Dana Design Alpine

Review Date
June 17, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Sooneruy(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Oklahoma City, Ok, USA

Summary:
If you have been beaten dow by 35 pound in your pack, get this pack. I carried 50-55 pounds in Yosemitelast summer with no pain. The suspension is first class in weight distribution & support. No sore shoulders or hips for 4 years on backpacks up to 9.5 mies a day with elevation changes up to 3000'. Make sure you get a professional fitting. Having had external packs before, I now know why experienced backpackers prefer internals.With design & construction this good, this will be the last pack that I expect to get which is good considering its cost. That & no dedicated place for a hydration bladder as on Dana Gleason's new pack line (new company)are my only complaints.

Similar Products Used:
Camp Trails Omega

Review Date
May 24, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Chris Zeller(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Boulder, CO USA

Summary:
All Dana Designs ArcFlex packs are top quality. I think that the Alpine is an excellent design for most backpacking/mountaineering needs. I've used my pack for about six years now and have never had a seam tear or component break despite hauling heavy loads of (often sharp) climbing gear. The shove-it pocket bis very useful for hauling ropes, shovels, or even your rain shell in the fickle Colorado weather.

The pack is heavier than most in this size class (about 7 lbs.) which means that even with minimalist backpacking gear you can't get much below 35 lbs. However, the suspension of this pack more than makes up for the weight, especially when you are hauling significantly more weight. 35 lbs feels like 20 with a lighter, fimbseier pack.

My only complaint with this pack is its poor excuse for Ice Axe loops. It isn't easy to secure water ice Ice Axes and even mountaineering ice axes fit loosely with the shaft tucked behind the shovit pocket top strap. I do respect Dana for taking the minimalist no-nonsense approach to all the "bells and whistles" that most manufactures add to their packs. It's true that most people never use the ice axe loops, but for some, they are a necessity.

Customer Service:
Nothing ever broke. Never Used it.

Similar Products Used:
I own a North Face climbing pack that is much lighter but the suspension sucks. It also has tubes for ice axe loops that are much more secure.

I also own the Dana Elkhorn daypack. I love the construction on this pack too. However, I lost a pair of water ice axes in deep snow on an epic retreat from an ice climb because of the lousy ice axe loops on this pack too.

Review Date
March 8, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Jeff Duckworth(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Kennesaw Ga USA

Summary:
I have the Alpine in the disc. overkill option. This also includes 2 big #10 side-zip openings, making the pack more user freindly. I have other packs from Gregory and Arc Teryx, but this is by far my favorite pack. The main think I don`t like is its heavy, being around 7.3 pounds. I`ve used the pack for 14 days on the AT and it felt as good the last day, as it did the first. I also do alot of off-trail, and because of the narrow profile, it really excel`s at this. I never put gear on the outside of my packs, so when its "put you head down and go" the pack just goes right on through. Good pack, Jeff

Review Date
March 2, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Vu Tran(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Houston, TX

Summary:
Excellent 5000 cubic inch pack! This pack is all you could ever ask for if you want something that offers versatility in this size. If you are a minimalist and don't haul mule-pack loads, this bag will suit a variety of purposes while giving you great mid-size pack mobility. I have owned this bag since 1991 and it has been beaten, kicked, thrashed and mistreated without protest.
The only problem occured last summer when my girlfriend, who is notorious for damaging equipment, cracked on of the plastic buckles on my 10 year old pack. Outside of that, the bag has served me well without any problems and has been more than worth the investment.
Everything just seems to function well, as it was designed to do.

Review Date
February 8, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Ted(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Boston, MA

Summary:
I have had my Apline pack since '91 and I have had no problems with it. It's super comfortable and carry's a good amount of stuff. It has been beat on and abused and there are any seams coming apart. You get what you pay for.