|
Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Gear Forum Ostrom Outfitters Pack |
Author
Text
05/24/2018 10:52AM (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Hi All!
Over my years of camping, I've used several varieties/ styles of packs in the BWCA. I was recently at a garage sale and was completely stumped by a pack I came across. Apparently, the owner was a sales rep for years and was selling some of his sample packs.
The pack is labeled as an Ostrom Outdoors pack. It comes in 2 pieces that somehow clip together. ( I have yet to figure out how. Haven't played with it much yet.) It is blue and has waterproof zippers. I picked it up for $50 USD.
I am having a hard time even finding information on these, let alone a diagram of how to clip it together!
Have any of you used one of these? Any information or feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Over my years of camping, I've used several varieties/ styles of packs in the BWCA. I was recently at a garage sale and was completely stumped by a pack I came across. Apparently, the owner was a sales rep for years and was selling some of his sample packs.
The pack is labeled as an Ostrom Outdoors pack. It comes in 2 pieces that somehow clip together. ( I have yet to figure out how. Haven't played with it much yet.) It is blue and has waterproof zippers. I picked it up for $50 USD.
I am having a hard time even finding information on these, let alone a diagram of how to clip it together!
Have any of you used one of these? Any information or feedback would be greatly appreciated!
05/24/2018 06:27PM
Sounds like solo pack they made so you could have one pack but split the load in front of and behind you. I’ve once seen one in use and it seemed cool. Because they haven’t been made for a long time they are almost mythic and you could probably get a good bit more than $50 for it. Or enjoy some solo trips.
05/25/2018 10:46AM
I remember seeing this pack in the Boundary Waters Catalog quite a few years ago. A search of my old catalogs shows it in the 2007 catalog, but it wasn't in the 2008 catalog. It also was on the 2008 Ostrom Outdoors website, but not in 2009. That would indicate to me that the product was a very short-lived one. Here is a scan from the Boundary Waters Catalog:
and here is the link to the archived Ostrom webpage:
Ostrom Solo Canoe Pack
and here is the link to the archived Ostrom webpage:
Ostrom Solo Canoe Pack
"Said one of these men, long past seventy years of age: 'I could carry, paddle, walk and sing with any man I ever saw. I have been twenty-four years a canoe man, and forty-one years in service; no portage was ever too long for me. Fifty songs could I sing. I have saved the lives of ten voyageurs. Have had twelve wives and six running dogs. I spent all my money in pleasure. Were I young again, I should spend my life the same way over. There is no life so happy as a voyageur's life!'"
07/11/2019 11:52AM
thebotanyguy: "I chatted with Bill, the semi-retired owner of Ostrom Outdoors. He would need an order of three Solo packs to make a production run worthwhile, and they would be $1200CDN plus tax and shipping for the three of them, or $400CDN plus each. That might be around $325 or so US each, maybe a little more.
and here is the link to the archived Ostrom webpage: Ostrom Solo Canoe Pack"
Can I find a couple others committed to buying one?
Joe
07/16/2019 07:31PM
So, I mistakenly said CDN funds. Bill Ostrom will make a few for $400US each, plus tax and shipping. Pretty high I know, but I gotta have one. If you want one, let me know so we can get him sewing!
He said they only made about 40 or 50 of the Solo pack, it was never a commercial success. He now makes them with waterproof zippers but they do not have the clear map case panel.
Joe
He said they only made about 40 or 50 of the Solo pack, it was never a commercial success. He now makes them with waterproof zippers but they do not have the clear map case panel.
Joe
07/17/2019 08:05AM
This pack has always intrigued me. As a solo canoeist, I do take two packs along for trimming out the canoe. That makes it a challenge while portaging, having a pack on the back, one in the front, and a canoe on top of my head. Doable, but without being able to see the path completely, my feet end up finding those tripable rocks and roots. It would be nice to portage with only one pack on the back.
Thus my intrigue on this pack. However, I just can't throw down $400 on a pack without being able to look at it and test it out. So, does anyone have one I could try out on a trip?
"It is more important to live for the possibilities that lie ahead than to die in despair over what has been lost." -Barry Lopez
07/17/2019 08:34AM
andym: "Sounds like solo pack they made so you could have one pack but split the load in front of and behind you. I’ve once seen one in use and it seemed cool. Because they haven’t been made for a long time they are almost mythic and you could probably get a good bit more than $50 for it. Or enjoy some solo trips. "
I would advise against doing a front carry unless you can see your feet at all times. The potential for a mis-step while carrying a lot of weight is just too great.
Don't ask me how I know this!
07/17/2019 08:44AM
BobDobbs: "andym: "Sounds like solo pack they made so you could have one pack but split the load in front of and behind you. I’ve once seen one in use and it seemed cool. Because they haven’t been made for a long time they are almost mythic and you could probably get a good bit more than $50 for it. Or enjoy some solo trips. "
I would advise against doing a front carry unless you can see your feet at all times. The potential for a mis-step while carrying a lot of weight is just too great.
Don't ask me how I know this!"
I think he meant in front of him in a solo canoe.
07/17/2019 09:20AM
Minnesotian: "
This pack has always intrigued me. As a solo canoeist, I do take two packs along for trimming out the canoe. That makes it a challenge while portaging, having a pack on the back, one in the front, and a canoe on top of my head. Doable, but without being able to see the path completely, my feet end up finding those tripable rocks and roots. It would be nice to portage with only one pack on the back.
Thus my intrigue on this pack. However, I just can't throw down $400 on a pack without being able to look at it and test it out. So, does anyone have one I could try out on a trip?"
Minnesotian, I may be able to help you out. I hope to get an Ostrom pack before my fall trip IF the other two buyers step up and we get em built. BUT I had a guy make me a similar custom pack. I had to order a new set of backpack straps for it and he is installing them for me pretty soon. End result, I will have two of these packs...and can probably lend you one or the other to try out and/or purchase if you like. I expect to keep the Ostrom pack of course, and the custom pack will probably go up for sale. -Joe
07/17/2019 01:14PM
joewildlife: "Minnesotian: "
This pack has always intrigued me. As a solo canoeist, I do take two packs along for trimming out the canoe. That makes it a challenge while portaging, having a pack on the back, one in the front, and a canoe on top of my head. Doable, but without being able to see the path completely, my feet end up finding those tripable rocks and roots. It would be nice to portage with only one pack on the back.
Thus my intrigue on this pack. However, I just can't throw down $400 on a pack without being able to look at it and test it out. So, does anyone have one I could try out on a trip?"
Minnesotian, I may be able to help you out. I hope to get an Ostrom pack before my fall trip IF the other two buyers step up and we get em built. BUT I had a guy make me a similar custom pack. I had to order a new set of backpack straps for it and he is installing them for me pretty soon. End result, I will have two of these packs...and can probably lend you one or the other to try out and/or purchase if you like. I expect to keep the Ostrom pack of course, and the custom pack will probably go up for sale. -Joe"
Joe,
That would be great! Let me know what you find out. Thanks much!
-Craig
"It is more important to live for the possibilities that lie ahead than to die in despair over what has been lost." -Barry Lopez
07/17/2019 04:49PM
Yes, I was referring to the old Ostrom pack that splits into two bags to separately place in the canoe to trim it. They combine into one pack on your back for the portages.
I'm sort of tempted to buy one but really can't justify it. Cool that it is a possibility for everyone who has wanted one over the years.
I'm sort of tempted to buy one but really can't justify it. Cool that it is a possibility for everyone who has wanted one over the years.
07/24/2019 01:43PM
My quest for an Ostrom Solo pack appears to be over! Two other members and I have committed and Bill is making them for us this fall. He did indicate while he is not going back into business, he could make one or two more while he is at it.
SO if you want one, now is the time to pony up.
Joe
SO if you want one, now is the time to pony up.
Joe
01/13/2020 01:56PM
YES! Three of us ponied up the cash and Bill made us the packs, delivered in October. So I haven't used it yet. Of course, they look very well made. I especially like that each half can be carried as a duffel with an included shoulder strap, in case something was to break or an animal chews through a shoulder strap. Just adds nice versatility.
However, as I had mentioned, I had Chris Randall make me a version of the solo pack per my specs. Rather than zippers, it has a drawstring closure with the fold over/buckle down top like Dan Cooke's Hybrid pack design. A friend and I used it on a trip to Quetico in September and it worked out excellent! He had his half for his gear, and I had my half. It worked out great when setting up and taking down camp, especially when our tents were in different locations. It kept our gear separate. It is a very large pack, definitely large enough for all our soft gear. All our food and kitchen stuff was carried in a 60L barrel. So I am convinced that the system works! I will probably use the pack if I ever go solo in an open canoe, to trim the canoe.
I suspect we have the last 3 solo packs ever made.
Joe
However, as I had mentioned, I had Chris Randall make me a version of the solo pack per my specs. Rather than zippers, it has a drawstring closure with the fold over/buckle down top like Dan Cooke's Hybrid pack design. A friend and I used it on a trip to Quetico in September and it worked out excellent! He had his half for his gear, and I had my half. It worked out great when setting up and taking down camp, especially when our tents were in different locations. It kept our gear separate. It is a very large pack, definitely large enough for all our soft gear. All our food and kitchen stuff was carried in a 60L barrel. So I am convinced that the system works! I will probably use the pack if I ever go solo in an open canoe, to trim the canoe.
I suspect we have the last 3 solo packs ever made.
Joe
01/14/2020 09:36AM
So below are a couple pictures of my Ostrom Solo Pack.
I'll point out a few nice features
-pockets on the ends, top, and inside each unit
-nice backpack straps, no waist belt because they aren't effective on 2 part packs
-sternum strap
-nice pads between the pack and your back
-lots of grab handles
-not too big
-three buckles on rear of pack, 2 on the front, and 2 buckles on backpack straps, hold the pack together
-famous Ostrom quality
I have another pack that Chris Randall of Manitoba made me. He is the manufacturer of the Yukon Fire Box, a cool stick and twig stove. I actually prefer a couple of features of his pack--mainly instead of a zipper closure it has a drawstring closure and a flap over the top like a CCS Hybrid pack. This way, you are more flexible in how much gear you can fit in each half of the pack. The Randall pack can be a lot larger, as a result. Chris is not primarily a portage pack maker, he makes all kinds of bags for snowmobiling and winter camping. He made the bag for me by special request.
I'm going to have to keep both these packs. The Randall pack is tried and tested and works great when paddling with a buddy. I suspect the Ostrom pack will be my solo pack of choice.
Joe
I'll point out a few nice features
-pockets on the ends, top, and inside each unit
-nice backpack straps, no waist belt because they aren't effective on 2 part packs
-sternum strap
-nice pads between the pack and your back
-lots of grab handles
-not too big
-three buckles on rear of pack, 2 on the front, and 2 buckles on backpack straps, hold the pack together
-famous Ostrom quality
I have another pack that Chris Randall of Manitoba made me. He is the manufacturer of the Yukon Fire Box, a cool stick and twig stove. I actually prefer a couple of features of his pack--mainly instead of a zipper closure it has a drawstring closure and a flap over the top like a CCS Hybrid pack. This way, you are more flexible in how much gear you can fit in each half of the pack. The Randall pack can be a lot larger, as a result. Chris is not primarily a portage pack maker, he makes all kinds of bags for snowmobiling and winter camping. He made the bag for me by special request.
I'm going to have to keep both these packs. The Randall pack is tried and tested and works great when paddling with a buddy. I suspect the Ostrom pack will be my solo pack of choice.
Joe
01/14/2020 11:53AM
We didn't use this particular model, but Phil Cotton bought equipment and personal packs from Bill Ostrom (also harnesses for 60 L barrels, I think) for crews to use on his Wabakimi Project trips. Used most of the summer, for years... very tough products. We did use liners, on the personal packs.
Subscribe to Thread
Become a member of the bwca.com community to subscribe to thread and get email updates when new posts are added. Sign up Here