Friday 25 November 2011

Review: Berghaus Terabyte 25


I was contacted by a representative for Berghaus and asked if I would like to review some rucsacs for them, I have the choice of a few but decided that the Terabyte 25 would fit my usage the best.

The Terabyte is marketed as a sac for the urban environment; which means that it has a lot of pockets inside and outside.


Internal pockets
There are two compartments that make up the main body of the sac; one has five open pockets and one large zipped pocket.


The other compartment is designed to take a laptop, this compartment is made up of a material called 'd3o intelligent shock absorption'.  The swing-tag quotes d3o as being 'soft & flexible but on impact its intelligent molecules lock together to absorb impact energy'


This compartment also has a pocket for a hydration bladder with the outlet hole at the top of the sac.


The rest of the sac is pretty much standard for a daysac, a couple of zipped pockets on the outside, mesh pockets on the sides, a hip-belt and chest strap although personally I can't see the point of either of these on such a small sac; luckily both can be removed.


The shoulder straps are a bit on the thin side but are well padded and are comfortable. 
d3o computer pocket


The back has flow technology which is mainly ribbed foam on either side of the sac to create a channel up the middle to allow airflow.


Over the next month, I will be using it as my main sac for work; which means carrying amongst other things, waterproofs, eye-glasses, packed lunch, first aid kit, a kindle, phone charger and assorted batteries and chargers.


One extra to add is that this sac will be compared to a 15+ year old Berghaus Dart 35; as this has been my everyday sac for that time, and as yet I haven't found a sac to replace it.

More can be seen at the Berghaus website.

Tuesday 15 November 2011

North Face Resolve Jacket Final Review

I've had the jacket for roughly 4 months now and over the last few weeks it have been getting pretty regularly outings with the wet/damp days we are having.

This jacket was originally supplied by Go Outdoors on a review and keep basis, and the early reviews can be seen here and here.

The jacket has done the job it is intended for i.e. it keeps me dry when its been raining.  And although it hasn't had a great deal of time out on the hills it has had a good workout around town.

The hood problem hasn't been a problem since I fixed it (see second update) using a hair tie, but it would be nice if North Face added some type of hood reducer in future models.

There has been some build up of condensation on my walks to work but nothing that has been that bad, even with a pack on and the rain coming down.

I still think that is jacket is a good mid-price waterproof that works most of the year round.

Monday 14 November 2011

Thursday 3 November 2011

Help for Heroes-Everest Base Camp challenge

Most PR stuff I receive via this blog is usually trying to sell me something or asking to promote some new piece of equipment, without actual seeing the said item.

But today I have a request to promote a walk to Everest Base Camp.

I know copy and paste of PR emails can annoy some but this get the point across much better than I could.

Setting off on 4th November 2011, the Everest Base Camp Expedition will see wounded hero Lance Corporal Jonathon "Frenchie" Le Galloudec, 30, trek 75 miles over 19 days, reaching a height of 17,590 feet. The expedition is considered an enormous challenge for even a fully-abled person. Jon faces the physical and mental challenges of this trek, the first since beginning to walk without the aid of walking sticks, which include undertaking grueling acts of physical exertion while living with the day-to-day reality of constant pain, and difficulties with balance on unforgiving terrain.

In June 2007, Jon sustained a gunshot wound to his spine while serving in Iraq, which has left him partly paralyzed. His best friend was killed while trying to rescue him. Jon was told he would never walk again and his ongoing recovery, supported by Help for Heroes, has astounded doctors.





To keep upto date with the Expedition, there is a website/blog and a facebook page