Online I came across what I thought was a used Duluth pack for a fair price for one in decent condition ($89) So I bought it.

Turns out it is a brand spanking new Paul Bunyan model Duluth pack. It is huge. I do not know if I have enough of a back to haul this thing. And this is on bare leather straps...

Maybe I can load it with foam sleeping pads and the like so it is not that heavy, but anyone we meet on a portage will think I must be pretty strong. :)

Now I am wondering if I would be better off seeing if I can find someone at Canoecopia interested in trading me for a more normal size portage pack - maybe one with a waist belt etc.

Anyone have any experience with this bag? Is it worth keeping?

I am really enjoying collection all the stuff we need for our first self outfitted trip. (now if I could only find me a decent used kevlar canoe...)

I have one of those Cabela's waterproof packs, about 8000 cubic inches. Yeh, you gotta watch what you put in there

id sell it to make some coin and then buy a ccs.

I used to have one of those. I sold it...big pack= more gear.
follow Kanoes' advice.

quote kanoes: "id sell it to make some coin and then buy a ccs."

What Jan said.

Sell it - your back and knees will thank you well into your golden years.

quote Jackfish: "

quote kanoes: "id sell it to make some coin and then buy a ccs."

What Jan said. "

I agree with this, CCS Pioneer or even a Guide, the side compression straps really allow to guide to function as a smaller pack if that's what you want

Drab, want to sell it? E-mail me.

9,420 ci wow I thought my 6000 GG #4 was big and it is but that thing is massive. You can pack all you need for a 2 week trip in one pack. Trick is to find someone big enough to carry it.


JB

will it even fit in your canoe!! unless you want it for a show piece,like someplace to store your gear in a den,i would sell it and get one that really fit you..i have a whopper of a pack thats just about that size and the only thing it gets used for is to carry the sleeping pads and over sized sleeping bag my wife and i use on "no portage" trips to places like Brule lake when it's just load and unload without really putting it on.

I'm a lucky husband whose wife likes to go to the boundary waters. I've been going since 1999, she's gone the last 5 years. She's 5'3" and weighs about 118. In shape and fit. She carries the food pack. Which I try to keep light enough for her, and still try to pack only items pertaining to the cooking.

I carry the gear pack, canoe and day pack combined. (double portage for me) I look at it this way, I'm going to be living in the wilderness for 7-10 days. I'm 46 and in good shape, but I still like some comfort. So we have good sleeping pads, down bags, double hammock, and Exped air pillows, and plenty of warm clothing. We like to go at the end of May. It's cooler for us and we like the campfires. We take a fourman tent with two doors. We like the room...

I don't know of another pack that can fit all our stuff into it like the Duluth Pack Paul Bunyan. I use the padded sleeves for the leather straps. And since I wear my PFD while carrying it, it's no discomfort. I've weighed it at 75lbs and had no problems with over 100 rod portages. But, that's me and my fitness. Not everyone can carry a heavy load. And that's OK. Carry what you can, it's your trip.

My advice to anyone inquiring about gear, specifically packs, is to try them for size, cost, and comfort. Which ever one you like, that's all that matters. Too many folks on here ridicule the "other" pack in which they do not like, and really push that their favorite is the "only" one. Not true...Read what Cliff Jacobson uses, Bill Mason used, (although their wasn't all the new stuff available) Dave Canterbury uses. I've met and talked with Cliff, read his books, watched his DVD's. I don't agree with everything he does, but I don't diss him for his different views.

The BWCA is an awesome place. The portages were used by indians long before we were getting our permits. The first white people hauled huge amounts of gear weighing over a 100lbs...Just enjoy what God has created for us, and preserve it for those to come...

If you think you could make some money, or at least get your money back? Then perhaps you should take kanoes advice and get a CCS pack.

If not, you got a great deal on a very nice pack.

I have one myself. If I had it to do over again, I'd probably get a CCS. But that doesn't mean the Duluth pack is not a quality item. I just don't want to spend money on another pack when I've already got a perfectly good one. So, I have to agree with TriTodd. As I also haul extra in my pack so my wife (and others) don't have to.

I'm by no means the authority on the subject. And, I'm not trying to start a debate or belittle anyone for whatever pack they choose. But, like TriTodd said, many people who are/were considered an authority on the subject use Duluth style packs. When properly packed & used with a tumpline you'll be hard pressed to find anything better. There's a reason they've been used this way for centuries. The Duluth pack is made for portaging. But, they are not necessarily for everyone.

Without going into a whole dissertation.....I think the reason CCS (& other packs) are gaining popularity is that they are more forgiving & work better as a hiking pack. For instance: If you want to stop & look around, take pictures etc. while hauling them across the trail. But,IMHO, it's not a night & day difference. Duluth packs are made more for just putting your head down and portaging. I normally double portage. I've learned to do my gawking & sight seeing on my way back across the trail for load #2. So if you can discipline yourself??? I think it will work out just fine for you. But, as others have said, guard against overloading it just because you can. Remember, you don't HAVE to fill it! :)

Bottom line: regardless what any of us say here, use what YOU can comfortably afford.

I recall the first pack a friend of mine purchased. It was some monster Granite Gear thing big enough to haul a Yugo. He was so excited with his purchase that none of us had the heart to tell him that we did not want to use it on our annual June trip.

He insisted that it was a good thing as it would decrease the number of packs, thus making it easier for the guys portaging the canoes who always carried a pack as well. I recall him filling and filling and filling that thing early in the morning of our departure; think Santa pre-loading before he hits the skies.

Well, he was right about making it easier for the two carrying the boats as neither one any longer had a pack to also carry. After the first day, however, my exuberant friend had dubbed his pack Fat Bastard, and by the end of the trip, he was real sick of hearing our unending wisecracking about his wonder pack.

He ended up ceremonially burning Fat Bastard once we returned home.

frenchy - funny story!!

I think some people like big packs for 2 30L barrels...

If it will cinch down, you can use it for both - have restraint and use it in BWCA, or fill it up and use it to car camp.

If you got a genuine Duluth Pack in good shape for $89, you can probably get your money out of it too. Even after you try it once.