Duluth Pack

Duluth, Minnesota

Since 1882

Over 135 years ago, Camille Poirier patented the Original Duluth Pack.

He knew he made a rugged pack perfect for canoe travel. He didn’t know he made history.

Poirier handed down a legacy with his handcrafted canvas and leather portage packs, a legacy that is still being crafted on Superior Street along with hundreds of other canvas and leather creations.

The People

Every great company has one thing in common – great people. We had the privilege of spending some time with the great people of Duluth Pack.

Company President, Tom Sega, dropped everything to spend the afternoon with us. He led us on a tour of the factory and newly renovated retail store, entertaining and enlightening us along the way.

Don’t let Tom’s business-look – khaki pants and tucked-in button-down shirt – fool you. He’s an accomplished hunter and fisherman who lives his brand.

All the leather and canvas cutters, sewers, and riveters were extremely kind to a couple guys following them around with a camera. We especially had a good time with Tracie (or should I say Tracie had a good time with us), an expert sewer who showed off her skills by stitching our names in cursive on a canvas scrap before saying, “now, it’s your turn.”

She challenged us to sew Duluth Pack’s signature circular leather patch to the scrap. She gave us a quick lesson on the sewing machine and threw us to the wolves.

It wasn’t pretty, but the patches are still attached. So we’re calling that a win.

I’m glad we could give Tracie a good laugh. What an awesome lady.