Berghaus Vulcan Bergen

If Bergaus ever stop manufacturing this piece of kit RVOPS are well advised to buy the pattern and manufacture it themselves. Unlikely every other Bergen or large rucksack it is not a case of one size fits all - there are four sizes ranging from short-arse to gorilla. All other manufacturers provide 'a one size fits all' with some form of adjustment for different heights and builds but if you a short-arse or gorilla you will find yourself on the limits of these adjustments and things are just sub-optimal - this is particularly true if you are vertically challenged like myself. However I was able to buy a Vulcan balanced to my height and from which I gain from adjusting rather than loose. It is a little wider than many modern rucksacks and this makes stuffing in bulky items all the easier especially if you have lined the main compartment with a dry bag. It can however be adjusted to be as sleek as any of the 'more modern' and day-glow sacks.

RVOPS have customised this with an extra set of pouch zips on the back. This allows some light but bulky equipment to be carried in a third pouch - my preference is a Webtex medics pouch. This or a Berghaus (10L), Karrimor (12.5L)or PLCE (15L) pouch can be attached to any of the three pouch attachment positions making this rucksack very customisable.

This is an extremely comfortable rucksack - (it does not rub my thoracotomy scars whereas my old system does but this is a purely personal finding). The same load transferred from my old system feels lighter as the load sits in a better balanced position on my back - I can also pack this sack more thoughtfully than my old system as it seems roomier - see width above.

This has to be the number one contender for anyone having to cart kit on foot for any distance be they girl guides, Ray Mears or elite special forces. In a word - SUPERB.