Berghaus Freeflow Velocity Rucsac

Running and cycling, carrying all your belongings for an average of 8 hours a day over 5 days isnt everybodies idea of fun and before the Land of the Yeti duathlon I was looking for a solution that would minimise the discomfort of such a task.

The Berghaus Freeflow Velocity Rucsac is a lightweight 30litre pack with a unique system that allows air to flow between the pack and your back. The shoulder straps and  hip belt are also made out of a breathable material which makes this one cool bag to carry. The hip belt is adjustable from both sides of the pack which allows for ease of tightening, a crucial element when running over a rugged terrain, and the shoulder straps also have plenty of adjustment making it easy to site the pack comfortably on the back.

There arent any superfluous external pockets on the Velocity and this gives the pack a sleek almost areodynamic look, but there are 2 mesh pockets on the hip belt which are very handy for carrying energy bars, a small digital camera, or anything else that you may need to keep close to hand and have access to without removing the pack from your back.

The main compartment is accessed via a zip that enables the front of the pack to fold down. This gives easy access to the reservoir compartment situated towards the back of the pack, making topping up the bladder on the move a doddle, and also enables easy stowage of larger items like sleeping bags. For keeping items seperate and close to hand there are 3 smaller internal compartments, 1 on the front and 1 on either side of the pack, all accessed by sealed zips, but if the main compartment is full and packed tightly neither will accomodate larger volume items.

The 30 litre capacity was ideal for stowing all that I needed for the 9 day trek and 5 days of racing. Had the pack been larger I would have felt compelled to take more gear, which in hindsight I wouldnt have needed, any smaller and I would have struggled to take all the items essential for 14 days in the Himalayas.

Our race logistics manager, and one of Nepals most famous trekking guides, Mukhiya Gurung (AKA Snowmonkey) was immediately impressed by the Velocity's sleek looks and functional design. Once back in Kathmandu he decided to order one for himself to use during his many treks throughout the Himalaya.

All in all, the Freeflow Velocity lived up to my expectations. Running with approx 12kg on your back will always create a few problems and I got my fair share of pack rub on back and shoulders but I believe any bag would do this while moving quickly over such an arduous terrain. From the cold of 5000m+ to the midday heat of the Himalayan foothills I could virtually forget I was carrying the pack and even after a number of falls and having my bike balanced on it for countless hours it showed very little signs of wear.

If you are looking for a lightweight pack that is comfortable to carry while running or biking and that will minimise the sweaty back syndrome even on the hottest of days then the Berghaus Freeflow Velocity is definately a worthy consideration.