Hello paddle enthusiasts!

I just wanted to recommend a great portage pack. I have several years of paddling and backpacking experience. My gear isn't ultralight, but it is close (under 20lbs base weight). I recently purchased a Sealline Pro Dry Pack 70L for an extended paddle trip. It performed well in the bottom of the canoe and it never leaked from waves coming over the sides and almost swamping our boat. It also kept the water out when dropped into the river during unloading one evening. Not surprising to me as I have used Sealline dry bags for years.

The amazing thing is the comfort level of the frame and harness system. I had a friend out this summer to explore the PNW. He didn't have a backpack for overnight trips and I loaned him my good one. I figured this would be a great way to test the portage pack. I was leary of the pack not being as comfortable on long backpacking trips (8+ miles/day). Boy, was I wrong.

After 100+ backpacking miles on this pack this summer, I am impressed! No signs of wear and not one moment of rubbing/chafing from the harness and it wasn't any hotter than any of the other packs I have worn over the years. The ventilation between the pack and my back seemed to work as it was designed. Needless to say, I will be getting another one of these packs. Just trying to decide between the 120L and the 70L.

I hope this post helps someone. If anyone else has used these packs, please comment.

Happy trails,
Figboot

My brother in North Carolina has a Seal Line Dry Pack Pro 70L. It’s a very nice dry bag. He likes it a lot. He has used it for 3 seasons and it is holding up well .

70 L size seems to be about the right size for canoe tripping.

I have been using a Seal Line 115 liter and 70 liter for the last ten years and I don't see having to replace either of them any time soon. They are some burly-made dry bags.

I personally like the 70 liter the best. The 115 liter is so big that it is tempting to just throw some extra weight in because you can. And I find the 115 uncomfortable for long stretches of time, so I wouldn't use it for backpacking at all.

Love the Seal Line Pro's, hate the non pro Seal Line's. They are pricey at 250-280.00 but worth it imho.

Minnesotian: "I have been using a Seal Line 115 liter and 70 liter for the last ten years and I don't see having to replace either of them any time soon. They are some burly-made dry bags.

I personally like the 70 liter the best. The 115 liter is so big that it is tempting to just throw some extra weight in because you can. And I find the 115 uncomfortable for long stretches of time, so I wouldn't use it for backpacking at all. "

They have never made a 115L Sealine Pro. They do make a 70L in both pro and their cheaper lines. The 115 is only in their cheaper lines which are not comfortable. The Pro is expensive at 250.00 to 280.00 but well worth it if you use that type of bag.

Minnesotan probably meant he has been using a Sea Line Pro Dry Pack 120L Sea Line Pack 70 L and 120L

Yes, Mgraber, you are correct, it is the cheaper line 115 liter which I own. For canoeing I would buy that 115 again in a heartbeat. It has lasted through much abuse. But it doesn't have the harness and waist belt like the Pro does and so it does get a bit much on the longer portages. And I also think it gets more uncomfortable because it is a 115 size. I find the 70 liter the perfect size.

We have a 115L Sealline that is finally starting to wear thin after about 40 years of trips. We also have a 120L Sealline Pro which I love. However, my son thinks the cheaper 115L is much more comfortable to carry. But for solo trips I love, love, love my 55L Earth Pak Summit dry pack. It fits everything perfectly for my 7 day solos.

I picked up a used SealLine 70 (not the pro)...and I think it will be perfect. Have not portaged yet but it feels very comfortable. I like the roll-top conventional seal system.but then it buckles down to the sides....not like a loop handle in the usual fashion. In addition, there are straps the extend out from the shoulder straps, across the top, and down the back where they buckle in. Both strap systems act as compressor straps. It all feels great. I have had the similar SealLine Baja Bags in use since 1990 or so and they are still going strong.

I added some D-ring lashing points and a couple of big grab handles.
I definitely like the look of the Pro 70L.. but I am falling in love with Recreational Barrel Works Expedition Portage Pack. That is one beautifully designed and built (in USA) pack for a very reasonable price. Yes, with a pack like that, all your stuff has to be in smaller dry bags or you use a big waterproof liner.

I have numerous dry bags from kayak camping and it also make sense to me to use dry bags inside not only for additional protection but also because it makes it easy to organize various gear, like cookware, clothes, safety stuff, and so forth.

Blackdogyak: Recreational Barrel Works Expedition Portage Pack. That is one beautifully designed and built (in USA) pack "

The pack comes from Hong Kong, not the USA per a phone call I placed to their Canadian office. I did not ask where it was designed.

Hi Dan, seems I have an old thwart bag of yours that I still use. Never really liked all that much but kept on using it for all these years because I know what to expect from it and it's always been useful to me.


The zipper and buckles still working is a plus, of course. No qualms about the stitching either.

DanCooke: "

Blackdogyak: Recreational Barrel Works Expedition Portage Pack. That is one beautifully designed and built (in USA) pack "

The pack comes from Hong Kong, not the USA per a phone call I placed to their Canadian office. I did not ask where it was designed."

I had read somewhere that Ostrom consulted for RBW (RBW's stuff sure looks like it was heavily Ostrom-influenced), so it sounds like Bill and Andy designed it together in Ontario. Not sure at all how Blackdogyak got the idea that RBW has anything to do with USA since they're Canadian.

I think the perfect pack is the one that is perfect for your immediate needs. I have several different packs for tripping and have found the bigger the pack the heavier it gets.
short torso granite gear
rucksacks from CCS
#3 Duluth pack
#3 and #4 pack from CLG

Years ago Ostrom Outdoors portage packs were made in Canada, but Bill Ostrom discontinued making portage packs back in 2015. He recently started selling his packs again, but they are now made in China. I believe Recreational Barrel Works is rebranding and selling the Ostrom packs.

Personally I believe the Cooke Custom Sewing Hybrid Pioneer is the perfect portage pack. It was designed specifically for canoe camping, and unlike the Sealline dry packs that are shaped like a tube and designed more for whitewater sports, it's easy to access everything in a CCS pack. Also, I find the CCS Hybrid pack fits better in a canoe and also wears better when portaging compared to the Sealline packs.

mschi772: "

DanCooke: "

Blackdogyak: Recreational Barrel Works Expedition Portage Pack. That is one beautifully designed and built (in USA) pack "

The pack comes from Hong Kong, not the USA per a phone call I placed to their Canadian office. I did not ask where it was designed."

I had read somewhere that Ostrom consulted for RBW (RBW's stuff sure looks like it was heavily Ostrom-influenced), so it sounds like Bill and Andy designed it together in Ontario. Not sure at all how Blackdogyak got the idea that RBW has anything to do with USA since they're Canadian."

Sorry to hi-jack…there was a thread awhile back where a poster claiming to be Bill Ostrom stated RBW and Ostrom had no relationship. That seems so unlikely as the packs and barrel harnesses look so much alike. Ostrom has since moved his production to China and lowered his prices.

T

Haven't tried the Seal line pro. Have the Seal line Boundary 70 l for about 12 years. Really like. Wish they made it in about a 90 l size. Sometimes I have to repack to get everything back in.

unshavenman: "Personally I believe the Cooke Custom Sewing Hybrid Pioneer is the perfect portage pack. It was designed specifically for canoe camping, and unlike the Sealline dry packs that are shaped like a tube and designed more for whitewater sports, it's easy to access everything in a CCS pack. Also, I find the CCS Hybrid pack fits better in a canoe and also wears better when portaging compared to the Sealline packs. "

+1

You can take my CCS Hybrid Pioneer pack when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers :-)

TipsyPaddler: "

unshavenman: "Personally I believe the Cooke Custom Sewing Hybrid Pioneer is the perfect portage pack. It was designed specifically for canoe camping, and unlike the Sealline dry packs that are shaped like a tube and designed more for whitewater sports, it's easy to access everything in a CCS pack. Also, I find the CCS Hybrid pack fits better in a canoe and also wears better when portaging compared to the Sealline packs. "

+1


You can take my CCS Hybrid Pioneer pack when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers :-)"

Are the CCS hybrid pioneer packs waterproof?

unshavenman: "Personally I believe the Cooke Custom Sewing Hybrid Pioneer is the perfect portage pack. It was designed specifically for canoe camping, and unlike the Sealline dry packs that are shaped like a tube and designed more for whitewater sports, it's easy to access everything in a CCS pack. Also, I find the CCS Hybrid pack fits better in a canoe and also wears better when portaging compared to the Sealline packs. "

The Sealline Pro Dry Pack dimensions are [70L] 27 x 17.5 x 9in. This is actually thinner than the pack you are referring to. Even at 27" tall it still fits between the gunwales. They both are top load packs so access is the same aside from the top zippered pocket. The Sealline Pro Dry Pack has a framesheet for support and is waterproof.

figboot74: "Are the CCS hybrid pioneer packs waterproof?"

Not in the sense of a SealLine or other rubber-coated sack, but they certainly stand up to the most absurdly wet weather conditions. Though I have found its water repellence superior to a traditional canvas portage pack, I continue my belt-and-suspenders habit of lining ours (we own 3) with construction bag liners. Bombproof.

schweady: "

figboot74: "Are the CCS hybrid pioneer packs waterproof?"

Not in the sense of a SealLine or other rubber-coated sack, but they certainly stand up to the most absurdly wet weather conditions. Though I have found its water repellence superior to a traditional canvas portage pack, I continue my belt-and-suspenders habit of lining ours (we own 3) with construction bag liners. Bombproof."

I use Sea-to-Summit silnylon 50L pack liners with my CCS Hybrid Pioneer packs.

figboot74: "

unshavenman: "Personally I believe the Cooke Custom Sewing Hybrid Pioneer is the perfect portage pack. It was designed specifically for canoe camping, and unlike the Sealline dry packs that are shaped like a tube and designed more for whitewater sports, it's easy to access everything in a CCS pack. Also, I find the CCS Hybrid pack fits better in a canoe and also wears better when portaging compared to the Sealline packs. "

The Sealline Pro Dry Pack dimensions are [70L] 27 x 17.5 x 9in. This is actually thinner than the pack you are referring to. Even at 27" tall it still fits between the gunwales. They both are top load packs so access is the same aside from the top zippered pocket. The Sealline Pro Dry Pack has a framesheet for support and is waterproof."

The CCS Pioneer pack is 10% larger than the Sealline Pro 70L pack and weighs about 12 oz. less. The CCS pack is a little wider, a little deeper and not quite as tall as the Sealline pack and was sized specifically for canoes. The size also allows for easier access to contents. The CCS pack is not waterproof, so folks use a pack liner (I use the Sealline 70L Ultra-Sil ) to keep contents dry.

Would you be willing to use it as a backpack for a 35+ mile backpacking trip? Also the CCS pack is 10 oz lighter without a liner. The sea to summit liner is 3.4 oz. So this is now only 6.6 oz difference. How much water weight will be absorbed by the outer pack? It also adds another buckle and closure. This seems less accessible to me.

I would absolutely not use it for a backpacking trip. The CCS Hybrid packs are designed specifically for canoe camping. I use it for canoeing in the BWCAW and Quetico. If I was backpacking I would use a backpack. If I was whitewater rafting I would use a Sealline Pro Dry Pack.

unshavenman: "I would absolutely not use it for a backpacking trip. The CCS Hybrid packs are designed specifically for canoe camping. I use it for canoeing in the BWCAW and Quetico. If I was backpacking I would use a backpack. If I was whitewater rafting I would use a Sealline Pro Dry Pack."

I am assuming you would not use it for backpacking because of lack of comfort. If the Sealline Pro Dry Pack is comfortable enough for long backpacking trips, it would be more comfortable on portage. It is also waterproof without an additional liner. Seems to me to be a great choice for canoe tripping. Even GG has a waterproof portage pack. I don't understand a pack made specifically for canoes ( a watercraft) not being made waterproof.

figboot74: "

unshavenman: "I would absolutely not use it for a backpacking trip. The CCS Hybrid packs are designed specifically for canoe camping. I use it for canoeing in the BWCAW and Quetico. If I was backpacking I would use a backpack. If I was whitewater rafting I would use a Sealline Pro Dry Pack."

I am assuming you would not use it for backpacking because of lack of comfort. If the Sealline Pro Dry Pack is comfortable enough for long backpacking trips, it would be more comfortable on portage. It is also waterproof without an additional liner. Seems to me to be a great choice for canoe tripping. Even GG has a waterproof portage pack. I don't understand a pack made specifically for canoes ( a watercraft) not being made waterproof.
"

It is easy to render your gear waterproof through the use of waterproof stuff sacks. It is difficult to make/attach a robust comfortable functional harness system to a dry bag.

Banksiana: "

figboot74: "

unshavenman: "I would absolutely not use it for a backpacking trip. The CCS Hybrid packs are designed specifically for canoe camping. I use it for canoeing in the BWCAW and Quetico. If I was backpacking I would use a backpack. If I was whitewater rafting I would use a Sealline Pro Dry Pack."

I am assuming you would not use it for backpacking because of lack of comfort. If the Sealline Pro Dry Pack is comfortable enough for long backpacking trips, it would be more comfortable on portage. It is also waterproof without an additional liner. Seems to me to be a great choice for canoe tripping. Even GG has a waterproof portage pack. I don't understand a pack made specifically for canoes ( a watercraft) not being made waterproof. "

It is easy to render your gear waterproof through the use of waterproof stuff sacks. It is difficult to make/attach a robust comfortable functional harness system to a dry bag."

The Sealline Pro Dry Pack 70L has a robust comfortable functional harness system attached to a dry bag. I carried one over 100 miles on my back this summer with an average weight of 37lbs with food and water. A few years ago I used a GG crown 60 for about 1000 miles of the AT, switched to Osprey atmos 58 for another 600 miles. The Sealline Pro Dry Pack 70L was every bit as comfortable as both those packs. It is also waterproof without a liner.