What Packs to Get for Canoe Trips

If you're looking for the right packs or sacks for a canoe trip, what should you buy? A hiking pack, a Duluth Pack or a duffle bag? How many should you get? Where should you store your food? How big a food container should you get? I'll answer these questions and more for any solo or tandem trip for up to a week.
#canoeing #canoe trip #canoe pack #canoe camping #kayak camping #packing for canoe trip
#bags for canoe trip #dry bag #food barrel
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[@RxRidgerunner]

I mostly solo. Here are some pearls of my solo experience. Placing the packs and barrel in the canoe is dictated by if I have a tailwind/ headwind or other. The canoe tracks better in a tailwind with a heavier stern whereas a headwind requires a heavier bow to prevent weathervaning. A balanced load is better otherwise. And another preference is to take the canoe last across the portage because (1) I know what to expect with the load and (2) at the finish of the portage I place the canoe in the water and don't have to pick it up again if I had brought it over first.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

AGREED! Thanks for commenting!

[@davecalder2688]

I will take that advice and I thank you very much

[@TheProfessionalAmateur91]

I am a newbie and I will remember this. Thanks for sharing.

[@lukereimer]

Agree this is the ideal setup! The only two things I'd add: Some of the cheaper barrels and dry bags often compromise on the straps, padding, and backpack element. If you have a ton of portages or long portages, make sure your barrels and dry bags have high quality support. Second, if you can't afford a barrel or dry bag yet but have a good backpacking pack, just line it with a heavy duty garbage bag and voila, cheap waterproof pack. Thanks for the great video and cheers to Ontario paddling.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Sounds about right! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@LightspeedTutorials]

lol the cat 6:14

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

For better or worse, my cats really are curious and end up in a lot of my videos - completely unplanned!

[@ViewfinderMastery]

helpful, thanks!👍

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Glad to hear that!

[@scottmiddleton2498]

Great content Pete! Very helpful for us getting into canoeing. If your blank on ideas for your next video, how about types of single blade paddles, when to use and most importantly how long they should be. Thanks

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Hey Scott! Crazy things happen in this world! I say that because late last night, I just finished a video outline of how to choose the right paddle (mostly single blade) and how to size it. I was planning on recording today - I still may but I hurt my shoulder pretty badly (too much throwing heavy balls with my kids). Thanks for watching, and the paddle thing will be my very next video! (probably published May 17 or so).

[@hwpine7011]

Great video, just getting started so searching for ideas. Also enjoyed how your cat steals the show at 6:06, had to chuckle when he ran for cover

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Thanks for watching and commenting! The crazy thing is that I have at least a dozen videos where my cat(s) makes an uninvited appearance - sometimes chasing prey or getting freaked out by a loud noise, etc. Here's a video on another channel I started years ago (no longer active after I sold it) with my first cat appearance! kzbin.info/www/bejne/omKxqJKIqpZmrpI

[@eddieglovestrees]

I just started my canoe career lol.been loving all your videos great advice thanks

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Awesome! Thank you! Positive feedback is always appreciated!

[@davecalder2688]

another excellent video Pete!!!!! I am so itching for spring..😊😊😊

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

You and me both! Thanks for the encouraging comment! Blessings!

[@davecalder2688]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 I just ordered my map by Jeff of central Algonquin I got the digital d’load and am pouring over details. It’s a great map

[@davecalder2688]

Hi Pete. I bought a Rhéaume canoe. A little after the fact but I wonder if you have an opinion of them? Thanks Dave​@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I don't own one and haven't paddled one, but from what I can tell by their construction and their price, I would place them in the higher end category of canoes for sure. My only beef is that most of their models are Prospector style and I'm not a huge fan of prospector. I do mostly lake tripping and prospector is not the best choice for that. I do, however, like their solo models and non-Prospector canoes - they look the same as any other premium canoe!

[@izwaterloo]

Thank you!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

You bet!

[@outside-atlast9113]

Hello, I also love to canoe, fish and camp. I'm from Ontario also. Thanks for the tips. Take care and we'll talk soon. Tim.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Great to hear from you. There's something about the natural world far from people that resonates with everyone. Thanks for watching!

[@KnifeCrazzzzy]

Excellent, just discovered your channel and it’s super helpful! 👊🏻🤙🏻

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Great to hear!

[@Deb-xm1jw]

It’s really helpful to see this! Thanks!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Glad it was helpful!

[@joshuafitzner307]

That is one sweet canoe! Nice video!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

It sure is! I have 3 nice canoes and a fishing kayak - this black magic is my absolute favorite!

[@shaneroper5470]

I'd try and condense it down to one trip. The dry bag would carry everything I need. Small bungee cords to attach paddle and fishing pole to inside of the canoe. Dehydrate your food if possible to reduce weight.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Absolutely!

[@dickinaroundoutdoors8609]

Great idea for an episode. Man things have changed since I purchased new bags-waxed canvas Duluth Packs!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Absolutely. I know people who love Duluth Packs, but I've found my groove. Thanks for watching!

[@mkarp8464]

Sometimes I have wheels too.. I have not quite figured out what to do with them, I end up carrying them in one hand. But if I have one carry that is wheelable it's worth bringing wheels. I use a bear barrel in a backpack- smaller than your food barrel. Same idea..

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

That makes sense, but unfortunately for me, I never canoe in areas that would work for wheeling the canoe. That's why I made the jump ($$$) to a solo ultralite canoe that weighs so little, a portage is not that big of an obstacle (average time at a portage is 25 min. for a 400-500 meter trail). Thanks for watching!

[@northern_wilderness_adventurer]

Thanks for the video - I love your efficient style for portaging. I noticed you decide to carry your fishing rod by hand - I bet you could easily toggle/bungee it to your boat and free up a hand in the event you wanted to bring some additional gear (maybe this is what you alluded to when you mentioned you bring different sized tackleboxes depending on the trip?). I'm going to be portaging solo in the Kawartha Highlands this summer and this will be a first for me, so you're videos have been a huge help. Thanks again for the inspiration.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Hey Brandon; Yes, I suppose I could strap it onto the canoe but that's just a personal preference. For me, it's just another thing that I need to take the time to do (and undo) and I want minimal gear anyway, so it works for me, but there are lots of ways of accomplishing the same task! Thanks for the comment and for watching!

[@organicboatshop]

Great video once again.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Thanks again! Hey, I'm thinking about your paddles, but I just injured my shoulder and at the moment, I can't paddle at all! (true story). I'm looking forward to it though!

[@organicboatshop]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 hope it heals up quickly.

[@richarddsouza7761]

That was helpful. I'm a newbie and just learning how to pack better for the portages. What was the waist pack that you use? It looks handy for all the odds and ends that I like to keep around me during the paddle (as well as the fishing tackle).

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Glad it was helpful! The pouch I use is similar to this one - amzn.to/3dgzXUv. Mine is actually not as good as this one but it's a similar size and design. Cheers,

[@eprohoda]

How’ life?. you shared top masterpiece~ see you on my side.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

You've got a great channel my friend!

[@wayne8276]

I like the barrel , Is the lid a screw on ? Purchased where, along with the harness ? Good video . Thank you, Sir .

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Hi. The lid is not screw on. The lid just sits on the barrel top and then a ring goes around both the barrel and the lid and then it tightens with a snap. Easy and quick The entire rig comes together (barrel, lid, harness). I bought mine on Amazon - here's the link for Amazon Canada - amzn.to/3Mh6WqE - or in the U.S. - amzn.to/46NNLg1

[@wayne8276]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 Thank you for the info . Have a great day

[@segundaordem]

Great video! Wich canoe is this one? How big ? Thank you

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

The canoe I'm using is a 16 foot Bell (now Northstar) Magic. It's 29 inches at its widest point (beam). Any tandem canoe could fit more stuff than I use, but it would have to if you have 2 people. Cheers,

[@danoconnor1664]

any chance you know the liter size of that food barrel? i am finding options for 20 30 and 60. wondering which to choose.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I believe mine's a 20L. It's the smallest one I could find that would do the trick for me and one other person. Turns out, it works for my entire small family of wife and 3 kids as well if I'm careful.

[@JosephStealin]

29 lbs 😮 mine is a tank 88 lbs, I wish I could afford a carbon composite one …

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I hear you on that! I'm 55 years old and have been saving for many years to get something I can carry in my old age! :) cheers,

[@Alex-od7nl]

packs that don't break when you grab em and throw em out of the canoe.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Exactly!

[@danbertino4999]

Does the dry bag sit to high to wear while your carrying the canoe?

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Good question; My dry bag would sit too high and hit the seat on my solo canoe. Because of this, I only wear my food barrel while carrying the canoe (it's quite a bit smaller). I carry my large dry bag on the second trip. I almost always do 2 trips back and forth on every portage I do. Cheers,

[@kevinjamiesonbelou]

So if you have a 2 km portage, it turns into a 6 km portage?

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Hey Kev; I find that on a 10-day trip I'm not strong enough to carry all my gear along with the canoe in one haul over 2 km. Walking with nothing back for a second load is just a pleasant hike. Plus, I don't have enough backs or arms to do the job in one run. If I decrease my gear and food to allow for one trip on all portages, I find I don't really enjoy my time in the wilderness, which is what it's really all about. I'm someone who likes to save his 56-year old back so it can make another canoe trip in a few weeks! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@kevinjamiesonbelou]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 Cool. Inexperience was making me second guess your methods, no offence intended of course, it just seems like a lot of work. I’m just getting into solo canoeing and planning out some canoe camping trips. Short portages only!

[@Alex-od7nl]

it looks like a cat, but it has a racoon tale.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

?

[@Alex-od7nl]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 the animal lurking behind you.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

@@Alex-od7nl HA! I barely noticed. That's my cat and I saw it while editing, but I didn't realize in a couple of poses she TOTALLY looks like a mini, fast raccoon!