https://www.moosejaw.com/product/level-six-algonquin-canoe-pack_10389091

So my Cabela's Boundary Waters packs were junk and the straps pulled out. I stopped in the Owatonna Cabela's to return or replace and all they offered was a 45% discount on a repurchase of the same packs that just profoundly failed.

So I was looking for Granite Gear Superior One when I ran across this one from Level Six. With the "Burrito" promo code, this pack comes in less than $135. I can dang near get two of these for the price of a Granite Gear.

But there are zero reviews of note on the internet of this pack. It looks like a good company, good quality...Am I cheaping myself into another strap disaster?

Lets face it...I thought Cabela's was a good company too.

What do you folks think? Is this a great new product, grossly underpriced in a niche market, trying to lure faithful customers away from CCS, Granite Gear, and Duluth packs or just a pretty pack for suckers like me?

While I don’t think “you get what you pay for” is true universally,
in the realm of canoe and camping gear I have found it to be true more often than not. For portage packs, I prefer to pay for high quality just once.

I agree it's a steal of a price. Personally it would be nice to see some real world reviews before making a purchase. Not much into being the first one. It would also be nice if it had a padded foam back frame sheath. We have two different GG packs with them and the comfort is pretty plush. You could always order it and return if it isn't to your liking.

I know level six makes a killer, high quality canoe yoke pad. Looks like they are trying to branch out. Pack looks solid, albeit a bit wide. Hip belt, chest strap, and load lifters. Looks a bit large for me though at 96 liters. If your o.k. with a pack that large I would try it. B.T.W. Cabela's really isn't that high quality of a company on their own, only when they partner with other companies.

Is there a certain size that you're looking for? I'm in the market for a new one as well, but finding a good deal is getting frustrating. Most of my bags have gone to **** quicker than I'd hoped for.

What do I think?

I think you should look at a Frost River pack. Made in USA. The guys that started Frost River used to be the guys that made the Duluth packs until Duluth pack went corporate.

Sometimes finding a ‘good deal’ means finding a good pack. Don’t look at the discount, look at the product.

Tom

If you planning on tripping for another decade or two, you won't regret spending a little extra on proven quality. Canoe camping gear looks better after it's been through the wringer.

dschult2: "I know level six makes a killer, high quality canoe yoke pad. Looks like they are trying to branch out. Pack looks solid, albeit a bit wide. Hip belt, chest strap, and load lifters. Looks a bit large for me though at 96 liters. If your o.k. with a pack that large I would try it. B.T.W. Cabela's really isn't that high quality of a company on their own, only when they partner with other companies."

I’m ok with the size. I mean...I’m hauling in an 18’ osagian aluminum canoe...it’s not line I’m going light!

I went ahead and ordered one. I'll load it up with the same stuff that killed the cabelas packs. I might even post a review to YouTube since I was looking all over for one. But I will certainly do some clean and jerks since that was the destroyer move.

I need another pack too. So I’ll look into the frost rivers too.

Level Six is a Canadian Company known mostly for their paddling clothing - drysuits, etc. The pack is made of a heavier grade of the same material as GG. The one you linked may be more comparable to GG's #4 pack. I have no personal experience with their products.

You might consider lifting it by the side handles instead . . . probably easier than the "clean and jerk" with the shoulder straps and less stressful on them.

Let us know how it works for you. I too had a Cabelas Boundary Waters big pack. I thought it was fine. I didn't know what I didn't know...my daughter carried it for a trip or two while I carried the solo canoes. Then I took it on a trip and carried it, and I sold it immediately when I got back home. Durability wasn't an issue, comfort was. I since carried the GG Superior and Cooke packs, and really like the features of those packs vs. what I think is an old design with new materials, in the pack you bought. I hope it works for you!
Joe

Well the pack came in and that sucker is huge.

I was able to put all the stuff in it that borked the Cabelas bags plus some extra stuff. I was even able to lash my sleeping pad under the flap.

This bag didn't suffer at all. I picked it up by every strap and not a hint of stitch crackling that was characteristic of the Cabelas bags. I put it on and that 'jump/shift/get other arm in" move didn't cause any problems either and that move caused one strap to crackle on the Cabelas bags.

The bag is made in China...so that is disappointing. But it didn't seem to mind the load I hit it with.

In fact, it actually felt lighter than the cabelas bags with the same stuff. I think it balanced better. Maybe the problem with the Cabelas bags was the amount of weight that could end up above the level of the straps that put extra strain on the stitching where the square, horizontal nature of the levelsix would split the strain between lateral and verticle.

The chest strap hits just below the moobs so it is a little low. I like that it has a tumpline. I have never used one but I did notice major stress on my neck carrying the cabelas bag and wanted something similar.

But other than that, I was able to easily carry it around the house, bend down and pick stuff up, etc. I thought it was very comfortable.

I am debating buying another. I need 2 big bags for the 3-4 family members I take to BWCA but I don't know if I need another one this big. Maybe I will and just use a strap between the side handles to tighten up any underpack slack.

Thanks for the initial review.

A 96 liter pack is pretty big - none of the ones I have is that big except the SealLine 110L, which I don't use.

I had looked at the Cabela's bags once when I stopped at the Wheeling Cabela's, but wasn't impressed with the construction. I'm not surprised that the Canadian company Level Six makes a better one.

I think they make a smaller (55L?) but similar backpack if you're looking for something not so big.

foxfireniner, in the OP you were looking for a GG Superior One and compared the Algonquin to the GG price. GG does make a much closer pack the Traditional #4 that lists for $156, so the prices are very close.
One thing that is nice with GG is the factory and outlet shop are in Two Harbors and do repairs right there.

Anyway enjoy your new pack!

butthead

butthead: "foxfireniner, in the OP you were looking for a GG Superior One and compared the Algonquin to the GG price. GG does make a much closer pack the Traditional #4 that lists for $156, so the prices are very close.
One thing that is nice with GG is the factory and outlet shop are in Two Harbors and do repairs right there.


Anyway enjoy your new pack!


butthead"

Thanks for the comment. I went to the GG site to check it out and.... Everything is on sale!

https://www.granitegear.com/outdoor/canoe-gear/portage-packs

The #4 I just purchased...at $110 it costs the exact same as the crappy Cabela's bag it replaces. Great discussion, what a deal!

No tumpline but...I don't know if I will even like the tumpline on the levelsix. If I do, the GG has upper handles I could probably add one to.

I did just buy a speedstitcher to repair the Cabela's bags. I will see if I can make them ugly but serviceable loaner bags for my son's and daughter's friends when we take them along.

All in all...I am geared up again.

Thanks!

When traveling up to the BWCA stop in at the outlet/factory in Two Harbors. Lots of pack goodies and gear. Castle Danger brew pub is also worthwhile!

butthead

Thanks for the insight into the GG sales. $110 for a traditional #4 is a great deal.

So I received the Granite Gear #4 pack yesterday.

These are both great packs.

Levelsix - made in China.
GG - made in Vietnam.

The material on the levelsix is just a bit sturdier and the drawcord is better, the plastic pieces seem equivalent. The Levelsix is wider and the GG is taller. They hold 96 and 98 liters. I loaded up 65 pounds of gear in both and there was still room for more.

While loaded, I performed a clean and jerk lift on each of the handles to simulate jerking them out of canoes at awkward angles. I put the packs on my shoulders and jumped up and down. Neither pack balked at all at the weight. No seams snapped or crackled. Neither pack was bothered a bit by the weight and I wouldn't hesitate putting more in there so long as someone else carries it.

One feature difference is the tumpline integrated into the levelsix. If you are dying for a tumpline, you could probably rig something up between the side carry handles on the GG. I don't even know if I like tumplines yet...just noting the difference.

The big difference in the packs is that the levelsix has a padded back and the granite gear doesn't. I load my griddle at the straps (if you have ever carried an Army duffle with a boot heel digging into your back, you understand the concept of putting something flat at the straps!) so the jump up and down test hurt with the Granite Gear and didn't with the levelsix.

Is that a deal breaker? I dunno. The Levelsix certainly had more form to it. The padding in the back has a hard side to the interior and a soft side to your back so loading it was a little easier and carrying it was comfy. But it weighs a couple pounds more, maybe three, than the Granite Gear.

Another old Army trick is to line one of your duffles with your sleeping pad. So when I load the GG, I will do that and 'voila' a padded back without the extra pounds.

I guess the decision comes down to your sleep system. If you have a super lightweight inflatable sleeping pad that you can't unroll and line your pack with, you will probably like the levelsix better. If, like me, you use the old school Thermarest closed cell foam mattress...you can do well with the granite gear.

If I go on a trip where I am only outfitting myself and not my 2 kids, their friends, etc...just gear for me...I will probably carry the GG since it seems like it will cinch down more compact. I dunno...The levelsix really appeals to me for some reason.

Neither of these packs have a hint of failure to them, though, and both will be great packs for me and my family for the long haul.

Update on the crappy Cabelas "Boundary Waters" bags. The defects there are all hidden under the back pad. The carry handles had only one line of stitching at the base, then a second line of stitching that they shared with the shoulder straps. The shoulder straps...wow...There are 4 layers of webbing on top of the straps...looks like enough right? One strap is the tensioning strap that connects above the rear padding. The other 2 appear to go under the rear padding with the carry handle.

The failure happened because they bartack 2 of the straps just at the padding then extend the last one under the rear pad. The distance they extend that one varies...the strap that failed completely only went under by an inch. The pad is double stitched and it looks like it only made it the first one. The other 3 shoulder straps I was able to physically rip out by hand so they were just on the verge of failure.

To fix them, I removed about 2 inches of foam from the shoulder straps, cut the rear pad free on the top to give me access, positioned all the layers of straps under the pad then heated up a nail and burned a hole thru all layers into the interior of the pack. Then I stacked washers on a pop rivet and secured the straps in 2 locations with the rivets.

I got the speed stitcher out (now a required item on all my trips) and stitched the pads back in place...very ugly! very leakey now! I will need to get some seam sealer to waterproof them again.

But anyway, the straps won't fail again! My son wants to take a group of friends up to the BWCA...these will be my loaner packs. I will not take them again.

The smaller bag didn't fail but I will give it some preventative pop rivet love then evaluate if I want to use it as a food bag.

I'm glad you like both bags. It's important to find what works for you. I wouldn't get too worked up on where something is made. Almost nothing is made in the U.S. or Canada anymore but it doesn't mean it's low quality. Arc'teryx is a perfect example. Only a couple of items are made in Canada and the rest in east Asia but nobody would accuse them of being low quality. Your better off researching the company and not just looking at the tag. Happy tripping!

dschult2: "I'm glad you like both bags. It's important to find what works for you. I wouldn't get too worked up on where something is made. Almost nothing is made in the U.S. or Canada anymore but it doesn't mean it's low quality. Arc'teryx is a perfect example. Only a couple of items are made in Canada and the rest in east Asia but nobody would accuse them of being low quality. Your better off researching the company and not just looking at the tag. Happy tripping!"

It matters to some...that is why most reviews mention it. Vietnam and China are both known for slave labor in garment industries. So, yea, its a consideration.

For instance, Granite Gear lists the product only as "imported" so an American might think..."hey, I would rather import my product from Canada where slave labor isn't normal rather than risk buying a product made by a slave."

Then, the product arrives and it was, in fact, made in a country known for slavery in the garment industry.

There is a unknown chance that both of these products I bought were made by slaves...that makes for less than Happy Tripping!

I remember when Blood Diamonds were a thing. Then there was the ban on buying teak due to the wars in Burma being funded by it. Those are high end items that most people don't buy or that most can live without.

The slave labor in Asia makes the stuff we use all day so it is more painful to boycott. It may be impossible to avoid slave made goods from China and Vietnam but still...its a consideration.

Enjoy your gear as you relax on a remote lake drinking vodka lemonades!

It matters to some...that is why most reviews mention it. Vietnam and China are both known for slave labor in garment industries. So, yea, its a consideration.



"

Yes, I agree. That is why you research the company. Not just blindly look at the tag and dismiss.

dschult2: "

It matters to some...that is why most reviews mention it. Vietnam and China are both known for slave labor in garment industries. So, yea, its a consideration.



"

Yes, I agree. That is why you research the company. Not just blindly look at the tag and dismiss."

Cool. So Chinese and Vietnamese companies that use slave labor inform the Canadian or American parent company of the slavery situation upfront then, in turn, those companies proudly announce "Sewn by Slaves!" on their websites.

Thank you for the insight. I didn't know it was that easy to research.

foxfireniner: "

dschult2: "

It matters to some...that is why most reviews mention it. Vietnam and China are both known for slave labor in garment industries. So, yea, its a consideration.




"

Yes, I agree. That is why you research the company. Not just blindly look at the tag and dismiss."

Cool. So Chinese and Vietnamese companies that use slave labor inform the Canadian or American parent company of the slavery situation upfront then, in turn, those companies proudly announce "Sewn by Slaves!" on their websites.


Thank you for the insight. I didn't know it was that easy to research."

O.k. I'm done. Your opinion, my opinion. This thread has gotten way off topic which seems to happen a lot around here. Have a good day. Just trying to congratulate you on your new bags. Enjoy them or not. Your choice

butthead: "foxfireniner, in the OP you were looking for a GG Superior One and compared the Algonquin to the GG price. GG does make a much closer pack the Traditional #4 that lists for $156, so the prices are very close.
One thing that is nice with GG is the factory and outlet shop are in Two Harbors and do repairs right there.


Anyway enjoy your new pack!


butthead"

I just ordered one during their Memorial Day sale for $109

goalie: "

butthead: "foxfireniner, in the OP you were looking for a GG Superior One and compared the Algonquin to the GG price. GG does make a much closer pack the Traditional #4 that lists for $156, so the prices are very close.
One thing that is nice with GG is the factory and outlet shop are in Two Harbors and do repairs right there.



Anyway enjoy your new pack!



butthead"

I just ordered one during their Memorial Day sale for $109"

I don't think you can go wrong at that price!