My first trip to the BW I used an Alice and some dry bags. Then a rucksack for food.

This trip I’m going with a single bag in mind. All water proof. Thinking modern Swiss medic bag. I found this last night surfing Amazon. It’s the closest thing I’ve found that is fully waterproof with external mesh and water bottle pockets.

What’s your thoughts?

Rockagator 90L

Personal I prefer a pack with either a pack liner or dry bags inside. If/when the liner gets a hole in it, it's cheap and easy to simply get a new liner. With a waterproof bag, if/when it gets a hole in it either it's garbage, or you're back using a liner again. It's all personal preference so YMMV.
-Jason

Never heard of it, but it looks pretty good. Looks solidly made. Not a lot of reviews. Hard to tell how well it will carry. It does say not to overload it beyond the weight carrying limit of the straps, which seems to be ~66 lbs.

Snosaj: "Personal I prefer a pack with either a pack liner or dry bags inside. If/when the liner gets a hole in it, it's cheap and easy to simply get a new liner. With a waterproof bag, if/when it gets a hole in it either it's garbage, or you're back using a liner again. It's all personal preference so YMMV.
-Jason"

Duct tape on the trip, Seam Grip when you get home. Dry bags are very durable--I've had one minor hole in my 20 year old bag.

boonie: "Never heard of it, but it looks pretty good. Looks solidly made. Not a lot of reviews. Hard to tell how well it will carry. It does say not to overload it beyond the weight carrying limit of the straps, which seems to be ~66 lbs. "

For some reason I read it as 60kgs. Not sure where I saw that. Thanks for pointing tha out. I carry mostly light weight gear. I should come in under 66 pounds.

One thing I’m not doing is having any wet gear this time. This is the other bag I’m considering, waiting on a response for its weight capacity. Ozonic Outdry 70

Snosaj: "Personal I prefer a pack with either a pack liner or dry bags inside. If/when the liner gets a hole in it, it's cheap and easy to simply get a new liner. With a waterproof bag, if/when it gets a hole in it either it's garbage, or you're back using a liner again. It's all personal preference so YMMV.
-Jason"

All my gear will be in silnylon bags as well. Nothing will get wet this time around lol

One thing I’m not doing is having any wet gear this time. This is the other bag I’m considering, waiting on a response for its weight capacity. Ozonic Outdry 70 "

I wouldn't expect the pack to be waterproof--the material may be, but there are too many openings. Any pack like that would require liners in each compartment to be truly waterproof. I've used backpacks and liners (HD garbage bags), and they work fine--the simpler the better. I've never used waterproof nylon liners as some do--I just have settled with dry bags.

MReid: "

One thing I’m not doing is having any wet gear this time. This is the other bag I’m considering, waiting on a response for its weight capacity. Ozonic Outdry 70 "

I wouldn't expect the pack to be waterproof--the material may be, but there are too many openings. Any pack like that would require liners in each compartment to be truly waterproof. I've used backpacks and liners (HD garbage bags), and they work fine--the simpler the better. I've never used waterproof nylon liners as some do--I just have settled with dry bags."

The main compartment on the Ozonic is waterproof. Tested in a rain room for 24 hours. They sandwich waterproof material between two layers of Cordura. The outer pocket might not be. The top is a roll top, and covered by the 10 L day bag, also waterproofed.

I definitely use waterproof packs / duffels for typical canoe country tripping.......its not the barrens and I have never popped a hole in a Pro Pack or a Watershed duffel in over 20 years. Excellent combination. Granted I don't toss them around and I pay attention for beaver cuttings but so far so good.

I like my gear separated into their own distinct organizational spaces for quick and easy packing and retrieval.

The Pro Pack is fairly big but fits perfectly within a canoe and has an excellent harness system including waist belt. Plus I can strap stuff on top if I desire. Throw in top handle and rugged D rings and its basically the best pack out there IMHO for typical canoe tripping where conditions are not excessively rough. I am always surprised that I don't see many out there.

Sea to Summit Pro Pack

A bit later my pal comes up with these Watershed duffels and I think they are tops. Easy to carry, easy to load and 100% waterproof. Simply put they are superb. A bit expensive to be sure but quality. What I really like about a duffel is I don't have to empty the entire contents to find what I want as per many other top load dry bags. Opening lengthwise leaves pretty much everything exposed and easy to see and grab............In perfect harmony with my tripping motto "No Hassles".

watershed duffels

The pack in question posed by the poster looks military in application. It might be overkill. I would check the weight of the pack and consider the volume. Where is it made??

Just my 2 cents....I would stick with a known outdoor gear company, e.g. Mountain Hardwear.
The first pack may be good, but if it isn't you probably will have no customer service of any sort. MHW will be far more likely to stand behind their product.

The first 10-12 years I tripped with waterproof packs (Sea to Summit). I had a pack give out where the straps met the bag on a trip to Insula. Too much weight in the pack. I still have a smaller Sea to Summit I use as a day pack on canoe camping and hiking trips. Sea to Summit makes good packs, I just overloaded one and it gave out.

After that, I converted to CCS and Granite Gear packs with waterproof liners. The packs are more comfortable and durable than the waterproof packs. I generally carry food in a blue barrel with a Kondos harness. Been doing this for 10 years now and no problems. I guess I prefer the latter system, but either is fine if you don't overload your pack and take care to not puncture them.

There's a reason why so many use actual canoe packs with a liner and waterproof stuff sacks for clothes and sleeping gear It's tried and true. A lot of the stuff you carry can get wet if you dump. With a liner that wetness will be minimal. The other things in the waterproof stuff sacks will stay bone dry. A good quality canoe pack is the way to go

GearJunkie-

I contacted the maker to get some information. This is what he told me-

Material is 600D PVC (All of the welded patches and straps are 1000D PVC for extra reinforcement)

Weight limit is 50lbs

Filled to capacity and rolled 3 times the pack measures approximately 29” tall (open unrolled 36”). The Bag is a cylinder shape and has a 13” circumference.

My assumption is he meant 13" diameter.

boonie: "GearJunkie-


I contacted the maker to get some information. This is what he told me-


Material is 600D PVC (All of the welded patches and straps are 1000D PVC for extra reinforcement)


Weight limit is 50lbs


Filled to capacity and rolled 3 times the pack measures approximately 29” tall (open unrolled 36”). The Bag is a cylinder shape and has a 13” circumference.


My assumption is he meant 13" diameter."

Geez, the thing is sort of winky for that kind of money as per canoe tripping. Mc2mens the newer Sea to Summit Pro Packs are far superior to the older models. Much better harness system. I have one of each and am impressed with the upgrade.

Blatz, indeed liners are tried and true and almost every backpacker I know worth his salt uses one. But for me a liner is just a pain in the keister. Always dropping down and I end up having to fight with it a bit. I prefer packing unencumbered without having to keep a noisy crinkly plastic bag in place. I guess its what every one gets used to. For example I was not impressed with my buddys Watershed duffels until I got to see them in action and even then it took most of the trip before I became a believer. Now I own at least 7 of them and use them for a variety of purposes.

While I have considerable confidence that the Sea to Summit Pro pack would survive a dunk in fine shape I still pack my sleeping bag in an E-vent compression sack just for peace of mind. The Watershed duffels are totally and completely waterproof. The big Pro Pack and a duffel in each hand and I'm good!

mastertangler:

While I have considerable confidence that the Sea to Summit Pro pack would survive a dunk in fine shape I still pack my sleeping bag in an E-vent compression sack just for peace of mind.

MT--you write Sea to Summit, but your link is the Seal Line. Which do you have? I just bought a Seal Line Pro Pack for an upcoming trip--hoping it holds up, as I'll be in the middle of nowhere.

boonie: "GearJunkie-


I contacted the maker to get some information. This is what he told me-


Material is 600D PVC (All of the welded patches and straps are 1000D PVC for extra reinforcement)


Weight limit is 50lbs


Filled to capacity and rolled 3 times the pack measures approximately 29” tall (open unrolled 36”). The Bag is a cylinder shape and has a 13” circumference.


My assumption is he meant 13" diameter."

This is regarding the Rockagator bag right? I mentioned the OZonic 70 so just making sure....

Yes, the Rockagator 90L bag was the one I asked about.

MReid: "

mastertangler:


While I have considerable confidence that the Sea to Summit Pro pack would survive a dunk in fine shape I still pack my sleeping bag in an E-vent compression sack just for peace of mind.

MT--you write Sea to Summit, but your link is the Seal Line. Which do you have? I just bought a Seal Line Pro Pack for an upcoming trip--hoping it holds up, as I'll be in the middle of nowhere."

Whoa Nellie! Indeed it is the Seal line. Yes, thats what I have. I have used the Seal lIne Pro packs for all my tripping for the past twenty years and bucked all the advice against it in print. It is a huge pack and holds a ton of stuff.

I really like using a Bear canister in conjunction with it to get started in the packing. A Bear canister fits like a glove at the bottom off to one 1/2 side. What that does is anchors the entire bag upright and makes packing the rest of your stuff a breeze. I have several small Watershed duffels which also go inside the Pro Pack. Redundant I agree but for example all my clothing gets put into a watershed duffel, then the compression straps are employed and the entire package is pretty tight. Then that goes into the pro pack. When at camp, the Watershed with my clothing just gets set outside, in camp, within easy access.........yup the blue Watershed has all my clothing, easy to get at but totally protected. Then I have an even smaller Watershed duffel which goes into the Pro Pack which has personal effects, repair material, journal/pen, hatchet, saw, spare sunglasses, flashlights etc. etc. I HATE being disorganized. I can find pretty much anything almost instantly. That wasn't always the case as I used to spend MUCH time digging, getting aggravated, not finding it and digging all over again. Blah!

The Pro Packs are not indestructible and are certainly more fragile than a typical pack. Toss a pack on a beaver cutting and I would expect a nice big hole. But in 20 years of canoe tripping, including a few 20+ day trips to Woodland Caribou, I have never put a hole in a Pro Pack or a Watershed duffel. Nevertheless, I do carry tape to guard against that possibility. I'm not so sure I would take a Pro Pack to the NW territories or Alaska or the Barrens but for typical canoe country they are fine and dandy.

Pay attention to getting the air out at close up time. I generally use my body to scrunch the air out of the pack before cinching everything down. You can also use the top set of straps to add another bag but be careful. To much weight up top can be hazardous to your knees as you stumble around while getting the pack on. Just ask the helicopter pilot who lifted me out.

mastertangle: I'm not so sure I would take a Pro Pack to the NW territories or Alaska or the Barrens but for typical canoe country they are fine and dandy. "

That's exactly where I'm going. My main concern is all the buckles--dunno why you'd want a detachable harness for such a big pack. Any problems with them? And by the way, my partner has one he's used up north (Alaska, NWT, etc.) multiple times--haven't heard any complaints.

Hmmm........I have never had any issues with the buckles or hardware especially with the newer version and I take heavy loads. I would be mostly concerned with something sharp popping a hole. A beaver cutting comes to mind. Pop a hole and get a tear and it might be tough to fix. Bring tape.

Glad to hear your pal has used them in extreme conditions without issue. Like I said, I don't baby them and they have held up great. I just don't toss them around and am careful about looking before I drop them. Like any pack, it can fall over on uneven ground after you set it down and right onto a cutting so be smart.

I might just take a construction grade plastic bag, not open it up but have it along as some insurance. You never know. One of the great things is if you get plenty of rain or water in your boat via rapids, you won't have to worry about anything. Be careful, have fun, sounds exciting! No matter what system I used I would still have my bag in a waterproof stuff sack however, your life might depend on it.

You should consider getting a Watershed duffel for your personal effects........Sunglasses, toilet paper, bug spray etc. All within easy reach and yet totally waterproof. Hand carry or strap on top of the Pro Pack with the compression straps on a portage. Works for me.

mastertangler:You should consider getting a Watershed duffel for your personal effects........Sunglasses, toilet paper, bug spray etc. All within easy reach and yet totally waterproof. Hand carry or strap on top of the Pro Pack with the compression straps on a portage. Works for me. "

I have lots of various dry bags, including Seal Line's daypack, which I love. I also have a discontinued NRS portage pack--aluminum stays, padded harness, dry bag etc. I wish they would bring it back, with improvements. It has worked well, but I need an additional pack. Repair tape always, but I've only needed it once.

we use a CCS pack with liner, as well as a totally waterproof seal line pack.

We bring a TON of food on a 10-11 day trip, and the seal line really shines when it's loaded up to 70# or more. The framesheet, hip belt and shoulder straps are really, really good. This is our heavy pack, and my wife carries it (I have to help her put it on, but she does fine on the walk).

Due to the height of this pack when fully loaded, it can't realistically be used while portaging the boat.

The CCS is our light pack - probably 50# max. It's incredibly well designed for fitting into the boat, loading/unloading into the boat is (almost) a breeze. I would not want to carry much more weight in the pack, but due to the design, it's VERY easy to carry this pack AND have the canoe on my shoulders. It's almost like cheating.

hope that helps

For reference this is what I ended up going with. Worked perfect.

man i dont know it says unavailable, and im always leery about buying stuff with one review... Id stick to a item with more reviews. just my opinion though good luck

mastertangler: "
The Pro Pack is fairly big but fits perfectly within a canoe and has an excellent harness system including waist belt. Plus I can strap stuff on top if I desire. Throw in top handle and rugged D rings and its basically the best pack out there IMHO for typical canoe tripping where conditions are not excessively rough. I am always surprised that I don't see many out there.

Sea to Summit Pro Pack
"

This is what I would use. The brand is Seal Line. This is a solid company and it's a pack designed to fit in the canoe (vs. taller backpacking packs) and not stick up too high when there's a canoe on your head. No need to look further. Mastertangler has set you up.

Tomcat: "I have found that items such as tents, tarps, stoves, saws, cook wear, chairs, and so on can and will get wet but will still function well in wet conditions.

Food, medications, first aide items, wallet, paperwork, and electronics I seal in individual zip lock bags. The only items I place in roll top dry bags are my sleeping bag and extra clothing.

I never use a pack cover, my pack often lays in water in the boat, and I have swam with my pack.

I am not suggesting that this is only way to pack equipment for wet conditions, just posting what works well for me."

This is my strategy for backpacking, etc. I just assume my pack will be immersed in water so I prepare for it. Do don't use dry bags for backpacking but I do for water trips. Still things are protected but the only question is "to what degree".

I've replaced most of my Seal Line bags with Sak and also Exped. They are exceptional, albeit smaller size makes me pack a little less gear.