Hiking Pack

[MuntzAngling]

I was wondering if I could get some tips from the hiker campers here. I am looking for a durable watertight pack with good features.

I've seen some with a metal brace and I would also like it to stay dry on the bottom of the canoe.

Any suggestions out there?

-Minner

[Quetico]

Hands down for canoe packs (water tight pack) the Granite Gear Immersions are unbeatable. They definitely aren't cheap, around $300. They are the toughest, most durable water tight/water proof pack money can buy. They will last forever.

When it comes time to replace my Sealine Boundary bags, I will be switching over to Granite Gear Packs. My Sealine Boundary bags are decent. They have no frame or any kind of back padding. They also tend to wear easily. Once they material starts to wear they no longer keep water out. Definitely cheaper but lack the comfort and life span of the Immersion.

[Quetico]

I've also used the Granite Gear Great Northern on longer trips. They are not completely water tight, yet will keep your stuff fairly dry. They do a decent job keeping water out.

Definitely a pack for longer trips or short trips where you only want to take 1 or 2 packs for the group.

[MuntzAngling]

Thanks Quetico. Do you know where to find them?

[grousehunter]

Those are great canoe packs, but not something I would want to take on a backbacking trip.

I would check out the Arc'teryx Bora 80 if you were planning on using it for hiking a lot.

[OnAFly]

I have an Osprey Aether 70 which is great for hiking and canoeing as long as you're not planning on bringing everything you own. It's acutally kind of nice since it forces me to bring only the essentials. They do make it in an 80, so if you want bigger, it's available.

It's a very comfortable pack and they heat shape it to your body when you buy it so they break in period isn't so long.

Not watertight, but very few packs are. Get a pack liner for canoe trips and a pack cover for hiking.

[grousehunter]

Ditto on the pack liner/cover. The one I mentioned is watertight, but it comes with a bigger price tag. Its on sale right now at REI for 299. Normally anywhere from 340-375. A good thing to do would be going to REI and try on a bunch of different packs loaded with gear and see which one feels the most comfortable and has the features you want. If your willing to use the liner/cover you will have a lot more options at more reasonable prices.

[OnAFly]

Going into REI and trying a few on with a knowledgeable person there to give advice is invaluable.

When I was looking at packs, I thought about ordering from an online store, I'm really happy I decided to head over to REI first and check them out in person first.

FYI, for a watertight pack, 299 is a good price.

[Quetico]

If your looking for backpacking style packs, check out the Arc'teryx Bora series.

Or if you can look around and find a newer Dana Designs Pack, they are some of the best backpacks ever made. I have a Terraplane I wouldn't trade for the world.

REI Mars packs have always gotten good ratings. You can rent them from REI for a trial run. My cousin used one for the weekend on the SHT last fall. He said it wasn't bad, but not nearly as comfortable as my Terraplane. Also the Mars packs are a bit weird with the loading, I didn't really like it.

[Quetico]

If you want knowledgeable good local info on packs, go down to Midwest Mountaineering in Minneapolis. They are rated as one of most knowledgeable and best local outdoor gear retailers between the Appalachians and the rockies.

[Powerstroke]

A hiking pack and a canoe-trip pack are two totally different things so its important to consider which you think you'll be doing more.

Its not that you can't use one design for the other, but portage style canoe packs are not made for long hikes in the wilderness and hiking/backpacking packs are not designed to be stowed in the bottom of a canoe and they are not that great for packing all of the things required for a canoe style trip. The average portage pack carries more gear than some of the largest hiking packs and they are more durable.

For a hiking pack go to REI or Midwest Mountaineering. I like REI better, but that's just me. The Bloomington store has the largest inventory. You can get fitted and try them out and they have lots of sandbags and stuff to test out with weights.

Portage style packs are harder cause there aren't alot in the metro. The same two stores will have a couple but not many. I love Granite Gear. I bought a new one last year and I still use an older one I have. I don't worry about waterproof because they are going to get wet no matter what. The best way is to use a thick plastic liner bag and keep your gear in watertight bags rather than relying on the entire pack to protect your gear. Cooke Custom Sewing is a MN company that makes great products. DO a search for them too.

[Quetico]

When it comes to selection you can not beat REI. Its a big box type store that carries quality gear. I shop there frequently before heading out on wilderness trips.

When I want expert advice from knowledgeable people that spend tons of time using the products they sell, Midwest Mountaineering is the only place to go. Midwest is worth the drive to get the best advice possible. They have a decent selection.

[MuntzAngling]

Thanks much guys!

I will be shopping soon. My uses will be more of the canoe portage style pack. I like the liner/cover idea. Yes, nothing does ever seen to stay dry out there. I'll post with my purchase decision soon!

-Minner

[Quetico]

For portage style go Granite Gear or nothing at all.

[MuntzAngling]

Thanks! I went with the Granite Gear and opted for a clear Sealine Bag to hoist with foodstuffs to go inside. Should work nicely.

[Quetico]

Yeah even on backpacking trips I use the clear Sealine style bags for a food pack.

[Comit 2]

Wow. I'm comming from a whole new derection.

Get a ALICE back pack! Just put your stuf in bags before you place them in your pack.

I've seem ALICE packs at FF for $13 dollars. They have goofy sholder straps when you buy them from FF but thay do work or you can replace them (just google "ALICE back pack"). The med, ALICE can be used with or without a frame (ghostbuster's back pack frame). For holding you gear together in the bottom of a canoe and making a portage or two at that price you can't beat All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment.