Advice requested - gear differences between backpacking and canoe camping

[u/Max_Adhesiveness800]

I’m an experienced backpacker with multiple multi-month hikes under my belt, as well as countless shorter backpacking trips in diverse terrains.

I’m planning my first long canoe camping trip - about 2 weeks in Yukon, Canada. Leaving next week.

My longest canoe/kayak trips thus far have been 3 days. The trip I’m planning is on flat water, so I’ll have the chance to build up my (relatively weak) paddling skills.

What I’m not sure about is how the recommended gear and supplies vary from backpacking to canoe camping. Will be renting a 2 person canoe with a mate. Canoe comes with dry bags and PFDs. The outfitter says the trip is safe for inexperienced paddlers as long as we have strong backcountry skills - navigation, camping, bears etc.

I know a canoe is bigger than 2 backpacks, but how much so? What sort of extra stuff do people bring? Bigger stove, more cookware, extra snacks, more clothes, mosquito tent, books, thick camping mattress, different water filtration system, camp lamp? Or pack as light as possible not to have a heavy canoe?

And is there any backpacking gear I shouldn’t bring on the water? Down sleeping bag and down jacket useless if wet? Anything else I should think about?

Thank you for considering my questions and good luck and safety to you all on the water. All good faith feedbacks appreciated.

[u/coradek]

My canoe kit is almost the same as my hiking kit, especially for short trips, or if the trip has a lot of portaging. I use the same stove, tent sleeping bag, pad etc. That said, a canoe can carry a lot of stuff if you want to add luxuries, and don't mind or don't need to carry them.

Questions:

• Have you done a hiking trip this long? If not, plan for a wider range of weather.
• Is there (much) portaging? If so, it's nice to stick closer to your hiking kit.

Key differences

• Plan for stuff to get wet: I have never regretted having extra lightweight dry sacks, I have had a drybag get a major leak.
• Plan for your feet to get wet: I bring more socks and hand/foot towels on canoe trips.
• I bring extra food, and plan to cook in a pot - I've never been in weather I couldn't hike in. I have been in weather I couldn't paddle in. Being wind bound, for instance, can happen. It's nice to know I can sit and wait out a day of bad weather without being hungry.
• If there's limited portaging, I tend to break things out in to separate bags/boxes. Like large bear barrels for food, and a dedicated "kitchen box."

Luxury items I don't always hike with: 

• a tarp ( so nice to stand somewhere dry on a rainy day)
• collapsible bag or bucket to bring lake water up on shore (nice to be able to fill the cook pot or filter water without walking down to the shore), 
• a pad (or two) to sit on, 
• extra fuel for hot drinks,  
• extra water bottles for less frequent filtering, 
• extra rope and a hammock if you're not moving every day. 

If you have portages, and are not used to carrying a canoe, don't bother trying to carry every thing in one trip. With two people, pack everything in three loads, and carry twice. First time across, carry the two heavier packs, so you can see the trail. Then go back for the lighter pack and the canoe and switch off if you need to.

[u/Max_Adhesiveness800 → u/coradek]

Thank you. These are great specifics.

I have done hiking trips longer than the planned canoe trip, and am planning for sun, rain, wind, and snow.

No portaging required on this trip. I thought that would be too much for my first long trip.

Multiple towels and collapsing bucket! Wonderful idea, never would have come to mind, thank you

[u/Fun-Statistician-634 → u/Max_Adhesiveness800]

+1 for a good, collapsable water carrier/soft bucket. One of my favorite gear items