All of my trips have been with Duluth packs, some so old the fade is nearly white.  I doubt I will ever give them up even though I know there are better packs out there.

We did buy one used Kondos food pack from an outfitter and fitted it with one of Kondos corrugated plastic liners which works quite well and has survived many trips.  On several occasions I have actually used the waist belt and thought it helped quite a bit to distribute the load.  That being said, I never use the belt.

When we hit the portage everyone just grabs the heaviest pack they can, grits their teeth and heads down the trail.  Most of the swearing is at the far end and emanates from the poor soul who carried the Paul Bunyan.  We use it because it has the length for the tent bags and axe.

I love my old Duluth packs, but not all of them.  I traded off a Duluth Northwoods because of the funky crossed closure straps that make it nearly impossible to pick it up by the ears.  I also shed a Duluth Kitchen pack because it was short and rode on my back at about my beltline.

Sadly many of the new Duluth pack have been dialed down in materials.  Most of the canvas has gone from 18oz. down to 15oz, the strap width down to ¾”wide where they used to be 1 inch, and the leather is not as fine grained as days gone by.

I do have one used Frost River pack , but I am a bit lost with the reason for the waxed canvas?  It is stiff as a board in cold weather, soaks up dirt and grunge in warm weather and still need a poly liner is you expect dry gear after your pack sits all day in a pouring rain and bilge water.  It does have nice workmanship.

Regards,

MossBack