wally wrote on Apr 24^th, 2009 at 10:36pm:

While I can't say if it will last 20 years, I can tell you that one of my packs that I've been using as a solo food pack has performed well for the first 5 years (with a 2 week minimum trip length each year).  Since it is my food pack, it stays exposed to the elements for the entirety of the trip (e.g., I don't think its ever been under a tarp during a trip) and is hung overnight.

My gear pack (larger cousin of the one on sale at Campmor) has been used for 3 years (so far) and is still working well.  The only deficit to the design is that the deep tubular shape means that you are sometimes digging blind down at the bottom.  

All the packs I use have excellent shoulder straps and waist belts, and almost all are adjustable.  To me, having the pack secured to your torso during portaging nearly eliminates unanticipated load shifts, so I'm pretty insistent on waist belts (and sternum straps, where possible). This probably comes from many years backpacking in the Rockies where there are many instances where if you fall, you die!

dd

So "how tough" are the plastic/rubber welds?  I worry about a product like that not taking 20 yrs of dragging around by the shoulder straps....jerking in and out of the boat by the straps.

comments?

Also, there is a nice amount of padding on the back, so they are very comfortable to carry.

Last summer I bought the 60 L model on a similar deal from Campmor... fortunately it was green.  I got it for my niece who was in the 5th grade at the time.  The supension is adjustable, so we got it fitting nicely even though she's smaller.  The material isn't quite as thick as my SealLine Pro Pack's, but it is still a quality product, and that is a great price.

FYI

I've been keeping my eye out for a smaller portage pack for this season.  I'm hoping to downsize a bit for a mid-summer trip and have been looking at the Pacific Outdoors Gobi 60L pack.  I already have the big brother Gobi 84L and have been happy with its performance over the past few seasons.

Last week, I noticed that Campmor has them on sale, in orange.  Not the most attractive color, but then I'm not trying to make a fashion statement.  These packs are typically listed at prices of $120 or more.  The current sale price at Campmor is $69.96.

If interested, you might take a look at:

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

BTW:  The reason I go for a more slender profile is because I typically paddle solo and this style of pack will tend to lay flat below the gunwale line.

dd

p.s. If you have specific questions about this pack, feel free to ask ... my order should be delivered today.