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mr.barley
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08/29/2010 03:12PM  
I've been considering using an internal frame backpacker type pack as my main stern pack in my solo canoe. I have a Wenonah Advantage and it's quite narrow in the stern. Most canoe packs are pretty tight back there. I do not single portage, so pack height is not an issue with me. Anybody out there use them and if so, what size are you using.
 
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Beemer01
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08/29/2010 04:25PM  
I once used a Gregory internal frame pack on a solo, I guess I found it it be too small - even though I pack very light for a paddler. I now use a CCS Pioneer, which I view as a hybrid pack.
 
mr.barley
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08/29/2010 04:35PM  
At 18 inches wide, the Pioneer is a tight fit in an Advantage. My Camptrails Canoe Pack is 18 inches wide and a tight fit.
 
08/29/2010 06:50PM  
I like my Cabelas the best (I have 2) but I also own a Scheels (made by Kelty) and an Eureka. All four of these have been used and abused and have taken that abuse well. I also had a Western pack that didn't make it through its first trip.

As far as I am concerned the bigger the better. Backpacking packs carry so much better than canoe packs, you can really pile on the pounds and not worry about it so much.

All my packs are between 5600 and 6500. When I single portage I want them bigger. When we double they are plenty big. Good luck with your shopping.
 
08/29/2010 07:04PM  
the ccs explorer is 17 wide. BUY! BUY!
 
mr.barley
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08/29/2010 07:08PM  
Less than 4000ci...too small.
 
08/30/2010 12:15AM  
Lowe pack on E-Bay

Lots to brouse thru!

butthead

Camp Trails Torrid 2, set up with 'portage antenna'.
 
08/30/2010 05:46AM  
quote mr.barley: "Less than 4000ci...too small."


too small? how much stuff are you taking?
 
w_w_w_31
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08/30/2010 08:00AM  
I agree with Jan - too small?!?!

You did say you would be having 2 packs, and that the stern would be smaller. Dang. That's a lot of gear.

And I am changing my solo packs out to be 2 Rucksacks.


dave
 
Beemer01
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08/30/2010 08:47AM  
Building on the 'too much' angle.... as the years go on, I take less and less when solo tripping. My pack and gear - without food factored in - weighs under 45 pounds. Food is pretty minimal too, power bars, coffee, and freeze dried stuff.

Just food for thought.
 
bogwalker
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08/30/2010 09:57AM  
I have a CCS Pioneer pack and a traditional book back pack which can handle all the gear I need and provide some ballast in the bow.

I paddle a Prism which is wider than the Advantage. The Pioneer fits perfectly. I probably could fit into an explorer if I needed too with the additional back pack.

The CCS handles all my gear and the backpack handles the food and cooking supplies. I use the backpack up front to help trim-it has enough weight to help bring the bow down in windy conditions.
 
08/30/2010 01:54PM  
Barley;
Got to leave the cask of beer at home!! You could get everything into an explorer.
 
PineKnot
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08/30/2010 04:58PM  
Leaving the the beer or liquor at home is what I would call alcohol abuse!! :-)
 
mr.barley
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08/30/2010 05:57PM  
quote w_w_w_31: "I agree with Jan - too small?!?!


You did say you would be having 2 packs, and that the stern would be smaller. Dang. That's a lot of gear.


And I am changing my solo packs out to be 2 Rucksacks.



dave"
The stern pack will not be smaller than the bow pack. Just looking for a narrower pack for the stern. Max gunwale width on an Advantage is 22.5 inches and it tapers down fast from there. 18 inches is just too wide.

The actual question was who takes a backpacker style pack. And to those who do what size do you use.
 
Beemer01
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08/30/2010 07:22PM  
I agree, we got off track. The Gregory was too small and I found it hard to properly waterproof the contents. It was a dream on portages and did ride low in the canoe.
 
09/16/2010 10:36PM  
i have used a granite gear vapor trail but it might be a little small for your liking. very comfortable harness system/internal frame. not many external pockets but the top is infinitely expandable. i am able to get all of my gear in the vapor trail and it carries the 25-30# load nicely. plenty narrow for the bow of your boat. on my most recent solo i took my girlfriend's pack a granite gear solo. similar but narrower than my quetico used on tandem trips. i laid it on its side in the bow of my wildfire and it fit easily-no doubt would have fit laid flat but a little more work to extract it. see picture below. mr b i'd be happy to meet you somewhere with my packs and you can test fit them-let me know if that would be helpful.

tg
 
09/20/2010 05:28PM  
fyi-the Granite Gear Solo pack that i just mentioned is apparently not going to be produced anymore:( the good news is that Northwest Canoe a sponsor of this site and located in downtown st paul bought up all of Granite Gear's remaining inventory of the solo pack (i gather 30-40 packs-which is apparently all GG was selling in a year!). they are selling them off at a huge discount ($129 instead of $189 regular price). i just picked up another for myself (my girlfriend's was the short torso model which doesn't fit me very well at 6'3").

its a great time to buy a portage pack what with the deals dan cooke is running. for a narrower pack that still holds ~4000 cubes the GG Solo at $129 is a steal! The guys at NWC are very nice and one stop at their shop will have you itching to build a woodstripper (beware)!

Granite Gear Solo Pack closeout at Northwest Canoe - support our site sponsors!
 
09/20/2010 07:07PM  
I want a pack that has an alarm that goes off when the weight exceeds 50 pounds.
 
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