Backpack size (Dana Designs)
SPrudhomme
comfty compared to my ten year old external frame pack.
I would like whatever advice people have on what size to get. I'm
deciding between the Terraplane(6000 cu in) and Astralplane(7000 cu
in). The Astralplane would handle _any_ trip I ever decided to take,
but really would be too large in some situtations. On the other
hand, I'd hate to fork out the cash for the Terraplane only to find
that it's too small down the road.
I guess the question boils down to: If you could only have one
backpack (excluding daypacks, etc.), what would be the best size?
Thanks bunches,
S. Prud'homme
Clyde Soles
>deciding between the Terraplane(6000 cu in) and Astralplane(7000 cu
>in). The Astralplane would handle _any_ trip I ever decided to take,
>but really would be too large in some situtations. On the other
>hand, I'd hate to fork out the cash for the Terraplane only to find
>that it's too small down the road.
>I guess the question boils down to: If you could only have one
>backpack (excluding daypacks, etc.), what would be the best size?
No doubt about it, get the Terraplane. If you get the gonzo pack, I guarantee
you always find a way to fill it - even for an overnighter! (Sure, I got room
for an extra case of beer:-) On the other hand for the occasional long trip,
you can fully accesorize the smaller pack to get the necessary capacity and
the lid raises quite high. The suspension system is the same.
Of course the smart thing to do is get two packs: a little one for you and a
big one for your partner.
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V. Gregory Weirs
Obviously it depends on how much stuff you're going to carry - how
many days will your longest trip be? I have an Alpine, similar to
the Terraplane, and I think if stuffed it I could go for a week.
If you do get the Astralplane, remember that you tend to fill the
pack you have. It is easy to carry too much.
Happy Trails....
--
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| V. Gregory Weirs |
| Box 7921 |
| Mars Mission Research Center |
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jennifer Leak
I just went through this dilemma myself, decided on buying the Astralplane.
Although it will be to big for some trips, I was very impressed with how
you can collapse the bottom compartment which I think decreased the cubic
volume down to about 5000 though am not quite sure about the exact figures.
The salesman I spoke with spends his quiet time at the shop filling up
packs with 50 lbs. sacks of kitty litter and hauling them up and down the
stairs - in his opinion, the Astralplane was still very comfortable and
stable even with the bottom compressed in this way so that all the weight was
riding higher up on your back. Because I'm anticipating doing more winter
backpacking, I wanted to be sure I had the extra room if I needed it. So I
went with the Astralplane.
Chris Masters
> deciding between the Terraplane(6000 cu in) and Astralplane(7000 cu
> in). The Astralplane would handle _any_ trip I ever decided to take,
> but really would be too large in some situtations. On the other
> hand, I'd hate to fork out the cash for the Terraplane only to find
> that it's too small down the road.
When I was picking out packs, It seemed that Dana packs were all on the
smallish side when their volume was compared to what Dana said was the
intended use. But...
If you thumb through a Dana catalog there is a sidebar on the way Dana
measures his pack volumes. He uses ping pong balls. He says that it more
accurately simulates a "real" load of gear, ie. lots of tiny air pockets
were the gear doesn't pack together perfectly. Apparently, most other pack
makers use beans. In the side bar there is an interesting bit about a
Terraplane filled with sand. Anyway, I ended up with the Terraplane and in
practice this thing could swallow and horse and a barn for it to sleep in..
..well almost :). If you ever need any more room, Dana has a line of large
accessory pockets that fit all his packs.
Good Luck,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris Masters Photons are curious
University of Arkansas at Little Rock creatures.
Department of Electronics and Instrumentation
Laser Applications Laboratory
E-mail: MAS...@UALR.EDU
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bob Lewis
I set out last year to buy my first internal frame pack. I too ended up
choosing between the Terraplane and the Astraplane. Since I was just
starting to get into backpacking I wasn't sure what my needs would be,
but the salesperson assured me that unless I was going to be camping in
the winter the Terraplane would be fine for a week long trip. I was
told by severla people that buying the smaller pack would force me to
pack smarter and lighter. I bought the Terraplane and at times wish I
had bought the Astraplane, because that would be easier than forcing
myself to pack lighter. So I'm still learning how to pack smarter,
but I would buy the Astraplane given the choice again. The Terraplane
is a great pack though !!!
Peace,
--
Bob Lewis / le...@kpc.com |
Kubota Pacific Computer, Inc. |
Santa Clara, CA 95051 |
V. Gregory Weirs
|> In article <2s3j7b$i...@search01.news.aol.com>,
|> sprud...@aol.com (SPrudhomme) writes:
|> >
|> > I would like whatever advice people have on what size to get. I'm
|> > deciding between the Terraplane(6000 cu in) and Astralplane(7000 cu
|> > in). The Astralplane would handle _any_ trip I ever decided to take,
|> > but really would be too large in some situtations. On the other
|> > hand, I'd hate to fork out the cash for the Terraplane only to find
|> > that it's too small down the road.
|>
|> When I was picking out packs, It seemed that Dana packs were all on the
|> smallish side when their volume was compared to what Dana said was the
|> intended use. But...
|>
I used to think so too. Then I noticed I gained a lot more room when
I loosened the internal divider straps. You can still use the divider,
just don't cinch down the straps hard.
Markus Bjorksten
> I'm thinking about buying a Dana Designs backpack since they are so
> comfty compared to my ten year old external frame pack.
> I would like whatever advice people have on what size to get. I'm
> deciding between the Terraplane(6000 cu in) and Astralplane(7000 cu
> in).
It all depends on what you are doing, of course.
I suspect that these fancy sounding packs are internal frame ones. You
should not use the volume of your previous ext. frame as comparision.
Ext. frames of 5200ci are sufficient for, say, 1 week winter trips
while an internal frame has to be a lot (+ 2000 ci ?) larger to get
anywhere near in capacity.
Markus Bjorksten
Marc Rhorer
large.
I have enjoyed my Dana Direct pack for years, and would not trade
it for any pack on the market. It is only 4500 cubic inches.
I was worried that it might be too small, but a friend insisted
that my trips would be more enjoyable with a compact load.
Time has proven my friend correct. I have taken multi-week
trips in the late fall with my pack, and feel no envy when
encountering a hiker with a monster pack.
Happy hiking.
David Bonn
: No doubt about it, get the Terraplane. If you get the gonzo pack, I guarantee
: you always find a way to fill it - even for an overnighter! (Sure, I got room
: for an extra case of beer:-) On the other hand for the occasional long trip,
: you can fully accesorize the smaller pack to get the necessary capacity and
: the lid raises quite high. The suspension system is the same.
There Terraplane itself is a seriously huge pack. A weeklong winter trip
or a two-week summer trip will fill the pack. I'd hate to think of the back
damage an Astralplane would represent.
David Bonn
bo...@networx.com
Chris Fedde
I also have the dana direct pack. I'm a confirmed minimalist when
it comes to things like packs and I work realy hard to keep weight
and volume down. For me that means just not having the space for
all the extras. I find 4500 cuin perfectly adiquite, and if I
need a bit more room I can always strap the extra stuff onto the
outside or add external bags on the compression straps. I've never
gone without anything that I've really needed, neither have I had
to choose exotic or especially lightweight gear. Just carefull
selection with a strong emphasis on utility, multi use and makeing
do.
Best of all I can sail along under a light load while others are
slogging with packs full of stuff they probably will never use.
chris
Hakan Delic
> comfty compared to my ten year old external frame pack.
>
> I would like whatever advice people have on what size to get. I'm
> deciding between the Terraplane(6000 cu in) and Astralplane(7000 cu
> in). The Astralplane would handle _any_ trip I ever decided to take,
> but really would be too large in some situtations. On the other
> hand, I'd hate to fork out the cash for the Terraplane only to find
> that it's too small down the road.
>
One important point about Dana's backpacks which I have mentioned
here before, but people don't seem to be aware of, is the hipbelt
size. Large-sized Terraplanes come with a medium-sized hipbelt
by default. Make sure you have the right size. I had to change
the hipbelt to a large one. If you have Dana's catalog, read the
fitting and sizing instructions carefully. I see many people
complain about their backpacks when the padding of the hipbelt
stays just above their hip bones, instead of grasping the entire
(well almost) waist. The best thing to do is to have someone
custom-fit it to you by doing all the bending of the aliminum stay,
etc.
As for the size difference, that's for you to decide. Terraplane
is more versatile unless you are planning on backpacking for a month.
Also depending on how much abuse the backpack is going to take,
you may want to go with the Overkill version.
Hakan Delic
mh...@virginia.edu
HV EXPLORE
mh...@broca.med.Virginia.EDU (Hakan Delic) writes:
I just bought a Terraplane today. I could not decide what pack to buy
either, but after honestly thinking about how I was going to use it I
decided on the 5800 cu. in pack (med.).
By removing the Hiplid (600 cu. in) and retracting the Bottom you can
shrink the pack to 3500 cu. inches, perfect for my short, light and
future backcountry ski trips.
make sure that you go to a good shop and get properly fitted I'm 6'0"
tall
and would have just bought a large, but after being fitted I was told
that I would need a med. pack with a large hipbelt and large shoulder
pads .
50 lbs on my back never felt so good !!!!!!
Hector Vandenberg / HV EXP...@aol.com
Greg Smith
>No doubt about it, get the Terraplane. If you get the gonzo pack, I guarantee
>you always find a way to fill it - even for an overnighter! (Sure, I got room
>for an extra case of beer:-) On the other hand for the occasional long trip,
>you can fully accesorize the smaller pack to get the necessary capacity and
>the lid raises quite high. The suspension system is the same.
I have an Astralplane and you are correct. I carry a lot of stuff BUT I carry
my bulky Marmot Fat City Pad inside. That's a pretty high-cube item with not a
lot of weight. I like a big pack because it allows me to carry mucho gear
without the gear projecting beyond my shoulders. I like a pack to be no wider
than my body. I am also a pack mule (combined pack and body weight sometimes
exceeds 300 pounds) occasionally, usually in the Winter months. Yes, I usually
end up carrying the beer : )
The Terraplane is probably fine for 95% of people and situations. I might
suggest that you check out a North Face Snow Leopard II. I had the original
Snow Leopard and it was the most comforable pack I ever owned. I thought I
needed more volume and moved to the Astralplane. Though the Dana harness offers
spectacular load control, it just isn't as comfortable. It's said that the SL
was inspired by Recaro car seats. I can believe it.
Greg Smith
AT&T Global Information Solutions
Technology Consulting Services Development
E-mail: greg.n...@DaytonOH.ncr.com
FAX: 513/445-7196
Human: 513/445-4098
Opinions expressed don't necessarily reflect
the views or policies of AT&T
Greg Smith
>No doubt about it, get the Terraplane. If you get the gonzo pack, I guarantee
>you always find a way to fill it - even for an overnighter! (Sure, I got room
>for an extra case of beer:-) On the other hand for the occasional long trip,
>you can fully accesorize the smaller pack to get the necessary capacity and
>the lid raises quite high. The suspension system is the same.
Also remember that the pack has compression straps. You don't have to fill it
to maintain load control. If it's half full, just squash everything down closer
to your back.