Bergen loadout | How I pack | Packing Mentality | Prepper | Survival 

This backpack has a great frame, the support and weight distribution are great! It works

A very undervalued channel! So subscribing. Yours is a very well-thought-through setup, based on extensive experience it seems. I wouldn't call myself a "prepper", but I keep a prepared mindset in all spheres. I never really understood the concept of a "bug-out-bag", "get-home-bag" or "INCH-bag". I just have a "THE bag", which is more of a modular "carry system" built using Virtus and PLCE, with a heavily modified 40L special forces daysack at the core, which becomes a 65L bergen with addition of PLCE rocket pouches. Additional space is provided by PLCE belt-kit pouches and haversack/butt-pack that are added to the removeable bergen belt. That being said, the priority is keeping it relatively lightweight and easy to carry, covering long distances, avoiding injury and fatigue, and assuring comfortable sleep (11.7kg without water, but with 72h food; 18.5kg with 3L water and 7day food). So, many items have dual, triple or quadruple purpose. Starting from the bottom, the Sleep System is a DIY modular hooped bivi with self inflating 80x190 very comfy and warm mat, down quilt, Snugpack jungle blanket, fleece blanket/woobie (it's all DIY or heavily modified, to optimise comfort, warmth and weight). Up next - Clothing System: 4p sox, wool sox, rubber sox, 3 undies, fleece-bottoms, T-shirt, marinowool, Norgie, UBAC, sleeveless down-puffy, wind/rain jacket, Shemagh, gloves, bini & boonie (obviously, some of these will be worn on Level1 while walking). Up next - 3day Food: 2.6kg (7day food is 6.4kg) and 3L water bladder. Cooking kit is the Crusader cup and 4 tent-pegs. Optionally, depending on duration and environment, I have a wood-gasifier stove (bulky, but fuel is free and doesn't add weight) or a gas-stove (bulky, heavy and difficult to refuel); I don't like the MonkeyBoy stove cause the fuel is heavy and inefficient for cooking. Up next in the top-flap is Admin: med-kit, hygiene kit, cordage & repairs kit, handy nik-nak and tools, electronics (small solar panel sawn on the top flap, power-bank, radio (with GPS function), head-torch and I make sure that everything is USB rechargeable; no AA or AAA). I'm thinking of making the whole admin-flap removeable and attachable to a belt, like a pouch - kinda like your admin-bag, but haven't found a good enough system yet. Maybe, I'll cannibalise one of them NI daysacks or one of those older bergens designed by Karrimor or Virtus Medic's pouch. As part of preparedness, it's good to dedicate 20-30 minutes per day to fitness (especially after 40). Lightweight CrossFit-style metcon or circuit routines with some strength training. It improves the TABing, load-carrying and endurance abilities tremendously! If one can't find time for gym, get a 16kg kettlebell and do a 4 minute Tabata, and max-effort pushups & crunches in the morning. Generally, it's a good idea to get out with a full bergen for a daywalk once a fortnight, to test both the setup and one's fitness level.

I much prefer the top loading British Bergen style pack over any other for security, comfort... Mine is a 40L Sirius Survival "Rambler". Has a small permanently attached "rocket pocket" each side, in which I carry a Swiss army canteen (8/10th of a quart) with nesting cup in one. The other side a USGI 1 pint aviators canteen flask. Rechargeable torches - one ea. In side pockets. The front compartment a complete med kit. Main compartment, bottom to top, a warmer than issue Poncho Liner (woobie), USGI 90"x60" Poncho (poncho & liner = "ranger roll' sleep system), One change of under garments & socks, Hygiene kit & prescription meds, Swedish Trangia Brew/Mess kit (like British mess kit with lids, BCB Stove & food & coffee & tea inside the inner Trangia), 10 ft x 10 ft tarp, 7ft x 7ft mosquito netting, Cordage & 6 stakes Fire & Water kit (extra Firedragon cubes in the fire kit), 7" folding saw, Bundeswehr (by Maserin) combat/bushcraft knife. Under top flap handie talkie, extra battery, power bank. Strapped on top flap two pairs gloves, one leather, one nomex. Strapped underneath an 8ftx3ft khaki colored disaster bag for use as a re-useable Brouse/Browse bag. I feel comfortable using this for recreational or emergency activity. I made an EXACT duplicate for my "SO" in case we are separated. And she knows how to use it all. I have kit on my person as well.

I've got the collapsible bowl, many uses; good tip about the overnight socks. Mine are very bright orange, so could double as a signalling device, more easily seen from a distance.

I think you have a fine piece of kit there. I like the pads and sleeping bag. I would add a CAT tourniquet and Chest vent for sucking chest wounds. The water bottles work but you could consider a metal single walled ones so you can boil water and drink it from the same bottle. I also didn't see a knife or shovel? Just for me, I have more food in the pack.

Good video. As you are keeping your stove in an outside pocket I would keep some brew kit there as well so don't have to open my packup

Thanks for doing the 'show and tell' Alan, always good to see what others are up to. I use those bowls for when I take a dog with me but that's a good shout as a waterproof container for your stuff. Like you what I carry varies, as does the bag in fairness although I mostly go with a Sabre 45 and the 2 rocket pockets for overnight/short trips. I also have a Crusader for when size really does matter. 😂 They're now my go to bags although I must have at least another 8 or so. 🤭I like to go with my luxuries, good scran, plenty wine so a bit heavier than you but its whatever works eh ? At some point I'll have to think about the weight more, it comes to us all.

Bought a Snug Pack Rocket Pack years ago as my Bergen, used it once and the shoulder straps made the weight hang like a sack of....... Might have been adjusting them wrong or they were just garbage. Might have to have another look and if they are garbage, get a proper Bergen like this one.

Hi Alan, do you have a link/name of that wind shirt/jacket that you showed? It looks interesting! Thanks so much!