Growing up I've always used duluth pack style packs for trip. Now that I'm planning my trips with a friend he is convinced that those are a bad idea and we should go with more of the backpack style packs. I'm just not convinced that is the right solution either. Do you guys have any pros and cons to using either or. To me the backpacker style packs a much more "individual" then duluth pack style packs. If everyone has their own pack where does the food go, and the tent and all that stuff? If you split it up and divide it through everyones pack I would think you have to combine all the food when you get to camp so you could hang it. This seems like a lot of work.

What do you all think?

When my group trips, we all use "backpacking" style packs. Mostly because that's where we all started out and are now conforming our trips to mainly BWCA trips and haven't coughed up the scratch for "boundary style" packs.
They seem to treat us just fine. Not as much room in our packs as one may find in a Boundary style, but now we find it's about how and what you pack vs how much. My pack is about 5,000 cubic inches with the day pack attached. I trip with the Arc'teryx Bora 80, find it a bit small for the BW but soooo comfortable.
The one issue we do have is the food pack. We have a separate pack that we take turns portaging along with our individual packs. We fight for the right to carry "our" packs and the canoe vs our packs and the food pack(very heavy) though no one wants to admit it.
To summarize, if you are packing light and packing well, I recommend this option especially for longer portaging. Again very very comfortable and you can find a good pack for right around $125.00.
Hope this ramble helps.

One side note. I did just purchase a Seal Line 115 bag from Sunnysports.com. More of the traditional Portage bag style for the BW. Cost, $74.66 just shipped today so no reviews but it came recommended from some highly regarded members of this forum.

IMO
Pros - they can fit better and feel better on the trail and many have built in hydration units.

Cons - they don't hold as much stuff, they don't quite fit right in a canoe, and you can't carry the canoe and a tall hiking pack.

My first trip this year is about 40 miles on water and about 2 miles portaging. My preference is to have a pack that rides well in the canoe since that is where it will be most of the time.

We use knu-pacs and don't have trouble fitting them into canoes. If your camping backpacks are waterproof or everything in them is waterproofed then it should be ok in a canoe too.

Here is how we split up stuff so that it is one pack per person for single portaging and no resorting when we get to camp:

Pack 1: stuff that goes into a tent such as clothes, camp shoes, sleeping bags, pads, miscellaneous such as books, art supplies.

Pack 2: tent, tarp, kitchen gear, saw, food for two people.

Small daypacks with stuff that needs to be accessible are carried by hand.

The good thing here is that if it is raining then you don't need to open up Pack 1 until the tent is set up. We use Ursacks for the food and so there is no need to combine all the food together for hanging. If you do want to combine the food then if it is packed in some sort of large stuff sack it wouldn't take long to combine it into one pack for hanging.

If both people are about equal in strength then the person carrying the canoe gets Pack 1 because it is lighter. If one person is much stronger than they may take Pack 2 and the canoe.

We have friends who mix it up differently with each person taking their own clothes and stuff and some of the gear and food and they don't seem to have any problem sorting stuff in camp.

I use Large ALICE packs (Army Issue) I take the frame off so it fits better in the canoe. Lots of capacity and external pockets, loops and eyelets to store things that you might want to access enroute without opening up the entire pack. A friend of mine keeps the frame and made a set of forks to attach to the top of the frame so you can fit the center thwart of the canoe in the frames. He says it distributs the weight of the boat better than just on your neck. I might give it a try. The thing about the Army packs is that they are not as tall as traditional backpacks and are reasonably comfortable. I carried one many a mile in the military. I paid $79 for each at a surplus store.

Backpacking packs are WAY more comfortable. I would say it depends on how long you are going to be carrying it.

I like the way you can always fit one more thing into a Duluth pack. I think that they ride lower in the canoe and lower the center of balance. You might run into difficulties when portaging a canoe with a backpack style pack.

Arkman, if you read the responses carefully, you'll see something quite obvious: Canoe packs are designed for canoe tripping. They ride in the canoe better, they hold gear better than a backpacking pack, and they ride lower on the back allowing one to carry a canoe and the pack at the same time.

Quality canoe packs have a waist belt and chest strap and are comfortable to carry. The best ones have an extra pouch in the top flap as well as several grab loops for easy lifting. Simply stated, for canoe tripping, they're better than a backpacker's pack in every way.

Now, with all that said, if backpacking packs are all you have, by all means USE THEM! I went for 20 years before I finally bought a canoe pack. This year, I just bought my second. I'll have them for as long as I need canoe packs, then I'll hand them down to my kids/grandkids.

I'm for backpacks all the way. I use a Gregory Advent Pro which sits well below the point of interfering with the yoke, it's a 37 liter pack (I told a big fat on a different thread and said it was 35 liters) which holds everything I need, and fits anywhere in the canoe easily. Should work very well for me. But I also don't take 'the kitchen sink" either. The camera goes into a different container.

I've used both a backpack and a portage pack while canoe camping. I sprung for a quality portage pack a couple of years ago and it really is a better pack for canoe camping, but I agree with Jackfish in that if all you have is a backpack - use it.

Thanks everyone. Right now I have one duluth back that my dad got in the early 80's and left to me. Still works great but its not the most comfortable thing on earth. Two years ago I went through Voyager North and they had Kondos Packs (I believe thats the name). Those were more comfy to carry then the Duluth pack. The reason I ask is the packs are the last thing I need to buy to do a trip without renting anything. Right now I don't have anything other then the one duluth pack. I'm looking at buying some packs and couldn't decide. I don't go backpacking ever so to me it makes sense to get the canoe packs. My plan is to get two used ones from V-North. I talked to them the other day and she said she had plenty. I'm thinking a food pack and a number 4 pack would suit me well. For the price of a used pack I cant buy that nice of a backpack.

My group and I use Backpacking Pack. Mainly because that is all we have. I have used an internal frame for the last few years and love it. You can attach everything to the frame (belt straps hold my tent onto the bottom of the frame) but I got an internal frame REI pack this year for Christmas (one of our group has been using one for years and loves it) so I am very anxious to start using that.

Our packs fit fine, and low, in the boat. We place them on their side and side by side in the boat. All our packs are water proof but, because I am paranoid, we place one of our tarps on the bottom of the boat so the packs sit on the tarp (and flip the tarp over in case it starts raining).

We use a military issue sea bag for the food bag and just take turns hauling it on the portages.

Arkman, sounds like you have a good plan. Either one will work, but a portage pack works better for portaging and a backpack works better for backpacking (go figure). If you don't do backpacking, the portage pack is definitely the right choice, and the price is right getting them used.

Something to consider - contrary to some folks, I don't use a food pack. Food is kept in dry bags, and split up between the people on the trip. If a pack is somehow lost, we won't starve. I do the same with shared gear like tent and tarp. Different packs for similar gear, just in case.

I always used and internal frame backpack until last year. I rented a Duluth one to see the difference.

I loved it. The single portaging along with the ease in fitting in the canoe can't be beat.

I bought a CSS pioneer on sale this year and can't wait to use it.

I did give up individual pockets, but that's all I missed.

I have used both on every trip I have done. I prefer the backpack style. Mine is an internal style which has 7,200 inches2. I can carry the canoe wearing it. It is waterproof, and narrow enough that I can put two next to each other in the canoe without a problem. I just find them more comfortable.

I have used both. They both serve a purpose.
I like the frame pack with all the separate pockets to store stuff in. I usually use it as food/kitchen/rope pack. I use an s-hook to hang by frame in tree with cheap poncho over.

Duluth pack gets clothing, tent, sleeping pads etc.

quote marc bates: "I have used both on every trip I have done. I prefer the backpack style. I just find them more comfortable."

Marc, when it comes to going long distances (i.e. 10 - 12 miles per day), there is no question that a backpacking pack will be better than a canoe pack. However, when it comes to placing the pack into the canoe and taking it out, then carrying it for relatively short distances multiple times per day, a COMFORTABLE canoe pack is superior.

Coincidentally, I have a 7200 cubic inch Jansport internal frame backpack for backpacking. Up until a few years ago, I used it on canoe trips because I didn't have a canoe pack. Now that I have two good canoe packs, I will never go back to a backpack. Never. They're just not built for the task at hand as well as a canoe pack.

As mentioned in my earlier post, if backpacks are all you have, use them! However, after noticing in your profile that you've taken 1 to 5 canoe trips, I think you'll agree after you take a few more trips. There's a reason for gear designed specifically for each kind of trek.

Some great advise here, and all posts seem to pointing in the same direction. You had said yourself you Don't plan to do any "backpacking" aside from your canoe trip portaging. I am of the opinion you have answered your own question. For you, the Duluth style pack seems the way to go.

Side note: While wearing the Bora 80 I have no problem carrying the canoe. The pack is pretty water resistant, and we can lay multiple packs low in the canoe, similar to how you would receive shoes in a shoe box (head to toe).

Thanks for all the post guys. I'm planning on buying canoe packs. I'm guessing that the one guy in my group will still want to use backpacking packs instead. Not sure why, I told him all the reason why I could think of and he was still convinced they are they way to go. Sometimes I hate planning trips!

Thanks!

I am also in the market. Where could I purchase a used Granite Gear #3 canoe pack in the Ely area or online?

I started going to the Boundary Waters the second year I started backpacking (1997). Last year I tried something different and rented a Duluth pack. On my next trip the money I spent on renting a Duluth pack from the outfitter will be used for beer and food afterwards or a t-shirt for myself and my daughter.

I was hoping that the Duluth pack would be a positive experience, but I could never get it packed right. I guess I just couldn't get it properly packed; I was left with a beautiful deep purple bruise just below my shoulder from the strap. But I did enjoy the single portaging.

My first four trips I used an external frame backpack as did each member of the group. Each person had their own stuff sack which contained their food for the week. Like I said I started backpacking before I started tripping in the B-dub, so this is something my wife and I were used to. My wife and I share a tent the two times she has gone. By that I mean I carried the tent body and she carried the tent's fly.

Using an internal backpack, one of last summer's trip member's was able to carry the canoe at the same time. But when I have used my external frame backpack, I have double portaged. Since we have never really been in a hurry, this hasn't bothered the group.

Usually in our group two people will carry rope. At the end of my rope is attached a heavy carabineer. At the end of the night everyone's food stuff sack is gathered and hung from these ropes.

When I have been paddling, I have paid attention the size and number of packs in passing canoes. Sometimes when I see two or three big packs in a boat I am happy with using an external frame backpack that I have owned since 1996. I have been able to carry my clothes, assorted gear, tent, sleeping bag, food, and one burner stove in my one pack.

Last summer I came awful close to purchasing Duluth pack in a store in downtown Ely heavily marked down in price. I didn't. Maybe someday I will, but since I live in Cincinnati and backpack more than I canoe, I am comfortable with sticking with my external frame backpack.

If you have backpacked a lot, using your pack to canoe in the boundary waters should not be an issue.

I do a lot of backpacking, and if the only thing I had was a backpack, it would be fine for canoeing. But for canoeing, my Granite Gear packs are so much better. Just the way they fit in the canoe makes all the difference.

dont let the duluth pack experience jade you english. there are SO many better options out there. CCS, Kondos, GG...

I have 90L internal frame travel backpack from eagle creek. Had no problems single portaging with it. Very comfortable. would put it with straps down into the canoe or on it's side. fit with no problem, I had some concerns about it shifting, but didn't see anything obvious.

What Kanoes said - try another portage pack other than the Duluth Pack. Kondos, CCS, GG and other brands that have embraced new materials and harness technologies are so much more comfortable than Duluth Packs. This thread should be "Portage Packs Vs. Backpacking Packs"

Three words about your Duluth Pack experience: No waist belt.

Try another canoe pack. You ain't seen nothin' yet. (For the life of me, I can't imagine why Duluth Pack hasn't changed with the times.)

I totally agree with all of you about the Duluth pack vs other portage packs. I guess I called this thread Duluth pack because I didn't know what else to call it. Portage pack makes sense now that I hear it. Don't get me wrong. I love my Duluth pack, I suppose its more of a sentimental thing. I remember taking it on the few trips I got to take with my dad before he died and now the pack is mine. I love that this pack is going to last forever. I think that its awesome that there is a company that was started in 1882 and they are still in business doing what they have always done. Unfortunately for the Duluth Pack store, sentiment and nostalgia are not that helpful on the portage. I rented Kondos pack and they were much more comfortable and seem to be less expensive. If I can actually afford to buy a couple when the time comes for my trip I will definitely buy a couple used kondos packs and I don't think I will regret it. I will also love my Duluth pack as long as I'm around. Hopefully someday my kids will feel the same about that silly little pack.

I realize I am a little late to contribute to this thread. But since I use both Canoe/Portage packs and internal frame Hiking Backpacks I can compare and contrast based on my experience.

Large portage packs carry far more than a hiking backpack. This is very helpful for carrying stuff like sleeping bags, clothes, tents, etc. Portage packs are easier to get into and out of a canoe. They also fit better. These packs should be your first choice for canoeing.

Hiking backpacks are taller and can interfere with carrying a canoe at the same time. You need to leave the top of a tall backpack empty if you want to carry a canoe with it.

However, a decent hiking backpack is great for people not expected to carry a canoe. For example, my wife has a bad back and can't carry a heavy pack. She carries a well-fitting hiking pack that sits on her hips with the waist strap. Because the pack doesn't move around when she walks, she can also carry stuff like fishing poles, chairs, life jackets.

I also use a small technical pack that I can get at important stuff quickly when traveling. Things like the camera, water filter, and snacks go into the small pack. I can carry it with the canoe since it is not big or heavy.

I bought this pack off Craigslist, but I have not been able to figure out who really made it. In any case, it has a nice waist belt and a lot of capacity and it's kind of an interesting hybrid. The brand on it says "Black Feather" but according to the Google, that's a high end expedition company. Does it look familiar to anyone?

Krusty

I really like the canoe portage packs. I went with CCS but in visiting with those using Kondo's and GG, they are excellent packs also. The CCS are highly adjustable on the shoulder straps as well as the waist (hip) strap. You have the option of also using the extra strap that goes across the chest and clips and adjusts. I also like the stuff collar on the CCS. Weight management and packing them correct is key to comfort also. The longest portage I have been on is about 275 rods, and they work great for that distance for sure and pack well in the canoe.
SunCatcher

I don't have a lot of experience with portage packs yet but I much prefer them to regular backpacks.

Backpacks are obviously more comfortable but the bulky waist belts make loading and unloading the canoe a pain and they tend to get hung up on things.

Regular backpacks are more difficult to access which I find annoying on a canoe trip. It is relatively easy to find/store something in the gaping maw of a Duluth pack.

Backpacks don't dry very easily because of the padding getting soaked in the rain or just sitting in the canoe. I don't like putting a sopping wet waist belt on if I am not otherwise wet.

Duluth packs are very durable. Someone mentioned having one from the 80's. How many backpacks do you see from the 80's? My REI backpack from the 90's is lightly used but the chest strap is messed up and not easily fixed.

In the end, it is just personal preference and your own resources/means. But I prefer portage packs and decided to buy two Frost River packs which I really like. I also like the aesthetics of waxed canvas vs. a brightly colored backpack.

We use both packs. For instance this year there will be four of us covering about 30 miles in four days and we will use a large CCS food pack, a Seal Line 115 bag for the two people not carrying canoes, then we use 2 backpacks a Dana Design and a Gregory Balto 70 both around 5000 cubic for the two people carrying canoes which makes it much easier when you have long portages. We found this to be the best system to bring plenty of gear to base camp but only single portage. We have no lose gear and we have fishing gear, a full camp axe and everything fits in these packs.

I spent a lot of years with a sealine bag or an internal frame, but after I got my granite gear portage pack, I'll never use any other type when I'm in the BWCA.

I use a #4 "outfitter" Duluth pack, heavier cloth, double bottom. It is 13 years old and will outlast me. I like canvas. I like leather. I like wood canoes. I like cane seats.

Yes the Duluth pack isn't as comfortable to carry as my Camptrails backpack. But I just perfer it. I like the feel and the smell of it.
I like to use is as a prop in photos.

Carry what you have.

Lemieux -- The Gregory backpack seems pretty tall. Doesn't it interfere with the canoe yoke and make it hard to get the canoe on and off your shoulders?

I use a #4 Duluth Pack for my bulky gear, a regular backpack for dense heavy gear, and a rubber kayak bag with shoulder straps as a food bag.

Steven we have found it much easier to portage a canoe with a light weight backpack vs a canoe pack. The pack in no taller than me and the yoke on a MNII has two small pads that sit on your shoulders. We still use canoe packs for the people not carrying canoes. The reason for this method is to be light, fast and single portage.

Just checked and Sawbill outfitters still has some G.G. Traditional 3.5 packs for $70. Bought a Superior One from them last fall and it is in great shape.

quote rookie in 03: "Just checked and Sawbill outfitters still has some G.G. Traditional 3.5 packs for $70. Bought a Superior One from them last fall and it is in great shape."

I assume these are used - typically how old are they before an outfitter might sell them?

There many reasons to use different style packs for different reasons. If you want the best quality and heavy duty, that can always be repaired, or altered, and you want to carry your canoe while strapping your pack on at the same time. Then, Duluth Pack is the only way to go. I've been using them since 1999. I have never had an issue myself with them. Others with different products always seem to come into trouble with their packs and have stress in the trip. My buddy with brand new Granite Gear broke a buckle the first portage putting gear in the canoe from the truck. That stressed him out big time. Who wants stress when your in the Boundary Waters? Duluth Packs will be around longer than any pack out there that I have ever seen or read about. They are the perfect pack for the reason they are designed for. I even had them custom some stuff for me because of the craftmenship and quality. Hope this helps...

quote TriTodd: "Duluth Pack is the only way to go... Duluth Packs will be around longer than any pack out there that I have ever seen or read about. They are the perfect pack for the reason they are designed for."

And this is your first post? Do you work for Duluth Pack or what? (Actually, I see in your profile you live in Missouri.)

I couldn't disagree more with your post. The material might be strong, but so are the others. The straps, hip belt and overall design of the typical Duluth Packs have been far surpassed by others, IMO. And on top of it all, Duluth Packs are priced well above like-sized competitive packs. Less... for more. Not a good combination.

For the record, I don't work for any outdoor gear company, let alone one who makes portage packs. I'm just a happy and extremely satisfied owner of two canoe packs made by another Minnesota-based company.

I go on long Boundary Waters trips. This year it will be 10 days or more. The Duluth Pack Paul Bunyan is 9420 cubic inches. It carries alot of gear for my wife and I. It's currently $215.00 and with a lifetime guarantee on the craftmenship. How bad can that be? It will outlast any nylon pack made. I'm not putting down anyones equiptment, but you have to look at your gear 10 years from now and see if you still have the same packs, or had to get new ones.