Dana Design Terraframe

After being away from backpacking since the early '80s, I went looking for a pack that would accomodate my comfort level and my aging body. After trying several internals, disliking the way they seemed to be wearing me instead of the other way around, I reluctantly began searching in the external category. I wasn't comfortable with the way most of them felt like they were carrying too high for sctrambling conditions and were too wide for bushiwacking. Then I spotted a Dana Teraframe. It has the same slender profile of the Teraplane but with a frame that contoured perfectly with my spine. I loaded it up and went for a walk and found it was a great balance between internal frme monerverability and external frame carrying comfort. After several bushwacking experiences in the Adirondacs, I have been able to manuver as well as my partner who sports a high volume Vortex. I love the golden wands feature that moves the weight toward the front of my pelvis giving me the ability to comfortably carry weights in winter I had been unable to handle in the old style external frame packs.

The down side is that the slender profile makes the pack more difficult to topload, balancing the load. It takes a bit of tinkering but I have never been unable to accomplish the desired level of comfort. The only other drawback is that the pack does tend to squeak a bit at the top clevis pins as my pelvis shifts with each step, an annoyance my friend with the Vortex does not encounter. But given my tender knees, it is a small price to pay for the ability to comfortabbly carry 50 pounds. With trecking poles, I am once again able to experience the wilderness for extended periods of time. A priceless gift.

I got such a good price on this pack, because it isn't selling well as a model and Campmor was unloading them. I, for one, am wondering why.

Had been eyeing this pack for a long time and when it went on sale I couldn't pass it up and I couldn't be more pleased with it. Can carry monster loads especially well with this well built, squeak free, external frame pack. Adjustable shoulder-to-hip weight ratio has been great and detachable fanny pack has been useful on many a day hike. Have found it a necessity when camping with kids/wife when I need to pack a few of their things, but even when alone I prefer this sizely pack over smaller packs in the closet.