I have been testing the Berghaus women’s MTN Guide 32+ pack and Berghaus Vanguard GTX jacket, which are two of four new products in the Extrem collection for autumn/winter 2025. Berghaus describe the MTN Guide 45+ and 32+ packs as “modular, extremely durable and highly weather resistant”. In keeping with the rest of the Extrem range, all of the new products are available in male and female-specific versions.
I love that Berghaus have both male and female-specific products in the Extrem collection.
Review: Berghaus women’s MTN Guide 32+ pack
Features:
Capacity: 32 litres
Dimensions: Height 57cm, width 20cm, depth 26cm
Female-specific harness system
TPU coated 420D ripstop nylon
Breathable back panel with a 10mm “hypercushion” spacer mesh and monomesh flat nylon
100% 210d nylon Seawastex® fabric on the shoulder straps and bivvi
Updated bag shape for improved stability and load transfer
Top load opening with cinch bivvi closure and zip opening at the back system
Reinforced attachment points for carrying skis and ice axes
Multiple options for stripping the pack
Fixed for Life
Colours: Yellow or black
Weight: All attachments: 1400g; stripped: 970g
Price; £190
Options: 45l pack (male packs in 32l and 45l, too)
See: Berghaus (I receive a small commission for sale through this website. It funds some of the cost of testing and writing reviews!)
My thoughts: Berghaus women’s MTN Guide 32+ pack
It is immediately obvious this is a very robust pack. The MTN Guide 32+ does feel quite heavy when you first pick it up. This is because of the thicker, waterproof fabric and all the attachment points. However, once in use, I didn’t notice the extra weight although, of course, if you are looking for a pared down pack this won’t be for you.
You can strip the pack of some attachments to reduce the weight. For example, it’s possible to remove the hip-belt webbing and padding; lid and lid closure; side compression straps; helmet holder; sternum strap; backboard; frame and aluminium stays that provide suppot at the rear of the pack. ?
Your ability to do this will depend on the activity. If you are winter mountaineering or back country skiing, the chances are you will want all the attachments for ice axe, helmet etc.
Overall, it’s a pack I will use in winter rather than summer.
I love the bright yellow colour. It stands out and that is important if you end up in an emergency situation in the mountains.
I tested the fabric – which is 100% 210d nylon Seawastex® fabric – in heavy rain and it kept all the wet out. This means you do not need to pack everything in dry bags inside the pack.
The cinch bivvi closure, topped with a lid also stops water ingress at the top. When accessing the pack, it is a bit of a hassle to have to undo the lid, then a strap that goes over the rolltop and then the rolltop itself. But in the wet and snow, it’s a good idea to have a pack that is robustly waterproof.
It is also possible to access the pack via a rear zip that runs around three edges of the carry system. Opening this allows you to see everything inside the pack, which I really like. One issue, though, is that the zip is a bit sticky on the two longer sides. It might get easier with use but on the first few tries, the zip gets a bit stuck halfway down the side due to thicker fabric inside the pack.
There are no side pockets for carrying a water bottle. This is probably because the side area is reserved for skis or ropes etc but, even so, it would be good to have the option for side pockets when using the pack without skies or rope.
I stashed my water bottle inside the pack. This is fine if you have a good quality, sealed bottle but I worried about the water leaking out. It also means that water is not easily accessible for hydration. I guess that a water bottle carried on the outside of a pack in severe winter conditions will be prone to freezing but, still, the option for this would be a bonus.
The pack feels comfortable when laden and on my back. The back system is described as having “a breathable back panel with a 10mm hypercushion spacer mesh, covered with hardwearing monomesh flat nylon to offer moisture management, padding and abrasion resistance without the risk of snow build-up”. Basically, this is a padded panel that looks and feels durable. It works well. I am not sure it is very breathable but that is difficult to test when using it in wet or cooler conditions. I haven’t noticed my back being overly sweaty.
The fit is quite narrow across the back, which I would expect in a female design. It fits me really well and feels snug against my back and in keeping with my back width. There is no back height adjustment, which will matter if you are particularly short or tall. I am 5ft 8in with an average length of back and it fits nicely.
The hip-belt is minimalist and I would love to see a zipped pocket for bits and pieces. I expect the pared down design is to minimise the potential for the pack to catch on rocks etc while being used for mountaineering, climbing or skiing.
The hip-belt is easy to clip together and apart when wearing gloves thanks to a large plastic clip but I found the chest strap clip a bit fiddly. I would prefer this to be larger.
There are lot of straps and attachment points for adding winter gear, such as ice axes, skis, poles, ropes and helmet. They are comprehensive and of durable/robust quality. I particularly like the side ski carrying straps, with the lower made of a highly durable rubbery type material.
While there are no side pockets, there are pockets in the upper part of the lid, under the lid and inside the pack.
The pack is a great size for day activities in the winter mountains. It’s quite pricey at £190 but I’d expect tit to be long-lasting. Berghaus offer a Fixed for Life guarantee. The Repairhaus team will stitch any rip or replace any zip, if they possibly can, as many times as you need them to.
The repair is free. Berghaus ask you to pick up the cost of sending in your gear, but they pay for the fix-up.
Also read my review of Berghaus Vanguard GTX jacket.