Over the last year I’ve lived exclusively out of my rucksack. Everything I need to travel and backpack the world is contained in it. Lately I’ve had alot of emails about what I packed fro my adventure (you can find my gap year packing list here) and also what rucksack I’ve been using – so I though it was about time I published a review on what has been my home for over a year now!
My backpack of choice for my latest adventures (after much research and trying them all on!) is the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00IHT2MQQ” locale=”UK” tag=”backpbante-21″]Berghaus Jalan 60 + 10 litre[/easyazon_link] for reasons which I shall go on to explain, but I will tell you from the off now that it’s served me very well!
Build
The main reason I had to get a new backpacker rucksack was the fact the one I used in Australia (one by Vango) wore out VERY quickly and barely made it through my 12 months there!
The Berghaus in comparison felt heaps tougher, and more than 12 months on, after a beating through South America, Asia and Africa I’m pleased to say there is very little sign of wear and tear bar a few scuffs!
All the straps and buckles are of high quality, the main fabric is rip proof and pretty damn harcore and the fitting system is solid as a rock. Even the zips and stitching (usually the first things to give out in an over stuffed, worn backpack) barely have any signs of wear!
When it comes to build quality I think you’d be hard pushed to beat it!
Price
Price wise the Jalan sits in the mid price bracket at just shy of £100, so it’s not the cheapest travel investment you make but for me that’s how I viewed the price tag on my rucksack – as an investment. I bought a cheaper one last time and I had to replace it after 12 months use, which for me wasn’t worth the saving in the end.
For me the £100 has been well worth it and I can see that it it is going to last me a good few years more. My buddy Amar from Gap Year Escape has had the same pack for over 4 years now and it’s still going strong.
Sure you may only be going away for a few months, but the chances are you’ll go again – so if you’re not strapped for cash you can easily justify the price tag.
Size
My last pack was 80 + 20 litres and after lugging it around I decided it was too big. I used it as an excuse to buy too much stuff and carry things I didn’t really need.
The 60 litre main sack easily handles everything I’ve packed for my gap year with space to spare. And the added 10 litre day pack means there’s always a bit of extra room incase you need to pack in a rush and just cram everything in!
The reduction in size has also meant my baggage weight has come down which is great when using low cost airlines but also means overall it’s easier to carry!
Practicality
The Berghaus Jalan has some nifty features which make it perfect for backpacking.
For starters the design isn’t a traditional top loader, this bag zips up like a suitcase which makes it both easier to pack and also easier to find your stuff! No more rooting around elbow deep in dirty laundry! My only qualm with this design thought is it isn’t a full split, meaning the bottom 25% is still enclosed, which I wish it wasn’t
Inside the bag itself are some straps to compact everything and also a mesh net – which is great for separating stuff from the main part, such as washing, electric chargers or even important documents.
Outside the bag there are more compression straps, a side carry strap, top carry strap and a fully adjustable and breathable back and waist straps – lugging this bag long distances is no worries.
No only that but all the clips and zips are semi hidden, meaning they aren’t prone to breaking and dont get in the way when not in use. The main back straps and waist straps can also be fully packed away for flights/buses/overland travel with a hidden cover.
The detachable say sack can be expanded depending on if you need the space or not. Although the straps on the day bag aren’t the best and you wouldn’t want to be carrying heavy stuff around it’s a great little addition, perfect for swim wear and towel for a day at the beach.
Overview
Positives
- Good Size
- Solid Build
- Detachable day sack
- Compression straps
- Comfortable and adjustable
Negatives
- Higher price bracket
- Not full split layout
- Day sack straps not the best
Overall I’m happy with my decision to travel with the Bergahus Jalan 60 + 10 litre rucksack and it ticks every box in my opinion.
I’ve recommended it to everyone who has asked for my advice and I can safely say I will continue to do so.
As with most travel kit though bags are very much a personal thing – so make sure you try before you buy, I’m sure that if you try the Jalan though it’ll be the one you walk away with!
Click here for more info and to buy the Berghaus Women’s Jalan 65 + 15
Good post,i agree i have the one with the wheels!.it has a secret hiding place as well,think mine cost £130 but it’s going to last me a long time…
Hows the wheels treating you? I’ve seen so many backpackers with broken wheels it’s put me off!
Fine so far i only use them for airport’s really but the bag has a good compartment at the bottom which is handy for my gym kit and shoe-flips flops.not sure if all the bag’s came with that..
sounds perfect then! have you used it on a long term trip yet?
Just a month in India and 3 week’s in Thailand and Laos..
well if it’s holding up good after that you’re pretty set I guess!
Ah it’s amazing how attached one gets to a pack! I have the exact same one and it’s served me brilliantly for over 3 years of galavanting over Europe/Africa! I lost the day pack which is pretty devastating so I was contemplating updating my whole bag as I’m living back at home now anyway… but now you’ve reminded me of my sentimental love of my pack so I think I’ll just buy a random daypack! Loving the writing, keep it up! :)
it’s weird how attached you can get – I keep thinking, if only those items could talk!hahaha!
How would you carry a rolled sleeping mat with this bag?
Hmmm….good question Lizzie – I’d say you could strap it on the side using the compression straps pretty well.
Hey Chris, thanks for the advise on the Pole decision. I also ended up buying The Jalan II and wanted to ask how you felt the day pack was whilst abroad. It doesn’t feel terrible secure (Safety wise) on the back of the back with a few clips. I noticed the older version (the Jalan) had a zip to attach the day pack. How did it fair on the road?
Hmmm…the day pack for me was the only niggle on the Jalan – it faired ok though, but I didn’t use it very heavily in the end. I’d suggest maybe packing a small day pack on top if you think you’ll be using it heaps. With the zip side of things I always attached the compression straps too just in case!
Hey, thanks for the post. I was wondering if you had to remove the day sack in order to get into the main part of the bag? I ask because if I got this bag I would use the day sack for extra space and wouldn’t take it off as I already have one. Thanks!
No worries Anna!
Nope I dod the same as you – leave the day sack on as extra storage as it doesn’t inhibit access to the main bag.
Hey, have you had any troubles getting this pack on as carry-on? Cheers :)
hey Rob – this pack is definitely a check in piece of luggage, there’s no way they’ll let that on as carry on!
Berghaus Jalan 60Ltrs + 10Ltrs
Please be vigilant the zips on both backpacks become faulty after several months. Had to have zips replaced while backpacking in South America.
Good Luck.
Really? That’s no bueno Ronnie! I haven’t had any issues with my Berghaus like that and it’s been on the road fro over 2 years – maybe you had a bad batch?
Useful review! Im off vietnam/cambodia for 5 weeks in august.do you think 40l or 60l would be best?
Glad it helped Nathan, it’s a really good rucksack! If you’re just in Asia then you can travel super light so I’d go for the 40L unless you have a reason for needing more stuff. I did a month in Thailand and Indonesia on 25 litres a few years ago!
Cheers chris! Will go for a 40l. You have the dream job by the way!:)
No worries Nathan! hahaha yeah can’t complain much about my lifestyle hey?!
Hi great review, I was thinking of getting a 36 L jack wolfskin rambler for a 25 day trip to South East Asia do you reckon it’s enough? And what’s the quality like of jack wolfskin ? Thanks !
Hey Jack – I’d say 36l is now worries for a month in Asia – I did a similar trip on 25! Not sue about Jack Wolfskin bags, have never heard of them myself!
I am going travelling for a year and am thinking of getting this backpack. Where did you put your sleeping bag?
Thanks
:-)
Hey Nat,
Personally I don’t bother with a sleeping bag as most hostel provide linen :)
What would you think of the bag for a trekking holiday as opposed to just backpacking? Cheers…..
Hey Julie,
It was pretty sturdy and comfortable, although it depends if you need to go as big as 60L for your trek…