I'm looking at their website, and trying to decide which bag(s) to buy for 1-2 people. Suggestions?

I have a Pioneer and a Rucksack. The Pioneer is a great larger pack. I bought two Pioneer packs (one for my sister) and the Rucksack used from someone on this site. He also had a Guide and that was huge so I passed on that one.

I used the Pioneer pack last year replacing my Molle Rucksack (10 lbs just the weight of the pack). The Pioneer is a great main pack for me. It fits all my clothes, hammock, sleeping bag, Thermarest, chair,and more. I plan to use the Rucksack as a second pack for solo tripping.

Both Pioneer and Rucksack also worked excellent as carry-on on a plane trip last year.

I have to consider that If I take someone along, I'll be toting my Timberline 4 Tent, a thermarest pad, and a bulky sleeping bag. I personally carry a nicer 20 degree bag (North Face) and one of the newer style ultra lightweight air mattresses (rolls up the size of a water bottle). Then clothes, etc. Last year I think we used one larger Kondos bag, one medium, then we had our Kondos Bear bag, which was a monster for two people. Then I had my personal backpack with odds and ends. SO it might do well for me to get 1-2 of the pioneer, and then I am looking to do a blue barrel setup for the food/kitchen. I still have yet to embrace hammock camping like the "cool kids" are doing now....someday, haha. Tents are cheaper and air mattresses have come a long way the last 20 years.

If you can get to Canoecopoia next month you can see them in person and talk to the man himself.

Blatz: "If you can get to Canoecopoia next month you can see them in person and talk to the man himself. "

I may need wrong but pretty sure there is another thread here explaining they are not at this years Canoecopia. Rutabaga will have CCS products there.

It depends how you pack and eat. For two of us, one pioneer (all clothes, shoes, personal, pads, bags, and tent); deluxe food pack (food usually with current maps and water bottles on top); an old kondos no. 3 for stove and cooking gear, filter, tarp, ropes, misc.

I'm with Bill Conner; so much of it depends on how you pack. For what it's worth, I have a Pioneer and a Guide. I thought about an Explorer, but what I've discovered is I usually fill the space I have and if the pack is bigger, then I bring more gear. So going with the smaller packs has taught me to really think through what I need and what I don't.

The Pioneer is a great size. I also have the Explorer, although I have not used it yet, and the Bushcrafter. My brother has a Guide. Personally I would rather make an extra trip across a portage (well most of them) by using two lighter packs than one trip across carrying a heavy one. My gear is packed trying to equalize volume and weight. It's also important that a pack can easily fit into the canoe so it is easy to put in and take out. I am a big guy and the center of gravity is already high so I need my packs to be under the gunwales. I lay out all of my equipment then place everything into the packs based on size and weight, thus my gear is mix-matched; I will likely have community gear, food, personal gear, kitchen gear, sleeping gear, etc. in each bag. It's all going to the same place anyways, right. I do place my tarp, tent, water treatment equipment, rain gear, and first aid gear towards the top. One thing to note is that the Granite Gear insulated pack liner fits perfectly into an Explorer thus turning it into a dual-purpose pack if so desired. REI offers it online. Which ever one you get you will most likely own at least one of each before long. I have a matching set in red.

One other thing I want to add - the CCS zippered stuffs sack are great for organization. They come in 3 sizes (4 if you count the "personal" size). They also make round ones for a blue barrel. I have about a dozen of them in various colors and sizes for my color-coded organization system. I made laminated tags to put on them (tied on with string) to identify what is in each one. When I go into the tent (or food barrel) to get something I can find it in about 2 seconds.

billconner: "

Blatz: "If you can get to Canoecopoia next month you can see them in person and talk to the man himself. "

I may need wrong but pretty sure there is another thread here explaining they are not at this years Canoecopia. Rutabaga will have CCS products there.


"

right you are.. he is not but some of his stuff will be...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/113319650317/about/

dr bob

Link

Pioneer. Rucksack is too small.

For me and my lady, on a week long trip this fall (warmer clothes needed) I packed our gear in a GG Superior One (7400 cu. in.), a GG Quetico (5000 cu. in.), CCS Rucksack (2150 cu. in.), and a 30L blue barrel for food and wine. We base camped and fished. 4 p Marmot Hideaway tent, Exped pads, Marmot down bags, REI Flexlite camp chairs, camp table, 2 tarps, kitchen gear, extra clothing, fishing gear, camera gear, food and wine for a week (we eat a mix of dried and fresh food), etc.

Not this year. CCS does not have a booth at Canoecopia this year. I heard from Dan himself today that they will not be there. Rutabaga will have a supply of their packs at the show.

I do not own any CCS packs....yet, but I'm also been trying to decide between the Guide and the Pioneers. I normally pack heavy, but am making an effort to downsize slightly, especially since I want to do more solo trips. I saw the bags in person for the first time a couple weeks ago, and decided to go with the Pioneer. It's a great size pack.