Frost River — Local services in Duluth

About 25 years ago while sitting at an NTB waiting room I was reading an old Field and Stream when I saw a small ad for a waxed canvas backpack offered by Bradfield Outdoor Clothier. Three side pockets, a map vest on the front, a zippered pocket on the inside, maybe shy of three liters of space.

My Bradfield pack has proved resilient over the years, but facing the effects of its age and extended use I began looking for its replacement. I found no sign of BOC online, and as a result I had to expand my efforts to find a suitable replacement.

That’s when I discovered Frost River Trading Company, based in Minnesota. Frost River Trading Company offered a free print version of its offerings catalog. From this, I believe I’ve found my source for a durable waxed canvas backpack.

Frost River wasn’t my first choice. Viewing online pictures of canvas backpacks led me to a site that offered what looked like the kind of pack I had in mind, one that would replace my Bradfield pack. I ordered it from a vendor based on reviews that I now have reason to believe may have been less than objective and authentic.

The bag’s straps appeared to be constructed of poorly treated cowhide, supplemented with magnetic tabs that supposedly would release only when intended by the user. That did not prove to be true; the straps readily disengaged and appeared to lack the strength needed to be effective over time. When I tried to return the bag, I was told I would have to pay to ship the bag back to China, at my expense. Won’t be doing business with that firm again.

The lesson learned was that it’s probably best to do business with a company that has a well-seasoned stock of various camping and travel offerings and has a decent track record for customer service. Companies like Frost River.

Last week I flew from DC to Duluth just to see the operation by Frost River. The company operates a shop in the Lincoln Park Craft District of Duluth. It relies on team efforts rather than an individual sewer, and as I understand it the teams can be seen tending to their craft at this shop.

I walked a couple of miles from my hotel in Duluth, leaving the well-developed center city and heading out to what has become Duluth's manufacturing zone. When I got to the shop I wandered around the store and started up the staircase. At this point a guy approached me and asked if I worked there. Responding no, I learned that the stairs led to where the fabricators were working and was not part of the store. Copy that.

The store is amazing. I had exchanged emails with KJ, letting her know of my intention to visit and asking about one of the Frost River backpacks: the Nessmuk Pack, which we’re told was named after Nessmuk, “the alter ego of writer George Washington Sears,” and which was based on the Maine Guide Pack.

KJ responded, appreciating the motivation that led me to Duluth and to their shop. I met her as she was tending to the cash register - she looked up when I brought a Nessmuck to the checkout line and asked if I was Chris McNeil, who had been corresponding with the store. I acknowledged that I was, and I appreciated the human element in this exchange.

I have since learned that Frost River products are available through the company's website (and elsewhere). I don't regret, however, making the trip from DC to Duluth. While shopping near the Frost River shop I lucked into OMC, a great barbeque location that I reviewed elsewhere (on TripAdvisor).

I gotta say the backpack is awesome. It was fabricated with waxed cotton, leather, and brass rivets. They made it in Duluth. They put a lot of experience into this backpack and I'm pretty sure the backpack will be around for a lot longer than me....

Horrible customer service and impractically designed goods. I bought a heritage black vintage pack for my fiance for Christmas 2017. We live in Seattle and so the waxed canvas a selling point. We have many other waxed canvas garments and bags, all of which work fine here. She just started using the bag recently, that is the reason for the delay. I called to speak with customer service a few weeks ago to inform them that the bag is poorly designed since the sides of the bag flop open/ out beyond the cover/ top flap. We tied a piece of cord between the rivets to prevent this, which makes getting large items in and out of the bag very difficult. Also, the front part of the opening droops out beyond the top flap/ cover if you don't have the bag filled with just the right amount and shape of items. This is a big problem because rain then pours into the main compartment AND rolls into into it from the hood. When I called customer service, they said that since it was past 30 days since purchase, there was nothing they could do/ I couldn't return it. After pressing them, I eventually got through to the product designer who offered to send me a bag liner and that would solve the problem. A week later the bag liner came and to my dismay, it was a large plastic bag, thinner than a ziplock. My fiance was very put off. I tried calling them back and emailing them and they said there was nothing they could do. I bought this expensive bag thinking I was buying from a made in the USA high quality goods company with world class customer service. Neither of those things turned out to be the case. I would highly recommend sticking with Tanner Goods, Duluth Pack and Filson. They all make bags that are actually high quality in the USA AND have great...

Excellent customer service; I can't wait to receive my bags! Will edit the review once I get them.

Edit: I love these freaking bags. I'll hand them over to my grandchildren and they'll love them too. It's hard not to like a well crafted bag, especially when it's stuffed with wholesome dessert. Man, I can't wait to become the cool grandma with the vintage bags. But I digress.

I could go for a “fancy” shiny leather wannabe canvas tote but I spent a little less for a little more. And I'm glad I did because if anybody wanted to kidnap me they would have the convenience of folding and stuffing me into my Gooseberry tote. Just like I fold and stuff my Gooseberry tote into my Zippy Tote. I always have enough carrying capacity to do spontaneous grocery shopping. I know, I'm wild.

One time I put so many groceries into the Gooseberry tote that I had to have my friend help me carry the bag. Just imagine how many baguettes you could fit in there. Like, 35 baguettes, maybe? 60 demi baguettes? Half a bakery? The possibilities are endless.

These bags are cool. I feel comfortable wearing them no matter what the occasion. Take the Zippy tote for example.

Hold on, let me order some food. I'm so hungover.

Am I going to work? The Zippy tote is a briefcase. If I'm going abroad it is now my little weekender. If I'm shopping it's the best tote I could wish to have. Sure, it's heavier than a Goyard. But the Zippy won't be impaled by a pair of scissors I might (might!) toss in there.

And then again, a Frost River tote is a gateway bag to their backpacks. I'm eyeing one and will get it as soon as my current backpack decides it's had enough.

Now, where's my...