An Old Style Backpack

Returning to the Days

~ of ~

Canvas, Leather, and Brass

Every so often I'll get the urge to look into a new piece of outdoor gear. Usually it's something simple like a file, roll of twine or maybe even a knife. There are times however when I feel the need to take a larger step. Perhaps there's a particular caliber firearm I'd like to try out or like in this case, a new house for my back (thanks Mr.Fletcher!), a tin cloth backpack.

Anyone who has been following any of my travels may be aware that I tend to travel light in a not-so-conventional manner meaning much of my gear is very basic, straight forward and at times rather odd. No trendy espresso makers for this boy!

If you look back through history, there were always some types of backpacks being used. Even Otzi, sometimes referred to as "The Iceman" most likely used a backpack (you can learn more about Otzi and the backpack at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology web site) of some sort to transport his essentials. So I don't think anyone will argue that a backpack is probably the most efficient way to transport gear through the wilderness if you're traveling by foot.

When I decided it was time to look into another way to transport my gear, it was natural move for me to check out some backpacks. Did I surf over to some of the more popular websites featuring the most incredibly designed, fastex-buckled, Gortex-itized, feel like you're wearing a bag of feathers on your back type of packs? No sir! I simply walked over to my bookcase, pulled out my copy of Horace Kephart's classic "Camping and Woodcraft" and proceeded to study some of the pack designs from the early 1900s or as many refer to as "the old days".

Why on earth would I want to take a step back in time and when there are so many great backpack designs being marketed these days?

A big part of my wilderness enjoyment comes from having to endure some shall we say slightly less than ideal conditions. In other words rather than simply stopping, pitching a tent, cooking up some dinner on a camp stove then crawling into toasty sleeping bag that would allow one to sleep soundly well into the next month, I choose to settle down into a group of rocks, make up a nice bed of pine-needles, eat a spoonful or two of peanut butter and curl up under an old dusty wool blanket!

I eventually narrowed my choices down to a medium size utility pack made by Frost River, one of a handful of companies still making Duluth style backpacks that date back to the days when Mackinaw Cruisers were considered to be a true outdoorsman's jacket and lighting a campfire didn't require permission from anyone.

When the pack arrived, I was first taken in with how well it was made. Its rugged and simple design reminded me of something a packer would throw over his stock for transporting supplies in. Tin Cloth (heavy waxed/oiled canvas) is definitely a material that's meant for many years of rough use!

In order to get a sense of how much room there was in the pack, I loaded it with my wool blanket, Filson "Mack", and bodybag. I also wanted to see how the pack would handle my Hunter's Axe and Svensaw so threw those in as well.

With the soft items loaded closest to my back, the pack was quite comfortable. I can't imagine the rest of my gear adding that much more weight so I feel my decision to go with the medium size pack (3,090 ci.) was the right choice.

A closer look revealed some very sturdy stitch work. The leather straps and brass buckles appeared to be top notch quality as well. Considering the packs modest price tag, I was expecting there to be some tiny flaws but to my surprise there were none. Even the brass rivets that were used to reinforce all the straps were perfectly centered, a detail that I feel may otherwise get overlooked.

I have a feeling this vintage style pack is going to see a lot of use in the years to come. Like a well used axe, the pack looks as though it's going to gain character with use. But I'm afraid the little pack is going to have to be content sitting in the corner of my office for awhile...at least until I formulate a plan that will get me back to where my heart lies; the great Sierra Nevada!

Eric