My darling wife, knowing my love of canoeing and not really knowing canoe gear, cast about for a Christmas present for me, "something that you wouldn't buy for yourself but that you'd like to have". Doing some research in secret, she settled upon a Granite Gear Trad #4 pack and surprised me with it. She obviously put some thought and care into picking it for me, which of course is very much appreciated.
I do 1-2 trips per year, usually 1-3 nights (I've managed one 5-nighter in the BWCA, and hope to do another extended trip like that every 5 yrs or so as my vacation balance and family obligations allow). Thus far, I've always managed just fine with my backpacking pack, lined with a Sealine dry bag or two for the essentials (sleeping bag, post-immersion layers). I usually portage in two trips, one for boat, one for pack. In 2021, I probably averaged 1-3 times per week on local waters, often before work or a half-day on weekends during much of the year, and wetted my hull in every month from Mar to Dec. So, I spend a lot more time on the water locally for short stints - packs don't enter into it except my 1-2 short overnight trips.
Is it worth keeping the portage pack over my backpack? Am I really missing out by not having a portage pack? Is there a better portage pack at a comparable price?
Or, should I return it for something I can use more frequently, like another paddle? I need another paddle like I need another hole in my head, but I do enjoy cycling through my paddle quiver frequently and comparing performance and aesthetics; I might wet 4 or 5 paddles in a given week but my packs and overnight gear stay in their tubs in the garage rafters 355 days a year.
I do 1-2 trips per year, usually 1-3 nights (I've managed one 5-nighter in the BWCA, and hope to do another extended trip like that every 5 yrs or so as my vacation balance and family obligations allow). Thus far, I've always managed just fine with my backpacking pack, lined with a Sealine dry bag or two for the essentials (sleeping bag, post-immersion layers). I usually portage in two trips, one for boat, one for pack. In 2021, I probably averaged 1-3 times per week on local waters, often before work or a half-day on weekends during much of the year, and wetted my hull in every month from Mar to Dec. So, I spend a lot more time on the water locally for short stints - packs don't enter into it except my 1-2 short overnight trips.
Is it worth keeping the portage pack over my backpack? Am I really missing out by not having a portage pack? Is there a better portage pack at a comparable price?
Or, should I return it for something I can use more frequently, like another paddle? I need another paddle like I need another hole in my head, but I do enjoy cycling through my paddle quiver frequently and comparing performance and aesthetics; I might wet 4 or 5 paddles in a given week but my packs and overnight gear stay in their tubs in the garage rafters 355 days a year.