Planning a week long, late September trip out of PP to loop through the man chain and the border lakes. Just wondering if there is a pro/con to doing the loop clockwise or counter clockwise.

I think the most important part of the equation is where are you going from the Man Chain? Back to the border, all the way to the far west of Kawnipi or down McEwen toward Louisa? The reason I ask is the wind direction might impact your choice, as well as the portage difficulty each way. I like to ride with the wind the latter half of the trip if I have a choice and also prefer to save the toughest portages for the end of the trip when our loads are lighter.
If you are going to do the border lakes I would likely opt to start along the border. Portages are not hard and you would get the more congested part of your trip done at the start, saving the best part in Quetico for the second half. The Man Chain on your return should limit the wind issue.
Although, given the choice, I would avoid the border run all together and stay further north in the Q!

I'd do the Knife and Ottertrack portions with the prevailing wind to my back. Therefore, do the loop counterclockwise. The Man Chain lakes themselves are easier to hide on and negotiate with head winds. I've done the Man Chain 3 times.

quote Kiporby: "I'd do the Knife and Ottertrack portions with the prevailing wind to my back. Therefore, do the loop counterclockwise. The Man Chain lakes themselves are easier to hide on and negotiate with head winds. I've done the Man Chain 3 times."

+1.

+2
Plus, heavier packs and less portaging work good. Counter clockwise is my choice.

I've been both ways Saganaga to PP and back and don't think there is much difference. It is mostly SW to NE and the most common wind is perpendicular to that.

Counter clockwise has always been my travel pattern. Packs are lighter and conditioning better coming out through some famous portages exiting Agnes.
Watch the wind on Agnes and the other big lakes. I recall pushing some pretty big waves crossing Bailey Bay on the way out one year and being grateful for the conditioning and coordination with my bow paddler.

I didn't think Agnes and Bayley were on this itinerary...

quote billconner: "I didn't think Agnes and Bayley were on this itinerary..."

I was wondering the same. Check map!

Thanks everyone. We're not planning on hitting Louise and Agnes. Just staying on the man chain and the border lakes for the week. We haven't been on knife and otterkjack since the early 1980's, so we thought late September would be a good time to revisit it with fewer crowds around.

If the wind is good, we'll likely use it to cruise up the border and do it counterclockwise.

My bad read on the OP. Of course Agnes and Bailey are not a concern, I had in mind he was going up the falls chain to Kawnipi and then back...I will learn to read.