Deluth BackPack Opinions

TOMBSTONE

TOMBSTONE

Joined
Oct 31, 1998
Messages
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I'm interested in opinions of owners/users of Deluth made in the USA backpacks.Any pros/cons compared to modern Eagle/Spec-ops type backs would be appreciated.At somepoint down the line I might be looking into a new pack.thanks
 
mewolf1 said:
Do you mean "Duluth" packs?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure of the spelling,but they are made in the USA and are made of some type of cotton or canvas material,leather straps etc.
 
I've used them all my life. They are the way to go for what they are designed for, canoeing. That being said I like them for all around use cause there is nothing to break. It's a soft pack. For backpacking they are Not ideal, the frame packs are much better suited.A frame pack also puts the weight more up and down so to speek, where as the canoe pack is kind of a blob on your back. I do not do any backpacking, mostly canoe trips and short hunting trips so the Duluth packs work well for me.
 
Like mewolf1 said, they're OK for canoeing. When I used to do a lot of canoe tripping I used my homemade Duluth packs, they fit in a canoe better than frame packs. Anything much longer than a short portage & you'll be wishing for a frame pack. JMHO & YMMV etc.
Gene :D
 
I've used the packs quite alot in ME. They have some advantages: abrasive resistant (easy to repair if you do cut them); dry quickly; tump-straps really do help on long portages; great looking and one less thing in the world made from oil - based nylon. Duluth Pack (link above) and another company Frost River (made by old employees I think) make simular products - both in the U.S.A.
 
i just got my "nessmuk" pack made by frost river. (as i understand it, frost river was formed by a couple of duluth pack people who left when duluth got bought out by someone. my pack actually did arrive from duluth, MN)...

i will say this: these packs are beautifully made...really quality stitching, fat, heavy leather, heavy brass buckles, excellent brass riveting...but man, they are NOT designed for comfort! at least not if you're used to modern tech-nylon internal framed packs.

they're basically just rucksacks with a couple of straps over your shoulders. load them up and they pull on your shoulders...i can see why some fellers have said they're primarily for canoeing/portaging - i'd be miserably carrying a heavy load for any distance...some models have tump lines which are probably very helpful for relieving strain on the shoulders.

i really like my nessmuk pack for what it is, what i got it for: just a day-hike bag, something i'd take with me for hunting or what not, loaded up with some essentials, lunch, a sweater...i wouldn't want to carry more than 10-12 pounds in it, though.
 
ok let me take that review back. this pack sucks. obviously designed by someone who sits in an office designing things rather than actually using them...it looks great - classic design, beefy brass buckles, very thick and heavily reinforced leather strap. and these beefy brass buckles are "conveniently" located right at the point where the pack rests on the back...yeah, that makes sense...always nice to have metal digging into my ribcage...i loaded it up with not more than 10 pounds of stuff and it is the single most uncomfortable thing i've ever worn on my back. and no way to get it comfortable.

sending this thing back to frost river...nice little piece of art work, but as far as a functional tool, pppphhhhhhhhhhhht.
 
I have a frost river old no. 7 pack, excellent. They are built to last, I use it for a portage pack.
 
I'm not familiar with the options for a spec op type pack, but doing a lot of backpacking , climbing and adventure racing, I can tell you Arcteryx probably makes the best packs on the market at this time.Look into the RT series.I know another company, Golite, does make tactical gear for spec op and they may have something of interest as well.Arcteryx makes all their stuff in Canada and the workmanship is second to none. The American Institute of Alpine Guides has awarded them with numerous guides' choice awards, meaning they held up to some brutal testing in alpine environments over long periods of time.
 
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