Dana Design Terraplane X Review

"Bought my Terraplane X 8+ years ago, after years of suffering. My Terraplane has been across the Arctic Nat'l Wildlife Refuge and spent more than a month below the rim of Grand Canyon (and elsewhere!). It actually feels GOOD to have it on. I feel naked w/out it. The best pack ever made. "

"I have had my pack for about 8 month and don't get me wrong, I think it's a very good pack, but, I would think long and hard before spending the extra ching, because it's not the end all be all pack you may think it is."

"I have used my terraplane x for 4 years from Maine to Montana, Michigan to Georgia. It is everything you would want a pack to be comfortable, stable, roomy and adjustable. I have a large shoulder harness and a medium hipbelt on a medium large pack. my pack has no cordura and at present I see no wear patterns. I like to travel light weight but the weight is worth the rulebreaking in this instance. even if i don't need the space at times, i like to load my gear so its all inside my pack and to be compressed tightly and parallel to my back. this pack does just that. Dana designs rules but don't take my word look at the reviews across the board at many different sites."

"My Terraplane has done me well on every trip. Very comfortable, and fits like a glove. However, I only use it in the coolder months when I need to bring mucho gear to keep me warm. I like having ALL my gear inside the pack and not strapped to the outside, and this pack accommodates this aspect.

I never thought I'd use the "lid and hipbelt" as a daypack...but I've used that feature on dayhikes just about every time I've used the pack. It works well!!!

At a little over 7 lbs, it does seem a bit heavy when I pick it up, but those extra pounds make for carrying 40 lb (winter) loads alot easier and comfortable.

I use a hydration system, and use the side waterbottle pockets for trinkets and holding gloves, hat, etc.

I dig it!"

"I bought my DD Terraplane X last year after much agonizing about internal vs. external frames. I'm glad I made the switch! I put in 65 miles on the A.T. in Vermont, lugging 40 pounds in relative comfort. I could wish for a lighter pack, but the suspension and compression options are fabulous. I'm not convinced that the "X" enhancement (side zippers basically) is worth the extra weight or cost. Yes, the cost is high, but I put a premium on my comfort."

"I don't care what anyone says is better(accept me). Dana Design is the supreme authority on backpacks. Some nutheads say that Osprey is better, but that is just because they could not afford a Dana and are defending the duffle bag with shoulder straps that they own now. If oyu can afford a Dana, there is no reason to be open minded, because nothing comes anywhere to close. SO GET A DANA AND TAKE A HIKE!!!!"

"Although I don't have that much experience with different backpakcs, this is truely a great one. I spent a month in New Zealand hiking with it carrying loads from 30 lbs to 65 lbs. It was as comfortable with both. I did bang it up quite a bit doing technical climbing (hauling) in southern Utah but I had that fixed with more material sewn onto the front. Overall: a great pack- if you can afford it..."

"Love it!

I recently purchased a terraplane x '97 model at a great discount rate of $225 and have found it the best $225 spent. I used it to lug 60 lbs. for 4 days on the Inca Trail, and 8 days in the Amazon Basin. I doubt anything else can come to compare! The weight distribution was phenomenal!"

"I bought my Terraplane X about a year and a half ago. I purchased mine on sale at 35% off the retail price. Everything they say about this pack is true. Monster load carrying capacity with great comfort. I usually carry about 45 pounds, but this pack makes it feel like I'm carrying much less. While the capacity is approx. 6100 cu.in. for the large size, I frequently take mine on weekenders and overnights. The cinch straps make it easy to adjust the load. The straps and hipbelt come in different sizes for a truly custom fit. Best backpack I've ever owned. This pack was made before Dana Designs was bought by K2 Corp. I cannot attest to the quality of the Dana Designs/K2 backpacks, but would expect the same quality and fit."

"I have loved this pack from the second I bought it. It is extremely adjustable, and I have used it from overnighters all the way up to an 11 day trek. Incredibly forgiving to balance. Compresses for travel easily. or for small loads. I carried up to 70 pounds in this pack without any type of frame sagging. I have never seen a suspension that works this well. All the weight was effortlessly placed on my hips, using an amazingly comfortable yet supporting hipbelt. The one thing I didn't like was that the straps that go through the load lifters slowly slip, and need readjustment every couple of hours. Other than that, it is the most comfortable pack I have ever worn."

"This is the best pack I have ever tried on and used! I had a Lowe Alpine for a while, the Alpamayo, but this pack blows past it with grace! I have even compared it to Gregory, and still it beats it hands down. It might be more weight then others in its class, but I fugure I will just cut the weight else where! Best money I have spent!"

"My daughter used a Terraplane to backpack accross Europe. She has had back problems stemming from moderate Scoliosis, and she raved about the comfort of this pack. I have since bought two Terraframes and a Shortbed for myself, wife and son. We think these packs help make backpacking even more enjoyable."

"I've owned my Terraplane OK since 1996 and have really given it a beating, yet it still performs better than any pack I've ever owned. Yes, it is a tad heavier than some, but it carries "lighter" than anything else I've tried.
Last week I used it on the Emmons Glacier route up Mt. Rainier and I really appreciated how much it made me feel in balance and in control, even while bearing a 60 lb load. It fits extremely well.
I've retrofitted a hydration system into it, which has worked perfectly."

"I waited for a Dana Designs Terraplane pack for years and finally bought one on sale eight years ago. I should not have waited for it to be on sale. It is an outstanding pack and worth the full price. It is very confortable even with a large load.

Five years ago I used it to hike 75 miles in 11 days across the Olympic Mountains wilderness in Washington. I hiked up to and across High Divide to Cat Basin,then the Bailey Range traverse, down the Elwah snow finger, over Low Divide, then the Skyline route and came out the North Fork of the Quinalt River near Lake Quinalt. It was a truly spectacular trip. However, about half of the trips was without any trails and involved crosscountry hiking and route finding. There were no opportunities for resupply since we were in the heart of the Olympics and about as far from any road as you could get. We both had Dana Designs Terraplane packs to carry the heavy loads. They were fantastic."

"I've owned a Terraplane for the last five years. I live in the Colorado mountains right next to Indian Peaks Wilderness and Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park, so I get out a lot.

The pack is tough as nails and incredibly comfortable, even with heavy loads.

I absolutely love this pack and will probably buy another when this wears out. My only regret is the lack of a water bladder pocket inside the pack. I've found that, with careful packing, I can pack my bladder close to my back in the pack. It is a 100oz bladder so I rarely need to refill it before reaching camp.

If you're serious about backpacking then the price should not be an issue. It is really a bargain for the comfort and durability you get."

"This is the most comfortable pack I have ever worn. You'll hear the same thing over and over again, "It hauls the heaviest loads and you can't even feel it". That's because it's true. Get one. It's an investment."

"I bought my Terraplane X in 2001. Got it on sale for $280. Well, I have to say it was money well spent. Although it's a little heavy the comfort makes up for it. I use it on long trips and on winter trips. I own 4 packs and it's by far my favorite."