All -

Does anyone out there have experience with Granite Gear's "Nimbus Great Northern" canoe pack?  [See: (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) ]  Is it worth the money?  As I know I can knock $50 off the listed price, would it be worth $269?

OR, would GG's Superior One, the BWJ's Extra-Wide Super Pack (or whatever Stu calls it), or the Kondos or Duluth Pack or Ostrom or the CCS Hybrid equivalents of the Nimbus Great Northern be a better canoe pack?

I just recently "retired" my two ancient Granite Gear packs & I'm looking a BIG comfortable pack to slide in the middle of my SR17 for my typical 8-12 day expeditions.  I'm really not interested in immersion packs, either.  Also, its not really a question of money.  Mainly, I want a top-flight, easy-to-wear & handle, tough-wearing canoe pack (maybe with a few bells & whistles but not necessarily loaded) that will last me the rest of my canoeing days (figure 15 years for sure but I fully expect to recalibrate that horizon in the year 2025).

I welcome all recommendations & thoughts on the matter... and, if you own one of these Nimbus Great Northerns, please weigh in!

Thanks!

Jimbo  

solotripper wrote on Aug 28^th, 2009 at 5:07pm:


ST,

What makes it so?  Extra features?  High quality materials?  The bikini-clad lass from Thunder Bay who jumps out of the pack?

Jimbo  

Jimbo, Check out CCS too. I got a Pioneer size. It holds all I need,,,carries nice,,,well made too. Both CCS and Ostrom are home grown, not off shore. You can talk to the guys that make'm. They're comparable in quality, just depends on the cdn/us exchange rate at the time to which is cheaper.

Thanks for the replies!  I'm evaluating the value of the "internal frame".  The options seem to be: the Nimbus Great Northern & Ostrom's "Algonquin" & "Wabakimi".  IF I decide to go with internal frame, those are my choices.  Having said that, I'm not altogether keen on the notion of GG's Chinese labor & possible use of 12 year-old's doing the sewing.

On the other hand, putting aside internal frame offerings, the top-of-the-line options seem to be Ostrom's WiniskIII and CCS's Guide Pack.  I'm in the process of evaluating the difference in value between the two.

Ostrom's stuff IS expensive.  Maybe it's worth it.  I'm trying to sort that out.  I've sent an e-mail to Dan Cooke asking him to elaborate on materials, etc..  I have absolutely NO question re: his workmanship on CCS products (I already own a canoe spray skirt AND a screened-in lean-to shelter & they are great!).  Ostrom packs his website info with tons of material info.  Dan offers less info on his website so I'm asking for more.  IF materials are equal or close, I'll go with the CCS product since I am quite comfortable with workmanship.

Unless, of course, I decide the value of the internal frame overshadows other considerations.  In that case, it seems to be a Nimbus Great Northern versus Wabakimi (Ostrom offering) choice.

Thanks, again, for the inputs.  I'll keep you posted re: my choice.

Jimbo  

Portage lass OR portage monkeys... for the price they're asking for gear, one or the other ought to be forthcoming in the bargain!

Jimbo