Dana Design TerraFrame

Review Date
August 10, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: skybowman ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $150.00 at ebay

Summary:
I've been backpacking for more than 40 years and have used both internal and external frames. I tend to carry large loads, often traveling with scouts and other youth. This pack has been superb and has toted 65+ pounds comfortably up 12,000+ trails on 5-10 day trips. Yes, it squeaks, but that's fixable. Love it; will use until it falls apart and then I'll check ebay again.

Customer Service:
asked and received an owners manual--no problem and the guy was very helpful even though the company has changed hands (marmot) and the product is no longer made.

Similar Products Used:
Kelty, Camp Trails, Lowe, Gregory

Review Date
April 14, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Cadenza ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $140.00 at Northern Mountain Su

Summary:
I decided on the Dana Design Loadmaster Terraframe after having tested the following I-frames Arc'teryx Bora 90, Osprey Crescent 90 and smaller load Dana Design Bridger. I've used my Terraframe for 3 years now, backpacking in the Sierra Nevada, Sequoia and various hike-in camping grounds.

Quality:
All 4 packs are excellent in design, quality and features (where the I-frames have a few more). Whether those features are necessary depends on the intended use, so do your own research. (More on features below).

Load Handling:
Each was loaded to 35-60 pounds and walked around the store, twisting-n-turning quickly, and running up-and-down the stairs for about an hour. (The entire comparison process took 2 months.) The I-frame packs felt excellent in how they "wrapped" against my back. Bending down and quick turns are easier with the I-frames. This makes them a better choice when you get off the trail and go scrambling, which I usually do with a fanny pack. As the load increased beyond 35 pounds, the Terraframe felt increasing more comfortable than the I-frames. Some have described Dana's Loadmaster E-frame series as hybrid due to the wands at the hipbelt, which when adjusted, shifts the weight forward and down to the front of the hips. This effect not only lessens the burden on the back and shoulders but improves balance. If you will, the wands effectively lowers the center of gravity. Although the I-frames allow similar adjustments, they didn't shift the weight to the degree the Terraframe could. So if you hike mostly on established trails with a heavy load, the Terraframe would likely feel more comfortable.

Airy feel:
In addition to the load handling of the Terraframe, I also like the airy feel from the shoulder straps down to the hipbelt. I sweat a lot so the better the ventilation, the higher the level of comfort and the lesser water I need to carry.

Features:
Overall the I-frames have more features and they are very attractive. If you do winter camping, the I-frames are better as they have more pockets for wet stuff and the back frame provides better insulation. But the Terraframe have the essentials covered - 2 elastic side mesh pockets, 2 huge vertical front pockets with a daisy chain in the middle, a removeable lid (fanny pack) with 2 pockets. The compression straps and loops are positioned in such a way that additional gears can be strapped neatly onto the pack. For example, I can strap 2 sleeping pads - one on each side - and a tent to the bottom of the pack w/o using additional velcro straps. The only feature the Terraframe doesn't have that I really wanted is a hydration pocket. This was easily solved by fitting a 2L bladder inside the large pocket of the removable lid/fanny pack. When the bladder is empty, I'm usually ready for a break. Unzip the pocket and remove the bladder, remove filter from the vertical pocket in front and I'm ready to pump.

Customer Service:
None need so far.

Similar Products Used:
See summary.

Review Date
August 4, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Robert (Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $150.00 at Summit Hut, Tucson A

Summary:
I took this pack on the AZ Trail and I gotta say I loved using it. I found I could put just about anything I wanted in there and could hike it anywhere. It does sqeak a bit, but after a while I can to incorporate it into my hiking rythm. The fanny pack option made me the envy of several of my friends when running short trips from camp. I don't know why Dana Design is not continuing this design,I believe it is one of their better ones.

Review Date
July 24, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: JA (Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Utah

Price Paid:  $130.00 at NMS

Summary:
problem: squeaking

solution: Using self adhesive velcro (the softer "loop" side), place small patches on the frame were it contacts the harness. Works great on any loadmaster

Similar Products Used:
various dana and kelty packs

Review Date
March 11, 2003

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Reviewed by: Rob (Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from St. Louis, MO

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Trail House, Frederi

Summary:
I've had this pack for a >4 years and have taken it on many multi-day backpacking trips.
Pros: lots of padding. slim design for an external frame pack. huge packbag; very durable.
Cons: heavy. really does squeak like a mother. frame is awkwardly bent (i'm a tall guy and my head hits the back of the bag).

overall, i was not happy with the suspension (shoulder straps meet too close to the midline). the terraplane and newer related packs by dana are much more comfortable (and lighter too). if you a dead-set on an external frame, get a tried-and-true Kelty.

Customer Service:
N/U

Similar Products Used:
North Face Badlands (current)