Online: www.REI.com
URL for this product:

From the U.S. and Canada — Call 1-800-426-4840
Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT.
International — Call 1-253-891-2500
Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT. English language only.

BLACK

Bergans of Norway Glittertind 55 Pack

$239.00

(2)

Item # 849643

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Gear and Advice You Can Trust

This item ships for free! Learn more

To view videos or use the zoom feature on REI's websites, please download the latest version of Adobe Flash Player.

NOW PLAYING

The Bergans of Norway Glittertind 55 pack puts an innovative carrying system on your back and shoulders for hour after hour of comfort on the trail.

Patent-pending, double-helix shaped spring steel frame is attached to the back panel, ensuring a free range of motion for hips and shoulders while preserving full load support
Double-helix design offers more freedom of movement than pivoting hip belts and allows your torso to flex, stretch and turn freely without loss of stability
Carrying system is so innovative it recently won the OutDoor Industry Award, a honor bestowed at an outdoor industry gathering in Friedrichshafen, Germany
Top-loading design features front-panel access and a lower sleeping bag compartment; detachable lid sits atop a spindrift collar and over-the-top compression strap
Organize and access often-used gear with a front pocket, side pockets and water-bottle pocket
Compression straps take up extra volume; sleeping pad straps and attachment points for tools and poles make it easy to secure gear to the outside of the pack body
The Bergans of Norway Glittertind 55 pack is made with YKK® zippers and 210- and 420-denier ripstop nylon for durability

Imported.

Item 849643

ONLINE ONLY!

This item's hot - and it's only available online.

$47.80

with coupon code ANNV13
May 17-27 Details

Not a member? Add a Membership

View all Bergans of Norway products

REI Membership

REI Membership $20.00

Bergans of Norway Glittertind 55 Pack Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Bergans of Norway Glittertind 55 Pack

4.0

(based on 2 reviews)

Reviewed by 2 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-2

Apr

2013

4.0

UPDATE to my previous review (4/2/2013)

By Hodge Podge

from Silver Spring, Maryland

See all my reviews

Comments about Bergans of Norway Glittertind 55 Pack:

UPDATE to my previous review "Feature-rich and well-designed; heavy":

I received some good feedback from Bergans USA, and wanted to share--the customer service contact at Bergans has used the Glittertind 55 with a 45+lb load and, "The pack was the most comfortable pack I have worn...I could really feel the [SPINE] system taking the load when landing hard on my feet. It took me a while to dial in the fit with many minor tweaks to the waist belt, shoulder straps, load lifters, and waist belt stabilizers, but once I found the magical spot I was able to focus on the trail rather than the heavy load on my back...My sleeping bag usually does find its home in the low compartment and my 0 degree bag [fits] into that space but I left the divider unzipped for easier access from the spindrift collar."

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.

For the time being, I am leaving my rating at 4 stars since I have not used the pack extensively in the field. I am confident it will earn the fifth start in due time.

Comment on this review

Apr

2013

4.0

Feature-rich and well-designed; heavy

By Hodge Podge

from Silver Spring, Maryland

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Load
Good padding
Highly Adjustable
Large capacity

Cons

Features Add Weight

Best Uses

Backpacking
Multi-day trips
Trekking

Comments about Bergans of Norway Glittertind 55 Pack:

I used a Bergans Viking II Compact extensively from the mid-1980s through the late 1990s, when I replaced it with an Arc'Teryx Bora 80. I am now seeking a smaller and lighter pack that is still capable of multi-day trips, and was excited to see REI is offering the Bergans line. I ordered both the Glittertind 55 and Helium 55 for comparison.

The SPINE suspension employed by the Glittertind is very impressive under load. It had an effortless carry of my test load of ~30lbs--I can see loading this to 40+lbs with confidence--with the range of motion for which the (award-winning) suspension has already been recognized. The size large harness fit my torso very well (I am 6'2", with a measured torso length of 20"), and the range of adjustment is such that I keep finding new ways to tweak the suspension. I am still rather amazed at the balance the SPINE strikes between feeling firmly attached to you while not impedeing your range of motion--a kind of well-grounded floating, if you will.

My concerns with this pack lie in the features of the pack body, which are more numerous then I would like (and have a subsequent weight penalty). A U-shaped panel zips from the draft collar to above the sleeping bag compartment, allowing a panel load option, and the panel is backed by a full-length and -width mesh pocket. The floating lid has a secondary "hidden" pocket on under side of floating lid. The sleeping bag compartment is very small, and while it might fit my summer bag, I do not think my winter bag can compress small enough, making the zipper and the interior drawstring divider uncessary additions unless I use the compartment in some other way (kitchen? clothes? rain gear?). Perhaps these features can be applied to gear organization in such a way as to offset the need for some stuff sacks, and thereby cancel out some of the weight penalty. A pack with this many features may simply take a while to learn the best means by which to apply them all.

One added feature that I very much appreciated was that Bergans included a rain cover with the pack--initially tucked into the "hidden" pocket under the floating lid.

All told, the Glittertind 55 tipped my scale at 5lbs even with tags still attached--exactly twice the weight of the Helium 55 I had for comparison and above the range in which I was looking. I had to eliminate the Helium 55 from consideration because the back panel was not long enough for my torso--frankly, I think the Helium pack body with a large size SPINE harness option would have been ideal.

That said, I am provisionally willing to accept the extra weight in exchange for the impressive performance of the SPINE system, and I have decided to keep the Glittertind 55. I will update this review when I have several trips behind me.