I want one of these so bad such a beautiful, exceptionally well crafted bag. Cost a pretty penny at $400 with the waste straps but with the lifetime warranty I’m deff gona pull the trigger on it
thanks for this review, im building a wooden external pack frame and planning to make a pack for it based off this design. I really like it and im going for something akin to a pack made by a company out of Oregon called Segen, they had a wood frame with a waxed canvas pack on it back in the 70s and theyre impossible to find now. I really love the options for modularity this pack has
Thank you for this video. I've had my eye on this pack for a while now but couldn't find any info that I found useful enough to justify making the purchase because, as you said, this pack is NOT cheap ($360 base, $400 with waistbelt), nor lightweight (12.5lbs, per Frost River) --that's a LOT of money to throw at a rucksack, especially one that isn't lightweight. But I learned a while back that quality demands a premium (you get what you pay for) and that if a product is "Made in America" it is *usually* of better quality and cost more than those made in some South American/Asian country. So, my motto when looking to buy ANYTHING the same as anyone would have for buying a new vehicle: It's always better to place more value in quality than price, but it's best to make an "informed decision" rather than an "impulse purchase".
Agreed! I researched this bag a lot. Just a superb bag. Heavy yes. Build quality top notch. Just don’t plan to hike the Appalachian Trail with it. Haha. Thanks for watching!
Hi Lew! I love this pack. The quality, the history...all of it. However, after a year...I find that I just don’t use it as much as I hoped. So, with all that being said...for that price tag? Very hard to justify unless you have the $. I will get it out here and there depending on the trip I want to take (ie. Primitive, bushcrafting, etc.). Thanks for watching and for the support!
Great video. I bought the Sr. Isle royal about three years ago and I have to warn people that it's far too big. So big I have never used it. I would go for this Jr. Pack of given the chance again maybe even the mini. It's an amazing pack though as far as quality and looks go but I can't say anything about performance as I have never taken iit out its a damn monster.
I know you're using much lighter weight gear now. Do you still have this pack and do you ever use it anymore? I was thinking about rolling into a meetup in bushcraft cosplay. (I've had one of these for years)
Hey Beth. Although I’m not a woman, but I do love sternum straps. It really helps secure a heavier load. The pack won’t slip very much. As far as comfort, it feels good for me, but your experience may differ. If you can get to the store, you can try it out. I could also, have a friend try it on and provide feedback too if needed. Thanks for watching!
rpelton1 I'm in the UK and don't know of a store near me to try it on. If you have a female friend who'd try it on I'd be very grateful. A lot of sternum straps can be very uncomfortable for someone with boobs. xxx
Are you still using this pack? I was hesitant to purchase one because of how low it seems to sit on the body, and I have no way of trying one out. Just wondering how you feel with it after having it a while and most likely putting some heavier loads in it- Thanks for the vid-the bag looks great!
I do still have it! It handles heavy loads just fine. I have a foam insert to help with structure and padding against the back. Keep in mind though, this is not a backpacking pack. A mile or 2 fine, more will get uncomfortable. Also, how it’s packed really matters. Flatter and heavier items close to your back. I have a winter trip vid with it coming out soon. Hope this helps and thanks for watching!
@@robpelton Thanks, I'm really digging the quality and function of the pack, just trying to get some feedback of course before I drop that kind of money. I'll look out for the next vid :)
Good video - my experience with this same pack has not been great. I find the pack uncomfortable without the waist belt once the load gets over 20-25 pounds. My pack came without the waist belt loop - however for 100 dollars plus return shipping Frost River will put one on. I called frost river on this saying was it not a defect and should be installed for free. Their reply was along the lines of -" the jr pack is more for a shorter person and adding the loop to my pack will not help a 6ft tall person as the belt loop will not reach the waist. Good news to know after I bought a 400 pack. Maybe I need to toughen up to carry the heaver loads without a belt - jury still out on that one.
kvk1962 I bought my Jr pack with the belt loop and i guess I'm too tall for it cuz it doesn't go on my hips, it's pretty uncomfortable but nothing I can do about it now
Hi J C. I have used it much in the last 2 seasons as my outdoor trips have leaned more backpacking, but I still have it. Looks beautiful and ready for when I need it.
I ended up getting the hip belt as well. It helps with heavier loads. I also made foam insert. Kind of like a bucket to help with rigidity. This pack is not a cheap, as you know. Don’t be scared to use it though. It can handle it.
Well made and rugged, very traditional looking. But, IMHO, WAY overpriced for the actual cost of materials. It's the same as adding a NIKE swoosh to a pair of sneakers and bumping the price up a couple hundred bucks. These packs are great for canoe tripping because you only put them on your back to portage, it's what they were designed for. Great informative video and I do love the traditional look.
Very well made. Meant to last a lifetime unlike Nikes, but Nikes are typically used daily. This particular pack isn’t a portage pack. Those are typically larger with no other pockets. Whereas this Bushcraft pack is intended for rough use wether on foot or canoe with a bit more organization. Agreed though, very pricey 😬 Take a peek at Duluth Pack. The standard for portage packs. They command a hefty price as well. Thanks for watching!
11OCT18 I bought the Royale Junior pack about a year ago, after purchasing the Royale and the Royale Mini. Nearly $1200 all told for these three packs. As I was prepping the Junior for serious use the canvas flap tore under my fingers just opening the flap. When I called to arrange a return I got the run-around. At no time did this company say anything remotely resembling, "Oh, sorry to hear that. Send it in and we'll get you sorted." I had to ship the pack to them at my cost, and although I was assured I would be reimbursed for the shipping costs, I was not compensated for the return shipping. Not only did Frostriver decline to repair what was obviously rotten canvas, they also blamed me for the damage, saying that because I modified the pack by removing the Frostriver leather patch on the flap and removing the stitching from the map pocket inside on the flap, I caused the tear. As if removing some thread affected the quality of the canvas. Frostriver also thought it intelligent to close their letter of refusal with the following gem: "apologies that we will not see eye-to-eye on this, but we just may not be the right fit for you." This pearl was signed "sincerely" by Stephanie Anderson. At what price-point can you reliably trust you are purchasing a quality item backed by a good warranty? I have made many purchases from Frostriver other than packs. How can you trust a company that refuses to repair or replace poor materials and workmanship? I had yet to even take the Junior into the field, in fact never got it out of the house. Now I'm glad I never got the chance as I have no idea what might fail next. I will never make another purchase from this terrible company again. Poor customer service is one issue, but poorly crafted gear and a refusal to have any honor whatsoever is a whole different thing. Add to that Ms Anderson’s attempt to blame the consumer and excuse poor quality and the result is the loss of customers. Steer well clear of this company. Your hard-earned money is much better spent with a company that recognizes the value of repeat customers and the difficulty many have in financing Frostriver purchases. They appear to offer quality and good warranties, but the truth is they offer neither. I have no alternative vendor to recommend, but literally anyone else would be better. Go with a company that appreciates your custom, not one like Frostriver only interested in fleecing the very people keeping their lights on.
