The Berghaus Arrow 30 pack is a budget friendly backpack which easily held my gear (waterproof, mid-layer, lunch box, two-person survival shelter) with room to spare, and is a reasonably comfortable carry. Zipped side pockets comfortably swallowed my litre-Nalgene bottle and map case, while the well-sized single lid pocket accommodated accessories such as whistle and compass, beanie, gloves, neck scarf and more.
John Manning’s verdict
A tough traditional pack, well-made from robust fabric, that should serve for many years.- Heavy Duty
- Zipped side pockets
- single buckle pack entry
- removable/replaceable rain cover
- warm back system
- pockets inaccessible while wearing pack
- fiddly sternum adjustment
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price | £85 |
| Weight | 760g stated/739g on JM’s scales |
| Materials | Pack – PFC-free, 100% recycled 150D & 600D polyester fabrics with water-resistant PU treatment; rain cover – PFC-free, 100% recycled 70D nylon |
| Features | Berghaus Flow back system; detachable/replaceable rain cover; trekking pole attachments; hydration system compatible; key clip in large, single lid pocket; adjustable sternum strap; ice axe attachment points |
| Size | 30-litre |
| Version | Unisex |
| Brand site | www.berghaus.com |
The main body of the pack is made from 600D polyester, while the snow/rain collar is in lighter 150D fabric, all PU-treated for water resistance. Ancillary features include a key clip in the lid, pole attachments and, anchored within its own Velcro-fastened base pocket, a rain cover made from a PFC-free recycled 70D nylon; it’s removable, so it can be replaced if torn or ripped off by strong winds.
The Arrow 30 is hydration bladder compatible, with a single back-of-the-neck hose port by the pack’s grab handle, the bladder itself being suspended within an internal sleeve by a single Velcro loop. The generous waist belt tightens effectively; the sternum strap prevents unwanted wobbling but is fiddly to adjust, as each side has to be removed then re-attached to the shoulder straps. Shoulder strap lengths are adjustable but there’s no fine tuning available above the shoulders themselves.
Berghaus’s Flow back system consists of a two parallel, vertical, vented foam pads, the a gap between them ranging from two inches wide at the top of the spine, to three inches wide mid-spine, to an inch at the waist. It’s designed to keep the pack away from your back, while allowing some airflow to dissipate condensing sweat. In practice, I found that my back became sweaty on steep ascents and, when I stopped on a summit and took off the pack, my back quickly cooled as condensed sweat was exposed to the wind, causing a chilly discomfort. Better than having the pack right next to the back, but not as effective as a sprung system that suspends the pack an inch or more away.
This review was originally published in January 2024.
