Advantages: Well built, Good load transfer, Non sweat back system
Disadvantages: Heavy, looks slightly odd, Occipital cavity doesnt work, front pocket opening too small.

...The Cyclops III is the update to the legendary if not popular cyclops series of rucksacks. Whereas most manufacturers offer packs with an ajustable back system the Cyclops series take a differant approach. Instead of buying the pack and ajusting it you by it in back sizes - size 1 and 2 for the ladies and sizes 2, 3 and 4 for the lads. Of course berghaus arent unique in using this method of sizing, a number of firms use it but the vast majorty of packs are adjustable/ So whats on the pack? Well there have been some tweeks since i bought mine in 2002. Starting from the bottom up theres a hib belt with what berghaus describe as "grabber" fins, what this means that the hip belts uses a mix of firm and softer foams on a precurved plate so it wraps around the wearers hips. In anycase the cyclops has a reputations as being a good load... Read review

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Advantages: Budget kit always in stock
Disadvantages: No high end gear - special orders cost £5 postage....

...Millets....Good old millets, a familiar high street camping chain was taken over by blacks which became the OutdoorGroup Recently. Their range of stock is based mainly on their own inhouse brands such as eurohike, Peter Storm and ALS. Now you may have seen these before..... in a Blacks store as both are part of the same group. Peter Storm clothing is generally of reasonable quality, provided your doing nothing more than path walking it will serve you well. Go up and do some serious hillwalking and you can forget it - it is not designed for it. Jackets lack wired hoods, a crucial feature. Peter storm footwear is also something of a mixed blessing, they've managed to produce a range that goes from reasonable to abissmal as in general the footware is very high volume, heavy and lacks cushioning. For loads above 8-10Kgs eurohike rucksacks... Read review

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Advantages: Super tough, military specification daysack with internal frame
Disadvantages: Not a lot of pockets!

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Advantages: Good quality goods and reasonable prices
Disadvantages: Still has stigma of being frumpy

...! Millets is an outdoor goods store.In my area,the only store of its type.Most of you can picture it with its green and yellow logo and frontage.Millets seems to have been around forever so it must be doing well,despite its unfair image.I always thought it was only for campers and ramblers,those "real" outdoor people,full of frumpy anoraks,rucksacks and tents. How wrong I was! I am now proud to admit that I have been in there FOUR TIMES since Christmas.Discovering their range of goods and clothing has been fun and helpful to me,meeting my own needs and also good gifts for family. You do not have to be a daily walker,camper,skier or fisherman to find Millets useful.They sell modern,wearable and even funky gear,as well as more traditional classic ranges. SO WHAT DO THEY SELL? Outdoor clothing,equipment and leisurewear.Good quality... Read review

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

...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... Read review

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Advantages: very comfortable, all day 3-4 season boot, all terrain, fully laden
Disadvantages: initial outlay is large but they will last for years. no half sizes

...Today I’ll be talking about Berghaus GR20 GTX hiking boots in detail. Like a lot of hikers I do have more than one pair of suitable footwear; which range from a pair of Merrell trail sandals to the high ankle Berghaus GR20’s. It is important to wear appropriate footwear and this can vary from hike to hike as there are many variables such as weather, terrain, hike length and pack load. The Berghaus GR20 GTX boots ≈•≈•≈•≈•≈•≈•≈•≈•≈•≈•≈•≈•≈•≈•≈•≈•≈•≈ The Berghaus GR20 GTX boots are particularly suitable for wet, muddy terrain, especially where there may be plenty of undergrowth. They are suitable for any length hike although for a short one I might go for a lighter boot but they are a very comfy boot to wear all day for several... Read review

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Advantages: Room for everything and looks great
Disadvantages: Expensive

...This baby change bag is great! It is a stylish looking black rucksack which doesn't look mummyish at all! The main rucksack has plenty of room for all essentials: change of clothes, dirty clothes, toys, lunch etc. There is a zipped pocket inside and some mesh pockets. There is a coolbag section to keep bottles in and it keeps it cool for the whole day. The bottom section has a changing mat in and I also keep my baby wipes and three nappies in there too. Also a zipped front pocket for things that you need to get quickly. A laundry bag and change mat are included in this and the laundry bag has been very useful! It has a zip so you can expand it for that little bit of extra room! It is nice to carry and as I didn;t have a car when I had my daughter I was always on foot and carried all my things everywhere with me. So the rucksack... Read review

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Advantages: modern, spacious and comfortable!
Disadvantages: none

...I am gradually building up items in preparation for our next arrival and a changing bag is one of those things that needed replacing! I have just bought the most attractive changing bag around. It is the Winnie the Pooh rucksack change bag from Boots. I bought it today for £15 which was half price but I certainly would have been prepared to pay full price for it. I chose it because it looks very "trendy" and not like the traditional bags that are on the market. It is navy blue with a small but cute Winnie the Pooh badge design on the front. Inside is just so spacious and will be big enough to carry all my baby essentials, toddler drink and my purse etc. Comes with a matching "messy bag", stylish changing mat and soother holder. I am so pleased that I bought this as it is fun, keeps in with the modern look and as it comes... Read review

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Advantages: Size, durability and rucksack style straps
Disadvantages: Comfort if carrying for extended periods of time (> 1hr)

...- The product: Its a bag... a big bag... a very big bag... 140L to be precise. Because of its large capacity its also large in size so those with a small body may find it hard to carry, for those vertically challenged people amongst us possibly consider the smaller 80-100L bags. - Appearance: The bag comes in a variety of colours (I chose a nice and boring black colour so as not to stand out too much, you could go for the yellow though...). - Practicality: For carrying the bag has two small handles at either end (for lifting on / off vehicles etc. only really), two standard carry straps (although you'd have to be pretty strong to carry the bag for any length of time and most importantly I think detatchable rucksack style carrying straps for carrying, well, like a rucksack! There is one internal mesh pocket which built into the main... Read review

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Advantages: waterproof, thermal bottle and food compartments
Disadvantages: velcro on flap doesn't stick well, not enough pockets, straps cut in to you

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