Of course it depends on what your packing into each Duluth pack. We usually have at least 2 packs (depending on how many people (we had 5 duluth packs on our last trip with only 4 guys!).

I first lay the tent in the bottom, then put something fairly rigid (like 2 sleeping bags) at each side - this gives the pack some shape.

You want to be sure the side that rest on your back is properly packed! I reserve the sleeping pads, ground tarps, and gardening knee pads (flat foam pads that are great for sitting on and flapping the fire) for the back side. Be sure to make it flat and comfortable.

If your sleeping bags aren't too huge you should have some room in the middle. This is where I put anything hard or oddly shaped (like the cook kit, propane fuel tanks, ditty bags full of junk etc.).

I have also started putting our Coleman double burner stove in the pack on the side not facing my back.

Finally I put hiking shoes, rain gear, travel tackle boxes, water bottles (anything I might want to get to) on top. I have a Granite Gear 'duluth' pack that has a huge over-draw top - this allows me to way-over-pack the thing!

Mainly you want to be sure to balance the load - on our last trip my father complained that I packed his bag bottom heavy - I made him carry my pack and it shut him up pretty quick (it was about 20lbs heavier).


In reply to: Duluth Packs posted by Hug on July 25, 1999 at 10:50