Skip to product information
1 of 9

surefooted and safer on the portage!

Winisk Canoe Pack (Frameless)

The harness is adjustable and it makes for a very comfortable carry. This canoe pack is hands-down the best addition to our paddling kit in years. Joe F.

Regular price $238.00 CAD
Regular price $238.00 CAD Sale price $238.00 CAD
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Whether you use a canoe pack as a a weekend warrior. Or love those long canoe trips. You’ll go further, faster, and safer with this portage pack that fits you like a glove. The adjustable torso (aka moving the shoulder straps up or down) is key to amazing fit and load control. You’ll be balanced and surefooted on the trail.

Sizing Chart
Torso Size
Shoulder Strap Size
Hip Belt Size

Giving Back

This year your purchase helps us donate packs to Project Canoe and Trails Youth Initiative. Nonprofits that get youth out on trip.

If you're involved in a canoe tripping camp, reach out to get our deeply discounted price list. We want to see you thrive!

Custom-Fit. All Genders.

Interchangeable torso, shoulder strap and hip belt sizes for a pack that fits like a glove.

  • S/M/L/XL shoulder straps
  • S/M/L/XL hip belt
  • S/M/L adjustable torso size

How to Measure for Your Perfect Canoe Pack

Free Shipping

  • Free domestic shipping on orders over $125
  • 65% off shipping to the U.S.

Forever Warranty

Buy once ... have it for a lifetime. More details here.

Be More Relaxed at the End of the Portage

ADJUSTABLE TORSO - Move the shoulder straps up or down for amazing fit and load control.

CUSTOM-FIT - So your load is held securely, close to your body. More comfortable, stable and safer on the portages.

HUGE LID POCKET - Stash the small stuff for the portage, yet keep it handy.

LUXURIOUS PADDED BACK - 1.25" / 3cm of foam, the thickest back on the market.

GRAB AND HAUL - Haul the pack in and out of the canoe by the 4 padded handles or any side compression strap. That’s a total of 12 grab points! We guarantee them not to fail. 

TUMPLINE (optional) - Choose from the TRAD Tump, or the wider, curvier RAD tump.

VOLUME - 96-117 L (fully extended) / 5878-7116 cu.in.

WEIGHT- 2.61 kg / 5 lbs 12 oz of comfort and toughness

DIMENSIONS-18.75"x 11"x 28.5" / 46.9 cm x 27.5 cm x 71.3 cm

High volume for families and long canoe trips.

Get The Perfect Fit Canoe Pack In 4 Easy Steps

Follow the steps below to select your torso, shoulder strap, and hip belt sizes. (S, M, L, XL)

It’s quick and easy, and your back will love you for it! 

You will need a cloth measuring tape. Or some cord and a ruler. 

If you’re between sizes - simply select the larger size. 

Custom-fit Promise! If it doesn’t fit, we’ll make it right.

Reach out if you have any questions!

  • Custom-Fit Promise

    Awesome comfort and fit for all genders. Any body shape and size.

    If it doesn’t fit, we’ll make it right.
  • Free Shipping in Canada

    Free domestic shipping on orders over $125.

    65% off shipping to the U.S. on orders over $125.

  • Forever Warranty

    Buy once ... have it for a lifetime.

  • Youth on Canoe Trips

    This year your purchase helps us donate packs to Project Canoe and Trails Youth Initiative. Nonprofits that get kids out on trip.

Customer Reviews

Based on 5 reviews
100%
(5)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
C
C.N.
Finally! A canoe pack that fits a small person!!!

I bought the Winisk canoe pack out of desperation. We had originally bought both a large and a small Eureka pack. They fit my 6'2 husband just fine. He carried the small pack and the canoe, and I carried the large pack. They are not built whatsoever for a small person. I had to have the straps pulled so tight that it made my arms stick out like a snowman (uncomfortable as heck!), and the "waist" belt fit me right below my butt (kind of useless!). I'm 5'0, and this was a huge problem. Portaging was literally painful. I saw the Ostrom packs and thought I'd give them a try since they are built for your personal measurements. I talked a bit with owner and placed my order. The pack came within the week, which was awesome as we were headed out on another trip that weekend. We loaded the pack up to about 55-60lbs and my husband helped me get it on my back and tighten everything up. It was a dream!!! No more pain on my neck and shoulders from ill-fitting straps, and a waist belt that actually came to my waist and tightened up, and stayed in place. The portaging was SO MUCH EASIER for me! I highly recommend these packs for smaller women who are having trouble with generic style packs. The Ostrom packs have made a huge difference in my comfort while packing heavy loads. I am so happy with it!!! One more thing is the chest strap that clips in front. They are often very thin webbing on other packs, which dig in if you have any sort of chest. The Ostrom packs have a thicker strap. It's easier to pull snugly, and doesn't impede my ability to breathe like the Eureka pack did. My husband loves his Eureka packs, but I'm all for the Ostrom packs! I will never go back to my old canoe pack again:-) Thanks Ostrom!! Very nice, beautifully made product. I bought the tump strap too, but so far have not figured out how to use it to my advantage. Maybe next season:-)

R
Ryan Purvis
Clarification

I can't edit my other post! I messed up on my review below....I meant to say ever heard of "they don't make them like this before". Well that is the truth here. Made to last a d for function.

R
Ryan Purvis
Winiski Pack

Ever heard the saying "they don't make them like this anymore". Well that's the furthest from the truth here. These packs are made extremely well and clearly by someone that actually uses packs on trips.

The only only improvement I can see, and perhaps it's done for function, would be removable internal frame (we can remove the aluminum rails but not the internal plastic) so you can turn Winiski into a Wabakimi depending on the trip needs.

Again, the pack is beautifully designed clearly by someone who uses packs. Handles right where you need them, fully adjustable, and little things like waterproofing on the inside (helps against bug spray destroying it), doubled up anchors, tie down loops where they make sense...you can have confidence in this buy.

I will write another review or add to this one once I have some time using the pack.

Just buy it

Escape the Annoying Crowds

Imagine walking a gnarly portage and your load not shifting sideways every time you take a step...throwing you off balance.

You’ll be more confident portaging deeper into the backcountry. Breathe deep…release…repeat.

Portaging is part of canoe tripping ... and the more you enjoy it, the farther you'll go.

Comfort and Reliability for a Lifetime of Memories

Read on for Technical Specifications

Ultra-Thick Back Pad

  • So soft and cushy on your back! The back pad has heavy padding (3/4” / 19mm cushy reticulated foam over a layer of 3/8”/9.5mm dense EVA foam).
  • Lumbar pad has 1"/25mm soft ether foam over a layer of 3/8”/9.5mm dense EVA foam.

Curvy S-Shaped Shoulder Straps

  • S-shaped shoulder straps curve in all the right places and fit all genders. Choice of sizes (S, M, L, XL) means they don’t pinch.

  • Shoulder straps have two layers of foam to spread the weight so they don’t dig in. (3/8”/9.5mm high-quality EVA dense foam & 1/2”/13mm soft ether foam)

Cushy Padded Hip Belt

  • Comfortable for all genders. (S, M, L, XL) (3/8”/9.5mm high-quality EVA dense foam and 1/2”/13mm soft ether foam)

High Quality Materials

• National Molding Duraflex buckles you can rely on. 

• #10YKK zipper with un-coated sliders for better wear and tear. 

• 1000 denier nylon fabric with a double layer on the bottom, front, and sides.

• High-density EVA foam does not compress over time.

  • Check out our Forever Guarantee.

Durable Construction

• All seams are sewn 3-4 times. The most reliable in the industry. 

• High-stress areas are reinforced with a bar-tack. (compression straps, handles) 

• Absolutely no raw edges to fray, even at the zipper.

  • Protective flap over the zipper so it lasts longer.

•Back panel has a second layer (400 denier nylon) for extra reinforcement for the suspension system. (Unique to Ostrom packs.) 

You Know You Want this pack - what's stopping you?

Questions?

Are your packs waterproof?

Our packs are not waterproof. And we highly recommend waterproofing any gear inside your pack that absorbs moisture (clothing, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, repair kit, personal kit, etc.)

Options are individual dry bags, a canoe pack liner, or stuff sacks lined with two layers of good quality garbage bags (individually sealed).

What if I make an error in my sizing?

Reach out! We send you instructions on how to check the fit.

Our custom-fit promise means that we’ll work with you to
make sure you have the right sizing.

Our shoulder straps and hip belt are interchangeable and easy to switch out. (We even have video instructions!)

 

We cover all shipping costs.

Is custom-fit worth the investment?

A pack or harness that is custom-fit to your body means you will be more surefooted and comfortable on the portage. You can be confident in getting out summer after summer, perhaps on more challenging trips. (Quetico or the BWCA anyone?)

Here's something else to think about. Portages will get harder as you get older. (Trust us!) Your pack will feel heavier and the smallest twist of an ankle or knee on the portage could wreck your entire season.

“We loaded the pack up to about 55-60lbs and my husband helped me get it on my back and tighten everything up. It was a dream!!! No more pain on my neck and shoulders from ill-fitting straps, and a waist belt that actually came to
my waist and tightened up, and stayed in place. The portaging was SO MUCH EASIER for me!”
C.N.

Think about your next 30 summers. How does that return on investment sound?

What’s the warranty?

Our Forever Warranty means that our products are warrantied to any owner for the lifetime of the product against defects in materials or workmanship under normal use.

If your Ostrom Outdoors product fails due to a material or manufacturing defect, we will repair or replace it at our option.

Read more.

Canada Shipping

Free shipping on orders over $125 to the provinces and 65% off to the territories. You can select your ground courier at checkout.

View our shipping policy.

What is your return policy?

Any unused product can be returned for refund or exchange
within 30 days of when you receive it.

You are responsible for return shipping costs.

Contact us to initiate a return.

View our full returns policy.

Shipping to the U.S.

65% off shipping on orders over $125. You can choose your ground courier at checkout.

Read our shipping policy.

Shipping outside of N. America

Contact us to ask for a shipping quote. Keep in mind that your order may be subject to import duties, taxes and/or brokerage fees. These costs will be your responsibility, and we suggest you check with local import authorities before completing your purchase.

Why are your packs heavier than others?

Custom-Fit

The interchangeable shoulder straps and hip belt, and the adjustable torso that allow these packs to fit your exact body shape, all require extra buckles, fabric, webbing and reinforcement.

You’ll notice that the advantages of custom-fit outweigh the cons of a little extra weight.

Imagine feeling more comfortable, surefooted and confident on the portages. And wanting to go even further into the backcountry.

Durability

Yeah, we took a hard look at ways to reduce weight…but it meant compromising on durability.

Just imagine shaving a couple of ounces only to have your pack bust apart.

Check out the extra fabric and webbing to reinforce the suspension system and high-stress areas.

Making sure you have a pack you can rely on in the backcountry is the backbone of our Forever Warranty.

Have a question we didn't answer?

Send Bill a quick message. We're happy to help.

35 Years of Helping Paddlers Discover the Joys of Portaging

We’ve been tripping with our families since we were kids. And got so fed up with uncomfortable canoe packs and nasty barrel harnesses that Bill just had to design a solution.

He first looked to backpack designs for inspiration. The result was:

  • the first-ever internal frame portage pack. (So impressive with heavy loads.)
  • the first barrel harness with a contoured foam back pad and Upper Adjustment. (Game changer!)
  • and the first to offer custom-fit … because carrying 50+ lbs in a one-size-fits-all pack is unnecessarily painful.

“It was a blast being the lead designer for the Canadian Armed Forces Rucksack and Small Pack
System. We used scientific research and field testing to fully understand how pack design impacts load carriage, load control and weight transfer. It dramatically changed my approach to design. Custom-sizing does matter.
Bill Ostrom