I've used the SeaLine versions (110L, 70L) for a number of years and have generally been happy with them.  My first large one did suffer a strap separation from the body of the pack when I lifted it fully loaded with one strap to put it on.  They did replace it for free and ever since then I do baby them somewhat when putting it on and taking it off with a heavy load.  It hasn't been an issue with the 70L size since the amount of weight in those seems to be within the design limits of the materials.

I love the dry-bag security of knowing everything in there will be bone dry regardless of conditions.  We have found that packing the contents in other bags within the dry bag helps to maintain a sense of order so you don't end up with 70 or 110 liters full of a mishmash of 'stuff' all jumbled together.  I do miss not having pockets and storage spots that are easily accessible, but have found it forces you to think through "what will I need access to during the day?" and pack accordingly.

The version you shared looks like a nice blend of big security with some pocket access - it may just be that you can't swing it around on a single strap if fully/densely loaded.

I'm a fan of Granite Gear. All their gear I have owned were of very high quality and functionally almost perfect. For the last 10+ years I actively use 2 of their Superior One canoe packs.They are comfortable and huge (about 120L). I am never too careful about handling my packs and by necessity my movements are often quite violent as I use to carry 60-70lbs, i.e. more than I can easily lift from the ground. The packs survived everything without a trace of a problem.

AlgonquinLakes wrote:

I bought a Chemun canoe pack last year and a few trips in I can say pretty unequivocally that I’m not a fan. The stitching connecting the shoulder strap to the bag gave way last year on trip #3 and I’ve never liked the way it sits.  So I’m looking for canoe pack recommendations. What do people use?

 
I’ve never used a proper canoe pack but I’ve never liked the look of the design. They don’t seem very comfortable or supportive compared to a proper backpack, like the huge MEC Serratus one I bought around 97 or so and still use to this day. It’s not ideal because it does get wet but I read an excellent article by an experienced backpacker that outlined how it’s inevitable that your pack will get wet or even soaked. It’s just a matter of how waterproof you make the various components of your packing system, according to the risk associated with that equipment getting wet. Towards that end I have started experimenting with a frame backpack that I can easily strap bags of varying waterproofness. I think this will work for me in the long run because I usually have more bulk rather than weight and I hope this system will be better for carrying all these bulky items. For sure it won’t fit as neatly into a boat as a canoe pack, but it should be easier to haul it on land, when you are typically working a little harder.

Last edited by solos (8/03/2020 10:34 pm)

i have the same pack as jdbonney, i have had the pack since 88, i find the pack to be uncomfortable, maybe i am getting old,, i am using a gregory baltoro now,, very comfy ,,,

Last edited by swedish pimple (8/04/2020 8:15 am)

I've had the MEC Slogg 70 for 4 or 5 years. I like it. Seems durable. Sometimes the 7o doesn't seem big enough but I fi nd the 115L version would be too much so I make do.

scratchypants wrote:

I have Eureka's SS 115 and 75 packs. No complaints.

My Eureka 115 was rock solid for many years but 2 years ago the glue holding the top of the harness to the pack fail catastrophically. I say catastrophically not because of any injury but because it failed all at once leaving a gaping hole in the pack and leaving it without a carry harness. 

I did reach out to Eureka that winter to ask about repairing it and the reply was that it could not be repaired. I'm sure I can repair it with a waterproof glue (g-flex?) the same as you would use for fastening d-rings to a canoe. 

Odds are that I'll go with a SeaLine for the next one since my son's SeaLine is only about a year younger and still going strong. I really liked the extra handles on the Eureka and it lasted a good 10 years or more. 

 

Solos, there are a ton of canoe packs with standard internal frame harnesses now, making them the best of both worlds- suspension and fit of an internal frame, but height and volume of a canoe pack.
I use an old Oasis pack made by Woods (sadly no longer made), it's ballistic nylon, has a fantastic harness, and isn't water proof, anything that needs to stay dry is in drybags, and the rest is in plain stuff sacks. I've seen far too many waterproof packs fail  mid trip, whether it's from seams letting go, or tearing the fabric on a sharp rock or stick to ever trust them to protect my gear. With my system, if I damage the pack, I can whip out a needle and thread and sew it up well enough to continue my trip. Those coated packs are an abomination to repair in the field.

Redundancy.  I've used a canoe pack exclusively  the past 5 or 6 yrs. Anything that absolutely  needs to stay dry, like my down bag, is packed  in a compression dry bag within the  canoe pack for piece of mind. Packed correctly I don't find them too uncomfortable.