A Duluth pack, or portage pack, is a traditional piece of luggage used in canoe travel, particularly in the Boundary Waters region of northern Minnesota and Ontario. A specialized type of backpack, Duluth packs are made of either heavy canvas or nylon, and are approximately square in order to fit easily in the bottom of a canoe. These packs are portaged, along with the canoe, between lakes on wilderness canoe trips. Designed in the early 1880s, Duluth packs have changed little since they were first introduced. Duluth pack is a brand name of the Duluth Tent and Awning Co., although it is commonly used to refer to any packs of the same style.

The typical Duluth pack consists of a single large compartment which is closed by straps and buckles rather than a zipper. The pack is carried by two shoulder straps, although some designs also include a waist belt, or a tumpline to be worn over the top of the head. They are made in several sizes, traditionally referred to by numbers (such as #2, #3, #3.5, and #4).

The Duluth pack is named after the city of Duluth, Minnesota, where they were invented.

External links

• Complete Guide to Portage Packs Canoeing.com Gear Guide: Portage Packs
• Duluth packs made by the Duluth Tent and Awning Co. (commercial site)
• Duluth packs made by Frost River {commercial site}