Backpack that wears extremely well. (Berghaus Freeflow IV 35+8L)

Member Name: llamass

Product:	Berghaus Freeflow IV 35+8L
Date:	10/06/09 (130 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Durability and comfort

Disadvantages: Fairly rigid design, price.

I carried the Berghaus freeflow IV 35+8 for over two years of continuous travel, plus a few other trips before hand and have been more than impressed with its durability. The bag has been dragged through monsoon weather and generally abused with rough travelling for a considerable period of time and it has not ripped or even frayed-other than dirt the only mark is a small cut on the waistband where I pushed it out a window that had shards of very sharp glass in the frame. The bag is genuinely durable and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a bag that will stand up well to adverse conditions.

The bag is 35L which is a little smaller than average for a backpacker, however, I believe is ideal for girls as even when full it shouldn't be too heavy yet there is still enough room for all your stuff. For a hiker it is just big enough for a small tent, sleeping bag and other basic camping equipment but there would not be much room left over. There is 8 litres of expansion space in the form of side pockets which is ideal to fill up with souvenirs and the extra things when heading back home. The bag is a toploader, or standard rucksack that fills from the top and doesn't have a zip around the side like a suitcase. This can be a disadvantage for access to things at the bottom of the bag.

One of the main features of the bag is the freeflow back so that the pack is held off your back with an area of mesh. Unfortunately this does mean the bag is very rigid and so cannot be manipulated into small spaces as easily as a normal backpack of the same size. As there is a chunk out the back it also looks a little larger than other bags with the same capacity. The shoulder and waist straps are also Evabreathe which help the wearer to stay cool-this is a useful feature if you are travelling in a hot and humid climate or doing some trekking and hiking where building up a sweat is likely. I felt that these make a real difference from previous packs I have used-it is an extremely comfortable pack to wear. As with most packs the shoulder and waist straps are adjustable and so you can fit them to yourself and make sure the pack is at it's most comfortable and that the weight is carried on your hips and not the shoulders.

The bag contains a raincover but I found that the material of the pack is reasonably water resistant-it would not, of course, stand up to a dunk in the sea but I have carried it in the rain and found my clothes inside still dry. Again in comparison to other backpacks I have used I found this one far better in this way.

The pack also has pole holders and a space for a hydration pack (not included) for those using it as a hiking bag.

The backpack is usually available for around the 60 pound mark which, for it's size, is a little on the expensive side. However, the quality is worth paying a little extra for as you can be sure that the bag will not rip or disintegrate at an inopportune moment.

Summary: Recommended for travellers and trekkers