This pretty decent pack that i used
on a 6 month backpacking trip(every day use) I too work in a Mountain shop and I am an experienced pack fitter as well. I find this pack one of the more difficult packs to fit, but when it does fit right it does a good job of getting weight to the hips.

As far as comfort and ease of use it did
well. I found it a bit awkward but it
felt great as the weight transfered well to my hups. The whole concept of the fiberglass frame is superior to most pack frame designs but it is a stripped down version of the much better
Dana pack, the Terraplane. It seems to me that it takes a certain body type to fit well in this pack. I say goto a specialty shop and try it on with weight and you decide yourself.

Customer Service

Customer service is decent BUT:
Ever since Dana sold the company, pack production has moved to Mexico from Montana. I don't like the fact that
their warranty/ repair department is now out-sourced.

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Osprey
Works at Mystery Ranch

I have been with many many packs in my outdoor career but none so versitle as this one. Although I am loosing faith in the Dana Company due to their construction. This pack offers very comforble hip, and shoulder support. After being on the trail for 3-weeks and a 180 miles of climbing, trail, and glacier travel, there was just a couple of moments where this pack really peaved me. For instance the top pock seemed to always get stuck! This was real annoying while trying to get my gloves really fact for sliding down the glaciers of the central oregon cascades. Second, the hip belt conversion with the top pocket to make a hip pack was very inconveinent to pull the hip belt out from the bottom of the pack while fully loaded and made it very difficult to do. Finally, this pack would be the much better if it only had a side zip acces to the main compartment.

Customer Service

the Bomb Pack

I "tried on" many packs with 30 lbs of weight, never looking at price. All felt very heavy and leaned off my back like a kid. The minute I tried this Dana I asked the sales person if all 30 lbs were in it! Fits and feels perfect with plenty of room. You've got to put this one on your back and compare it to the other brands. Hours of comfort is worth the extra $$. Only drawback is I like small web sidepockets which this has none of but attachments can be added. The middle compartment holds my 4 man tent with room to spare.

Customer Service

None

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Tried the EMS brand and also the Gregory and Kelty

Got this when my Lowe Contour IV was stolen. Great pack, much better suspension and weight distribution. Much more comfortable once adjusted correctly. Don't know why they put a weight-bearing zipper on the bottom (bag compartment) with only small webbing to support..no problems yet, it is a beefy zipper. Easily worth a little more money than the lowes

Similar Products Used:

lowe, generic, Jansport

Without a doubt, one of the best packs out there. Spend the extra cash and you'll be pleased with the performance. Spend a little bit less and you might get burned with a defective pack. Everything about this pack is great.

Customer Service

Not yet...

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Kelty Super Tioga (sucks)

This pack is great, the suspension system and size of the pack is perfect for week long trips. The top loading design works well and eliminates the possibility of blowing the zipper .This pack may be a little pricey, but it is worth it for the performance you get.

Dana Glacier is my 5thor 6th backpack. I am a consultant to an australian outdoor products manufacture, and freelance photographer for other companies. I genarally get gear and backpacks for free or for cost price.I had to buy the Dana at retail but I think it is worth every penny. My Glacier is couple of years old and had done plenty of backcountry trips. Still going strong and I believe still the best pack out there. Unfortunately is not a light pack, quite heavy even empty! The old style ('97) hipbelt was a bit uncomfortable and I replaced with the the hipbelt of the Terraplane, which fits nicely. I have added the ""beavertail"" for protection from abrasion and to be able to store my sleeping mat. The only improvement would be if Dana would make this pack in a ""canvas"" material as well. Most manufacturers in Australia or New Zealand have they backpacking packs mabe out of canvas for waterproofness. With the Dana you have to use a fly to protect the content from rain. Top pack, it has no rivals.

Similar Products Used:

Various packs a bit smaller in size from New Zealand and from Autralia. Dana's suspension system beats them hands down.

I have a Dana Glacier and I love the thing. The suspension system is great. The size of the pack is perfect for moderate length packing trips, as well as gear intensive weekend trips. I like the top loading design because it eliminates the possibility of a zipper blowing. Dana packs are pricey, but worth every penny.

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None

I purchased this pack for lightweight long distance backpacking trips. I am an experienced backpacker with many multi-month thru hikes under my belt. I have used this pack several times now since I purchased it and it has failed me in comfort each time. I have worked in Mountain shops and am an experienced pack fitter I know that I adjusted this pack correctly. Comfort is the reason I purchased a Dana in the first place. This pack is not comfortable, on each trip I have taken it on I find myself constantly adjusting the fit to no avail. The pack slumps over my rear when even lightly loaded, the shoulder straps slip when wet and demand constant adjustment. I have used other older Dana packs and they have been heavy but extremely comfortable. This one is not.

Customer Service

Not yet, I am going to see if I can send it back for refund or credit.

Similar Products Used:

Jandd Barad (decent), Mountainsmith frostfire(decent), other Danas(awesome), Northface(bad), Kelty(Bad), REI(good)

I got my Glacier a litle over a year ago and it is an amazing pack. I am a heavy packer and usually go overboard with gear and junk I dont need!!! at 5,500 cu I have yet to fill it. After a 3 day hike in and around George Washington National forest in 25 degree weather, I packed all my big fluffy winter junk and still only filled this thing 3/4 of the the way up. My hips were a little sore and I must admit the back pad is a bit difficult to adjust but not impossible. The 2 back pockets are great too, big enough for my 2 man tent if I seperate the fly from it. Overall this is a great pack and not to hard on your wallet.