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Papa09
05/02/2018 11:08AM
 
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!
 
Snosaj
04/26/2018 04:49PM
 
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
 
TominMpls
04/26/2018 05:03PM
 
Suck it up and get a hybrid. It's one-time money, and they're way more comfortable.
 
Frenchy19
04/26/2018 05:05PM
 
Hybrid all the way.
 
Northwoodsman
04/26/2018 05:27PM
 
You want a hybrid. My favorite is the Pioneer.
 
Tony
04/26/2018 06:03PM
 
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
 
Tony
04/26/2018 06:07PM
 
without a doubt get the hybrid. I lke the pioneer but thinking of gatting the bigger one this year.


tony
 
unshavenman
04/26/2018 07:25PM
 
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.
 
unshavenman
04/26/2018 07:29PM
 
Snosaj, I would definitely get a hybrid pack over the traditional pack. It's more comfortable and I personally think it holds gear better.
 
Oldtown13
04/26/2018 08:03PM
 
I'm sorry to hear, Dan. I was looking forward to meeting you and purchasing my first CCS pack. Wishing your family well.



 
daverr
04/26/2018 05:16PM
 
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.
 
DanCooke
04/26/2018 06:07PM
 
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.
 
Jaywalker
04/26/2018 08:46PM
 
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.
 
Jezbo
04/26/2018 08:53PM
 
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.
 
TipsyPaddler
04/27/2018 05:51AM
 
+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.
 
bwolfe77
04/27/2018 07:47AM
 
Sorry to hear the news, Dan. You'll be missed.
 
Blatz
04/27/2018 07:22AM
 
CCS is top notch quality
 
thlipsis29
04/27/2018 08:30AM
 
One more endorsement for a CCS Hybrid. Dan, pray your health issues clear up quickly!
 
Snosaj
04/27/2018 08:44AM
 
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.
 
Papa09
04/27/2018 09:45AM
 
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
 
nctry
04/27/2018 09:48AM
 
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.
 
Jackfish
04/27/2018 11:42AM
 

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.
 
Frenchy19
04/27/2018 03:42PM
 
+97 on the Pioneer packs. Two when I am with a partner, one and a rucksack when I am alone.
 
Northwoodsman
04/27/2018 05:20PM
 
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...
 
thlipsis29
04/27/2018 04:47PM
 
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.
 
mc2mens
04/27/2018 04:59PM
 
Get a Hybrid, whatever size you need.
 
Snosaj
04/27/2018 09:27PM
 
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!
 
jeepgirl
04/28/2018 08:07AM
 
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.
 
TominMpls
04/29/2018 09:21AM
 
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.
 
ISRO
04/29/2018 05:47PM
 
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