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prettypaddle	10/16/2020 03:48PM   One thing I wonder about is whether the buckle would dig into your shoulder if it’s under the back pack strap. If you put the front pack on second (after the pack on your back) you won't have this problem. I've carried both full sized Duluth packs and regular backpacks in front. If the footing gets dicey it's easy to drop the front pack and come back for it after completing the portage with the pack on your back. Also, I generally carry the heavier pack on my back and it's easier to get on without already having a pack on my front. With a pack that small I don't think you'd need to worry about seeing your feet or feeling unbalanced.
A1t2o	10/16/2020 01:20PM   I use a small pack on my front as a tackle box and I don't think this idea would work all that well. If there is any weight in that front pack then you are putting an uneven weight on your shoulders. The hardest thing when portaging is dealing with straps digging in, snags, and loads being unbalanced. The weight might be in the middle of your chest, but the strap pulling on the one shoulder/side of the neck would wear at you causing more discomfort and fatigue. If you could swap sides to alternate on different portages it might not be as bad but it wouldn't solve the problem.
gkimball	10/16/2020 04:29PM   prettypaddle: " One thing I wonder about is whether the buckle would dig into your shoulder if it’s under the back pack strap. If you put the front pack on second (after the pack on your back) you won't have this problem. I've carried both full sized Duluth packs and regular backpacks in front. If the footing gets dicey it's easy to drop the front pack and come back for it after completing the portage with the pack on your back. Also, I generally carry the heavier pack on my back and it's easier to get on without already having a pack on my front. With a pack that small I don't think you'd need to worry about seeing your feet or feeling unbalanced." I have "front and backed" for many years and would agree with all the points made above. I use my day pack as the front pack and it actually seems to help balance the weight of the gear back and ride comfortably. I have never found it too difficult to see where my feet are going with a pack this size, but a thicker pack would definitely be too big.
Wolfee	10/18/2020 04:02PM   About not seeing your feet - I will never wear a pack on my chest that blocks my vision again. Easy flat portage on Kawishiwi lake (from square), carrying the canoe and wearing a duluth pack and a small backpack on my chest. One foot stepped on some overhanging grass creating perfect trip hazard for the other foot. Ended up smashing my eye on a sharp pointy rock. Thank god for polycarbonate sunglass lenses. Ended up going to the Grand Marais ER to get stitches on my eyebrow. Luckily this was the last portage on a wonderful 7 day trip to Malberg. I always watch the ground in front of me now.
timatkn	10/16/2020 07:14AM   Looks like it would work. Not sure it would hold enough, but would be easier than a pack on the front. I haven’t personally carried a pack on the front so just an estimate. T
pcallies	10/15/2020 04:28PM   I have a tackle bag with a shoulder strap. It's not really engineered as a sling, but I wear it that way when portaging. That method has worked well for me.
Heyfritty	10/14/2020 04:05PM   Has anyone tried using a chest sling bag as a 2nd pack in front of you? I don’t know, but I think it would help with single portaging. I stumbled across one online and it seems like it might work. I understand the potential objection about being able to see your feet on the trail. It seems like the smaller of these packs are thin enough(4”-5.5”) that you’d be able to see where your foot falls. Also, having it off to one side might help with the sight lines. I know it’s not much extra space, but I would think every bit helps. It also looks like you could customize it, with various attachments. There is a recent thread regarding a front pack, but it was more about carrying traditional backpacks in the front. One thing I wonder about is whether the buckle would dig into your shoulder if it’s under the back pack strap. The one in the picture measures 8”w x 12”h x 4”d
Savage Voyageur	10/15/2020 08:25PM   I’m sure it would work, but too small for me. Maybe it would work for your tackle or small gear. I normally carry two Duluth packs, or one Duluth pack on my back, a front portage pack and and a canoe.