I have always stayed away from the Duluth-style packs. Why? Because they sit in the bottom of the canoe soaking up all the "paddle" water and gain up to 5-7# as the moisture wicks up them. I love how much they hold and they cannot be beat there. What do you people do to keep this from happening or do you just deal with it...

I've never had this issue. My canoe doesn't leak and I try to keep my feet as dry as I can. I do use a pack liner though and that does help keep things a little more dry than without it.

I do have a CCS pack though and not a Duluth Pack so that might be a slight difference. I don't think mine holds all that much water. So it could just be what your pack is made of that makes the difference. I always did think that my buddy's Duluth Pack was pretty heavy even when empty and dry. Just go with a CCS and you'll be happy.

I feel like bilge water is a bigger problem in theory than in practice. I have both a CCS and DP, and don't think they wick that much water. Yes, the bottom of the pack will be wet at times, but I've never seen anything suck up pounds of water. A gallon is 8 pounds! I would think sucking up over half a gallon would be a tremendous feat.

I use nylon Granite Gear packs and have no issue with them absorbing any water (as long as they are waterproofed with inside lining). GG Superior One is at least the same volume as Duluth #4. If you feel that DP canvas retains moisture you might use garbage bags to keep them away from the bilge water. Some minor hassle on portages, not a big deal. Bilge water is unavoidable companion on a trip, especially on a rainy one.

I guess I "just deal with it" I have gone from canvas bags to cooke custom sewing quality gear and many in between. I haven't even tried to keep my feet dry for years. You do tend to bring more water into the canoe w ih nylon pants but even that is worth it because they dry so quickly. A little waterproofing product should help some. othereise maybe just take a little more time getting back into your canoe to eliminate some of the water.

Put some sponges near your feet to tackle the water? Should be able to soak up much of the water before it gets to your pack.

Recently I purchased a dry bag and I think it will serve me better than the softer pack w/liner. Solo only so it'll hold what I want to bring. Plus, a 30 L blue barrel. My dry bag.

We bring our yellow lab along... So we always have some water in the bottom of the canoe. We do keep a sponge handy. Our packs are regular backpacking packs so they don't seem to soak up much.

I have used DP packs since I started tripping in the early 1970’s. In fact, they are all I own (I have 6 of them - 2 #2 packs, 2 #3 packs, 1 #4 pack and 1 food pack). I have also used Ostrom packs and if I were younger I would probably go with those. But since I will be 74 in a few months, I will not be investing in any new packs. I have never noticed any issues with weight gain due to bilge water, which I never saw as a major issue. It has always seemed easy enough to minimize this or use a sponge/scoop to get water out of the boat.

Use CCS packs.

I have used Nikwax Fabric & Leather Waterproofing Spray. It works well for keeping water off and out of the packs.