Bergens

[SMiller]

Howzit!

I picked up a Bergen today, green and smells like new. I've worked out some of the features, zip on/off daypack, compression straps, zip flaps inside and outisde the lid. Front pocket etc.

What I'd like from you lot is where you put what, any other features I've missed out or what certain things can be used for (there's loops all over the bloody thing). Also, I'm used to using packs where there's access to the bottom so I can get my farto out nice and easy, but now I think I'm back to shoving it in a compression pack and getting it down the bottom.

So tips, tricks, ways to make it easier to use would be the dogs dangles and much appreciated!
Cheers lads,
Sam

 

[woody]

sleeping bag at bottom in bivibag rest of gear in canoe bag stuffed on top
squishes it down i find that better than compresion sack for packing
tying something to grab handle to make yours easier to see in a pile
better still best tip shove it in a landrover so you dont have to carry it

 

[msr]

For the Ortlieb canoe bags, try http://www.baxtersofyarm.com

They even do light weight versions for those unlucky enough not to have a Landrover

Add a bungee to attach your sleeping roll to the outside,

msr

 

[Golf_one_one]

if you want, replace the cord on top with white para cord, easy to see in the dark, replace the issued cord locks with civvie type spring toggles

then for the contents get the largest canoe bag you can,

spare kit, seldom used odds and sods right in the bottom in small canoe bag

softie doss bag inside bivi bag punched in on top (easier to get to in the dark, no messing about when its shlaf time!)

buffalo in small canoe bag on top of that

loads of space left for special to task kit, radios, spare ammo, spare batteries, naafi pies, porn, cuddly toy, fondu set etc

all waterproofed from each other

dobra f**kin dan

try different coloured canoe bags

 

[Cutaway]

For the Ortlieb canoe bags, try http://www.baxtertsofyarm.com

......

msr

Or try Manchestercop at the ARRSE SHOP for good kit at decent prices.

 

[SMiller]

Cheers!

There was no cord on the top of it. Is this just run around those loops on top to secure things onto the lid if need be?

I agree about the sleeping bag being on top. I have having to dig to the bottom of that bloody bag but I hate putting it back in even more!

MSR, you're link didn't work mate.


KEEP THEM COMING

 

[BlackHand]

msr you're link didn't work mate.

Google 'Baxters Yarm' and it gives a link that will open

 

[KnifeFightingMonkey]

Instead of different coloured canoe bags (which can be quite hard to find) go to a car shop and get some go faster tape. It comes in all sorts of colours and once its on it stays on.

Its the stuff chavs use to make thier Novas look "boss"

 

[msr]

MSR, you're link didn't work mate.

Edited to make it work now

msr

 

[SMiller]

Forgive me for being a bit of a nobber in the brains deparment, but what's a canoe bag?

 

[SMiller]

Got the tip from Cutaway that I should stick some stiff plastic card onto the canoe bags. So now I don't have to worry about colour, or what time of day!

Thanks for that one.

 

[Cutaway]

Just to explain before anyone misunderstands.

Take some stiff plastic, such as the stuff found in ammo boxes, & cut various shapes from it - square, triangle, circle, semi-circle etc.
Poke a hole through them & tie each one onto a bag.
Bingo - find everything in the dark.
eg circle = gimp suit, square = vaseline & Rabbit, triangle = dissection knives...... Oooops !

 

[SMiller]

Forgot the shape bit

Still, I love the idea.

 

[CrapSpy]

I always used to remove the aluminium frame, and use a German army folding kip mat instead. Very comfy against the back and you can sit and sleep on it.

Next time you see or fire a 94mm. Smash the site unit open and nick the trilux source. It's abouth the size of an old 1/2 pence piece. Taped one to the top of a tent peg and stuck it in the ground next to anything I needed to find in the dark!

Don't eat it though, it could be radioactive.

 

[exXIX]

Cheers!

There was no cord on the top of it. Is this just run around those loops on top to secure things onto the lid if need be?

I agree about the sleeping bag being on top. I have having to dig to the bottom of that bloody bag but I hate putting it back in even more!

MSR, you're link didn't work mate.


KEEP THEM COMING

Anyone who has carried a heavy bergan a long way will tell you that it is much more comfortable to keep the heavy stuff at the top. Hence the reason to have the gonk bag in the bottom.

 

[Golf_one_one]

quite correct, thats why you put all your special to task kit on top of that




do pay attention.....................

 

[CutLunchCommando]

Forgive me for being a bit of a nobber in the brains deparment, but what's a canoe bag?

It keeps the dirt of your canoe.

 

[woody]

its a big heavy duty watrproof bag which also has a waterproof closure
first used by canoist types ideal as a bergan liner .ortlieb are main makers but lots of other brands

 

[Fatbadge]

Im sure there's a WAH! in there somewhere....



Bloomin' brilliant things Canoebags, although I did do a river crossing on me Cadre, muggins didnt have said canoebag at the time, so used the standard issue green rustlebags... Amazingly they worked! 6 crossings and not a drop of water on me kit.

Didnt stop the Cadre SSM from having a bloody good try at making it leak ... Did have the decency not to open the bergan tho'

 

[Tomm]

(A waterproof bag with a fancy closure that floats)

A step up from the MK.1 Tactical Binbag.