In the early 90’s the Dutch armed forces started to modernize its equipment for personal usage. Main visible aspect was that they switched from olive green camouflage to a Dutch version of the DPM camouflage that was already used by the British army. Another aspect was the introduction of completely new designs. Up till then the equipment was heavily based on WW2 designs from the UK, USA and Canada. The new equipment line is known as M93. Among them were backpacks and rucksacks. The common feature is that they all have detachable side pouches except for the Dutch army M93 daypack. These pouches (aka rocket pouches) can be zipped together into a improvised small backpack. After years of using the Berghaus Vulcan backpack the the Dutch army switched to several models and sizes of Lowe Alpine backpacks. The sizes are 40 liter, 55 liter and 130 liter. They all come with 10 liter side pouches. The 40 liter backpack has a minimalistic hip belt and static shoulder straps. The bigger models have a padded hip-belt and shoulder straps that can be adjusted according to the user length.
Initially they were made by renowned backpack manufacturer Lowe Alpine. Later the Dutch army ordered copies of these backpacks at the Belgian company ARWY. Also the Army ordered copies of the backpacks without a brand in countries like Vietnam. A real Lowe Alpine version of these backpacks can be recognized through the label under the cover lid and the Lowe Alpine logo on the metal button clasps that keep the aluminium frame inside its sleeves.
The fast majority of the produced backpacks has Dutch DPM camouflage. Smaller quantities are made in US Woodland camouflage for the Marine Corps and in black for the Military Police. Lowe Alpine itself produced the backpacks also in Olive Green for the civilian market.
Berghaus Vulcan The first modern backpack that the Dutch army was using was the Berghaus Vulcan backpack. This backpack has well padded shoulder straps and a well padded hip belt. main characteristic property of this backpack is that the height of the shoulder straps, and therefore the distance between the hip belt and shoulder straps, is static. Most modern backpacks have a attaching system for the shoulder straps that can be adjusted according to the users body length. This to ensure that the hip-belt rests on the users hips and that the shoulder straps are at the same height as the users shoulders. To ensure that the length between the hip-belt and shoulder straps attaching point would match with the length of the users back the Berghaus Vulcan was made in 4 different sizes; size 1, 2, 3 and 4. The higher the size the longer the distance between the hip belt and the shoulder straps. As a logical consequence the total volume of the backpack also increases with the size.
40 Liter Strike (aka Grab-bag) NSN 8465-17-114-4596 This is the smallest backpack in this series. It is a one compartment top loading backpack. It comes with a rubber plate for back support but not with an internal frame.
55 Liter Sting NSN 8465-17-115-5334
The Lowe Alpine Sting consists of just one main compartment. Additionally there is a pouch hanging inside the bag for the installation of a water bladder. The backpack has a so called internal frame. This means that the rigid frame is sewn into the main body of the backpack instead of being visible on the outside. In this case it consists of two aluminium strips that are bend in the shape of someones back. The instruction label inside the backpack tells you to remove these aluminium strips from the two sleeves on the outside of the bag.
55 Liter Sting Ray NSN: 8465-17-115-9550
The Lowe Alpine Sting Ray consists of a lower and an upper compartment which are separated by a diaphragm system with a pull cord. To reach the lower compartment easily there is a extra zipper on the lower end of the backpack.
60 Liter Rugzak, Woodland model 2019 NSN: 8465-17-124-2311
Almost a exact copy of the Sting version. Labeled with KPU Bedrijf (Kleding en Persoonsgebonden Uitrusting) Clothing and Personal equipment company.
120 Liter Rugzak Groot, Woodland model 2009 NSN 8465-17-122-6476
This is large rucksack based on the Lowe Alpine Saracen and made by Belgian manufacturer ARWY.
130 Liter Saracen NSN 8465-17-113-6904
The Saracen is a really big backpack. Therefore it is most suitable for tall people. Due to it’s length the backpack might be top heavy for small persons and the user may tumble over. The Lowe Alpine Saracen consists of a lower and an upper compartment which are separated by a diaphragm system with a pull cord. The hood of the Lowe Alpine Saracen has two compartments with zip access, on the side of the outside and on the inside.
Bag multipurpose NSN 8465-17-115-9554
Black travel backpack used by the Dutch military police (Marechaussee). Special feature is that the shoulder straps can be tugged away so that the bag can be used as a messenger bag. Made by Belgium contractor ARWY based on a Lowe Alpine design.
Large weekend bag NSN 8465-17-106-4039
A lage weekend bag with a reinforced bottom and shoulder straps. Equipped with 6 solid protective feet at the bottom to prevent damage. On the outside there is an address label pouch and 2 side pockets. Inside the weekend bag there is a separate compartment that can be closed with a zipper. The bag was made in DPM woodland, desert camouflage and black.
More info:
– Blog about the Lowe Alpine Saracen Rucksack by Cecina Outdoor.