Back in the late '70s there was a beautiful dark brown canvas pack (yes, cotton!)made with a laminated wood external frame and some leather in the straps.

Anyone ever see this pack? Anyone remember the name?

Segen Pax backpack.

.

Edited by idester on 03/29/2010 21:56:40 MDT.

I don't believe it. A hit on the first reply. Amazing. Thank you. I KNEW I wasn't having an LSD flashback. :)

Doug, is this your pack or just a photo? How did you know about it?

Edited by Danepacker on 03/29/2010 22:01:51 MDT.

Hi Eric,

Just a photo. I'd never heard of them, but got interested after reading your initial post. Did a quick Google search and came up with the photo. Looks pretty cool!

is Duluth Packs... They are still around.

LL Bean makes one too...
Waxed Cotton Continental Rucksack

Wow I really like that LL Bean one. It pretty much stands for everything we dislike on BPL but maybe for a school or around town bag. I enjoy that whole vintage Americana style. Maybe its just the hipster in me coming out...

Kinda, sorta reminds me of my favorite sign at a store in Sperryville, VA, as you near one of the entrances to Shenandoah: Antique tables made daily

While I know we generally frown on ebay references, I note that today there is an 1882 Duluth Pack on sale for a measly $50,000.

Saw this thing at a local gear shop, thought it was pretty cool. Leather is really nice.


Under 2 lbs for 30L w/ a frame... not bad if style is your priority.

These guys are also still around:


I definitely dig the mystique of the Old School.

Edited by Jaddleman on 03/30/2010 11:49:08 MDT.

I admire the old school leather and oiled canvas packs in ways that I never do with silnylon packs. I also admire English cottages in ways that I never do with modern suburbia homes.

But I wouldn't actually carry or live 'old school'. Reading some of the user comments just cracks me up. Folks want 'old school' and then biitch about the lack of zippers on the side pockets! :)

Edited by ben2world on 03/30/2010 12:10:45 MDT.

Whoa those Rivendells are cool!

They remind me of THESE with the tarp draped and strapped to the top.

It could be that I've just been watching The Pacific on TV since Im real sick.

Ben-

It is funny when people want to rock one particular peice of Retro gear and it doesn't match their expectations (or the look they're going for). I think some people get scared of too much simplicty. A backpack can really be just a sack with shoulder straps...

My first pack was an oiled canvas job, attached to a run of the mill aluminum frame. It was very simple, just a main pack compartment and a pocket on the top flap, with some D-rings around the edges so you could strap extra gear on. The hipbelt was 2" webbing, no padding.

I never did weigh it, but it couldn't have been more than 4 lbs total including the frame, so it was certainly lighter and simpler than most folks' first pack, at least as long as it was dry. It didn't carry half bad, either. FWIW, I've never seen the point of the mainstream bells 'n whistles internal frame packs, probably because the first one I used was so minimalist and ultimately functional.

Because I've always loathed LL Bean, but I really like that pack, and the price is reasonable.

Read the reviews there at LL Bean. Not too flattering about the straps and build quality.

Yeah, I tested one at the local store (we have a really nice LL Bean store in Windsor, Conn)... looks GREAT, but, I didn't buy it... not very comfortable, even just with a few things inside, pockets are awkward because they don't stretch at all, canvas material pretty stiff.

I'm sticking with the jam2 or ion! Fun to look at, though. ;-)