Traditional #3.5-Smoke Blue

I purchased this bag to replace a "#3 Duluth Pack" I was packing for a trip and I was literally tightening the straps on the old girl down and she tore, I mean the strap just tore off. I needed a pack now! We were leaving the next day for a 50 Mile BWCA trip. I went to the local outfitter where I purchased the Duluth pack 15 years earlier and well, no more Duluth packs. Now they only had Granite Gear bags, I had herd of Granite Gear favorably from a good friend so I decided to give one a try. I love everything about the bag, well built, simple design, light weight and it looks great!

The Duluth pack looked really cool but it is uncomfortable, heavy when wet, and when I bought it I remember hearing "Lifetime Guarantee"...not! I took it to the Duluth Pack store and they told me if I took it to the shop they would fix it for a fee and I would have to pay shipping. I know I paid way more for the Duluth pack 15 years ago and now it is $285! It may be "Cool" for the hipster crowed, but it's not as functional as the Granite Gear.

I had the old Duluth pack repaired locally and recently my son and I just used it on a fall trip down the Mississippi and it tore in two more places on the trip. it is time to say goodbye to the old girl. I think I will play taps on my harmonica and let her go. I cannot say I feel like I got my money worth of the Duluth Pack.

I am planning on buying another Granite Gear 3.5 and will most likely retire the entire Duluth Pack collection. Too bad, they looked great in my cedar strip Chestnut prospector. Now I will be advertising Granite Gear products.

Thanks for a great product! (Posted on 10/21/2015)