Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: Duluth Pack disappointment
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YaMarVa |
jsmithxc: "YaMarVa: "I'll continue to wear my ragged Duluth Pack hat into the BWCA, though I don't disagree with the sentiment in this thread. If you live long enough you realize time changes everything, but its still tough to see. " Or posting from their cellphone. I used a Grumman until I was in my 30s, I never want to portage one of those again. Kevlar for the win. |
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boonie |
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LukeMacGillie37 |
But Frost River is an akin to a pilgrimage to a holy site!!! |
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Traveler |
This trip I walked in and thought I was in the wrong place. Standing inside the door I could not even see a pack or a paddle or a canoe. Looked like lots of high-priced clothes. Should have been in the Mall of America. The camping section looked like it was about 10' square, I didn't even walk over there. I walked around for 5 minutes, found a six-hundred dollar traditional canvas pack, and walked out. I don't plan to ever come back. Bummer. |
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BlakeDeadly |
I grabbed a few packs from Cooke Custom Sewing about 4 years ago - Hybrid Pack (Guide), Bushcrafter Rucksack, and the Deluxe Food Pack. The quality is amazing and the price is really good. The Guide size Hybrid Pack is huge and I've loaded the thing with about 70-80lbs of gear for every trip and beat the hell out of it. Still, it cleans up really nice and shows no signs of wear to the straps. Dan makes great packs so I would suggest that if you do need a pack. Sorry to hear about the store though. |
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Minnesotian |
Most outdoor stores have pivoted to a clothing store. They are following the REI model. And the way that REI is being administered lately, they might be going down the route of becoming like Mountain Equipment Company in Canada, a shell of its former self. If you want quality made outdoor gear, start supporting your cottage companies like Cooke Custom Sewing, Durston Gear, Paria Outdoor Products, Sanborn Canoe, just to name a few. |
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Traveler |
I too have enjoyed Frost River stuff but I just didn't have time this trip. |
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LindenTree |
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KawnipiKid |
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Ahahn366 |
Oh well I guess they'll just be relegated to car camping duffels |
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deepdish71 |
boonie: "Where's that store located in Duluth?" Canal park area I believe. We walked there from the ship museum. I was excited to see the store as well but as the o.p. Suggested, pretty disappointing. |
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fun4dad2 |
Ah well. I can not speak to the quality of their "modern" gear. I don't own any. |
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DMan5501 |
DMan5501 |
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AlexanderSupertramp |
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keth0601 |
Just look at how Grand Marais looks on a summer day now... It's gone the way of many of the mountain towns out west. |
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SaganagaJoe |
I also have an aluminum canoe, lol. |
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egknuti |
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YaMarVa |
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MikeinMpls |
I used Duluth packs in my teens and through my mid-30s. I had several. They were broken in with solid leather straps and put up with a lot of abuse. However, Duluth packs now appear to be more about nostalgia than functionality, especially considering packs made by CCS, Battle Lake, and the like. Duluth Pack has expanded into briefcases and clothing and like someone else said, is a shell of itself. Kind of reminded me of L.L. Bean: what used to be a camping store. Their location in Canal Park is perfect for tourists who are likely to buy a Duluth pack briefcase. Mike |
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jsmithxc |
YaMarVa: "I'll continue to wear my ragged Duluth Pack hat into the BWCA, though I don't disagree with the sentiment in this thread. If you live long enough you realize time changes everything, but its still tough to see. " I wonder how many folks wishing for the good old days are paddling a kevlar canoe. |
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AlexanderSupertramp |
keth0601: "It is pretty disappointing, but I think it's also unfortunately a reflection of how the whole Duluth/north shore experience/culture has changed as well. Tons of tourists, out of town folks buying inflated seasonal homes and renting airbnbs/condos, gift/'boutique' shops, overpriced restaurants, clothing stores, campgrounds full of $80k+ campers. Can confirm, was up there over this last weekend for Le Grand Du Nord and have been going up there for better part of a decade for various cycling events. Grand Marais is now an official dumpster fire town. In 10 more years the entire North Shore will be like this. Say goodbye to traditional lodging and outfitting, say goodbye to the down to earth owned/operated campgrounds and resorts. I used to light up coming down that hill into town, now I just cringe and I dont want to be there. |
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tumblehome |
Traveler: " The Duluth Pack Store was sold at least 15 years ago. It is not the store that it was, just the name, as you can attest. The current owner has no business interest in what the store used to be which catered to the wilderness outdoor enthusiast. It won’t say anything good or bad about the store but I completely understand your feelings. Good times back then. Tom |
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NotLight |
LindenTree: "I love Frost River but I will give Duluth Pack one Kudo, they are dog friendly, have dog water bowls inside and the staff hands out dog treats. I go inside just for that when I hike Canal Park with the pups." Plus you can cut through the Duluth Pack store as a shortcut to get to Northern Waters Smokehouse. Bet that's half the foot traffic off season. |
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timatkn |
whiskeyharvester: "First world problems. Over the past few years I bought several items from their factory seconds area and am satisfied. To each their own. " Every single thing on this site is “First World Problems”…doesn’t change the fact The Duluth Pack store has raised their prices by 200-300%… That’s their right…it’s also ours to actually notice and make a comment. They can do whatever they want…just don’t come crying to us if they don’t make it in the end. The reason will be obvious. T |
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plmn |
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Banksiana |
Minnesotian: " I'd add Portage North (formerly Kondos) and Zre to that list. |
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chessie |
We have an heirloom DP pack that belonged to my brother-in-law who has passed away. I have a Monarch pack that was gifted to me. I cherish it, but the darn thing weighs seven pounds empty. The heirloom pack was pre-waist belt so when we acquired it, I found someone local (to me) who sews canvas, and they added a sleeve for a waste belt for us. Turned out, they used to work at DP. Boy did I learn a lot! I don't wish to wade into politics, but I do love a good David and Goliath story, and back in 2020, the small Native owned company that makes traditional Ojibwe designs, "Heart Berry," pulled their merchandise out of DP after DP hosted Ivanka Trump. Many thought this move would sink Heart Berry, as DP clearly was a prime outlet for Heart Berry products. It did not. |
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plmn |
That said, Duluth Pack's main issue is obviously their antiquated product lineup. |
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jsmithxc |
The North Shore is packed in the summer and most of those folks have never dipped a paddle in a lake. The really great thing is when you get just a few miles away from the shore, the crowds vanish and, even without an overnight permit, there are so many wild a remote places to visit. Bottom line, we must continue to support and protect the BWCA and its environs. That's where the heart and soul of what we love is found. I don't buy much at the Duluth Pack store, but I often pick up my permits there. I find their staff knowledgeable and love the wilderness, and understand why I love wild places. You may not like where outdoor retail has gone, but it is the marketplace reality everywhere. |
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Savage Voyageur |
Edit…I just looked at the price of the kitchen camp pack. $675.00. I bought mine for $195.00 when they first introduced it. |
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plmn |
jsmithxc: "I wonder how many folks wishing for the good old days are paddling a kevlar canoe." If aluminum and fiberglass canoes cost more than Kevlar, they would hardly sell any. That's pretty much what Duluth Pack is doing. I do have a Duluth Pack wallet. That's something that gets used every day and is better quality than anything available in a department store. I'd probably buy a cap or shirt if I visited the store. But I doubt I'd buy any of their gear. |
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scottiebaldwin |
I need a little advice as I own a Hybrid Pioneer pack but I’m thinking of getting the smaller Hybrid Explorer for solo trips. Anyone that has any experience with the Explorer, please drop by the post and let me know if it’s a good size for a solo. Cooke Custom Sewing message board |
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timatkn |
Savage Voyageur: "I have been going to the store there for years and have seen a definite change in the merchandise, just like REI has. Walked in a few years ago and it was all clothing and packs that were 3-4 times the cost I paid for them. I agree it is sad to see. Sometime after the ownership change (old owners are Frost River) they essentially double and tripled their prices. I really wanted a shotgun case. It was $185 and I just couldn't afford it. Saved, asked for duluth pack store gift cards, finally one day it was time to buy...that same shotgun case was $450 I believe. The good part is I bought a Gransfors Bruks small axe from them on sale (love that thing) and then found a Boyt shotgun case on SIerra doe $20. Both still going good!! Not sure how they are in business, but it's been 10 years and they seem to be fine so hey more power to'em but I am out. T |
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billconner |
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Zulu |
I noticed the emphasis is on clothing versus gear too. Sled Dog themed leotards and tops have replaced harnesses and sleighs. |
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whiskeyharvester |
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straighthairedcurly |
Minnesotian: " Adding Garage Grown Gear Enlightened Equipment |
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HowardSprague |
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rdgbwca |
I ended up buying a souvenir pint glass. I have two #3 Monarch packs that I bought used a few years ago. I dropped one off after a trip a couple years ago. It was still damp from being in the bottom of a canoe in the morning. They took it in, repaired it and mailed it to my home address. |
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plmn |
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Traveler |
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LindenTree |
NotLight: "LindenTree: "I love Frost River but I will give Duluth Pack one Kudo, they are dog friendly, have dog water bowls inside and the staff hands out dog treats. I go inside just for that when I hike Canal Park with the pups." I use that short cut often, however Northern Waters Smokehouse has moved to the other side of the building where the old Amazing Grace Cafe was located. |
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whiskeyharvester |
timatkn: "whiskeyharvester: "First world problems. Over the past few years I bought several items from their factory seconds area and am satisfied. To each their own. " I promise I won't cry. ;) |
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plmn |
timatkn: "whiskeyharvester: "First world problems. Over the past few years I bought several items from their factory seconds area and am satisfied. To each their own. " To be fair, at least they still make their gear themselves, unlike another nearby brand that outsourced everything to China. American manufacturing is tough right now and there are no easy answers. |
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tumblehome |
Tom |
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timatkn |
plmn: "timatkn: "whiskeyharvester: "First world problems. Over the past few years I bought several items from their factory seconds area and am satisfied. To each their own. " Yes, that is a good point. |