Dana Design Astralplane Overkill

A magnificent piece of gear for hauling multi-day to expedition-sized loads without drama. Buy this pack, then stride down the trail past the lightweight fanatics who snicker at your enormous load, confident in the knowledge that you're carrying 50 pounds probably more comfortably than they carry 30. Plus, your Astralplane will be around long, long after the lightweight parachute cloth packs have disintegrated (I can't imagine the abuse it would take to injure the Overkill model's all-1000d Cordura construction)...

I find the enormity of this pack a boon to my packing style--everything in the packbag: Thermarest (folded), tent poles, sandals, kitchen sink. Just a personal preference--I don't like having things dangling from the outside of my pack. The large vertical pockets on the front of the pack are perfect for keeping raingear and trail necessities handy. The hipbelt is without equal. Despite others' claims against them for weight and a potential failure point, I like the long slash zips along the sides of the packbag for easy access to my tent when it's raining.

Finally, if you are one who has had a rough time getting a good fit with your pack (largish guys like myself especially--I wasted time with four other 'adjustable' packs that never carried right with anything over 40 pounds, despite my endless tweaking), do yourself a favor and strap on a Dana pack. You will, as I did, recoil in horror at the price initially, but I believe you'll find the superiority in comfort/durability of this pack worth every penny.

GOOD

I had a bad experience with a rented backpack in Glacier National Park and did some research. After reading the reviews I decided on a Dana Designs Astralplane Overkill. I called the factory in Billings, Montana, and even talked to the owner. He emphasized the importance of getting a custom fit. If a Dana pack is fit right, you won't even know its there! Well the nearest dealer was 189 miles away at Active Endeavors in Iowa City, Iowa. So I went and got fitted. Gosh darn it if they weren't on sale! I paid just $265 (1996).

The graphite stays, the harness and waist belt, the zippers and the fabric (which appears to be made from the spall liner of an M2A3 Bradley Armoured Fighting Vehicle) are rugged.

A normal load for me is a TNF Goliath sleeping bag (lg), TNF Mountain 24 tent with Walrus Rain Fly, Cascade Design LE sleeping bag pad, MRE's, Lo Alpine Flash jacket/pants rain gear and various other items... all stored inside the back. I don't like anything hanging outside.

Two years ago this back resisted the gnawing of some type of Ring Tailed Bandicout subcreature. This year during the climb to the Boulder Field in Rocky Mountain National Park, 60 mph gusts blasted away above the tree line. No problems.

I love this pack. Gobs of room and takes all kinds of brutal abuse. I have just one problem... I don't get out and use it enough.

BAD

Nothing.

The Dana Astraplane Overkill is by far the best pack that I have used. I have worked in retail for many years and have demoed aboout every manufactuer. The ArcFlex suspension sysem used in Dana's pack is able to support the weight better than anything that I have tried. Also the features that are provided are not to fancy, but very useful. I really like the full side zips on each side (backed with strech 1000d Cordura), the long bellow pockets, detachable lid/fanny pack, the sleeping bag compartment is double layer (so one holds weight and the other takes abuse), and the entire pack is 1000d Cordura. I was able to carry up to 80lbs. on my semester. Hey, buy what you want, but make sure the shop knows how to fit. My advice is get a Dana Overkill.

Best large load backpack ever made. Bought it 16 years ago and it looks practically brand new. I've carried it fully extended down from Mt. Shasta base camp topping 85 lbs and I've hiked the Smokies with as little as 50 and it consistently "fits like a hug." I will wear out long before this pack ever does.

Most rugged, reliable and best fitting pack I have ever used. I carried 70 pounds all day with no problems. Weight is evenly distributed over back and hips. No other pack in the world like it. And I have used many other packs.

lawrence wilson
po box 494
mannasa co 81141