Cliff Jacobson Signature Pack

I recently obtained a gently used Cliff Jacobsen Signature Pack and am very pleased with it. Just right for a day outing. One side pocket carries water, snacks, and collapsable dog bowl. Plenty of room for my water, lunch, small stove, sit pad, binos, extra layer in the pack. Along the back, I place a closed-cell foam pad for structure and sitting. The weight of the canvas is not a concern. Plenty durable and repels water. The straps are awesome. The rectangular designs lets the pack to sit up right if placed on the ground. A feature I have come to appreciate. It is a bit wide, so not the best choice as an alpine/climbing pack.

This is my first Frost River purchase. I liked the design of the Cliff Jacobson Signature pack with a relatively lighter weight waxed canvas for easy carry, and the idea of keeping the backpack for generations.

I live in Canada. After a series of online research, I placed an order for the Cliff Jacobson Signature pack from a Canadian retailer. Everything looked great when I received the package until I put the backpack under the spotlight for a closer inspection. Please see the pictures for details.

I communicated with the Canadian retailer about the finding, they forwarded my email along with all the pictures to the Frost River warranty department. Quite promptly, the same day afternoon, I received a verdict of the condition of this backpack, which I really appreciate the promptness from both the retailer and Frost River.

The verdict, to paraphrase, is that “I see what you meant, but since it does not impede functionality of the backpack in any way. This does not qualify as a warranty claim.” I actually agree with this statement. My complaint was merely about the aesthetic, but at the end of the day, I didn’t pay $350+tax Canadian dollars entirely for the functionality of this Frost River backpack.

I was offered to return the backpack and receive a refund by the Canadian retailer, but there was a catch. Since this was not a warranty claim, I will be responsible for the return shipping and an additional 10% of the price as a “restocking” fee. This policy is meant for customers who changed their minds and want to return the product due to their own reasons. These will add up to about $70 Canadian dollars. That means I either pay $350 for keeping the backpack or to pay $70 dollars for not keeping the backpack at all.

I eventually decided to keep the backpack. At the end of the day, I do like the capacity, the material used, and the overall design of this Cliff Jacobson Signature pack. With this backpack, I will have something to show for when people ask me about American handcrafted quality.

Precision crafted quality you’d expect from the folks at Frost. The bag is superb in every way and perfect in its design. Carries well and checks every box. Buy without the slightest reservation. Top shelf piece of kit.

WOW! Craftmanship on this pack is wonderful, it is everything I hoped it would be and then some. My only problem with Frost River Packs is figuring out which one to buy.....I may need just one more?

Bought this for my daughter for a family trip to France, and for camping trip upcoming later in year. Excellent pack; sturdy, good size, worked great as a flight carry-on bag; outside pockets good size/very helpful.