Strapping your tube to a backpack

I have been thinking about getting a backpack onto which I can strap my Cumberland float tube. That way I can carry my gear (fins, pfds, pump, etc.) and my tube on my back.

I was wondering if anyone has tried this and what type of pack you used. I have found only a couple of candidate packs that look like they would provide external straps/d-rings onto which I can clip the Cumberland tube using carabiners. Perhaps an external frame pack would also work?

Thanks in advance for the suggestions!

Interesting idea I am sure your know that there are Back Pack straps already on the Cumberland, but for a hike this is an interesting idea. I will be following this thread as I am interested to see what comes of your idea.

Hey there john_henry_newman,

I have a story and not really a solution for you.

On a recent voyage at NPH, my friend Jason and I ended-up portaging approx 1500-ft or so because of the current being too strong.

Following Jason ... I portaged my float tube by gripping onto the small nylon hand strap located in the top of the "V" of my float tube, I raised my arm/hand as high as I could to carry it (in one hand over my head) down the sidewalk and then I was constantly stopping to go back and pick up all of my continuously dropped gear along the way, while carrying all of my rods all-bunched-up together in my other hand. Not good .. it was very dis-functional for me, to say the least.   grrrrr

So .... I went home and I purchased a divers mesh bag online to carry my fins, and anything else that was once loose in my tube. It ties in snug to the tube with the use of a SS carabiner. The bag weighs nothing.

I purchased rod condoms, for when porting 2, 3 or 4 rods in one hand .. tangle free, and then throw rod condoms back into the mesh bag at end of port and re-launch.
They weigh nothing and they're good for protecting my rods during transport and or porting to the next launch spot.

I purchased the back-pack straps that fit my Outcast Fish Cat 4 Deluxe (and the Fat Cat) and "I will be prepared for the next porting". They weigh nothing and this should definitely be a better way to port! We'll see!!

I share your enthusiasm for porting the float tube as a back-pack ...
I wish you the very best of luck in your back-pack search Sir.  

I'll be checking back ... I'm interested to what people will have to add.

SP Dan     <"))><

This has been a question for some time here.
I guess it depends on what you are trying to achieve.

Here are some links with various solutions.


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I put my Cumberland on my back with the straps that came with it, and I leave the straps on when I'm fishing. I carry 4 rods in my hand and put other stuff in a 5 gallon bucket that I put behind the seat.

I hope this helps.

Do you have the Cumberland with the d rings on the top side of the tube or on the underside of the seat?

I have the newest one with them under the seat. I have a pump that fits inside the pockets of the Cumberland. The fins and life jacket get attached to the tube with a carabiner. A custom rigid table tray that gets put in place and doesn't fall out. I got rid of the mesh one since I didn't like the idea of sculpin on my lap. I carry the tube on my back with the back pack straps. The only thing in my hands are the rods. It's ideal to bring less tackle (I know it's hard to do) when you know you're going to be making a walk.

Like Lolly, when I fish North Lake, Bishop area, I wear waders and boots, carry my fins in one hand and rods in the other. I cross the straps so they stay high on my solders. All my trout gear is in the pockets Then its just a matter of getting it balanced and off I go. By crossing the straps the tube rides High on your back so u don't have any dragging of the ends on the ground. Hope this helps......GT

Jerdon wrote:This has been a question for some time here.
I guess it depends on what you are trying to achieve.

Here are some links with various solutions.


[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I put my Cumberland on my back with the straps that came with it, and I leave the straps on when I'm fishing. I carry 4 rods in my hand and put other stuff in a 5 gallon bucket that I put behind the seat.

I hope this helps.

.:LOLLY:. wrote:Do you have the Cumberland with the d rings on the top side of the tube or on the underside of the seat?

I have the newest one with them under the seat. I have a pump that fits inside the pockets of the Cumberland. The fins and life jacket get attached to the tube with a carabiner. A custom rigid table tray that gets put in place and doesn't fall out. I got rid of the mesh one since I didn't like the idea of sculpin on my lap. I carry the tube on my back with the back pack straps. The only thing in my hands are the rods. It's ideal to bring less tackle (I know it's hard to do) when you know you're going to be making a walk.

GT wrote:Like Lolly, when I fish North Lake, Bishop area, I wear waders and boots, carry my fins in one hand and rods in the other. I cross the straps so they stay high on my solders. All my trout gear is in the pockets Then its just a matter of getting it balanced and off I go. By crossing the straps the tube rides High on your back so u don't have any dragging of the ends on the ground. Hope this helps......GT

Great info guys I think I will try one of these ideas on Sunday when I am in Newport