We are providing several options for gear and food packs here. Our outreach for this section comes primarily from Boundary Waters Canoe Area outfitters and guides. Approximately 150,000 people visit that wilderness every year and so we see it as a great testing ground for this niche gear. Those outfitters frequently buy and rent out packs from a handful of different manufacturers. The following guide-informed gear choices are organized by manufacturer. Reminder that we’re an affiliate link oriented company. We do receive, at no cost to our users, a small fee from the owners of the affiliate links we use. Please do use these links so that we can continue to offer and improve our Guide and Outfitter informed collection.

Granite Gear

Superior One

This is the largest pack of the group, with a generous 121-liter (approximately 7,400 cubic inches) capacity. It’s a heavy-duty option, featuring a thick, sturdy waist belt that helps distribute weight comfortably. Many people appreciate the ability to fit everything into one large pack, and that approach certainly has its advantages. However, in conversations with outfitters—who have outfitted thousands of clients and logged countless trips themselves—a strong minority advocate for using a more moderately sized pack. Their reasoning is simple: it helps counter the common tendency to overpack, which can quickly turn your load into an exhausting six-ton burden on the portage trail.

Portage North, formerly known as Kondos Outdoors is based in Ely and makes all their products locally. Many of the BWCA outfitters have a personal relationship with them and swear by their craftsmanship and customer service. Their products have a higher price point than the Granite Gear brand, but many up in Ely are happy to tell you that you won’t regret spending the extra on the quality you get.

Outfitter 120

Comparable to the Superior One from Granite Gear in terms of size, this pack can actually expand to a volume of 170L (up from the 120L as indicated by the name) using the top extension sleeve. It’s a useful point if you’ve got a big group and this pack is going to be used for lightweight/high volume things like sleeping bags and such. The wide design fills out the bottom of the canoe nicely. Finally the materials they use are top class, and they not only test their materials a lot in the BWCA out their doorstep but also enjoy such a strong relationship with area outfitters that they benefit from constant product feedback.

The 90 is a smaller version of the 120. Same wide design and comfy padded carrying straps in a slightly smaller package. One note from our Outfitters in general on using or selecting a smaller pack is the wise words of caution that if you have a bigger pack, you’re more likely to fill it and overpack! This pack meets the needs of most groups.

Portage North makes a soft-sided food bag similar to the Granite Gear Traditional Food Pack above. But we heard a handful of reviews of this cooler style food bag enough to include this one here. All the integrity in the design and materials as the other Portage North products. Obviously some additional weight to this pack as compared to a soft side, non cooler style pack, but the added functionality to keep food cool for the first stretch of a trip.

CCS is a premier manufacturer of high-quality canoe portage packs trusted by professional outfitters, seasoned guides, and wilderness enthusiasts across North America. Known for their exceptional durability, thoughtful design, and superior craftsmanship, these packs are consistently praised in online forums and gear reviews as the gold standard for backcountry travel and many outfitter employees attest to the fact that while all the packs they buy hold up well, it is the CCS packs that almost never need repair.

While they come at a premium price, users overwhelmingly agree the investment is well worth it. Proudly made in the USA, CCS combines rugged performance with American-made reliability—making them a top choice for those who demand the best in the field.

The CCS Hybrid pack comes in three sizes (Explorer, Pioneer and Guide) and is available in a host of colors. The packs’ shoulder straps and padded waist belt are comfortable and help to distribute weight allowing for stability during portaging. As with other portage packs featured here, the low, wide profile allows them to fill out the base of a canoe while paddling and to permit clearance overhead for a canoe yoke and body necessary to carry your pack and canoe at the same time.

Explorer: 55L or 3350 cubic inches capacity

Pioneer: 77L or 4700 cubic inches capacity

Guide: 93L or 5700 cubic inches capacity

Dry Packs

Another canoe pack option that has grown in popularity in recent years is the dry pack. Long favored by whitewater paddlers and other adventure travelers, these waterproof bags are designed to keep gear completely dry—even if fully submerged. Constructed from heavy-duty vinyl or TPU-coated materials, they feature roll-top closures that create a reliable seal against water. While dry packs typically lack the structure and carrying comfort of traditional Cordura-style portage packs, they offer invaluable protection in heavy rain, on wet portages, or when stored in a canoe. Many trippers use them in tandem with standard portage packs—reserving dry packs for moisture-sensitive items like sleeping bags, clothing, and electronics, and using the larger, more ergonomic packs for bulk gear and food.