Jim J Solo wrote on Dec 8^th, 2012 at 2:43pm:


Agreed.

The only packs I carry anymore are Ostrom's & CCS's.  They both are at the top!

Jimbo   

Puckster wrote on Dec 8^th, 2012 at 4:48pm:

Ostrom packs aren't waterproof, at least mine isn't. I use GG liners, plus my clothes, food, sleeping bags and shoes are all in waterproof bags as well.
I have never used a water proof pack but the problem may be that given rough use and abrasion, they won't be water proof for long.
As for using a tump line, from a physiological point of view I couldn't say.  But keep in mind that I'm not using an old Duluth style pack where all the weight is ending up on my neck.  My Ostrom is well fitted with a hip belt.  I just find that the tump helps to distribute the weight and makes carrying a heavy pack (around 80 pounds -  I'm typically out for 3 weeks at a time) a whole lot easier ... for me, that is.

I started with Kondos packs bought used from outfitter - $50 or so - and never knew it was not considered fine.  I bought a CCS Pioneer and then a CCS food pack some years later, but I still usually carry one or two Kondos packs with the heavy plastic liners that the outfitter sells for a few bucks.  I think it's important to keep in mind you can enjoy this for very little cost - mostly the travel to and from the end of the road if you want to, traded off with canoe rental.

I use Duluth Packs, my oldest is the #3, but on my last few trips I have used my Wanderer and Cruiser packs. I also trip with a wood canvas canoe so I like the look of them in my canoe too.
I have been blessed with a good back I guess, 70lb canoes and Duluth Packs are no problem even as I push 65.
3 trips across the portage is ok when the food pack is full, a week into the trip double them up and make two trips.
If moneys tight, you can't go wrong with a Duluth Pack, and the plastic liners are a good deal, double em up and your outfit will stay dry.

I haven't yet reached the apex in my aquisition of premium gear. I've been using stuff that would seem like not much more a pillow case and grocery sack to most of you guys. I'd really love to get some high end packs but have been getting by with an inferior but adequate assortment of packs since I started doing this about 12 years ago. But then again I've never done more than 2 week long trips in a year. I have an old vinyl roll top pack with shoulder straps that my wife found at a garage sale for $5. That has lasted more than 4-5 years now. I started with one similar to this, that I paid nearly $50 for but it only lasted about 5 years, before the straps pulled loose. We have used the large O.D. green canvas military surplus duffels with shoulder straps and heavy duty garbage bags for liners. We also usually carry day packs or larger hiking style packs for tackle, food, and other miscellaneous items. When my wife comes along, she prefers to bring her exterior frame pack, which is more difficult of load in the canoe, but we manage. We work hard to pack light without scarificing ALL the comforts. We've managed to cross portages with not too much difficulty as long as we keep the number of packs/person low. We've never really had and issues keeping clothing, food and sleeping bags dry. Maybe next year, or the year after that I'll get a new pack, if I don't need a new stove or tent or other gear that takes priority.