Ask ten ex-forces or cadet-kit buyers what a "bergen" actually is and you'll get ten slightly different answers — which is exactly why this term is so poorly served online right now. Most guides either lump every British Army rucksack under one banner or skip the history entirely (Karrimor and Berghaus were fitting bergens to the British Army decades before Virtus existed). Here's the full picture: what each pack actually is, who issued it, who it suits today, and which genuine examples we've got in stock.
What is a bergen, exactly?
"Bergen" is British Army slang for any large-capacity backpack used to carry a soldier's kit on operations, named after the Norwegian city where the design's mountain-pack ancestry traces back to. It's not one specific product — it's a category that's evolved through several generations of issue kit: Karrimor SF and Berghaus framed packs in the 1980s-90s, the PLCE Infantry and Other Arms bergens of the 1990s-2010s, and the current Virtus load carriage system.
The Infantry Bergen (PLCE)
The Infantry Bergen is the pack most people picture when they say "British Army bergen" – a large main body (80-120L depending on long-back or short-back frame) with detachable side pouches ("side pockets" or "rocket pouches"), built for infantry sections carrying heavy loads over distance. It uses the PLCE (Personal Load Carrying Equipment) frame system, issued from the mid-1990s and still in wide surplus circulation. Long-back versions suit taller users and bigger loads; short-back versions sit closer to the body for a lower centre of gravity.
In stock: Genuine British Army DPM Infantry Short Back Bergen and the P.L.C.E Full Size System DPM Rucksack, 120 Litre for buyers who want maximum capacity.
The Other Arms Bergen
Issued to non-infantry corps — Royal Engineers, REME, Royal Signals, and similar — the Other Arms Bergen is a slightly smaller, simpler pack (typically 60-80L) without the full infantry side-pouch configuration. It's a genuinely underrated find for bushcraft and wild camping: lower profile, lighter empty weight, and easier to load-manage than the full Infantry Bergen if you're not carrying section stores.
In stock: British Army DPM "Other Arms" Bergen — Genuine Surplus.
Virtus — the current-issue system
Virtus is the British Army's current load carriage and body armour system, replacing PLCE from the mid-2010s onward. Instead of a single bergen, Virtus uses a modular Bergen Rucksack (90L Mk1/Mk3) that clips directly onto the Virtus body armour vest, letting the wearer drop the pack in contact without removing armour or webbing. It's built in MTP/MultiCam and is noticeably more technical than PLCE — more compression straps, a proper hip belt, and a lighter overall build.
Genuine Virtus bergens are newer and scarcer on the surplus market than PLCE-era stock, since it's still current British Army issue — worth acting quickly on when a grade-1 example turns up.
Northern Ireland Patrol Pack
A smaller, low-profile daysack-format pack developed for foot patrols during Operation Banner, the NI Patrol Pack prioritises a compact silhouette and quick access over raw capacity — ideal today for day hikes, EDC, or as a grab-bag rather than an expedition load.
In stock: N.I. Patrol Pack, Genuine Issue.
Karrimor SF and Berghaus — the packs that came before PLCE
Before PLCE standardised the bergen in the mid-1990s, British forces relied heavily on civilian-derived technical packs from Karrimor SF and Berghaus — both UK manufacturers who built rucksacks specifically to military specification. Berghaus in particular supplied framed expedition-style packs like the Cyclops and Vulcan to Dutch and British forces, recognisable by their alloy frame and adjustable back system, a genuine step up in load-carrying comfort over the older '58 pattern packs they replaced. These are increasingly rare finds — most surviving examples are ex-Dutch or ex-British issue, well used, and popular today with bushcraft buyers who rate the frame comfort over PLCE.
In stock: Berghaus Cyclops/Vulcan Ex-Dutch Army Rucksack — genuine ex-forces issue, increasingly hard to source in this condition.
Which bergen should you actually buy?
- Cadets and DofE: the NI Patrol Pack or a smaller daysack — you don't need 100L+ capacity for weekend expeditions.
- Wild camping / bushcraft, long trips: Infantry Bergen long-back, or an Other Arms Bergen if you want to keep the load lighter.
- Serious load carriers wanting frame comfort: an ex-Dutch/British Berghaus if you can find one in good grade — the alloy frame genuinely outperforms PLCE for back comfort on long carries.
- Collectors and reenactors: match the bergen to the era and unit you're representing — Karrimor/Berghaus for pre-1995, PLCE Infantry/Other Arms for 1995-2015, Virtus for anything current.
Browse the full range in our Bergens & Rucksacks collection — all genuine surplus, graded, with side pouches, webbing, and accessories to match.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between an Infantry Bergen and an Other Arms Bergen?
The Infantry Bergen is larger and issued with a full side-pouch/webbing configuration for section-level loads, while the Other Arms Bergen is a smaller, simpler pack issued to non-infantry corps such as Royal Engineers and REME.
Is Virtus better than PLCE?
Virtus is more technical and integrates directly with current-issue body armour, but PLCE Infantry and Other Arms bergens remain excellent, genuinely durable choices for bushcraft and camping at a lower surplus price point.
Are Karrimor and Berghaus military rucksacks still available as genuine surplus?
Yes, though stock is limited — most surviving examples are ex-Dutch or ex-British issue from the 1980s-90s and don't come back into supply once sold.
What size bergen do I need for a weekend wild camp?
A 60-80L Other Arms Bergen or NI Patrol Pack is normally enough for a 2-3 night wild camp; save the 100-120L Infantry Bergen for longer expeditions or winter loads.
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