The standard issue British Army PLCE infantry bergen in DPM camouflage is made of military cordura which is internally waterproofed. The PLCE Bergen features large top-loading compartment with integral compression bag, closed with an adjustable drawstring; zippers and clips on left and right for attachment of bergen side pockets for extra capacity, zipper closed pocket on front for additional small items, elasticated top flap which secures down onto the bergen with fastex buckles. The top flap also features two zipper pockets, one on the top which is in its own expanding compartment for maps and other material, and one on the underside for storage of essential flat items. Carrying handle on top of PLCE infantry bergen allows for easy transport, and the internal rigid light aluminium alloy frame bars and padding on back and shoulder straps allows for a comfortable carry. Shoulder straps are also supported with adjustable cordura nylon straps which help to distribute the weight of the top of the PLCE infantry bergen more evenly over the shoulder instead of relying only on the upper back area. This rucksack is the first choice for long trips where load carrying capacity is a priority.
The 90 Pattern PLCE Infantry Rucksack is designed for use as a conventional backpack . Alternatively, in its multi-purpose role it can be integrated into the overall web equipment set. Both side pockets can be detached from the main body of the rucksack and can be used singly or zipped together to form a small-pack equivalent. For this mode of use, a separate lightweight adjustable yoke can easily be clipped to the single or double pouch and slipped over the shoulders. The fighting soldier then leaves his less immediate equipment in the main rucksack in a rear area.
The main fabric used throughout is textured Cordura nylon with a light coating of polyurethane. Overall fabric weight is 370 g/m² (320 g/m² base cloth and 50 g/m² coating).
Size: 360 mm wide x 490 mm high (at back) x 330 mm deep
Weight: Complete with belt, 2 side pouches & frame, 2.8 Kg
Read about alternatives to the PLCE Bergen in the camping equipment reviews section for more reviews on tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, cooking equipment and accessories.
Author
eeyore Knight Commander of the Wild Empire
Registered: February 2006 Location: Chilterns Posts: 8110
Review Date: Sat 21, October, 2006
Would you recommend it? Yes |
Total Spent: £69.00| Rating: 9
Strengths:
DPM, comfortable, hard wearing
Weaknesses:
not ideal for people with small builds
As you would expect from a product made principally for the armed forces this bit of kit stands up to harduse and abuse in very good order. I have two of these (1 in DPM and one in shadowcam) and both have had very hard lives yet are still in good order today
They also carry a lot of kit and the placement of the pockets - which are detachable - keeps your centre of gravity low.
As they are designed to be worn over belt kit they are also comfortable over the street and field system and thus are very suitable for photographers on the move
a lovely bit of kit
------------------------------ "new improved eeyore , now with added tact..... for that whiter brighter finish"
Boddie Commander of the Wild Empire
Registered: September 2004 Location: Sunny Doncaster Posts: 4351
Review Date: Sat 21, October, 2006
Would you recommend it? Yes |
Total Spent: £55.00| Rating: 10
Strengths:
Sturdy, camoflagued
Weaknesses:
Not enough pockets or compartments compared to commercial designs. Can get you strange looks
For me the only downside of this piece of kit is the colour which can attract strange looks but has to be expected from such a design. If you want a sturdy rucksack, that will last for years and to which you can stuff everything but the kitchen sink into then look no further. I think mine is well in excess of 100 litres so I can get the tent, sleeping bag, roll matt, cooking equipment and utensils, a weeks worth of clothes, camera kit, and some, in there, and of course you can add various other webbing products to add capacity or for your water bottles etc. All told you could be hard pressed to actually fill on of the long opacks with the 15 litre side pockets fitted.
What you dont get with these is a fancy mobile phone pocket or a brand name but there are many around on Ebay at £40-£75 quid, with little or no usage, and you simply wont get near to the quality of this with a branded bergen at this price
Registered: October 2006 Location: 200 feet below the Heathrow flightpath, London Posts: 159
Review Date: Sat 21, October, 2006
Would you recommend it? Yes |
Total Spent: £80.00| Rating: 4
Strengths:
size
Weaknesses:
Plastic clips
My bergen has been tested on Dartmoor, Exmoor, and the New Forest, all wilderness camping. Although they can carry a large amount it is possible to overload them to the point of breaking the plastic clips and buckles. In short, the weight don't match the volume. I snapped two on dartmoor due to the weight i was carrying. In the New Forest i had a strap pull out it's stitching. I still use mine but i don't trust it anymore so i carry a running repair kit as well. As a rucksack they are second to none when it comes to comefort, you will never find a backpack that fits the body like this one can. The bergen is also extremely modular The back pockets can be removed and set up as a day pack. You can buy aditional pockets for specific perposes. The bergen was not up to the extreme weather that Dartmoor threw at me, and i suffered some leakage of rain. The army sorted this problem out by making a rain cover, and it does the job well. The rain cover is a must in wilderness camping and can be bought in any army surplus store. The bergen is not breathable so the inside can start smelling musty. Warning, it's too big for most tent porches and solo tents
