Bergans is a world leading Norwegian manufacturer of outdoor products dating back to 1908.  That’s when Ole F. Bergans was awarded the patent on the world’s first ‘frame’ rucksack. His idea was to dress and stabilise the sack on the back.

A few years later in 1912, Ole realised the importance of thorough product testing and went on to equip the now infamous polar expedition of Roald Amundsen, Robert F. Scott, Ernst Shackleton and Wilhelm Filchner with Bergans new rucksacks. This quickly made his rucksacks famous all over the world and they became the obvious choice for many professional explorers during the 1900’s.

Bergans continued to develop and improve their products by asking for feedback from both professional explorers and amateur users. Many of the practical details were developed due to the specially designed equipment required by commando- and antiterrorist groups as well as police forces in several countries. Bergans is also an important product manufacturer for the Norwegian military.

All products undergo standard quality tests in laboratories but Bergans mean that the best tests are made in their testing station on the mountain peak called Gausta (1883 meters above sea level) near the town Rjukan about 120 km west of the Norwegian capitol Oslo. This is a unique testing station due to its exposed location which is ca 1000 metres higher than the surrounding area. The climate conditions on the peak are often very extreme with severe ice build-up, strong winds, subzero temperatures and heavy fog. The primary testing done here is the products durability over a longer period of time. Experts say that one month on the peak of Gausta is equivalent of ca 30 years in ‘normal’ weather conditions.

Bergans use a material called Dermizax in, for instance, the jacket Breheime ll Jakke. Dermizax is both wind- and water proof and practically rustle free. It is available in various constructions suitable to different needs and it has the unique quality that the breathability of the material increases when it is warm and decreases when it is cold.  

The largest frame rucksack in the Bergans collection is really superb and we think it is truly outstanding in comparison to others in the same size category. We have heard stories from the Norwegian military where they use these sacks to carry equipment of up to 70 kg. Then you really need a ‘decent’ carrying system!