Does anyone know why Bergans of Norway Helium 55 packs aren’t being sold by US retailers anymore?

I bought one, liked it for it’s comfort, adjustablility, and weight and would like to get a women’s model for my daughter to use.

REI claims that the packs were discontinued by Bergans, but they are listed for sale in Norway... so I don’t get it.

Anybody plugged into the industry and know what’s up?

I did a quick search for the Helium 55, which took me to the Bergans website; on their home page, there is a store locator. I found maybe half a dozen shops in the US listed there, mostly in New England; they appeared to be ski shops. I didn’t go to those sites to see if they stock the Helium 55 - but there was contact information for each store; if the store doesn’t stock that model, they might be able to special order it for you.

Although it wasn’t listed on the Bergans site, I did notice that Moosejaw carries two models of Bergans pack (but not the Helium) - again, that might be someplace who could access the pack for you. (Backcountry Gear does not carry Bergans, or at least not that I could find on their website.)

I apologize if I just reinvented your wheel, and I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help.

Glenn

Thank you.

Yes, that’s about where I got stuck.

Might try this again if I make it to New England next year.

The weird part of this ( to me, anyway) is that this was one of the highest rated pieces of lightweight gear about two years ago. I picked mine up on sale, and now can’t buy a second one. The back length adjustment on the bag is solid, I like the zippered opening, and the 55L bag fits my late fall gear wonderfully.

There are some 40L women’s ones on the US market in Campsaver’s bargain bin, but that’s a little small, IMO, for the type of fall backpacking I like to do.


Thank you again!

Stead man

My mother had a Bergans pack bought in the late 1930s. Of course it's long gone, and so is she, but she really liked it. I'm surprised that more dealers in the US don't carry their products.

Norway is a beautiful and extremely friendly country, well worth a visit--not just to look for a pack but to use it!

From 2016: Bergans of Norway ends sales in U.S. market

Story here: https://www.snewsnet.com/news/bergans-ends-us-sales

Not sure why they still list all those stores in the US and elsewhere as carrying their product when none do any longer, and haven't since last year. They should, perhaps, update their website... :-)