Re: Stephensons?

How true, it seems that quite a few posters on various backpacking forums tend to be negative about things/people and make comments NOT based on direct experience.

As to Dana, I have used his packs since 1978, still have my original "Kletterwerks Bomb Pack", had a "Terraplane Overkill" from Bozeman circa 1993 which was stolen and now have Mystery Ranch BDSB, NICE 6500 combo with Crewcab and Futura Deluxe packs as well as having a NICE Overkill frame on order. Mystery Ranch packs are my favourite and I use mine constantly; they are VERY well designed and made, a tad heavy and comfortable under 100 lb. loads.

I prefer gear from guys who are egoistic, passionate and highly commited to their products; maybe such people CAN seem arrogant, but, their gear makes it worthwhile. When real advances are made, it's usually the tough-minded, iconoclastic individual who makes them as Dana, Bo Hilleberg, Evan Jones of ID, Patrick Smith of Kifaru and Wayne Gregory as well as Dan McHale have demonstrated.