Duluth Wanderer Back pack

“... like to go a wandering?”

John Fenna tries the Duluth Wanderer Pack

If you who like a “traditional” look to your gear, take a visit to the Duluth website - their range of canvas and leather packs is inspiring, to say the least!

Out of this range of USA-made, traditional style packs I chose to look at the “Wanderer” a “classic” looking mid-size pack (ideal for day or even weekend use) which measures some 16” high x 15” wide x 6” deep (about 30-35 litre capacity). 

Buggy Proof

Made from 15oz cotton canvas with leather closure straps, steel roller buckles and cotton webbing shoulder straps, the Wanderer pack has proved not only more comfortable to carry than the basic-looking harness might lead you to think, but also very tough, even to the point of surviving being run over by an electric buggy and dragged for several yards over rough terrain with no visible damage, apart from grass stains! (It’s long story – luckily I wasn’t wearing the pack at the time, nor was I the driver of the buggy) The pack is well constructed with the 2” wide angled shoulder straps copper riveted and sewn to the back panel through a strong leather mount. The harness adjustment straps, as with all the straps on the pack, are of substantial leather.

The main compartment of the pack has a leather drawcord closure through strongly fixed eyelets, with a deep lid closed by 2 leather straps with roller buckle fastenings, while at the sides of the pack there are twin pockets, some 9” high x 4.5” wide x 2” deep (big enough for most standard water bottles with room to spare), with shaped cover flaps – again with leather straps and roller buckle closures - and the front of the pack has a pocket some 9” high x 8” wide x 1.5” deep with 2 buckled leather strap fastenings to the cover flap.  The lid and pocket flaps are all edge bound and the leather straps riveted with leather backing panels.

Built To Last

This stylish pack has proved comfortable, practical and versatile, looking as good in civilised surroundings as well as in the wilds, and it’s tough enough to survive some extreme usage – it actually comes with a lifetime guarantee on craftsmanship.  The canvas is water-repellent, but I would advise (as with most packs) that a liner is used to ensure gear does not get soaked in heavy continuous rain (aka a British summer!).

The Duluth Wanderer comes in 15oz cotton canvas or waxed canvas in an impressive range of colours and costs around £190. For more information contact Wardstones (part of the Tamarack Group) on 01995 603798 or visit www.wardstones.co.uk