Dana...durable, strong, versatile, water-resistant...best comfortable pack for your $$$
Written: May 17 '02 (Updated Dec 30 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Excellent Fit. Best Comfort of any backpack. Great customer service. Very water resistant.
Cons: Expensive, but you pay for what you get.
The Bottom Line: You'll never find another pack that is this comfortable, yet strong and sturdy and water resistant.
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| wvabackpacker's Full Review: Dana Design Glacier |
The Dana Designs Glacier Backpack
~Introduction-
I was planning on buying a cheaper backpack to get back into the swing of things. I had a Kelty and a MountainSmith picked out, but both were uncomfortable and really didn't fit well. The salesperson wanted me to try on their last Dana, which was on clearance $50 off. I told him it was way too much, he said that I couldn't go wrong with this pack and he'd knock another $50 off (making the pack around $199). So I tried it on, it fit, it was very comfortable and had plenty of space. So I loaded it up with 40lbs and walked around the store, up and down stairs, etc. Felt great. I bought it and have been happy ever since. When I have to purchase another pack, it will be a Dana, even if I do have to pay full price...it will still be worth it. Read on...
~Suspension-
The pack is very comfortable--the straps and hipbelt are softer than any I've ever encountered. The back is padded nicely all the way up with a mesh finish to allow back breathable. The ArcLight suspension has 2 fiberglass stays and an HDPE framesheet with one aluminum stay, After almost two years of use this suspension is still outstanding and one of the best in the business.
~Weight-
A whopping 5lbs 13oz for Medium. Add or subtract 2 ounces for small and large. This pack was designed with comfort and features in mind which contribute to the weight.
~Dana vs. The Elements-
The pack is very water resistant if not waterproof. I have read claims of people falling into rivers with this pack and nothing in the pack got wet. I have left my pack outside at night in the open (no pack cover) several times on trips. The bag hasn't been rained on, yet, but dew has formed on the pack several times. Not once did any of the dew get inside the pack. All of the contents have stayed dry so far.
*After several months of use through many rainstorms I not once used a packcover and my gear always stayed dry.
~Comfort vs. High Weight-
As I thought, the pack loses a little bit of its comfort when loaded with 50+ pounds (48 to be exact). However, when carrying loads 42 pounds a less (my average load), the pack has worked out great. I've walked up several steep mountains and have been able to adjust the balance, etc, very easily. The suspension makes the load appear very light, almost as if it isn't there. Basically, I'm saying that the pack moves the weight to your hips and lower body very well. If you need to carry a load of 50+ I would suggest trying the Dana Terraplane. It's bigger and designed for heavier loads, but the Glacier will do it--remember, most packs lose comfort when carrying heavy loads...so I'm not discounting this pack since it was designed to carry around 50lbs or less.
*The above is incorrect. The Glacier when properly fitted will feel comfortable with loads up to 55+lbs. The reason I posted before that it wasn't comfortable was because I had the wrong size pack. The pack I had was size L/XL, designed to fit a torso of 21 inches or more in size. My torso measures 19 inches. The salesman at the store (Galyan's) measured me and sold me an incorrectly sized pack (since it was their last one). So the pack I used for the example above would sit on my hips properly with 40lbs or so, more weight than that and it would slouch. The problem was because the L/XL size was 2 inches longer than it needed to be and slid down when it was heavily loaded.
I sold the L/XL on eBay and purchased an M/L. This pack sat perfectly on my body and could comfortably carry loads of 55-60lbs with no slouching. Make sure you get a proper fit before buying and don't trust your salesperson. Educate yourself first and go into the store knowing how to fit the pack you want yourself.
~All the straps-
This can be tricky. It took me about 30 minutes to learn how all the straps work, especially the straps for the top. The top of the pack comes off rather easily and when you add it to the hipbelt (which comes off with velcro and a couple strap attachments), you have a handy accessible daypack to wear for short trips, which is very awesome. Internally the pack has an adjustable snap and strap for strapping down items inside the pack, to keep the load from shifting or to compress it down a bit. There are also about four straps on the outside of the pack made just for compressing the pack contents or making the pack smaller for smaller loads. After learning how to use all the straps, adjustments are easy and quick. I really like using the top as a day pack.
~Additional Information-
I sleep on a Ridge Rest Foam pad which is rather large. It would take up too much space inside of the pack. However, the bottom of the pack has compression straps to compress the sleeping bag compartment. The sleeping bag compartment gives you a ripstop divider (which you can attach via two straps internally) and a zipper in the bottom of the pack to easily get to your tent or sleeping bag for a quick setup. I use the compression straps to attach my Ridge Rest to the outside of my pack. Two snaps and a little snugging on the straps and my sleeping pad is attached to my pack, allowing extra room for non-water resistant items to go in the pack. However, if you're going light and not taking a foam pad, use the compression straps to compress the bottom compartment and lift a small load up higher on your back. Great!
~Organization-
The Glacier comes with a generously sized lid as well as two side pockets. The side pockets are rather large and easy to get into. Between the two pockets are cloth webbing loops which you can use to attach items such as carabineers, pots, pans, anything. I can fit my stove, fuel, TP, Shovel, repair kit, raingear and many other small items all inside the outside pockets. Basically anything I would need during the day will fit in the outside pockets. Always a plus.
~Winter Use-
The pack could use an outside place for an ice-axe and crampons...but don't worry, Dana makes a "beaver tail" to add to it if you are doing any winter hiking. The ripstop fabric is also very awesome. Lightweight too.
***Updated 11 Dec 2003***
~Customer Service-
I've dealt with Dana's customer service several times. They are quick to respond, friendly, and knowledgeable. You can reach them at 1.888.357.3262.
~Long Term Thoughts-
As my packing style has evolved I find this pack a little large for most of my trips. I still use this pack on trips of 4-7 days as the large size and modest weight make it the best choice. The pack has taken a lot of abuse, wear, and tear and has held up outstandingly.
~Dana Design-
Dana Gleason has sold Dana Design to another company. One of the major appeals of this pack company was that the packs were manufactured in Montana. The packs are now manufactured in Mexico. This decision by Dana Designs' new owners will effect future purchases of their products. If you still want an American-made pack by Dana Gleason check out his new company Mystery Ranch.
~Conclusion-
The Glacier is great pack for trips of 4-7 days. Not only is it virtually waterproof it is very tough and will take years of abuse. And the comfort of the pack is matched by no other backpack manufacturer.
© 2002-2003 WVaBackpacker (Jeremy W. Hays)
Written for http://www.epinions.com 17 May 2002
Updated 11 Dec 2003.
~Other Backpacking/Camping Reviews by WVaBackpacker-
--Backpacks-
Gregory Shasta Backpack
Dana Design Glacier
--Tents-
REI Half Dome Plus 2
Mountain Hardware Trinity
Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight CD
--Sleeping Bags and Pads-
The North Face Thunderhead 3D
The North Face Kilo Down 32F
Cascade Designs Therm-a-Rest Luxury LE Self-inflating Mattress
--Hydration-
MSR Dromedary Bag
Platypus Big Zip
SweetWater Walkabout Microfilter
SweetWater SiltStopper
SweetWater Walkabout Replacement Filter Element
SweetWater Prefilter
--Misc Gear-
Black Diamond LED Hybrid Headlamp
--Destinations-
Heart Lake, Yellowstone National Park
Keyhole State Park, Wyoming
--Books-
The Backpackers Handbook
Recommended:
Yes
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wvabackpacker
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Member: Jeremy Hays
Location: Columbus, OH, USA
Reviews written: 40
Trusted by: 46 members
About Me:
Maybe I'll write another review someday...lots of new gear...
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