Hi all! With Midwest Mountaineerings Expo this weekend, I'm thinking about buying a new pack with the 20% off coupon. Now my family is very old school and have always owned Duluth Pack canoe packs for the last 50 years. I'm looking for something a little lighter, more modern and a little less expensive. I get to the BWCA once a summer, and don't usually go on super long trips deep into the wilderness. We basecamp and fish is our usual M.O. So with all this info, would the hive think the Canoeist #4 Traditional pack would suffice? Or should I suck it up and get a Hybrid pack? Thanks for the advice.
- Jason

Suck it up and get a hybrid. It's one-time money, and they're way more comfortable.

Hybrid all the way.

I have been waiting for a coupon to buy a CCS pack. I am assuming those coupons are just for in-person purchases. Is that right?

Thanks.

You want a hybrid. My favorite is the Pioneer.

daverr: "I have been waiting for a coupon to buy a CCS pack. I am assuming those coupons are just for in-person purchases. Is that right?


Thanks."

The coupons are e-mailed to those that are on the midwest mountaineering mailing list and are only good on specific days of the expo.

tony

midwest mountaineering coupons

CCS has had to pull out of having a booth at this weekends event Due to family health issues. Midwest stocks a good amount of CCS and other fine products. I may be able to give the tarp clinics on Saturday and Sunday - But that will depends on the hospital release timing.

Have a great expo.

without a doubt get the hybrid. I lke the pioneer but thinking of gatting the bigger one this year.

tony

DanCooke: " midwest mountaineering coupons


CCS has had to pull out of having a booth at this weekends event Due to family health issues. Midwest stocks a good amount of CCS and other fine products. I may be able to give the tarp clinics on Saturday and Sunday - But that will depends on the hospital release timing.


Have a great expo."

Dan, I'll miss your booth at the expo but understand completely. I hope you can make it to your tarp clinics, they are always fun and educational.

Snosaj, I would definitely get a hybrid pack over the traditional pack. It's more comfortable and I personally think it holds gear better.

I'm sorry to hear, Dan. I was looking forward to meeting you and purchasing my first CCS pack. Wishing your family well.

DanCooke: " midwest mountaineering coupons

CCS has had to pull out of having a booth at this weekends event Due to family health issues. Midwest stocks a good amount of CCS and other fine products. I may be able to give the tarp clinics on Saturday and Sunday - But that will depends on the hospital release timing.

Have a great expo."

Wishing you and your family good luck and good health. You'll be missed at the Expo.

CCS hybrid all the way. Duluth Packs aren’t even comparable except they both hold things. Just got my 1st pack last month and loaded it with 100# and my #4DP and it’s night and day. Don’t hesitate and get one.

+10 ? on the CCS Pioneer Hybrid. Great product!

My only concern about getting the next larger size is the temptation to bring too much stuff.

CCS is top notch quality

Sorry to hear the news, Dan. You'll be missed.

One more endorsement for a CCS Hybrid. Dan, pray your health issues clear up quickly!

Wow, I guess it's a ringing endorsement for the Hybrid packs. I try to subscribe to the "buy once, cry once" mentality when it's appropriate. Now the question becomes should I get the Pioneer or the Guide. I'm leaning towards the Guide since I want something approximately #4 Duluth Pack sized.

I'm sorry to hear about that Dan, my prayers are with you and your family.

If you are debating the Guide and Pioneer just get the Guide. Even if the pack is not full you can still cinch everything tight and have no issues carrying a 75% full pack.

I have the Pioneer and have never wished I had the Guide. Pioneer is plenty big enough for me.

JC

Actually, the pioneer is a good size pack in itself. Instead of bigger I'd use that and one of your beloved Duluth bags until you could afford the pioneer and an explorer pack. If you want a mammoth sack you can try one of my kondo packs. I have one of each of their bigger bags. Good bags, but downsized to more manageable packs. I personally don't use the bigger packs but my kids (adult) still use them from time to time.

Two Pioneer packs for two people on an 8-day Quetico trip. More than enough room for gear. You can buy the Guide with the intention of filling it with only sleeping bags, pillows and all sorts of fluffy stuff, but underneath it all, you KNOW that's not the way it going to go.

The Pioneers are great... and the perfect size.

+97 on the Pioneer packs. Two when I am with a partner, one and a rucksack when I am alone.

I have a Pioneer and an Explorer. Never had the need for the Guide. Keep in mind, if you have the room, chances are you'll pack something to fill the space.

Get a Hybrid, whatever size you need.

I hate to break the news to you but if you buy a CCS pack it won't be your final pack purchase. You will appreciate the quality, service and comfort so much that you will just keep buying more, and more, and more...

Well the decision on which to buy was made for me. When I got to the Expo they were sold out of the Pioneer, so I ended up with a Guide. Thanks for all the advice!

Just purchased a red Pioneer and Midwest last night! Super excited to use it in May. It will work perfectly with my CCS Rucksack for solo trips. I might have gotten the last Pioneer pack last night.

I have a blue Guide that I got last year, so I bought a Pioneer on Friday with my 20% coupon. I'd planned on green or brown, but they only had red and blue so I now have matching blue CCS hybrids. Planning for those to be our only bags this year.

I have both the Pioneer and Guide and they went with to Quetico and BW last year and I didn't feel the need to stuff the Guide just because I could. It cinches down nicely but remember it's you who puts too much stuff in as the pack doesn't self load.......grin

Snosaj: "Well the decision on which to buy was made for me. When I got to the Expo they were sold out of the Pioneer, so I ended up with a Guide. Thanks for all the advice!"

You will be happy!