Portage Packs

Reviews of Portage Packs.

  • A photo of the Sea to Summit Big River Dry Backpack 50L sitting on a wood table.
    Paddling Gear,  Portage Packs,  Reviews

    Sea to Summit 50L Big River Dry Backpack

    The brand-new Sea to Summit 50L Big River Dry Backpack just arrived at my door. I was excited to see it because I’ve been looking for a lightweight 40-to-50-liter portage pack for canoeing. I’ve written about my dream portage pack before. The 50L Big River Dry Backpack fits the bill. Description The Big River Dry Backpack is a 50-liter pack that weighs 26 ounces. It’s made of a beefy 420D nylon that’s bonded to a TPU lining. This gives the exterior good abrasion, tear and puncture protection while providing a waterproof construction. The TPU lining is bright white which makes the interior of the pack nice and bright for packing…

  • Cooke Custome Sewing Pioneer Pack on a portage
    Portage Packs,  Reviews

    Cooke Custom Sewing Pioneer Pack Review

    The Cooke Custom Sewing Pioneer Pack, part of Cooke’s hybrid portage pack series, combines the shape of a traditional portage pack with the features of a more modern backpacking pack. It has a padded foam back, contoured and padded shoulder straps, a sternum strap, a padded hip belt, four grab loops, load lifter straps and hip stabilizer straps. It is made from a heavy-duty nylon and comes in blue, red, yellow, pink and green. Dan Cooke makes every pack by hand in Minnesota (All the best portage packs are made in Minnesota). The Pioneer Pack is our primary portage pack and sees more use than my Duluth Pack, SealLine Boundary…

  • Portage Packs,  Reviews

    Duluth Pack Northwoods Review

    Duluth Pack’s Northwood pack is a burly portage pack made in the Canadian style that canoe-hero Bill Mason used and loved. It’s made from 18-ounce canvas with a double bottom. It has leather shoulder straps that are riveted into the pack. Two 36-inch long leather crossover straps secure the pack and allow the internal flaps to expand when carrying large loads. It has two side pockets big enough for water bottles. The shape is designed to fit into the contour of a canoe and it rides low. The pack comes with a 6 ml poly liner and a tumpline. A waist belt is an upgrade. I’ve owned a Northwood pack…

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