I recently came back on a pretty big trip in the BWCA that included for me my longest portage to date (Zenith to Lujenida; 580 rods). During the many portages of the trip, I got to thinking- why is there such a big difference between canoe packs and backpacking packs? I am satisfied with the quality of pretty much all of my canoe packs (CCS, Granite Gear, Duluth Pack, SealLine), and I almost feel bad saying it, but backpacking packs seem way more advanced and technically superior in my opinion.

More specifically, all the adjustment straps (hip, shoulders, chest), extra pockets for storage, and weight of the pack seems lighter on a backpacking pack. And just overall more comfortable/easier to carry items in. Which at the end of the day- isn't that the goal?

Do other people agree? Any reason why canoe packs seem a bit rudimentary to me? My personal thoughts on why canoe packs are 'less advanced' is to keep costs down, keep longevity of the packs up, and canoers are simpler people and don't require some fancy backpack with tons of straps and extra pockets?

Looking forward to hearing some opinions! Thanks!

Canoe packs are made to spend most of their time in a canoe where it is ideal for them to sit low, be easy to get in and out, and easy to waterproof the contents. They also usually sit lower on your back to make it easier to carry a canoe on your shoulders. They are normally not carried long distances so being simple is "good enough" for most people.

Backpacks are made to spend all day on your back.

Each is good at their intended purpose. Canoe packs seem overpriced for what they offer. You pay for the sheer size, I suppose, but I suspect economy of scale has something to do with it as well. Canoe packs are a rather specialized market.

This year we took two SealLine 115s, a Granite Gear #4, and two 57L backpacks. Each pack had its pros and cons. If I were only taking one for myself, it would probably be a drybag because that's what I'm most used to and liners annoy me. That's purely a subjective personal preference.

Depending on group size we always have a combination of both pack styles. There's definitely pros and cons to both. Canoe packs can hold more (can also be a con) and are more easily waterproofed. Backpacking packs are more comfortable and ergonomically superior as you stated. There are a few things (such as how a pack lays, backpacks lay flat in canoes just fine) that are exaggerated. plmn did a nice job summarizing and I have to agree that canoe packs are far overpriced for what you get.

We typically do no overpack our backpacking packs and have those carrying the canoe(s) take those to reduce the burden while the bulk of the pack weight is distributed between a canoe pack and a food barrel.

Since our 1979 Quetico trip we have used a canoe pack (or dry bag pack) for the person carrying the canoe (that would be me), and a framed backpacking pack for the person carrying the gear pack (that would be my wife). The dry bag pack carries our sleeping bags, pads, permits/paperwork, keys, passports, and other things that must be kept dry. The framed pack carries food (in smaller dry bags), tent, fly, all cooking gear, etc. We single-walk, each carrying ~65 pounds at trip start. I wouldn't want to carry the canoe while wearing a framed pack, and she wouldn't want to carry 65# in a canoe pack. Our typical trip length is 10 days.

TZ

Gear has changed a lot over the years. A lot of older canoe gear was very bulky which made the Duluth packs very handy for fitting it all in. With today's more compact gear, I have found it is really easy for me to overpack a large Duluth pack and have it end up too heavy. Even our 115L Sealline packs can get too heavy if we aren't careful, especially as we get older. In the past, backpacks tended to be frame packs and tended to stick up high in the air and were hard to waterproof. That has also changed and there are a lot more options out there. For heavy packs, I do NOT like having waist belts or extra straps because it makes it harder for me to lift them out of the canoe.

Here is a run down of what we use:

Solo trips: I use a lightweight backpack that I have seam sealed inside. Not sure the capacity (since I actually got it free) but I'm guessing 35-45L range. I travel very light on my solo trips. Not every backpack will work since if it is too tall, it will hit my seat while carrying the canoe. I used to use the 55L Earthpak mentioned below, but the backpack has external pockets that allow me to leave my daypack at home.

Group trips: 1-2 Sealline 115L waterproof packs, Maine pack basket (my husbands favorite for carrying along with a canoe), Earthpak 55L waterproof pack which has a waist belt and sternum strap (either for carrying along with another canoe or for someone who needs a lighter item).

In summary, if the packs fit the gear and fit the canoe, I don't think there is a right or wrong way to do it. Whatever you find best for your situation.

Battle Lake packs are excellent. The Grand Portage pack is huge, but it offers numerous adjustments positions for the shoulder straps. It has a padded hip belt and sternum strap. Several ingenious exterior pockets also. It's as close to a backpack as I've found in a canoe pack. I have two and am about to purhcase my third. As my wife and I get older, we have decided to spread the contents of two packs into three for lighter weight.

Mike

wette: "adjustment straps (hip, shoulders, chest), extra pockets for storage, and weight of the pack"

Yes.

I did not find a pack that bridged these two worlds well, and that was why I made my own.

I think backpacking packs have too many exterior pockets and compartments that I would be tempted to put things in and either lose or destroy. Canoe portage packs seem to follow the trend of keeping everything in one large compartment aside from maybe a side pocket or two, mainly because of how often they are in the canoe then out of the canoe, onto your back, on the ground... rinse & repeat. They truly take a beating while tripping, whereas backpacks live a pretty gentle life in comparison.

So I guess in short, it's a durability thing for me. Backpacking packs are designed with ultralight materials and I think side-by-side in the wilderness for the same duration of years/trips, you'll find a well made portage pack like CCS will last longer.

I switched to a Granite Gear Superior from an 80 L hiking backpack this past trip (June loop 16 to 19) and was pleased I made the change. While the Superior is big and can be heavy, the adjustments are plentiful and I got the pack sitting very comfortably for portages. We also managed a couple of single portages and I found it reasonably easy to carry the canoe and the Superior. Not sure I could do that with my hiking pack. My favorite thing about the Superior is how it sits in the canoe. Definitely better than a hiking pack IMO.

We started with external frame backpacks because that is what we had. They were too hard to fit flat in the canoes. But we could single portage bc the tent & pads or sleeping bags could go on the outside.

Then we switched to internal frame packs. They do lie flat, and we like having some pockets. Sometimes it is a bit hard to get everything in it, but that just means we don’t take the kitchen sink. We now double portage so the height isn’t an issue (now take chairs & tarp & dog food). For the 2 of us plus dog we take 2 backpacks, a food pack, and a small day pack.

The one thing that I wish all packs, both backpacks and portage packs, had is better waterproofing. We do use waterproof bags for clothes etc, but it would be nice if the packs themselves were waterproof for in the rain or water logged canoe bottom (blame the dog!}. We exited in an all day rain and I think my pack gained a few pounds!

wette: "... but backpacking packs seem way more advanced and technically superior in my opinion.

... "

Counterpoint:

My first backpacking packs, purchased 30 years ago, were not much better than the huge Duluth Pack canoe packs of that day. I will admit they were marginally better than portaging a Wannigan (I assume - I never actually portaged one), but my external frame pack squeaked and rattled, and my internal frame packs were heavier when empty than my fully loaded backpacking pack is today (maybe a very slight exaggeration- I never weighed stuff back then). Materials and designs of backpacking packs have indeed improved as has every single piece of equipment I take on the trail.

Canoe packs have also evolved. My CSC Pioneer packs feature some design elements that make them much more comfortable than portage pack designs of the past. Leather shoulder straps seem torturous compared to the padded shoulder straps and hip belt on the CSC products. I understand the Tumpline was to relieve the weight induced pain from the shoulders but, I don't seem to have ever needed one on my modern canoe pack.

I'd argue that my ULA Catalyst remains one of the premier packs available for light weight backpacking but there isn't much about it I'd call "superior" or "advanced" relative to the Pioneer Pack. Actually, for a pack that needs to be grabbed and hoisted from the floor of a canoe repeatedly several times each trip, I'd say the Pioneer Pack possesses design elements making it far superior for this role than any backpacking pack I've owned.

I have 3 Backpacking packs and 2 CSC Pioneer packs. While the hiking backpacks get used for strictly hiking trips, the CSC packs get used for a lot of car camping in addition to all canoe trips (they are as easy to fit in my Yakima Skybox as in my canoes) . The canoe packs are too spacious, versatile and durable to stay in the gear closet.

Certian canoe pack brands have certianly adapted in what i'll call new technology, but I think from a comfort standpoint the wide low profile and weight distribution of the canoe pack will never match that of a hiking pack.

I have both and the majority of the time, i'm using my hiking pack. Only when feeling nostalgic or looking to feel more of the romantacism of a canoe trip will I use the canvas frost river.

Look at the 70L Bill's Bag from NRS.

Hard for me not to pick my CCS Food pack as my everyday pack. I use it as my main pack. Stands up straight, easy to pack, grab things, and is extremely comfortable. Sits low and easy to portage with a canoe on top; which I see the biggest difference from a backpackers v canoe pack.

I just returned from an Overlanding (we used to call it camping) trip in Colorado in my new Xterra and I brought my CCS Bushcrafter pack. I used the pack for several day hikes up to 6 miles. It was very lightly loaded with just water, rain gear, and a jacket. Just what I needed while hiking at elevation.

One thing I noticed was my shirt on my low back was soaked with sweat. I am sure it's the foam pad inside the pack lining. It fits great but does not breath. I do not own a light weight backpacking pack, but I can imagine they are designed to breath while on your back.

I agree with what's been said above. The two types of packs serve different purposes.

I use a CCS Pioneer pack as my main canoe pack. I have another Pioneer that my grandson uses. For my smaller tripping partners, I have a Bushcrafter, a Rucksack, and a 30L barrel pack used without the barrel. I also use the ccs packs for travel vacations including air travel. The Rucksack qualifies as a carry-on.

Backpacker before getting into canoe traveling. So my hiker backpack went on the first several trips. I was no problem at all, best thing was it limited what I grabbed to take along at 3200 cubic inch capacity. First backpack used was a full external frame, replaced in the 2000's with internal frame. Even that small I carried a few books and a chair in/on the pack. I have no desire to haul a 6000 cid pack around.

butthead

Started with Duluth packs when I took out trips. We had some custom waterproof boxes made for the food packs which were just great. Always wondered why no one has followed up. When my wife and I started canoeing we went to a two-pack system with a Duluth pack and Kelty external frame backpack. Because she is short, the backpack fitted her frame better. We then upgraded to a Granite Gear Quetico which we got on sale at Midwest Mountaineering. We still have it. When we started out taking our son he took a little backpack and then moved up. Contrary to many here, I like the external pockets on backpacks because you can put necessary stuff there that doesn't require opening the Granite Gear. By that I mean things like binoculars (invaluable for spotting campsites from a distance), sunscreen, compass, gorp, water bottles, parachute cord, and even lunches. We always pack rain gear on top of the Granite Gear or on threatening days slip it under the straps. I do agree that the price of packs has become too high which is why our son has told us to never sell our packs and other gear.

Started with a 70L backpacking pack (some in our group still use them) but switched to a CCS Hybrid canoe pack. Can't ever see myself going back. The CCS fits perfectly flat in the bottom of the canoe and is easy to get in and out. It also allows me to carry a canoe with it significantly more comfortably compared to a tall hiking pack. The CCS Hybrid pack is a perfect crossover in my opinion - Hip belt + sternum strap and a good amount of adjustment makes it very comfortable.

The ONLY thing I miss about a hiking pack is the compartments. It was pretty convenient having the side and front pockets and the sleeping bag compartment at the bottom but canoe pack expands enough to be able to shove things in and find with not a ton of trouble.