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Posted by grhoon on March 23, 2008 at 12:49:26 am EDT
In reply to Dana Design Terraplane Backpacks posted by tboyflyer on February 14, 2008 at 11:51:06 pm EST

The Terraplane LTW is made of a newer fabric that is lighter, therefore a little thinner, than the old D2 proprietary fabric, although the ripstop looks just the same. You will notice the difference if you have samples of each. I have used Dana for 18 years, and though I don't know all the details and names of materials, I think the LTW is an improvement over the original Terraplane simply because of the weight difference, nearly 2 pounds lighter. However, I also think the advantages of the side zip access might justify the heavier weight in the Terraplane X and 10th Anniversary packs. The first year or so Marmot took over Dana Design, the Terraplanes they were turning out with the twin column front pockets were/are identical to the Terraplane LTW. There are still some available from a few dealers at pretty good prices. The later Marmot version of the Terraplane comes with a single large front pocket that incorporates a smaller pocket on one side of the large pocket, which does away with the center daisy chain of the Dana Design. However, the Marmot front pocket acts as a shovit pocket for skis and poles, which is a nice touch. The Marmot design uses the same suspension system, but has a different backpanel which is actually more comfortable than the old Dana backpanel. The Marmot Terraplane also leaves off one compression strap the Dana had that connected to the bottom of the shoulder straps. Even die hard Dana users (like me) won't notice the missing strap unless the new Marmot design and the old Dana design are compared with the same load, one after the other. There are still some of the new Marmot Terraplanes (single front pocket) available from a few dealers for a pretty good price. I believe the original Terraplane design is as good as a pack design will ever get. The new single pocket Marmot is the same pack with a different front pocket layout. Just a matter of taste. You can't go wrong with a Terraplane.

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