I particularly love the simplicity of the design-- just enough features to get the job done, and nothing more. And the pack must be rugged, because I'm tough on packs and it hasn't broken yet! Glass Repair

none so far

I bought this pack in 2002. It was made in Mexico. I was skeptical, but trying it on in the store convinced me that it was ok. I wanted to use it for backcountry skiing and winter summit bagging. However, it has more volume than I need for single-day adventures. So I have been using it for summer 4-day backpacking trips. It carries 50 lbs very comfortably. I like its slender design, which gives me greater mobility when traveling off-trail, ridge-walking, etc. The shove-it pocket allows for more versatility when carrying gear outside of the pack bag. It is also removable, unlike the previous model. It is more suitable for winter day-use than for summer overnighters because of its ski-friendly features, clean design and lack of features like water bottle pockets, hybrid-loading capabilities, etc. that are more suitable for backpacking. But I still use it because it carries comfortably and the volume is perfect for what I carry. Even though the hip belt is comfortable, I do not like the "bridge belt". It has no benefit compared to the Bomb's previous hip belt design. It is cumbersome to remove and use with the hip lid. There is also some kind of bottom "load snugging" feature that is odd and seems unnecessary. This feature is also not user-friendly. So I do not use it. Features like these made me question the engineering. As time has passed, I've seen what K2 has done to the Bomb Pack. It no longer has a clean look to it and its features seem jumbled. Now it is under the brand, Marmot, which K2 bought out. I would not recommend one of these latter-day Bombpacks. I recommond the original design and the design after the first change (which is the one I have). The previous Bomb design (Bozeman made & Mexico made)did not have a long enough torso adjustment to fit my 6'4" frame. After the first design change, they lengthened the adjustment and it fits me well. Overall, it is a good pack for what I use it for and it is very comfortable.

Customer Service

I had a difficult time with a good fit from the "bridge belt". The XL was too big for my 33" waist. So I purchased the large belt and it was too small for my waist. I sent it back and had a local seamstress make the adjustments to my XL belt that I needed. Now I have more adjustment than before. I utilized Travelcountry.com for the large hipbelt and they were great to deal with. Dana Design no longer exists, so I will have to utilize other services if I need them.

Similar Products Used:

Granite Gear Vapor Trail, Marmot Eiger 36, Jack Wolfskin Joshua Tree III, Dana Design Astralplane, Jack Wolfskin Chamonix

I wouldn't recommend this pack to anyone. Not because of problems in design, comfort etc., but because but the one I bought has a critical defect that resulted in two failures in the first year, and Dana (now owned by K2) is ignoring my requests for a warranty replacement. You can see pictures and details at: http://www.nt.ntnu.no/users/strimbec/Personal/Dana/Lemon.htm

Customer Service

Friendly, but so far a total failure

wow perfection, I forget this pack is on,it carrys so well and is so slender that I litterally forget it is on. The beavertail is great for extra items: shovels crampons snowshoes jackets. it is simple and it works. I now have 4 dana packs, the glacier is a little weak but the rest are nearly perfect for their appointed duties. the only flaw is a torn grommet on the glacier, otherwise all 4 have held up perfectly with loads up to 80 pounds. I tried other packs but nothing fits me like the dana.

Customer Service

no need for it

Similar Products Used:

lowe alpine, north face

To Chris in Seattle- This pack will carry 50-60 lbs. I think what Ben in MO is trying to say is that this pack (loaded with 50 lbs of gear) may not be that comfortable with that kind of load, but it is bearable and the packs stitching is able to withstand it. (Some people are crazier than others) Make no mistake, the Bombpack is a very well made backpack and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a pack that can withstand some serious abuse.

Customer Service

Dana makes some of the very best products out there...especially packs

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MountainSmith Backbowl

I've had the Dana Bomb Pack now for 6 years. I use it mainly for backcountry skiing and day hikes. I have found it satisfactory for the aforementioned. It does not, and I repeat does not handle loads above 30-35 lbs well, regardless of how it is loaded. To Ben in MO, the pack will not carry 50-65lbs! Recalibrate your scale.
The pack needs a larger top, needs an internal hydration pocket large enough to carry 70 oz. and needs to have ski pockets added. It is truly a bugger to carry ski's on this pack. This packs durability is not in question, just the design.

Similar Products Used:

None

This is the best pack I have ever owned.

I use it mainly as a climbing pack, loaded up with a full rack, ropes, lots of water and clothing. Sometimes hikes to cliffs can be a couple hours or more, on rugged terrain. The pack carries weight beautifully, I barely know it is there. I haven't had any of the problems that other reviews have stated about the pack not carrying enough weight on the hips-- I have my pack adjusted to carry almost all of the weight on my hips, with my shoulder straps just balancing the load.

I particularly love the simplicity of the design-- just enough features to get the job done, and nothing more. And the pack must be rugged, because I'm tough on packs and it hasn't broken yet!

I previously had a pack sold by North Face as a climbing pack. What an awful pack-- I sold it right after getting this one. I also own a Gregory Wind River for long hiking trips, which I love, but it is hard to compare since they are made for different purposes.

Similar Products Used:

A North Face pack billed as a climbing pack (I forget which model), Gregory Wind River, ArcTeryx Bora 30

An excellent all round technical pack and also really good for back country skiing. I have used it on overnighters as well. I have found the shoulder straps very comfortable but wish the waist strap carried more load. Carries skis well and shovit pocket was born to carry a shovel.

Similar Products Used:

None

A great low volume pack for light loads. I use it for climbing gear and have packed it with over 40lbs with no problems. It has few bells and whistles, but is very comfortable. It replaced a Gregory pack and the difference has been phenomenal. What you give up in the checking account, you make up in satisfaction and comfort. This bag is tough (abused mine for 3 years so far) and have had no problems yet.
If you can afford the Dana line, do it.

Similar Products Used:

TerraPlane X

A comfortable, rugged pack that holds up well with rough use. It has a consumer friendly fit.

Similar Products Used:

It is the most comfortable pack of its type I have used in thirty years of hiking and backpacking.