Berghaus Cyclops Vulcan > Reviews > Solid backpack for the intrepid explorer

Author's product rating:   

Comfort	Comfortable
Weight of bag itself	Slightly too heavy
Design	Good
Durability	Very durable
Value for money	Excellent

Advantages:	High Volume and Superb stability with heavy loads
Disadvantages:	Military image  -  olive green

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

You don't see the Vulcan around much these days but I had one and it was a rock steady backpack. Manufactured by Berghaus for the serious mountaineer but affectionately used by the military and forces due to its high volume and stability when loaded to the maximum.

Features

100litre volume with two detatchable side pockets (very useful for expeditioners who have trekked to a base camp and then require a day pack for day walks etc) - the pack comes with straps to turn the side pockets into a small backpack. A feature copied by many other manufacturers.

Internal frame that can be moulded to your back. High density foam in the right areas to prevent chaffing and rubbing (eg hips, shoulders and lower back - good lumbar support)

My one had a divider between the main sac - not sure that this was common but very useful to keep dirty or muddy stuff away from food and clean clothes.

The bag feels secure when carried and the straps and fixings are secure - I have a short back and the length of the Vulcan was just right for me (I'm 5' 8").

My one lasted for ages - the padding had been beaten out of it, side pockets torn by rocks and barbed wire, what finally killed it was a weekend in the lakes when the buckle decided 15 years of service was too much - and snapped - luckily I had gotten off the mountain.