Duluth Pack

[Lead K9]

Apologies if this topic has already been discussed. I didn't notice any posts when I searched the forums.

It seems a lot of you are using plastic cases, such as Pelicans, for storage, especially when secured to the outside of the vehicle. Does anyone use waxed canvas bags, such as Duluth or Frost River packs? I've collected a couple of smaller Duluth packs over the years that do well when crushed in the corners of my Jeep. They are too small for extended trips and I am considering getting larger containers.

So as I look into larger containers, should I jump on the plastic container bandwagon or consider larger waxed canvas bags? The plastic ones would have to be stored on my roof rack when the dogs are in the cargo area. The waxed canvas ones can ride in the rack, be stuffed inside the Jeep as space allows, or even placed in the cargo box. In addition, the waxed canvas bags will be more practical in the canoe and dog sled for overnighters.

So anyone have any experience with waxed canvas bags you are willing to share? I look forward to your comments!

 

[Road]

Cool question. I'm glad you're considering alternative products instead of simply accepting what everyone else does. No need to jump on any bandwagon if you don't want to.

Haven't tried the Duluth Packs specifically, but do have a Frontrunner Outfitters Monsoon Bag, which I just love, and am considering getting another. It's a great value, actually, at $149. This thing is a beast against weather and properly cared for should last longer than I will. Waterproof and dustproof. I love that it has a roll closure, can compress if you don't put hardshell boxes in it, and, as you mention, be stuffed into places a rigid sided container might not fit. Nowhere near as flexible as a soft canvas bag, but more malleable than a hard shell case. Fits their Wolf Packs and Cub Packs, too, though I may keep other goods in there that I don't need as often, like seasonal clothes.

Which Duluth Packs are you considering? I see a smallish one meant for canoe travel, and a lot of waxed duffels, etc, but nothing really meant for consistent on-your-vehicle storage. I'd be leery of waxed canvas packs strapped outside in a variety of changing weather. Seems like it would eventually let in water at the seams and the canvas would start to degrade. They're not as large as you may want, either, as you wrote. If they have product with covered and taped seams, velcroed flaps covering zippers, etc, those are worth considering for rooftop or trailer deck carrying. Might be difficult to keep hard objects in there, as well, that may push too much against the canvas and create wear spots.

Frontrunner also has a couple weather tight Transit bags meant to hold their Wolf Packs and Cub packs. I have the Large Transit Bag , which holds three of my Wolf Packs so tightly that it's hard to get the cover on and off. Sure keeps 'em dry and dust free, though.

I used to use the Plano boxes, but have gotten away from them in favor of the above and my bear-resistant Zarges cases. A lot of people love their Plano boxes to death though, and they're reasonable in cost. There are other sizes as well and you can often find them at Cabela's as well as Amazon. Easy to make them more water-resistant, too, with EPDM half-round, glued in the upper lid.

Another thread here: https://www.overlandbound.com/forums/threads/what-do-you-use-to-store-all-your-gear.8561/ with post #4 in that thread suggesting several other threads on packs and containers.

You'll likely find over time that having several of the same sized containers makes it easier to stow, stack, and transport. Then you just need to label or ID them in some other way. Let us know what you end up finding as best solution for yourself.

 

[Road]

Ohh! I use these, too, Osprey Packs, though not so good for strapping to your roof, they're perfect for canoe/kayak and general camp use. I have three, in diff sizes and colors, to keep everything from food to socks in when out hiking around and to keep my shit better organized inside my van.

I would think you'll find good all-weather gear at the canoe outfitter places, too, like paddling.com and even REI.com . I'm sure there are others.

 

[Lead K9]

Road, thanks for the responses!

Anyone with any experience using waxed cotton bags?

 

[Eric Neal]

My go-to tool bag behind my driver seat is a waxed canvas roll made by ATC (Adventure Tool Co.). Also have 3 waxed canvas envelopes (think pencil pouch from old school) that hold my screwdrivers, another for pliers, another for electrical "stuff".

Love them, easy to stuff in my pickup cab, and when used in the field are perfect for my needs.

 

[Road]

Man, I started looking at the Frost River Isle Royale Bushcraft Packs and have just been drooling. Serious, beautiful, pack, but serious price, too. I didn't realize that's what you were talking about, @Lead K9, when you mentioned Frost River, though was vaguely familiar with Duluth packs. I guess I never knew about them because they've just been out of my league, price-wise.

Gorgeous craftsmanship on these Isle Royale packs - I happened to be watching a bushcraft vid on youtube and this gal had a cool looking, very functional, waxed canvas pack, so I started poking around for waxed canvas packs to see if I could find which one she was using. Turned out to be the Frost River Isle Royale Jr.

Yeah, I wouldn't keep a waxed canvas bag of similar construction up on the roof for long term . . .perhaps short jaunts when needed, but I think the constant exposure to sun, wind, and rain would lead to premature aging on a pack like that. A bag or pack made of truck tarp material or a hardshell case would be the way to go, I think.

Hope you find just the right thing for your needs!

 

[bionicman]

Suggestion maybe look into a couple 120l dry bags

 

[Road]

Suggestion maybe look into a couple 120l dry bags

Yes, great idea - there are actually quite a few larger sizes of dry bags and dry sacks available that could work, though many are meant to go inside a pack. Along with the smaller Osprey Sacks I mentioned above (the largest they do is a 30L for $25.00) you can search for Seal-Line ILBE sacks, USMC surplus.

You can actually just google the number 8465-01-560-6727 (NSN number) and see a few options for the 56L SealLine ILBE waterproof liner meant for the Marine Assault Pack on eBay, Amazon, etc, at widely varying prices, so shop around if it's something that interests you.

The more I learn about options for strapping weatherproof gear to either my trailer cover, rack, or roof, the more I like the Monsoon Bag I have. At only $149 USD, it's the best value and strongest bag, and most flexible/versatile item I've found yet for the purpose. It is both water and dust proof.

No affiliation, but here's a vid and the specs:

 

[bionicman]

I use differing sizes of dry bags on my adv motorcycle trips . relatively inexpensive and I would not hesitate to secure outside my vehicle .

 

[Road]

I use differing sizes of dry bags on my adv motorcycle trips . relatively inexpensive and I would not hesitate to secure outside my vehicle .

Cool - have any links to, or names of the bags you use?

 

[bionicman]

Cool - have any links to, or names of the bags you use?

couple 30l, 60l & one massive dead body bag 120l
couple are name brand but most are wally world ozark trail or cheap ebay items

 

[justjames]

Cool - have any links to, or names of the bags you use?

Look at Wolfman Luggage.
https://wolfmanluggage.com/collections/all-motorcycle-bags/products/expedition-dry-duffel-large
I've hauled one of these through most of North America on a motorcycle. Unbelievably tough, dry and dust ,proof. Good product made in the USA.

They have multiple, strong lash points too!

 

[Road]

Look at Wolfman Luggage.
https://wolfmanluggage.com/collections/all-motorcycle-bags/products/expedition-dry-duffel-large
I've hauled one of these through most of North America on a motorcycle. Unbelievably tough, dry and dust ,proof. Good product made in the USA.

They have multiple, strong lash points too!

Thanks man, those look great, and rugged too.

I'm pretty well set myself for outdoor storage gear, but thought others reading this thread might be interested in what dry bags @bionicman meant.

I think we've gotten a little away from @Lead K9 's original question though, and that's my fault for going off on a tangent about other bags I thought were good. He was asking more if anyone has experience with waxed canvas bags.

Those great Frost River packs he mentioned are stuck in my mind though, and I know damned well I'm gonna end up getting one sooner or later for back country bushcraft trips.

.

 

[Lead K9]

I think we've gotten a little away from @Lead K9 's original question though, and that's my fault for going off on a tangent about other bags I thought were good. He was asking more if anyone has experience with waxed canvas bags.

Those great Frost River packs he mentioned are stuck in my mind though, and I know damned well I'm gonna end up getting one sooner or later for back country bushcraft trips.

.

No worries! There are some good suggestions in here.

I have a couple smaller Duluth Packs that I use for other activities and find their way inside the Jeep. I guess I was looking to talk myself into getting a couple of the larger ones and looking for any excuse I could find. :) I can see a couple inside a couple hard cases up top.

Definitely consider that Frost River for your bush craft trips. But remember they don't offer any support. You definitely want to go lighter when overnighting with a canvas bag compared to a backpack with a proper frame. But extra gear is what dogs with packs are for, right? ;P

 

[Road]

No worries! There are some good suggestions in here.

I have a couple smaller Duluth Packs that I use for other activities and find their way inside the Jeep. I guess I was looking to talk myself into getting a couple of the larger ones and looking for any excuse I could find. :) I can see a couple inside a couple hard cases up top.

Definitely consider that Frost River for your bush craft trips. But remember they don't offer any support. You definitely want to go lighter when overnighting with a canvas bag compared to a backpack with a proper frame. But extra gear is what dogs with packs are for, right? ;P

Ha, yeah, I've been thinking SO seriously about getting another dog for traveling and camping and back country travel. And yeah, I know the Frost River Isle Royale are non-frame. I don't expect to be doing many long multi-night walking trips, but def want to do multi-night kayak trips if I get a good vessel for that.

In the end, realistically, what I should most seriously consider is a good pack I can use for whatever, be it multi-night walking trips if I have to because of emergency or desire, or canoe/kayaking for more than one night. The jury is still out. Those Frost River Isle Royale packs sure look nice though, and I can see myself using the Jr for a number of different activities in the way I typically travel and camp.

 

[JimInBC]

Apologies if this topic has already been discussed. I didn't notice any posts when I searched the forums.

It seems a lot of you are using plastic cases, such as Pelicans, for storage, especially when secured to the outside of the vehicle. Does anyone use waxed canvas bags, such as Duluth or Frost River packs? I've collected a couple of smaller Duluth packs over the years that do well when crushed in the corners of my Jeep. They are too small for extended trips and I am considering getting larger containers.

So as I look into larger containers, should I jump on the plastic container bandwagon or consider larger waxed canvas bags? The plastic ones would have to be stored on my roof rack when the dogs are in the cargo area. The waxed canvas ones can ride in the rack, be stuffed inside the Jeep as space allows, or even placed in the cargo box. In addition, the waxed canvas bags will be more practical in the canoe and dog sled for overnighters.

So anyone have any experience with waxed canvas bags you are willing to share? I look forward to your comments!

Waxed cotton duluth #2 for canoe trips for me. But on the roof I am using different size drybags, and boxes though I have not worked it all out yet. I found wind driven rain got under the flaps of the Duluth packs no matter what.

On another note, @Road, the Isle Royale pack is one I really would love to have. They are beautiful. And named after one of my favorite places to paddle, and versatile, and re-waxable and they hold an axe... Someday.

 

[Road]

Waxed cotton duluth #2 for canoe trips for me. But on the roof I am using different size drybags, and boxes though I have not worked it all out yet. I found wind driven rain got under the flaps of the Duluth packs no matter what.

On another note, @Road, the Isle Royale pack is one I really would love to have. They are beautiful. And named after one of my favorite places to paddle, and versatile, and re-waxable and they hold an axe... Someday.

I know I want one, and am struggling with the justification of purpose like, I suspect, a lot of people do who get one. I typically purchase stuff I know will outlast me if cared for properly, so that whoever ends up with it after I'm gone either loves it because it was mine and uses it for another generation and can then pass it on further, or can resell it to someone who will get more great use out of it.