A dedicated frameless canoe pack is well worth the investment. When I was young, I used my framed backpack too, but it was too long to fit in a canoe crossways, and too narrow to efficiently use space along the sides of the canoe. The Duluth design (like the Superior One) is much wider than a typical backpack, so it fills most of the width of a typical canoe, and because there is no frame, you can usually squoosh it under a thwart if necessary to use the canoe's full length.

It sounds like you have a pretty good idea of the gear you like to trip with. So the main thing you want is a pack that's big enough that you can fill it up to your "maximum comfortable weight-carrying capacity", whatever that may be. Too small and you end up at portages with a light pack on your back, and a small, heavy bag of some sort in each hand: tiring, and with the increased risk of leaving something behind when reloading, especially if you're traveling with big groups.

If you're carrying a lot of kids stuff as well as your own gear, you may need two big Duluth packs. (Before you know it, your son will be old enough for his own full-size pack, and will be going off on trips without you, so you can give him the extra pack as a gift then )

I like to have at least two pouches directly accessible from the outside at all times: one for clean stuff (maps, books, first aid kit, compass, etc) and one for not-clean stuff (rope, tent brush, latrine trowel, etc). I keep the clean stuff in a day pack and the dirty stuff in side pouches on my canoe pack, but as long as you have quick access to the stuff you need quickly and aren't packing dirty trowels in with your clothes, food/cookware and sleeping bag, how you arrange things is up to you.

Hope this helps!

I currently have two packs that I use on long trips - a Granite Gear Nimbus Great Northern, which is an internal frame pack that is no longer in production, and what Ostrom now calls their Winisk II.  While the Granite Gear is certainly a good pack it pales by comparison to the Ostrom.  Ostrom packs are incredibly well built and are designed to fit and make heavy loads manageable.  They will last a lifetime of hard tripping.  However, as in most things, the best don't come cheap.  Here's the Ostrom site so you can see what the top end is and then make your choice of where you want to be on the price spectrum based on what is essential for you and what isn't.  One other thing about Ostrom packs is that, even though they are most definitely "modern" packs with adjustable, padded shoulder straps and hip belt and, in some cases, internal frames, they also include a tump line, which for me is a deal breaker.
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Though expensive I can definitely say that with Ostrom you do, indeed, get what you pay for.

As long as you get a reputable pack -- like Granite Gear or Ostrom, you'll be fine!  I would recommend against Duluth Packs....unless you like the retro look and feel of canvass, leather, and weight. 

I'd recommend you get a pack with a hip belt.  I'd also recommend you look into getting a waterproof pack, like a SeaLine.  If I were starting over, I'd research these waterproof packs.  I currently have Granite Gear packs, and I line them with heavy duty black plastic liners.  It would be nice to not have to do that.  I don't know much about these waterproof packs, such as wearability and weight, but they intrigue me.

The other consideration I'd offer: however big a pack you get, you'll invariably fill it!  So you might consider the future of your knees, legs, and back...because you'll need your component parts to be in great shape as you age and continue to lug these monster loads across portages! 

Good luck!

prouboy

Kerry wrote on Dec 7^th, 2012 at 10:06pm:


They're expensive as hell but I absolutely have to "second" what Kerry says about the Ostrom line of packs.  Personally I use their Wabakimi (see: (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) ).  Of course, I didn't exactly jump to "top-of-the-line" gear overnight.   I sort of worked my way up, using lesser lines for a few years, selling them for whatever I could get for them, & then upgrading to something better made.  "Better made" can be a bit subjective, I suppose, and, at some point, the "value adds" may not make financial sense.  However, for me, given some worsening "back issues" I've been experiencing, Ostrom products have been worth every penny.  Thus, I particularly like the way Ostrom does the internal frame on its Wabakimi Pack.  For other folks, this feature & other Ostrom "extras" may simply not be worth the premium you pay.

It's taken me a few decades to trade "up" (again, "up" being a bit subjective) but I'm very happy with the features, construction, & durability compared to the various models I've been through.

As for Granite Gear - mentioned a few times in this thread - I've used it with satisfaction for years, though I can't say I've used the Superior 1.  The ONLY Granite Gear pack I really did NOT like was a now-discontinued model that featured an interior frame.  I found GG to be very durable (I STILL use a bag that must be 30+ years old) but, perhaps, lacking the "fit" I have come to appreciate with the Ostrom line.

Just my 2 cents.

Jimbo   

I agree with everything that's been said about the Ostrom packs. 

We made the decision to buy, rather than rent packs a few years ago.  I purchased a GG pack (I forget which one).  I'm sure it was a fine pack, but the material didn't seem as heavy duty/durable as what I was used to.  I returned it and called the outfitter that we had used in the past and asked them where they got their packs.  He directed me to Ostrom.  Our group of four now uses an Ostrom for food, a 2nd Ostrom for gear and we use two large sealine's for personal stuff.  We split the costs, knowing that we'll be doing more trips together.

Ostroms are definitely more expensive (eye-opening expensive), but you won't feel cheated once you use them.  I would also add that I had a great experience with Ostrom customer service.  The individual that I spoke with (I think it was the owner?) spent over a half an hour on the phone with me explaining the differences in their packs and how this would apply to my size and trip style.

Interesting discussion.  Are the Ostrom packs waterproof, or do they require plastic liners? 

I'm curious why no one commented on the waterproof genre of canoe packs, like the North49 Waterproof Canoe Pack 120 L. 

I have no experience with these "rubber" packs, but the waterproof nature of them is, on the surface, appealing.  They do look bulky and uncomfortable, but again, I have no firsthand experience. 

prouboy

Well the Ostrom stuff is just a bit out of my pricr range right now... Some day
BUT, Piragis outfitters had used GG Superior Ones for $145 so I ordered one.  Come on May!!!  Only 5+ months to soft water!

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


pb, I like the option of being able to pack wet/muddy stuff in my pack, but not inside the liner with the dry stuff. I guess you could always bag the wet stuff inside a waterproof bag too, or start lining the waterproof pack if it fails. I've just always lined my packs since I started that way with a Duluth pack. I do have some waterproof packs for loaners and they work OK for my newbies.

A friend of mine brought a rubber/nylon type of pack one year. By end of trip the rough rock landings has started abrading the bottom and by end of trip it leaked.

I'm sure some mfg has addressed this issue but I'd keep it on mine if you go that route.

Another thing we noticed was that even if you put wet clothing items in separate plastic bag, the moisture/mildew/odor built up in it because they can't breath like a regular pack does.

You can use those sturdy/cheap pack liners, roll them down tight and put wet items at top of pack.
They might not dry out but the excess moisture has a chance to escape.

Another thing to consider is if you would tear a pack and need to do a field repair.
I carry surgical suture needles that in a pinch using some braided fishing line could stitch up a canvas/nylon pack.
Those totally waterproof packs are electronically seamed and I'm not sure how a conventional stitch would hold

Experience-wise i'm likely one of the least experienced posting on this here board here. but a couple of years ago i bought 2 of these (brand), used from an outfitter for 50.00/ea. They look like what people refer to as #4 packs and fit in the boat perfectly. (for 6.00/ea needed to have a shoe repair guy reinforce a few seams that looked questionable)    (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

zski wrote on Dec 10^th, 2012 at 7:10pm:


For 20 years I have used a Quetico Superior food pack.  It's a wonderful pack, made even more so by plastic trays I was able to find that fit it perfectly.  Good brand!

prouboy

On the subject of 'rubber' pack or dry bags, I have a couple of Seattle Sport Grand Adventure and Free Loader 99L dry packs.  At less than $100, the price was a draw, as well as the waterproofness.  They are true roll top dry bags with a well designed shoulder harness like on a backpack, but no hip belt.  They are taller and narrower than traditional packs.

The Grand Adventure is PCV free heavy vinyl and the Free Loader is 600D urethane coated polyester.  The grand is a bit heavier duty and also heavier.  Well made and they are pretty good for a personal gear pack that doesn't get real heavy.  I've notice some strain marks around the attachment point for the straps, but haven't leaked yet.  I would not use for heavy or pointy camp gear.  I carry a patch kit with Aqua Seal and the accelerator so it would be usable in a couple hours vs. over night.  I did have a Free Loader suffer an abbrasion failure from lots of granite contact, but was an easy patch.

I still use them but feel heavy use or much portaging could lead to leaks at the stress points, so I've moved back toward the traditional portage packs and feel, with replaceable liners or bags, will get much longer use of them.  I use a heavy plastic bag for a liner and almost everything inside goes in its own dry sack.  I stay away from the vinyl dry sacks and use coated polyester as they don't cling to each other and much easier to cram into the packs as they slide past each other. 

That's my experience with the 'dry bag' style pack.  I think they are much better for river rafting type trips or ones where the amount of portaging is limited.  They were great on our Copper River trip...though I noted one of the guides used a GG#4.

pd

portage dog wrote on Dec 13^th, 2012 at 11:29pm:


Good review p_d!  I'll stick to my traditional packs. 

Thanks!

prouboy

I love my Duluth Packs and they are over 15 years old.  Nothing against nylon but they are more expensive. I had a SeaLine waterproof pack and hated it.  It just did not sit well on my back when fully loaded and it has very hot against my back.  I don't know about the others, but Duluth and Frost River guarantee their stuff for life.  You can now get them with waist belts but I find them more hassel than they are worth for short portages (les than a 1/2 mile).

I have a couple of Paul Bunyan Duluth packs.  Packs don't get any bigger.  As pointed out previously, the canvas packs are surprising water proof.  Leave the packs out all day in a rain and the inside will not be wet.  My packs are not waxed.  This doesn't mean you can leave the packs in standing water, but if they are hung up, the inside will stay dry.
The life time guarantee on Duluth Pack is not all inclusive.  The life time guarantee refers to the hardware and the straps.  The guarantee does not include wear and tear.

Westwood wrote on Jan 5^th, 2013 at 10:34pm:


I've also got the #4, Northwoods, and Timber Cruiser canvas packs.  I use the 6 mil liners as well, and have never had water inside the packs except for the time my son and his buddy swamped on the Nina Moose river. 

Also had the canvas start to tear near a rivet on my Northwoods so I stopped by the Duluth Pack factory in West Duluth (?) prior to a recent trip.  They hesitated to fix it under warranty saying that it was normal wear and tear but when I told them I had only used the pack for about 6 trips up to that point, they went ahead and fixed it for free in about an hour.

Oops! That should read "a few years AGO"; he only did this personalized service one time. Sorry about that.

I've been using a GG Quetico pack for quite a few years now, it has been the perfect size pack (5000 ci) for my tripping style. This bombproof pack allows me to carry comfortably the essentials plus some extras for up to a two week trip. The GG pack shows very little wear except for some scratches on the buckles. I would certainly recommend this pack to a friend.

I received a Frost River Isle Royale Bushcraft Pack this past Christmas (approx 2900 ci which can be expanded to approx 5000). I love the look and feel of this old school pack, with it's modern upgrades, of a sternum strap and hip belt. I'm so looking forward to carrying this as my sole pack this year which may require a equipment adjustment, but that could be a good thing. I'll post a review after carrying it on our summer trip.

Marten,what's in the bucket I see in your videos?  Stove,coffee,etc.? When/where does that get transported in some of those bushwacks you make?

Marten wrote on Jan 31^st, 2013 at 2:47am:


I'd love to see a picture of your packs/bucket!  Seriously.

prouboy

I'm glad I asked. I too,bring a( shorter )bucket with lid (2.5-3.0gal.)and fill it with water sensitive or breakable stuff like my camera,stove etc.. It makes a nice table between my knees while paddiing, to place my map cace (tethered and weighted) and a compass.  Your idea to keep your kitchen and lunch in an oder /critter /waterproof stool/ container seems very logical .

I "wonder" for the hiders, if a couple of 5 gal orange Home Depot Pails with those snap-on/screw down lids wouldn't make good a viable alternative for those small blue barrels?
Smaller volume but might work for solo paddler.
You could remove the metal handles so they lay better in a pack.

If they truly make bucket waterproof, you could add a rope/rock anchor and drop offshore in hole if you thought Yogi might be dropping bye.