A good bag for carrying heavy loads, but external frames are just not good for rockhopping or any trails that are not very cleanly cut. Harder to keep your balance. Also, 7 pounds is not what I want my pack to weight EMPTY. To demonstrate how lightweight packs can get, my new GoLite Breeze internal frame weighs less than 1 pound.

Similar Products Used:

Osprey Advent, GoLite Breeze.

The name Loadmaster is an apt description for this pack. It carries a big load very well, and the fiberglass "wands" that it utilizes do a good job of pulling the pack toward your back as well as shifting the weight to your hips. It is a large (4900 c.i., plus the strap-on area on the bottom of the frame), fairly heavy (approaching 8 pounds), comfortable,(hip belt and shoulder pads are comfortable and almost infinitely adjustable) and well balanced (for an external). It seems very well built, although I had a zipper slider come off on its first trip. There have been no other problems and no observable wear. For those who prefer externals I feel that this is the current state of the art.

Customer Service

As indicated above, I had a zipper slider come off on the first trip. My outfitter sent it back to Dana and it was fixed at no charge, with no shipping charges. It took over a month, but I did not ask for a rush or anything.

Similar Products Used:

Camp Trails external, Kelty Tioga (tried on is store), Dana Designs Bridger, Ultimate Directions Vouager.