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Packs
Dec 27, 2005 20:07:37 GMT -5
Post by jefinpa on Dec 27, 2005 20:07:37 GMT -5
After reading WW's thread about Christmas presents I'd like to pick up the pack discussion. I've been looking at a Granite Gear Quetico, our outfitter supplied them last year and we liked them. Now youns are talking frame, I thought a frame would just add weight, get hung up on things and not necessary for portaging. It would be more versetile as far as backpacking and I would use it in places other than a canoe so now I'm undecided. I've got a few months to sort it out so give me your thoughts. Thanks, Jeff
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Beavers
Wilderness Traveler
Posts: 71
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Packs
Dec 28, 2005 1:37:47 GMT -5
Post by Beavers on Dec 28, 2005 1:37:47 GMT -5
I got a used GG Quetico last year and I was very happy with it. That is until I tried a Jansport internal frame pack on a Sept. solo trip. I'm sold on internal frame packs now. They fit great into smaller solo canoes and are very comfortable. I had no trouble with waterproofing. Clothes and sleeping bag went in a drybag and the main compartment was lined with a trash compacter bag.
If you want to backpack as well I would get an internal frame pack.
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Packs
Dec 28, 2005 6:29:44 GMT -5
Post by WoodsWalker on Dec 28, 2005 6:29:44 GMT -5
Jeff,
It all depends on how you travel & how many bags you will have. As mentioned in the Christmas post, Internal & External packs both have their applications, as Beavers mentioned if you are going solo, traveling light, with a solo canoe, then an internal would be better than an external to fit better in the canoe.
The biggest benefit for a Granite Gear or Duluth type pack is that you can carry the pack & the canoe at the same time, which is allot more difficult, but not impossible with internal & external packs. They also sit & ride the best in a canoe.
The other thing that bears mentioning is that unless the others in your group are the same size as you, you would be the only one carrying the internal or external pack. After you get the straps & waist belts all set for your frame, it will not fit others the same & you will not want them changing them all the time. If you trade off with your partners what you take across the portages, keep that in mind. On my last Quetico trip with QP & Kawishiway, K used the old traditional Duluth packs with the buckled leather pack straps. He is quite a bit smaller than me so when I would help him by grabbing one of his packs, I would have to hang on to a strap & flip it over one shoulder, that wears on a guy after a while.
I own a Kondos outfitter pack, a blue barrel with an Ostman barrel harness, along with several internal, external, & day packs. They all have their applications. I love them all.
I would look at what you need it for.
If BW/Q trips something you do once or twice a year, but you also want to do some hiking or backpack camping, look at internal & external packs. They adapt better to canoe travel than a GG or canoe pack will to a 10 mile hike.
If you normally put everything in one bag like QP does & always double portage, look to an external pack.
If you travel pretty light or plan to have gear in more than one pack, but still double portage, check out the internal or external.
If you have your gear weight down & want to single portage & the only place you need the pack is on BW/Q trips. I would go with a GG or canoe pack type.
When traveling tandem we always have two packs, here the best in my mind would be a GG or canoe pack light enough to carry at the same time as the canoe. The other could be a heavier internal or external pack. That way you could single portage when you wanted.
There are many different options & not only a right or wrong way, some packs work awesome for some & others hate them. Above I listed some examples of use & what to consider. Others might have a different opinion or different examples.
Let us know how you will use it & how you will travel & we will try to point you in a direction. But ultimately you will have to come to your own decision on what works best for you.
Woods Walker
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Packs
Dec 28, 2005 22:38:14 GMT -5
Post by Canoearoo on Dec 28, 2005 22:38:14 GMT -5
If I was undecided I would try them out. Is there anyway you can rent or borrow for a weekend?
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Bannock
Wilderness Traveler
Posts: 56
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Packs
Dec 29, 2005 13:07:34 GMT -5
Post by Bannock on Dec 29, 2005 13:07:34 GMT -5
I double portage (both solo and tandem). For solo, I have a Camp Trails Canoe Pack. I don't think they make it anymore but it is extremely similar to this one. www.campersland.com/wodmason.htmlIt is sort of a hybrid between a duluth-type pack and an internal frame. It has metal stays in it and padding. It has adjustable and padded straps, hip belt, sternum strap, etc, but with the open concept of a duluth. It has a couple of side pockets suitable for a chair, or tent poles, or an ax. It serves me well. With the the canoe I carry a Kelty day pack. In it is a Garcia Bear Barrel. A few items fit around it. It has side pockets for water bottles. That system works for me.
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Packs
Dec 31, 2005 9:06:11 GMT -5
Post by jefinpa on Dec 31, 2005 9:06:11 GMT -5
Taking all the advice so far I'm leaning towards a traditional canoe type and probably an internal frame also. I like the GG Quetico but Bannocks pack seems like quite a deal. Bannock, does yours have top grab handles and what do you think of that design?
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Packs
Dec 31, 2005 12:24:28 GMT -5
Post by intrepidcamper on Dec 31, 2005 12:24:28 GMT -5
I recommend the canoe/Duluth type packs for the BWCAW type trip. The others always seem to get stuck somewhere, somehow, on the canoe, ground, tree, etc. I like to customize my packs...so if for example, the one you like doesn't have grab straps where you want them, it is easy to add some. Use heavy cotton canvas or heavy nylon duck material, you could sabatoge an old pack if you can't find the material. Or ask at a upholstery shop, they often have small remnants they will probably give you. Use artificial sinew thread or a heavy carpet thread to sew with, and a big hand sewing needle. It is a shame to pass up a good pack if you can customize it a little to make it "perfect". IC
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Beavers
Wilderness Traveler
Posts: 71
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Packs
Dec 31, 2005 17:12:12 GMT -5
Post by Beavers on Dec 31, 2005 17:12:12 GMT -5
Jeff,
I also have two of the Woods Mason packs. They do have grab loops on the top. They also have pockets on each side for a Nalgene bottle. I really like that feature. I have heard others say they snag when loading/unloading and they just cut them off.
The Woods pack is not as heavy duty as the GG and a little smaller. I think they are more comfortable than the GG and as cheap as they are you could buy a Woods and an internal frame pack for less than the cost of a new GG.
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