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Interesting new pack for traditional guys.

ieraseu said:
Looks good, but the price puts them in Kifaru territory. They might be great packs, but at those prices very few people are likely going to give them a try in this economy because the bang for the buck is just not there
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i dont know, duluth packs last for generations if cared for properly
 
There are plenty of good, very functional packs for that money or less. They don't look as cool or retro as this one though.
 
Maybe y'all don't understand the target audience.

The packs Duluth makes are aimed at traditional campers. They are also aimed at canoe campers, which is why their packs ride LOW (because a big tower behind your back sucks when you're portaging your canoe), and don't have frames (nothing to get hung up in the canoe and they can be "stuffed" into the bottom of the canoe, being fairly "shapeless". They aren't backpacking packs, nor are they trying to be. They are aimed at people who wouldn't look twice at a nylon pack.

I have a feeling there's a lot more canoe/car campers than backpackers, and Duluth Pack does a huge business with both. They do indeed last fro generations. It's not uncommon to see models that are 20 or 30 years old. Some old timers have packs that date to the 50s or earlier.

I've got several of their packs and they are some of the best I've ever seen, and that is including makers like Kifaru.
 
True, I'm not familiar with the canoe camping aspect of their target audience. Didn't realize that heavy canvas and leather were preferred to other materials for canoe camping. Been car camping for 43 years and never found the need for a pack like that for a price like that. To each their own...looks cool but not my thing. I'd certainly take one as a gift...so remember that around x-mas time. ;)
 
Talfuchre said:
These are probably VERY true - gotta pay for quality!

TF
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Yep, people are always willing to pay for quality. A former CEO of Zippo lighters once said that "Quality sells", a quick glance around the knife community indicates that is true (a little mystique doesn't hurt either..).
 
Lucky for most of us, there are some darn good quality items that are very reasonably priced. I would never discourage anyone from buying the best that they can afford but in reality, many companies take good care of the guy who has about that much to spend on there whole vacation.
 
I grew up in Minnesota and I did a lot of canoeing in the BWCA back then. Duluth Packs were all we used. The heavy canvas bags stood up to the abuse very, very well. Even the kind of abuse that teen-age boys way up on northern lakes could dish out. The only thing we had to watch out for was to dry the bags good when we got done with the trip so they didn't mildew. This was especially true if you managed to dump a canoe on the trip. (Extra credit points if you could get the other guy to dump HIS canoe.)

When I looked at the backpack discussed in the OP, my first thought was that it would make a great pack for when four wheeling back to a camp site. But, honestly, the canoeing packs are half the price and have as much if not more of the volume. I mean, for crying out loud, the #4 Deluxe Duluth Pack is 7,920 cubic inches and it's only $220.

Duluth Packs are actually hand-made in Duluth, MN. And, yes, they will last for generations. IMO, they're well-worth the money if you're canoeing or car camping and you need a big, indestructible canvas bag to lug your gear in. I've never seen a Duluth Pack fail. I have, however, seen plenty of nylon backpacks fall apart.
 
My girlfriend bought a purse that was $1200. This is why she can't say a thing about the Kifaru pack i'll be buying soon. :)
 
A purse for $1,200? You can't even cut anything with a purse! That makes my brain hurt.
 
Cpl -- Thanks for the heads up! I was just talking with Becky (from DP) about ordering a customized wildland firefighters pack... we're working out the details... now I have to step back though and think this one through. :) Also appreciate the clear explanations to the rest of the guys. There are still a few great companies with some history out there. I'll happily pay for their customer service and the longevity of their products. Just as an aside, they also offer a military discount.
 
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It's a nice looking pack but the price......insane is probably the most polite thing I can say about it. I understand things made in the US are often more expensive but I can't imagine it costs them even $100 to make the pack.
 
for a 370$ id want a unlimited lifetime guarantee (ie tears, leather holes stretching/tearing), id want all leather treated (and come with treatment for future use), only brass or SS or hell even Ti rivets and buckles, and free shipping on all replacements. id basically want it to be the only bag i ever need to buy....in my entire life.
 
kgd said:
Have you actually looked into it? I seriously doubt it. Not when you are talking apples to apples in material anyhow. .
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I've looked into ones made from 1000 denier nylon and made in the US that would run around the same price and could be customized to my designs...and my computer was $500. :D
I love quality but I'm willing to work when it comes to finding the best value for my hard earned moneys.
 
bulgron said:
When I looked at the backpack discussed in the OP, my first thought was that it would make a great pack for when four wheeling back to a camp site. But, honestly, the canoeing packs are half the price and have as much if not more of the volume. I mean, for crying out loud, the #4 Deluxe Duluth Pack is 7,920 cubic inches and it's only $220.
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My personal favorite canoe pack is the Hudson Bay.

A lot of the price , I think is in the complexity of the pockets.

I'm not trying to get people to buy this, I don't work for them or own stock in the company. If it doesn't "do it" for you, then don't buy it.

But there are traditional type guys out there that won't buy anything but canvas packs, that would love this thing, and I psoted it as a heads up to them.

For that volume,t he price would be pretty much the same for a Kifaru or or other top-end nylon bag, and personally, I'd put up my Duluths against my Kifarus any day, and not have a clue which would poop the bed first. And for the unreasonable demands for warranty and such at that price, no manufacturer offers such a guarantee on a pack, even at that price.

Finally, as I learned the hard way, until you buy a pack like this, you won't understand why they are worth their cost.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
Finally, as I learned the hard way, until you buy a pack like this, you won't understand why they are worth their cost.
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That I understand. It's kind of like my $500 flashlight. Most folks think I am crazy for paying that much, but it is worth every penny to me.
 
I've used both the classic Duluth pack for canoeing and a Duluth rucksack. Both are excellent pieces of kit and have held up very well. They are heavier than nylon and there is no real suspension for either. The classic Duluth pack uses a tump line which works very well once you get the hang of it.

I'm not surprised at the price of the Bushcrafter bag. It's a bit steep for me, but for the quality and made in USA label, $370 isn't outrageous. I just got my bike tuned and serviced...could have bought the pack and a GB axe to go in it for money it cost me. I guess I'm sayin' its all relative.

448062783_6w3KX-M.jpg
 
It's nice, it has that traditional look to satisfy the demands of nostalgia, but for the money, if I was going to spend that money on a canvas pack, I'd go with Filson. The money doesn't really spook me, I've always been a fan of "buy once, cry once", but that canvas is going to be HEAVY.
 
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