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04/25/2017 07:18AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
So we've always just used our (internal frame) backpacks on BWCA trips, without issue. I've used Duluth Packs plenty of times when I went with people who had them, but generally I hate them - they're uncomfortable, heavy, and offer crappy or no hip support and remind me of the bad old days when I was in the Scouts and they'd make us haul stuff with wildly inappropriate packs because we were kids.

I'm thinking I'll take advantage of Midwest's 20% expo coupon to get a Granite Gear Superior One this week. It should be easier in the canoe than our backpacks, swallow up way more stuff, and still offer most of the advantages of a backpack. Any reason I should be considering a different portage pack? It seems like kind of the perfect combo, but I've never used one in the wild. My idea is that it can hold all the crap I usually have in my pack, plus two BearVaults full of food, and may even enable single portaging if we feel like it.
 
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04/25/2017 07:39AM  
Between the better/easier fit in a canoe, and their holding enough to allow me single portaging, I'll take the inferior carry of a portage pack every time. Since using the Duluth envelope packs, I've only carried CCS Hybrids (Pioneer sized). I haven't, nor has anyone else, yet made a compelling argument to try anything else. They're definitely not my Arc 'teryx frame pack, but in canoe country I'd never trade them.
 
04/25/2017 08:53AM  
You will enjoy the GG Superior One (and the smaller Quetico). I've had a Superior One for several years.
 
04/25/2017 09:08AM  
I have two Superior Ones. Love them. You can definitely transfer the weight to your legs with the hip belt and adjust in similar ways to frame pack.

BUT - if you fill it to capacity and include 2 bear vaults chock full of food, you will be hauling QUITE the load. It's so large... I put the 2 bear vaults in a GG Solo pack and use the Superior One for larger lighter items.

 
Cedarboy
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04/25/2017 09:45AM  
The Spring EXPO is a great place to check them out for fit etc against other brands. Check out the CCS (Cooke Custom Sewing) booth while you are there.

CB
 
jacobf
member (40)member
  
04/25/2017 09:50AM  
I have a Granite Gear pack that is similar to the Superior One and the main issue I have with it is the distance from the top of the shoulder straps to the hip belt is not long enough for me (I'm about 6' tall) to make the hip belt very useful. If hip support is the feature you're interested in on this pack I would suggest trying one on with some weight in it to see how it works for you.

Also, to echo what others have said, the pack is so large that it is very easy to overload it and make it absolutely miserable to carry. I have used mine as the main food pack for a group of seven and it fit everything with room to spare but I wish I would have spread the weight over two smaller packs.
 
04/25/2017 11:54AM  
Good points about the weight, I'll have to give that some thought and try out some varied combinations. And since I'm 6'2" I'll definitely want to make sure I can get it adjusted to where the hip belt is actually useful. I'll check out CCS too; their biggest pack appears quite a bit smaller though, no?
 
04/25/2017 12:17PM  
Keep in mind that the 7400 cubic inch volume spec for the GG Superior One includes the snorkle being extended. Without the extension, it will be about 5500 cubic inches.To compare between companies, calculate height x width x depth.
 
BuckFlicks
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04/25/2017 01:35PM  

I stand by this as my portage/gear pack for canoe trips:

Seattle Sports Canyon Pack

Carries almost as comfortably as a real backpack, has a great hip belt, comfortable shoulder straps, a sternum strap and it's as close to true waterproofing as you can get in a portage pack.

Not to say it's any better than other options, but it's my favorite.
 
Cedarboy
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04/25/2017 01:36PM  
Ausable beat me to it. GG and CCS use different metods to come up with volume. Dan at CCS explains it very well on his FAQ on the CCS website.
I will summarize:
GG Superior One(from the website)
20x25x11= 5500

CCS Pioneer(from the webite)- their med size pack
24x18x11= 4752

CCS Guide(from the website)-their large pack
26x19x12=5928

CCS measurements do not include the "snorkel", which would add even more.


CCS uses a straight forward, easy to understand way of expressing the pack volumes. They use HxWxD. Take the actual dimensions from the websites of the pack companies and caculate the volumes yourself for a FAIR comparison.
Do the math on some of the DP or Kondos packs, there is a huge difference between what they tell you and what math comes up with.
CB

 
Cedarboy
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04/25/2017 01:36PM  
In fact only one pack is larger than the CCS Guide when using the HxWxD method.
That is the Kondos Outfitter Expedition at 26 x 28 x 8.25 = 6006.

It too has a snorkel like the CCS which would add more volume.

CB
 
BigCurrent
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04/25/2017 01:58PM  
I prefer the CCS and Kondos packs to the newer Granite Gear Packs. The older GG packs were great with sturdier material, but their new ones use much lighter material which is great from a weight standpoint, but now they lack structure and assumed durability.
 
bronxpaddler
member (45)member
  
04/25/2017 03:27PM  
I, too, have had similar issues with the distance between the hip belt and the shoulder straps on this bag, which is sort of problematic. I found myself wishing I could remove the belt. A tump line, on the other hand, is greatly helpful, though I don't know whether this bag (or any of the other nylon options) offer a tump line. Obviously, many of the canvas options do. I am surprised no one has mentioned it, yet, actually, because for me tump lines are one of the most important aspects of the Duluth style portage pack, especially if they are huge and packed full. As I get older, I am so grateful for the opportunity to transfer weight off my shoulders.
 
BnD
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04/25/2017 05:52PM  
Don't be fooled into thinking building a pack made of 1000 denier pack cloth makes it superior. I have yet to see a feature CCS or Kondos has over GG other than heavy pack cloth. Many outfitters outside Ely currently outfit with GG Superior one packs so obviously the durability issue is moot. Look at the harness, compression features, outside attachment points, load stabilizers, load lifters, etc..... The GG Superior one is a full featured pack modified for canoe tripping. Look closely and you make the call. Personally, I think your on the right track. I own two GG Superior Ones. They are fantastic and carry fantastic with max load. I carry mine at 75# beginning each trip, rock solid. I think if more paddlers would learn to adjust packs to fit and carry properly they would never look back from GG Superior One. I see many many paddlers I meet on portages carrying packs like a sack of potatoes on their back and wonder why they don't like the pack. Some of that stems from the fact they have a pack that won't adjust and some of that stems from people that don't understand how/why to adjust a pack to carry properly. Once we have our packs adjusted for the load my son and I do not switch packs for the day because they fit individually. Go on a long backpack with one you'll see. Good luck with your choice.
 
04/25/2017 07:16PM  
I am 6' (maybe my torso length is taller) but I could seem to get no help from the hip belt either. It was a regular torso model, not the short model. The Kondos Outfitter Special fit me fine. Identical loads. It just fit me better. I sold the Superior One.

Any big pack is easy to overload and sometimes you do not realize it until a long portage late in the day. But with the same load weight and packing order, the Kondos Outfitter Special fit me better.

I kept a GG Quetico model and love it. It and the Special get me by fine. Cooke Custom Sewing is loved by many people here and raved about. I have wanted to try one for some time.

Load them up and try them on for fit and feel. You will probably know when FITS YOU.
 
Grouseguy1
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04/26/2017 09:50AM  
GG packs are made in communist China. CCS and Kondos made in MN.

Nuff said.
 
mc2mens
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04/26/2017 10:57AM  
I highly recommend the GG and CCS packs. I have the GG Superior One and a GG Quetico pack. Both have been very good packs for the past 10 years now, and I use them a lot. I also have a CCS Rucksack and it too is a great little pack. I probably use this pack the most. I'm a backpacker too and have a couple of good packs for that but much prefer the portage packs for canoe camping.

 
BuckFlicks
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04/26/2017 12:04PM  
quote Grouseguy1: "GG packs are made in communist China. CCS and Kondos made in MN.


Nuff said. "


China isn't communist any more. The Communist party is still running the show in name, but it's more of an authoritarian dictatorship. The economy definitely isn't communist.
 
04/26/2017 01:20PM  
You can't go wrong with Granite Gear, Cooke Custom Sewing , or Kondos. The last 2 are Minnesota made and that matters to me.
 
04/26/2017 02:34PM  
quote Blatz: "You can't go wrong with Granite Gear, Cooke Custom Sewing , or Kondos. The last 2 are Minnesota made and that matters to me."


Amen to that!
 
VoyageurNorth
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04/26/2017 10:26PM  
quote overthehill: "I am 6' (maybe my torso length is taller) but I could seem to get no help from the hip belt either. It was a regular torso model, not the short model. The Kondos Outfitter Special fit me fine. Identical loads. It just fit me better. I sold the Superior One.

Any big pack is easy to overload and sometimes you do not realize it until a long portage late in the day. But with the same load weight and packing order, the Kondos Outfitter Special fit me better.

I kept a GG Quetico model and love it. It and the Special get me by fine. Cooke Custom Sewing is loved by many people here and raved about. I have wanted to try one for some time.

Load them up and try them on for fit and feel. You will probably know when FITS YOU."


We like those too & use them a lot. One of the nice things about that pack is that it has a foam insert in the back for comfort. And then when they come back in rental, we take the foam pad out, take the belt off and throw them in our front loading washing machines. that keeps the dirt out so it doesn't abrade the material and the foam gets put back inside when the pack is dry.
Wipe off the foam before you put back in, hand wash the belts. Easy to maintain.
 
mc2mens
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04/27/2017 11:15AM  
quote VoyageurNorth: "
quote overthehill: "I am 6' (maybe my torso length is taller) but I could seem to get no help from the hip belt either. It was a regular torso model, not the short model. The Kondos Outfitter Special fit me fine. Identical loads. It just fit me better. I sold the Superior One.


Any big pack is easy to overload and sometimes you do not realize it until a long portage late in the day. But with the same load weight and packing order, the Kondos Outfitter Special fit me better.

I kept a GG Quetico model and love it. It and the Special get me by fine. Cooke Custom Sewing is loved by many people here and raved about. I have wanted to try one for some time.


Load them up and try them on for fit and feel. You will probably know when FITS YOU."



We like those too & use them a lot. One of the nice things about that pack is that it has a foam insert in the back for comfort. And then when they come back in rental, we take the foam pad out, take the belt off and throw them in our front loading washing machines. that keeps the dirt out so it doesn't abrade the material and the foam gets put back inside when the pack is dry.
Wipe off the foam before you put back in, hand wash the belts. Easy to maintain."


Thanks for the tip!
 
04/27/2017 02:43PM  
quote Grouseguy1: "GG packs are made in communist China. CCS and Kondos made in MN.


Nuff said. "


Laughable. If you purchase nothing made in China your take might have some merit. Also, I own both GG and CCS, and the GG is very nice equipment.
 
mschi772
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04/27/2017 03:07PM  
The way I see it, we're all humans just makin' it day-to-day sharing the planet, so I don't let myself get all nationalistic. If the Chinese or Koreans or Germans make a better product than anyone in the US, they get my money. The only exception is that very local guys get bonus points as do quality startups and mom/pop operations (lookin' at you, CCS). Penalty points go to anyone treating customers or employees especially poorly (this I consider something graded on a curve relative to geo/demographic norms in the area).
 
Jackfish
Moderator
  
04/28/2017 07:54AM  

Four portage packs ready to go...




... and two of them with eight days worth of gear for two people.

"Locally sewn. Globally tested."
 
04/28/2017 09:24AM  
quote Grouseguy1: "GG packs are made in communist China. CCS and Kondos made in MN.


Nuff said. "


Not exactly.
And more can be said about a MN company supplying tactical gear for our armed forces!

butthead



 
04/28/2017 09:53AM  
Isn't the GG tactical gear made in Puerto Rico? Technically USA
 
schells
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04/28/2017 03:06PM  
mid march stopped in at granite gear, on my way up the north shore to see what was in the store. There was lots of activity making packs and other cool bags for the military. Right there in two harbors.
 
BnD
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04/28/2017 04:15PM  
quote schells: "mid march stopped in at granite gear, on my way up the north shore to see what was in the store. There was lots of activity making packs and other cool bags for the military. Right there in two harbors. "


A voice of reason in the wilderness.
 
04/28/2017 08:39PM  
This has been an awesomely useful thread, thanks guys. I went to the expo and compared the GG Superior One and CCS Guide. Both really impressed me and I'm sure either would do the job well. The CCS felt better on me, and I like its top pocket better than the GG front pocket. So I got the Guide, in blue, and then went over to the CCS booth and talked with them. They seem like they've really thought it through. I'll see what I think. Thanks all.
 
04/29/2017 04:43PM  
quote TominMpls: "This has been an awesomely useful thread, thanks guys. I went to the expo and compared the GG Superior One and CCS Guide. Both really impressed me and I'm sure either would do the job well. The CCS felt better on me, and I like its top pocket better than the GG front pocket. So I got the Guide, in blue, and then went over to the CCS booth and talked with them. They seem like they've really thought it through. I'll see what I think. Thanks all."

You will absolutely not be disappointed. Dan and family make top notch gear. Congrats on your purchase!
 
Jackfish
Moderator
  
04/29/2017 09:01PM  
quote unshavenman: "You will absolutely not be disappointed. Dan and family make top notch gear. Congrats on your purchase!"

^^^ What he said. ^^^
 
04/29/2017 10:20PM  
Congrats I have the guide from CCS and love it, it holds a lot more than the GG Superior one (which is also a good pack) be careful to not over load it.

T
 
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