable

[@gclif9898]

@@darrenrobson5977 picked up my 1991 olive green long back today. Very pleased with it, cracking condition considering its age, its comfy to wear loaded up too 👍🏻

[@whiteeaglewarrior]

I'm just attempting to go through mine and repack. I don't know how everyone else manages to get so much stuff in theirs. I'm so crap at packing its not even funny lol

[@thedartmoorpodcast]

Along with my camping stuff, I managed to get a 3/4 sized guitar in the other day!

[@Pellagrah]

Seems like there's two surplus 'ecosystems' between the States and Europe. Very curious how the various bergens favored by European armies compare to American rucksacks with external frames like the ALICE, MOLLE II, and FILBE. The marine corps had a brief fling with something sorta bergen-ish with the ILBE pack, which I'm told is by far the best surplus pack for anyone not wearing body armor. The ILBE is really expensive by surplus standards, though, so I wonder if a bergen like the PLCE or Dutch Alpine Sting/Lowe would be similar. I just want a decent internal frame ruck that's not made out of flimsy materials like most civvie packs.

[@thedartmoorpodcast]

Sounds like this one would do the job for you - it's tough as hell!

[@Hew.Jarsol]

Bergens go back to WW2 Britain and Norway Commando ops. USA use clamshell with zips.

[@georgegonzalez2478]

@Pellagrah. Hello,if you haven't heard of Mardingtop,Mountaintop and Mountain Warehouse backpacks look them up all very good and well made especially Mountain Warehouse.For the money Mountain Warehouse backpacks are excellent civi made as you say backpacks.Almost got myself the Nevis Extreme but went with the Mardingtop 65L with molle webbing around the body so I can add pouches as needed.As of now it's up to 120ish liters and have had it going on 4yrs now and paid $89.00 USD on Amazon.That Ruck has been better than every issued ruck I got in the Army since 1986.The fact I can modify it as I need it with the molle system and the pouches I put on it beats every ruck I've had except for the Alice pack in certain ways only because of the removable steel frame.I have a total of 18 different backpacks for daily use and one I made that is 25yrs old now and is still my favorite dump ruck with two huge sections a total of 50+L.All the best to you who read this.

[@swaspc7618]

Great review! What boots do you wear?

[@thedartmoorpodcast]

Thank you! My current boots are just a pair of cheap Karrimor ones - they are terrible and leaky, but I bought them in a hurry and refuse to buy new ones until they fall apart completely (shouldn't be too long!).

[@swaspc7618]

@@thedartmoorpodcast LOL thanks!

[@hugtango]

Hi, which brand is that ? WebTex ?

[@thedartmoorpodcast]

I don't actually know the answer to this! And it doesn't seem to have a label... All I know is that it is ex-British army.

[@hugtango]

@@thedartmoorpodcast all good, thanks for having taken the time to reply.

[@georgegonzalez2478]

@hugtango Hello,it might be the British MTP by the looks of it to me.Although so many Bergen rucks have that look.

[@georgegonzalez2478]

@hugtango. The British Military surplus long convoluted ruck I meant to say.MTP is for the camo pattern style I had once.All the best.

[@jonathansmythe6273]

Lustleigh cleave ?

[@thedartmoorpodcast]

Well spotted! This rucksack and the Old Clam Bridge were an interesting combination...