Review 1: Karrimor SF Sabre 60-100

A REVIEW OF THE

KARRIMOR SPECIAL FORCES SABRE 60-100

BERGEN

Hi, glad you could stop by.

I’m surmising that you’re here because you’re in the market for a new Bergen or rucksack. Just to let you all know from the outset I am a civilian. I just thought I’d better mention that for the sake of any of the army lads (god bless you boys) who might reply asking me things like can it hold forty stingers and a sidewinder missile as well as me water bottle? So I apologise upfront for the lack of military terminology lads.

Ok, I was sniffing around for a big Bergen as my old rucksack just wasn’t cutting it anymore, (I’m not as young as I used to be you know!!). I’m the type of backpacker who like to have everything (including the kitchen sink), at my disposal. So I spent approximately a month solid (like every night until the small hours I mean), researching the internet and high street stores on any and all 100L plus backpacks that could find; not just military ones either.

The critical three factors for me were 1. Comfort to weight ratio, 2. Versatility/Redundancy, and at forty three years of age, this was gonna be a long term investment too (i.e. ‘til death us do part), and so 3.Longevity was also a key deciding factor for me. It simply must be `built to last`.

There is, and I don’t care what anyone says, an aesthetic value that MUST be catered for prior to even checking a bag out initially. That is to say, if it doesn’t please the eye, then you simply will not entertain it……..period! After all, no one wants to spend their hard earned cash on a product they can’t stand looking at. I dare say Psychologists would label that as `irrational behaviour`. If you’re in the market for a new Rolls Royce, you don’t go and settle for a Skoda just because you think the windscreen wipers look better.

So again, I assume that for starters you like the look of the Sabre or else you wouldn’t be here right?......(yeah!, it’s a sweet bag dude, now get on with it!).

Ok. Ok., but first let me tell you why I rejected some other bags.

-          Rucksacks (holistically): Durability of materials; size, and adaptabilities.

-          Berghaus Vulcan: Comfort factor; not aesthetically pleasing (ugly to me – sorry if you own one); no rain cover and zero adaptability.

-          Lowe Alpine Saracen: Nice pack but just a bit too big for my 5`7” short arse; and straps flappin’ around everywhere – ugh!!; molle unnecessary for civilian use (excellent for your forty grenades though lads!!). I “HATE” with a passion, things that `dangle` from the outside of backpacks and the `Robinson Crusoe` types who do it. 30+ years under my belt tells me I’m right on that score. And this pack is so big, if you started to molle on extra bags and pouches etc, you really would have to be seriously megafit just to tab with it any great distance. If your army then you`ll love it.

-          Standard issue infantry Bergen: comfort factor, did not want DPM (why any civilian would want to hike around the Lake District or the Highlands looking like Rambo minus a gun eludes me completely). If your stepping out your car and carrying it 20 yards then ok maybe, but DPM just attracts unwanted attention, especially in towns and cities. Been there – Done it!

-          Web Tex Ultimax: now this proved to be the hardest decision and the only bag that provided any real competition for me against the K-SF.

I read an awful lot of reviews on Ultimax and aside from the fact I did not want to look like Rambo carrying it, it appeared to be just the ticket. It’s got a raincover, its load adaptable – I can add or take away rocket pockets and its big.

Then I had a bit think about it and got this vision of little kiddies walking behind as you pass through built up areas and stuff and saw them poppin open the outer pockets and robbing me kit off outside of busy gift shops etc etc. It actually turned out to be a major consideration I thought, and well worth a think about where you plan on carrying it before you buy one. (Yet another reason that reinforces my position on why I hate stuff `dangling` off packs).

That said. I’m not really a big fan of all the ‘outer pocket’ types, I kind of like neat and tidy you know, less to go wrong! But that’s just a personal preference.

There was a deciding factor against it finally, and that was a piece of research I read from a Squaddie who stated that the Web Tex is designed to have some of its load taken off ‘you’, by resting upon a webbing belt.

As I don’t foresee the need one of those, and certainly don’t want a 120lb plus load system dragging my shoulders from their sockets or having my spinal column compacted by 2 inches every time I haul it, the choice was made.

Plus of course, the K-SF shuts down from 100 litres to 60 in just two zips (given the fact there’s no rockets connected), and that is superb functionality/ adaptability for those lighter excursions.

So, welcome to the new Karrimor Special Forces Sabre 60-100 Bergen.

                                                                                            

                                                                                       Fig:1

Oooh! the Posties been! Let’s have a look at the goodies eh!!

                                                                                                 

                                                                             Fig: 2

The investment was: Bergen, PLCE side pouches, Yoke,

2 x Exped rocket liners and Karrimors own main bag liner.

                                                                                    Fig: 3

Mmmmmm 13Litre rockets…..Nice!!

                                                                                              Fig: 4

Just part of the versatility and adaptability of the Sabre 60-100

The yoke (centre) allows the two PLCE side pouches (or rockets) to be zipped together then attached to it to form a 26 litre day sack.

Ideal for pitching your tent up and ditching the main bag to go mooching about. These pouches are deceptive – they hold a lot of kit.

I’m still working on the load carrying aspect to figure out the best access for me, but my aim is to haul all dry food in one and my crusader stove etc in the other as I don’t want to be unpacking the main bag just to get me Trangie out every time I want a cuppa or a quick snack.

                                                                                         Fig: 5

The Karrimor 90 litre bag liner admittedly does not feel like an

Exped bag liner. Its feels like that scratchy nylon, but the quality

is excellent nevertheless. And for eight quid it beats anything else

as its still waterproof. I gave it a bath and it performs perfectly.

                                                                                                Fig: 6

Exped Dry liners (Fig 6)

Need no introduction really. Tried and tested and still the best.

100% waterproof. Toss em in a river and ya kit will come out bone dry.

(note: before you say ugh mine leaked!, I did NOT say submerge it ok).

But don’t take my word for it – give it a go in ya bath tub before you leave.

                                                                                       Fig: 7

                  So where's me rain cover then??                   

You’ve no doubt read the company specs on the Sabre 60-100

If you have, one of the first things you will notice is that the lid of the Bergen is strangely heavy. This is because the rain cover is NOT in the base of the Bergen any more, but rather in a mesh pocket inside the lid. (see Fig: 8)

The rain cover is completely detachable and independent so you can store it wherever you like really. It also have a strong drawcord around the perimeter that cinches down.  It will cover the entire Bergen right up to the carry straps and it will even fit (albeit just), when you have the side rocket pouches attached and filled to the max. (See Fig: 8)

                                                         Fig: 8

Waterproof cover (with side pouches attached to Bergen).

(Trust me, the only reason you’re going to need this on is to keep your pack clean. I think of mine as a dust cover for when it’s in storage.

(Rain indeed …….HaHaHa!).

In truth, I’m never ever worried about my kit getting wet when it’s in this Sabre. The fact is it just can’t! I always stow all my gear inside 100% waterproof Exped bags which then go inside the Karrimor SF ‘waterproof’ Bergen liner. In reality, I could stand under a waterfall wearing this rig and every single piece of kit inside will be 100% bone dry….it’s me who would be soaked! Also, lets face it, this is a massive bag which you adjust whilst wearing it.

Picture the scene – you’re out on the trail and it starts bouncing down with rain. The last thing you want to do is un- cinch all your rig and take it off, put a raincoat on yourself then get the Bergen rain cover out, put it on, reload your rig up on your back and then re-cinch everything accordingly before moving on.  Far, far easier to keep a poncho handy in your leg pocket or wherever and simply throw it over you AND the Sabre (Like I said, it doesn’t need it (unlike yourself), but it will love you to bits for not allowing it to be showered in drenched road kill I suppose).

 

                                                                                    Fig: 9

Rain Cover Location (stow it anywhere you like, you’ll not need it)

In all honesty, I very much doubt your going to need to stop to adorn the bag with its rain cover unless you are in an absolute monsoon environment.

It will however stop your Bergen getting clicked, snagged, dirty or the like on woodland, objects etc. Even then it’s 1000D nylon coated in silicon/ PU Elastomer to give the material strength and rigidity and to increase resistance to tearing. It’s then coated in DWR (Durable Water Repellent) so it will withstand a helluva lot of abuse and, like I said, unless its monsoon season, your bag is going stay dry…even in the rain. Couple this Bergen with quality bag liners though (See Fig: 5 & 6) for all your kit, and the rain cover is all but redundant.

Ok, so looking at the lid exterior (See Fig 10), there are two large helmet straps. There is enough length here to batten down just about anything – bed roll, tent even if needs be. Ideally, its very useful for thick outer garments / coats etc. If your getting a bit it warm you can simply slot you jacket through here, cinch it down and off you go. I’ll leave it to you as to what your want to put here. Personally I don’t use them as I don’t like dangly things off my pack but if I absolutely needed to it would be a temporary coat holder.

There is similar strap length available at the base also (See Fig: 7). This could be used to house your roll mat. That way, if you take the Bergen off you can put it down and the roll mat gets grubby instead of your bag.

Fig: 10

Moving inside the lid which is very spacious by the way, we find a generous sized zipped pocket (See Fig: 11), ideal for maps and any item(s) you require access to simply by popping the lid and without breaking into the main body of the pack. It’s not a huge pocket, but it’s quite roomy for a lid pocket and is ideal for maps, notebooks and the like. I dare say its capacity would depend upon what you stow in the actual lid outer pockets (See Fig: 9), where I discovered my rain cover.

                                                                                         Fig: 11

Inner lid pocket – good for paperwork etc.

Moving down we can see the Sabre 60-100 comes packed down in concertina form (See Fig: 12), with a large cinch strap that goes from front to back and over the top of the tie cord inner. This is actually very useful for cinching down a really loaded pack just that little bit more or in contrast batten down a slightly empty pack that bit tighter. It allows the top section of the pack to be pulled in beneath the lid and kept there is no chance of it bursting out either.

                              

                                                                                   Fig: 12

One of the really cool features of the Sabre is in its ability to alter the full length of the pack size. Most rucksacks allow for an extra few litres of pack space (usually little more that 5 or 10), by adding an extendable material skirt to the rim of the bags body opening.  (A bit like in Fig: 13). The Sabre 60-100 however, does things rather differently.

Along the full length of the side of the Bergen are two heavy duty zippers that when open or closed, determine the volume of the Pack (See Fig: 13).  Close the zips and you have yourself a 60 litre Bergen. Open the zips and you got 100. That’s an added capacity of a whopping 40 Litres.

                                                                          Fig: 13

The skirt alone on the Sabre is so big you can virtually empty the pack and use it as an emergency bivvy lol.

                                                                                 Fig: 14

Sabre’s heavy duty volume adjustment zips, PLCE rocket pocket attachment points and cinch straps. NOTE: the elasticated base pockets big enough to fit a poncho in one and rain over trousers in the other side.

 (Oooh it’s like Aladdin’s cave in here and we’re only just getting started!).

Delving into the bowels of the beast, we can see the huge load carrying ability of the Sabre (See Fig: 15).  If you think your looking at a vacant tunnel then look closer. There’s a few hidden surprises in there.

                                                                                           Fig: 15

Looking clean through the Sabre down into the base. (my foot stuck in via the bottom access zipper just to keep it upright).

You can have the Bergen like this and just load up everything, or, my means of a drawstring closure, you can seal off the bottom third of the pack and you now have two compartments (See Fig: 16 & 17).

                                                                                  Fig: 16

Compartmentalise your Bergen or leave it open

                                                                               Fig: 17

If your looking closely you will have spotted an inner zipped bag which is detachable via clips. It can be used to hold valuables, as a wallet or anything really.

                                                                               Fig: 18

That’s a really nice touch that you just don’t see all to often

And……..(oh yes there’s more in there), as you will have noticed by now (what do you mean you did’nt – PAY ATTENTION THEN Sheeesh!!, talking to myself here I’ am!!), there is a large elasticated pocket attached to the back what is very useful for anything needing to be kept flat / straight. I wont go on and on with what to put where, that’s your concern not mine.  

                                                                                                  Fig: 19

Ok so that’s the inside done and dusted. Now let’s move on to the `piesta resistance`………..the business end and the virtual selling point of the Sabre.

Take a look at this baby!!..........Now that is what I call ‘a driving seat!’

                                                                                           Fig: 20

Comfort beyond compare.

Quite simply, there is not a backpack anywhere on earth that is more comfortable than Karrimor Sabre SF60-100 or SF 80-120….PERIOD!

(And if there is…………it’s probably on Karrimor’s drawing board).

Ok, so you think my mouths getting a bit too excited here. Well, like I said, I researched for weeks before committing to buy. Let’s make some comparisons here. Firstly, take a real good look at the waist support and shoulder padding.

                                                                          Fig: 21

                                                                          Fig: 22

                                                                   Fig: 23

                                                                                  Fig: 24

That waist belt is about 3 inches thick, 4 inches deep and fairly rigid.  Now without splitting hairs here and mentioning stupid howdy doodey backpacks and the like - the weight of ANY backpack should come to bare upon the hips and never….I repeat NEVER, the shoulders.

So when you’re looking a pack that can haul very heavy loads (of say 80-120lb plus), then you had best make certain that weight is on your hips and not your shoulders. 120lb bearing down on your shoulders will literally crucify you before you even get out of your front door – absolutely guaranteed!

The problem for most of us is, we learn about equipment from trial and error. We see, we like, we buy, we don’t like, we get rid of, we see, we like better, we buy etc, etc. Only then, do we realise that we made grave errors (and costly ones too). We’ve all done it and no doubts we will all do it again at some point. But!!..... Where serious weight and your health are concerned, investing in the wrong equipment is not only a mistake, it’s a very dangerous and potentially life debilitating mistake that you may ‘not’ be in a position to make twice.

It is virtually for this reason alone that I uploaded this review for the benefit of anyone in the market looking for a rig capable of carrying extreme loads.

Ok, comparisons I said.  For many years I used a British military 100 litre Bergen (permanently borrowed from the MOD for me by an ex squaddie friend), and it killed me everywhere I went. The waist belt was barely padded. The shoulder straps were just that, straps, and the back padding left a lot to be desired. To round it off, it wasn’t particularly waterproof. Now, skipping forward some thirty years, I found during my research, that little has changed really when it comes to military and military ‘style’ Bergen’s, and there’s a very good reason for that lack of change (many squaddies here will probably say “yeah, cos we always get given shit gear and im inclined to agree with them. That’s why many buy their own Sabres and Alpines and quite bit of civvy kit lol).

But sticking with backpacks, which you can buy on Ebay for next to nothing or brand new, have less lumbar padding and very minimal shoulder strap padding because they are ‘not’ designed to be used alone. They are used in conjunction with a full webbing rig worn around the waist. The Bergen then rests upon this webbing of which is taking some of the load off the shoulders.

If you try carrying a military Bergen without wearing a webbing rig, then the weight is placed upon the shoulders which will suffer accordingly. Similarly, the lack of waist/lumbar support will force the weight of the pack to bite into your hips (I can see the squaddies nodding there). Now try walking ten or twenty miles with 90lb plus of outdoors gear on your back. So you begin to get the picture here.  It’s not a pack problem or a design problem by the military on behalf of their Bergen’s. It’s a civilian problem in attempting to use a tool that (for all intents and purposes) `is` fit for use……..but only within the right context….ergo, in conjunction with a full webbing rig.

The Karrimor Sabre however, is a civilian companies Bergen which is targeted for military use, and the differences in quality as opposed to a bog standard MOD spec rig are ‘hugely’ evident.

In my humble opinion, Sabre is what squaddies should be supplied with as standard (along with copious other kit and not the debris they’re given), and not be made to purchase better for themselves. It is nothing short of a national disgrace that those who protect our freedoms and shores are supplied with sub-standard equipment in order to do their job and are not automatically issued the very, very best). These people are all worth their weight in gold several times over, and I truly salute them, past, present and future, for the freedoms I enjoy yet ‘never’ take for granted.

The Sabre 60-100 and 80-120 are built for hauling, and hauling in maximum comfort. There is not a backpack, rucksack nor Bergen on the market that compares to them, especially when it comes to comfort.

One of the unique features about the Sabre is the SA (Size Adjustable) back system that offers the user a “on the back – on the move”  adjustable system that decreases muscle fatigue.  (See Fig: 25)

                                                                  Fig: 25

                                                                      Fig: 26

                                                                                                     Fig: 27

                 Karrimor SF: ultimate quality, materials & manufacture.

And we arrive finally arrive at the base of the Sabre, where (like the top) you can find more external ‘lash-on’ capability. (See Fig: 28). Through the bottom ‘hooped’ and double zipped entrance you can access the base contents of your rig. Very useful particularly if you have divided the pack internally so it saves having to empty a helluva lot of equipment just to reach the bottom.

In here is where I store my Coleman Avior X2. It fits perfectly and there’s still way more than ample room for more kit in the bottom section.

                                                                                                  Fig: 28

All this by the way fastens up nicely via a large and solid snaplock belt buckle (See Fig: 28).

                                                                                Fig: 29

And for the last (but not least) feature, The Sabre has two grab handles, one behind your head and one on the side. (See Fig: 30).

                                                                                            Fig: 30

The one on the side is amazingly handy yet unfortunately it is my one and only gripe about the Bergen.  The idea here I believe, is that you can carry your Bergen when its not on your back a bit like a suitcase, Now when your short like me (I’m only 5`7”), hauling a load carriage system by hand that weighs in excess of 135lb is rather cumbersome and awkward using the head loop. This handle allows you to carry it on its side so you don’t need to elevate your arm as much and it’s physically more manageable. (I usually get my knee behind it too and kind of shunt it about).

Now because of the weight your moving around the handle, which is simply a piece of perfectly flat material, tends to bite into your hand and it’s non too pleasant. This would be better served if Karrimor had folded over the edges and stitched curves into it. This would have provided greater rigidity and a much more functional grab handle that didn’t cut into you so much.

SUMMARY:

The Karrimor Sabre SF 60-100 and 80-120 is, for me, the best load carriage system ever built bar none……..PERIOD.

Now I realise that statement may appear a bit pretentious and easy for me to say simply because I own one, but ask anyone whose worth their salt and they will all tell you, Sabres reputation precedes itself. This is a Bergen that most definitely does not need me or anyone else in order to sell.

From the materials right down to the last reinforced bar tack stitch, the Sabre oozes quality. There is not another Bergen manufacturer alive that offers comfort of the same degree as Karrimor do, and when it comes to hauling big loads comfort should be your number one priority. The harness padding has to be seen to be truly appreciated. If you’re in the market for a Bergen, do not buy one until you have physically seen and laid your hands upon a Sabre, because whatever it is that you buy in place of it will rapidly become miserable after you have done so. A photograph can only show you so much. Just to digress here a little. Speaking of photographs, the vast majority you see online depict the all the Sabre range as some kind of bright green colour. Even Karrimor’s website does. If this is your reason for not buying one (as it was very nearly mine until I actually fitted one), then worry not. The Sabres actual colour is the usual dark drab olive that you would expect of any military gear. If olive is not your thing then that’s fine too. Sabre comes in DPM and black also.

The Sabre’s not cheap by any stretch of the imagination, and escalates somewhat if you purchase the rocket pouches, yoke and liners. But the way I see it is this. Your backpack is ‘the’ most critical investment of all your gear – because it carries – ‘your’ gear. If it falls apart when you’re in the field, especially if you’re midway up a mountain or nowhere near civilisation, then you’re in deep crap. Plus, over the entire period of your outdoor lifetime, your spine is worth the expense a thousand fold…..you cannot replace that if it breaks!

All in all, and to coin a much abused phrase, this really is the “ultimate” Bergen! If you’re into backpacking or jumping around from place to place for weeks at a time, or like all the home comforts you can possibly stow then Sabres definitely for you.

Oh! And don’t forget……..you can even get the kitchen sink in it!!

(Who am I kidding, no you can’t.  Aaaaahh for the love of god - make it fit!).

 © Kittchen Sink 2010.   All rights reserved

For more details on the Karrimor SF range go to the link below

http://www.karrimorsf.com/index.php/load-carriage/sabre-60-100.html

To purchase The Sabre 60-100 I wholly recommend talking to Mark over at Lakeland Bushcraft Trading. He provides excellent and reliable service and will answer all your questions gladly.

 http://www.lakelandbushcraft.co.uk/