Great pack, really does manage to lighten the very heavy loads. The materials are very strong and well made. Overall a very well thought out pack. Dana has made me a customer for life.

Customer Service

Never Used

Similar Products Used:

Marmot Packs, North Face

None

Great pack, I have used it since l996. Mine is the old model made in Bozeman. I finally managed to break the attachment point for the hip trim belt located on the bottom of the pack near the carbon fiber stay. Overall the pack does show some wear, the fabric on the waist belt has started to wear some, but will be probably be a few more years before it needs to be replaced. Very durable pack even though I managed to tear it.

Customer Service

Excellent. Called Dana Designs about the tear at the bottom of the pack. They told me to call Rainy Pass in Seattle, who I planned to send it to anyway, to get it repair. I called got a return author

Similar Products Used:

Arc''''teryx, Gregory,Mountainsmith and Osprey

I've had mine for two years and a couple of month long trips as well as a lot of 3-7 day trips. Everyone else has said it below- this pack is just so far beyond anything else I've ever carried in terms of comfort. I don't understand why other manufacturers don't just imitate some of the non-patented features. My point of view is that if your bag is uncomfortable, you won't carry it, and you won't go places. Suck it up, ignore the price, buy the Dana, and you'll go backpacking more, and your body will appreciate it. I added the Beavertail to my Terraplane OK, and it's a heavy bag but it carries everything and conveniently.

Customer Service

Incredibly quick and responsive to a problem I had fastening a new Beavertail onto an old pack- they sent me the part I needed that day.

Similar Products Used:

Lowe, North Face. Don't bother with these companies. Your spine is worth it.

I bought my Terraplane in 1990, and I'm still delighted with it. My pack's been with me backpacking, sea kayaking, skiing, rockclimbing, and I lived out of it for 9 straight months in Africa. In that time, it's developed scuffs, stains, a little rust around the metal rings on the shoulderstraps, and it's never once let me down. Everyone agrees the pack is comfortable, but I'm impressed with its durability and its ability to *haul*.

Customer Service

The newer, cupped hipbelt and contoured shoulderstraps weren't invented in 1990--I suppose the pack's even more comfortable now, though its hard to imagine. I've seen what these cost now, and it's difficult to justify the expense (as it was for me in 1990); thing is, in 2010 they'll cost $800, and you'll know your money was well spent.

Similar Products Used:

Lowe, North Face packs.

I haven't had this pack too long, but i am already extremely attached to it...like others, i would have to recommend this pack to anyone who has ever experienced back pain of any sort while backpacking. when i was shopping for a backpack, of 6 high end stores i visited, 5 out of 6 managers/employees i talked to used this pack themselves...i guess that goes to show how nice this pack is. although it is kind of pricy, good equipment is worth it...and that was the mindset i had when i went to look at a pack...ignore the price first and look for quality and comfort...gotta remember whats more important...saving ur back or saving a hundred dollars....u do the math...

Similar Products Used:

None

The Terraplane is one of the most comfortable packs I have ever put on. And it gets better as you use it. The internal frame pretty much molds to your back. The straps are easily adjustable and the waist belt is comfortable. I wore this pack for the first time a few years ago on a 8 mile hike into the Graveyard Lakes area in the Southeastern Sierras. The pack fit nice and snug all the way up and was very comfortable on my back.

Similar Products Used:

Kelty rental packs from REI

I have a Terraplane, which is a few years old now. The pack has held up very well. The fit is fantastic which was always difficult for me in a large pack, because of my small size.

Customer Service

One repair was made by Dana, for animal(mouse) damage. Dana repaired the pack to as good as new for a VERY reasonable cost. Dana stands behind a very good product. Customer service department was very easy to work with, facilitated by my dealer.

This pack is great! I bought it in preparation for a trip to africa. I loaded it up with about 75 pounds of gear at the shop and was amazed with how comfortable it felt. The construction is solid and compared to the other packs i tried, it was by far the best. If you're willing to shell out the bucks buy this pack. I waited to buy mine on sale

Customer Service

The store I bought it from (EMS) had all the customizing pieces available so i haven't had to call

The pack is great up to about 55 pounds. after that you need to get somthing like the McHale's pack. make sure that you bring the zinc for the hot spots that the pack creats on your hips if you cary above 50 lbs.

Similar Products Used:

Lowe Alpine atack, McHaile and Company Alpineer Index Bayonet.

I've used the Terraplane Overkill model (medium pack, medium harness & belt) for two years and am sold. It's bombproof, rides plush under heavy load, collapses for weekend trips, fits me like a glove, and has clean lines (it doesn;t snag while negotiating slide alder and heavy brush). Best pack I have ever owned and is built well enough to be the last pack I'll ever need to buy.

Customer Service

Dana's customer service is top notch and they stand behind their gear. The shame, and I do mean shame, is that they sold out their Montana workforce and now build their gear in Mexico. I bought my pack before they split the country...not sure I'd buy one now. Though it is a plus that they don't assemble their gear in China. Hence the lower 'value' rating.

Similar Products Used:

Lowe, TNF, Gregory, Kelty. The fit, feel and quality of the Dana beats them all.