User Review: Dana Design Terraplane

Reviewed September 25, 2006 by Peter Ricci

Rating: rated 4 of 5 stars
Design: top-loading internal
Size: 5800
Number of Pockets: 3
Max. Load Carried: 65 lbs
Height of Owner: 5'10"
Price Paid: $369

I bought my first Dana (Terraplane) back in '91. I've used it on many trips on the AT, PCT, CDT, Grand Canyon and in Bolivia, and Ecuador. I've been out three weeks at a time and over many weekends. The pack carried consistently well, never had any sore spots, hipbelt felt great and load distribution was very managable.

I love the two back pockets for the need to get items during the day, and the top pocket plenty large and very easy to convert to a fanny pack which rode very comfortable when attached to a very comfortable hipbelt. The internal compression strap is a plus for getting big loads close to you're back and center of gravity. Even with a heavy load (50-60lbs) the pack moves with you as one unit. The load stabilizer straps on the side of the pack that pull the weight into you I hardly ever used except heavy loads and It didn't seem to make any appreciatable difference.

The only complaint I may have is the lack of water bottle pockets (which is not the fault of the pack) and some threads' ends coming loose, didn't seem to affect the integrety of the pack but it was happening.

After 15 years I decided to donate the pack to Big City Mountaineers since it was still in good shape and had many years left. Then I went and bought a Terraplane LTW in a Med., the first pack was a Lg. During the initial fitting on the first pack I was told I could go either Med. or Lg. I decided to try the medium this time.

Same result only better, the pack is lighter, water bottle pockets on the side. The pack is just about perfect.

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