I do trip with a BWJ pack cooler and it is something that I absolutely love. I deep freeze two gallon jugs of water, put them in the corners of the pack and it keeps all my frozen stuff cold for the better part of a weeklong trip. It is common for us to have chops, pheasant, etc. 4-5 nights into an August trip. Fish caught on one day can be filleted up and eaten the next.

Another real nice thing about it as the ice inside melts it becomes ice water that really slakes that deep down thirst. By switching the contents of the jug we can have ice cold oj for screwdrivers or ice cold bloody marys.

Another really nice part about it is that it's hard sided. Contents stay true to original form (bagels, crackers, tortilla chips, etc.).

It is the perfect size to hold two crazy creek chairs in between the hard box and the outer fabrtic pack. My filet board, sven saw, hatchet and grill grate fit snuggly on top between the box and the pack also. My maps in their their plastic case slide into the outer pocket on portages.

The pack itself is comfortable on the trail, stays behind me and does not swing side to side like the small soft sided coolers that I used to sling over my shoulder.

Is it worth $400 smackers? I don't know, I received the pack from a friend who moved to Taiwan. Would I buy another if my friend moved back and asked for its reurn? I probably would (with the ok from mrs. butcher of course).

thebutcher