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LakeLobster
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I was planning on making a portage pack this year, mostly for the fun and challenge, but a 98 liter pack for 100 bones is a pretty tempting deal.
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straighthairedcurly
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sylvesterii: "Anyone know the major differences between the linked Traditional #4 pack and the Quetico/Superior packs? "
The Traditional weighs a LOT less than the Quetico/Superior due to the back padding. The back padding seems unnecessary if you know how to pack properly.
I only use the traditional, because when I pack, I always put soft items against the shoulder strap side of a pack and any hard or odd shaped items are pack on the side opposite the shoulder straps.
I know some people like to pack food and cooking gear separate from personal stuff, but I think mixing and matching gives the most comfortable packs and the most balanced loads.
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sylvesterii
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Thanks!
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Prospector
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It's funny, I was reading reviews here about how folks liked the Superior One. Someone had posted a few years ago about finding one at a steal on Sierra Trading. I clicked over to ST and there they were. Thank you gear forum!
Excited about finally having a couple good portage packs for our upcoming family adventures!
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Jackfish
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I'm often tempted by "deals" on gear. I start thinking about the money I'd save if I could just "make do" with something a little less than the perfect solution to what I actually want to buy.
I guess one can justify purchasing something less expensive or more expensive any time they want. Considering the cost differential, think about how often the item will get used and how happy you'll be using the item you bought (vs. the item you actually wanted). Is the money you saved worth it or would you be happier if you'd have dug just a little deeper into the wallet and bought the better quality item that would actually do the job better?
Whatever pack you buy, know that you'll probably have it for many years and use it on plenty of trips, both canoeing and otherwise. Don't let the price blind you to what you really want and expect in a canoe pack.
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daverr
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sylvesterii: "Anyone know the major differences between the linked Traditional #4 pack and the Quetico/Superior packs? "
In a word, padding. The traditional packs have no padding except for on the shoulder pads and hip belt. And even then, the superior one has better padding on both. The Superior One also has a padded back whereas the traditional one has simply a fabric back.
I use both packs. The Traditional is very good for carrying clothes, hammocks, down quilts, tarps, extra shoes. Anything soft and bulky. When I travel with my wife and kids, I can get five complete hammock set-ups in the traditional one (including tarps). It is perfect for that. Because those items are soft, the extra padding is unnecessary. You'll start to feel the lack of padding if you are using the back for a particularly heavy load or anything with sharp angles (stoves, food kits, stove kits, pots, etc.). I use the superior one for that and everything else.
Finally, I actually feel that the traditional has more functional space than the superior one even though specs say otherwise.
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sylvesterii
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Anyone know the major differences between the linked Traditional #4 pack and the Quetico/Superior packs?
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tumblehome
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That's a great deal. I've used plenty of different packs over the years and Granite Gear is my pack of choice.
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Prospector
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Granite Gear Traditional Portage Pack - #4 selling for $99.99 on Sierra Trading
If you get their Deal Flyer you can get an additional 25% off.
Last night they had Superior One packs in stock and I scored two of them for less than $100 each!
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Elgin
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Nice grab! I was just on there the other day, and they only had the #4, so you must have caught it at the perfect time. I don't really need another pack, but I have a $50 gift card just burning a hole in my pocket.
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