Well-Loved Daypack

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Abby

Today we received a package covered in dinosaur stickers. On the inside was a loved Standard Daypack – Backpack, and this note:

“Dear Duluth Pack Craftspeople,

When this backpack was given to me as a birthday gift in 2007, I did not realize that it would become an essential life companion throughout the following 6 years! So far it has:

Attended the U of M – Twin Cities, completing a B.S. in Ecology, Evolution & Behavior
Lived in Hawaii for 6 months
Traveled throughout South American and Europe
Performed conservation research in Nebrascka (not as bad as it sounds…!), Costa Rica, The Galapagos Islands and Trinidad & Tobago.

It has been extremely well-loved and well-used! I could not have had a better bag throughout all of these experiences.

I want to thank you for crafting such an exceptional piece of equipment and for fixing this zipper so that I can continue brining my travel buddy & field assistnat on future excursions!

Sincerely,

Jordan

P.S. It likes to go rock-climbing, too!

:) “

Thanks for sharing this great story with us, Jordan! Enjoy your new zipper, and keep up with the amazing travels!

The Backpack That Will Last From Kindergarten Through College, and Beyond

Posted on August 6, 2012 by BetsyM.

Year after year, parents spend money on brand new backpacks that might last a few months. We’ve managed to make a backpack that will last their whole school career and more. But don’t just take our word for it….here’s what a few of our satisfied customers had to say:

“I received this (in navy blue) as a gift over 10 years ago. It is still in excellent condition after being my primary book bag through both college and grad school (and a lot of traveling). It’s been through a lot but remains completely in tact and the color hasn’t faded either.” ~Kristen

“We were tired of buying new backpacks for our kids…there were always broken zippers, not big enough packs and just wearing out all the time. We took the kids to Duluth Pack and let them pick their colors and they have had them ever since. Actually we had to get a larger one as our daughter hit high school. It’s off to college with her in the fall! Thanks for a great product!” ~dkstebe

“I was sick and tired of replacing both of our kids school packs every year. Zippers were broken on all of the old style cheap ones within three months. I decided to spend a little more and get them good ones. 5 years later and they are still like new. A little cleaning now and then but like new. Bullet proof zippers, couldn’t break them if you tried. GREAT PRODUCT, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND MAKING THEM IN USA.” ~Tom

“I purchased this back pack for my daughter for elementary school 12 years ago. After the abuse it took on the bus, the playground, in the snow, rain and mud… it still looks good and is used almost daily. Another fantastic item from Duluth Pack.” ~lyndbrd

“12 years ago my parents became tired of purchasing a new backpack for me each school year as each became destroyed with daily use. A friend lent us the Duluth Pack catalog and we haven’t looked back since! This backpack has accompanied me from fifth grade through a Master’s degree. It’s traveled around the world and back and has only *now* developed a small tear in the canvas (which is being factory-repaired for a ridiculously small fee!). I really can’t write enough about these backpacks — This is probably the ONLY product I’ve purchased that I can UNCONDITIONALLY recommend. They’re inexpensive for their quality, even at this price. Buy one (or two!) now. I anticipate mine outlasting me.” ~Philip

Shop all backpacks here. Or, click on a backpack below for more information.

Lost Duluth Pack Credit Card Holder stands the test of time!

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Taylor

My family and I visited the BWCA every summer when I was a kid to canoe, fish, and camp. We used Duluth Packs handed down from my grandfather who had been visiting the BWCA since he was a kid. After college my mom bought me a Duluth Pack credit card wallet, which I lost the first summer I moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming where I still live. That was 6 years ago… last week a friend found my wallet in the mud outside of where I used to work. It had been there for 6 harsh Wyoming summers and winters and everything inside was still in great shape! I attached a picture of the wallet, and wanted to say thanks for making such great products. It was fun to go through the wallet and see everything was still intact, from my ID, credit cards, fishing license and even a dollar bill that was folded up inside.

Thanks again for making quality products that last generations,

Beth

Never gets old…another Duluth Pack story

Posted on August 30, 2010 by MollyS

From the time I could walk, my life had been spent in the outdoors with my father and I remember one of the first things he gave me was his old Duluth Pack. After that I was hooked. Every pack I had from then on was a Duluth Pack. The quality that is put into them surpasses any other pack I have come across. You can tell that your company takes pride in what you do. Up until a few years ago I had collected quite a few of your pack, but one day I was injured at work and it all changed. Through my recovery I ended up having to sell most everything that I owned to get by. I am getting better now and have started saving to make a long canoe trip and your Wanderer Pack with the All Day Lumber pack are the first things I am going to buy, just as soon as I have the money saved. Then down the road I am going to try to get everything needed for on board canoe storage. Being handicap now though it is going to take me some time to save. Again though I want to say that you make an excellent product that lasts for many years. Keep up the good work!

Thank You, Dennis M.

Thank you Dennis! We wish you a speedy recovery. I will email you about your requests.

A Heart-warming Tale…45 Years and Full of Memories

Posted on July 7, 2010 by MollyS

I recently went on another trip to the Boundary Waters and was able to use my Dad’s old #4 Duluth pack. He dug the pack out of the garage from a special area separated from the usual camping gear and handed it to me. A solid look in his face told me to take care of the bag even though nothing was said. He knew that I would. Of course it worked great for everything. That’s not the focus of this review because everyone already knows how great the product is. When I returned home, I received some of his stories. These stories are what I will share. He bought the pack when he was sixteen with money earned as a paperboy. His family was poor and the bag was very expensive for him back then. In his words, “probably 20 dollars.” He used it often as he evolved into a boyscout guide and led countless trips for hundreds of young canoeists. He shared stories of canoe games on a hot summer day and raising a sail to easily pass everyone paddling feverishly to keep up. There were scary stories of heroic rescues, harsh weather and what he calls “the black mist.” He told of surprising bears on trail that quickly led to the addition of a bear bell to the pack, especially when he started bringing my mother. One rescue in particular always seemed hard to believe until I was at a graduation party for the son of one of the kids (now father) that my Dad took on a trip. This stranger to me took me aside quietly and said, “let me tell you a story about your father” The same story that I had heard before was told from a different perspective about a canoe flipped over and wedged in a rapids filling with water as a trapped canoeist underneath was beginning to drown. People around trying to lift the filled canoe unsuccessfully while another person cupped his hands around the mans mouth to block out the rising water. My Dad grabbed a large post and used it as a lever to break the back of the canoe. The canoe folded and headed downstream while the person came up choking on fresh air. The pack comes with a tradition that has been passed down. It carries food, gear, and all the stories that you can fit. It may look old and worn, but it carries a lifetime of Boundary Waters history. Over the 45 years that it has been in my father’s possession, only a small hole has worn into the bottom corner of the bag. I took it to the store in Canal Park and reluctantly removed my Mom’s bear bell and old rope in order to place it in your hands for repair. Please take good care of it. I know you will patch it up well to prepare it to hold a second generation of memories.

Thanks,

-Branden A.

(Branden – Your pack is in good hands. We will take good care of it and return it post haste. Thank you for your incredible story!)