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PALE OLIVE/BLACK

Bergans of Norway Helium 55 Pack

$199.00

(2)

Item # 849615

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The Bergans of Norway Helium 55 pack is ultralight, sleek and durable. It's at its best on multiday adventures where every ounce makes a difference.

Ventilating mesh covers the shoulder straps, hipbelt and back panel; stabilizer straps on the hipbelt and shoulder straps hug the load close to your body
Aluminum frame with a single stay and HDPE framesheet provides support and transfers load weight to the hipbelt
Top-loading main compartment has a full-length front panel zipper for easy access to buried gear and clothing; detachable lid with external pocket sits atop a spindrift collar
Hydration-compatible design makes it easy to drink water while you're on the go (reservoir sold separately)
Side pockets are ideal for water bottles; ski holder accommodates skis, poles or fishing rods
Dual ice-axe loops provide attachment points for tools; side and front compression straps take up extra volume and secure bulky gear
The Bergans of Norway Helium 55 pack is built to endure extreme outdoor use with YKK® zippers and Cordura® ripstop nylon

Imported.

Item 849615

$39.80

with coupon code ANNV13
May 17-27 Details

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Bergans of Norway Helium 55 Pack Customer Reviews

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by PowerReviews

Bergans of Norway Helium 55 Pack

4.0

(based on 2 reviews)

Reviewed by 2 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-2

Apr

2013

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

UPDATE to my previous review (4/2/13)

By Hodge Podge

from Silver Spring, Maryland

See all my reviews

Comments about Bergans of Norway Helium 55 Pack:

Update to my previous review: "Great pack--fit is too small for me"

I received some good feedback from Bergans USA, and wanted to share: the straps I took for "load lifters" (requiring a positive angle from harness to pack) are "stabilizing straps," which apparently can be effective at a neutral or negative angle. The distinction is that load lifter straps attach to a vertical stay and transfer weight from the pack to the harness--about a 30 degree angle is ideal for proper function--while the stabilizing strap attaches to a soft stay or the pack body to minimize pack movement, and can be effective at lesser (or neutral or negative) angles. I wanted to include this information so other people with 20"-21" torsos do not discount the pack based on an incorrect assumption of fit (as I did).

I include this also to note that Bergans USA demonstrated impressive customer service, with a quick and thorough response to my comments on their packs.

I am leaving my rating at 4 stars, as I did not have the opportunity to use the pack in the field or for any extended period of time. Close review and a test load showed impressive construction and workmanship. Correspondence with Bergans USA has been equally encouraging.

Comment on this review

Apr

2013

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Great pack--fit is too small for me

By Hodge Podge

from Silver Spring, Maryland

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Load
Good padding
Large capacity
Lightweight

Cons

Framesheet Too Short

Best Uses

Backpacking
Day trip
Hiking
Lightweight Multi-day

Comments about Bergans of Norway Helium 55 Pack:

I previously used a Bergans Viking II Compact from the mid-1980s through the late 1990s, when I replaced it with an Arc'Teryx Bora. I am now seeking a smaller and lighter pack, and was very excited to see REI offer the Bergans line. I ordered both the Helium 55 and Glittertind 55 for comparison.

I was very impressed with the Helium 55; it has exactly what I was looking for in a lightweight pack: minimalist body/features (basically one large compartment with a floating top lid and two side pockets for water bottles) and extremely low weight while maintaining an admirably capable suspension--I think the vertical aluminum stay and framesheet are more effective than some peer packs.

Attention to detail is reflected in several features: the horizontal compression straps across the back are the perfect length and spacing for attaching a Ridge Rest or similar sleeping pad vertically, and thereby keeping it tucked behind the pack and not as likely to snag on foliage. An offset zipper exends from the draft collar to the base of the pack and allows access to gear without unpacking the entire compartment. It can zip from either the top down or bottom up--a nice touch. Inside the main compartment is a hydration sleeve centered behind the harness and framesheet, which easily swallowed a full 3L Osprey hydration bladder. The central port allows you to run the hose down either shoulder strap, each of which have elastic bands ready to corral the hose. Otherwise, the pack is stripped down, and my scale verified the weight as 2lbs 8oz with hang tags still attached.

I loaded up the pack with an average weekend-plus load equivalent of about 25lbs and was very impressed at how well the pack carried. The HDPE framesheet does not allow any sharp gear edges through the pack, and a single, central aluminum stay seems to shift weight very efficiently to the hip belt. I have no doubt the pack could handle more weight.

However, the back panel was not quite long enough for my torso (I am 6'2", with a torso measured at 20"), and as such the load lifter straps were level going from the shoulder strap to the pack body--not ideal for load transfer.

If the Helium pack body was available with a large size harness option, it would be my pack today. I look forward to seeing a review from someone who is able to put this piece of gear to work in the field.