This is a great pack. The fiberglass rods actually do help. The hipbelt is extremely padded, but not too padded. The frame has the suspension of an internal with all the benefits of an external. The pack is a bit heavy, but I have hauled around 50 lbs, and once I got it adjusted I was just fine. The adjustment is a little complex, but you can get it completely customized for your frame and fit. The shoulder straps rub my neck a little bit, but other than that, this is a great pack. I don't see why they stopped making it.

By now you have heard countless stories of people singing the shortbed's praises. Trust me, there is a reason! Awesome pack. I do a lot of weekenders in the Smoky Mountains in TN where it rains CONSTANTLY, and thus my pack stays wet. On a recent trip we spent the night in an AT shelter in the park and there were 3 others in the shelter with a Dana! The only problem that I have had is fiting it. Still trying out the millions of adjustments. So far I have been able to adjust everything that I need. great pack, just watch out overpacking is a serious danger with this one!

None

I believe Dana has stopped making this pack in lieu of just selling their longbed. The suspension system blows the Kelty away making 45 pounds very comfortable. Be careful not to tighten the waist belt to much because it''''s just not necessary with the weight transfer rods. The pack bag is taking a little getting used to in that it has no "frame" as the Kelty''''s do. However, like the frame and suspension system, the material and craftsmanship are 1st rate. I would strongly suggest this pack to anyone not sold on the internal frames. I couldn''''t imagine wanting to sweat to an internal frame pack like I see the guys who wear them do. Of course, my style of backpacking does not involve rock hopping.

Similar Products Used:

Kelty Tioga. Alpenlite (20 years ago.)

After 25 years with a Kelty, I purchased a Dana last summer - probably out ofboredom, as the Kelty was still going strong. This is a very nice pack, and I'm glad I upgraded. Used it for 75 days last summer in New Mexico, with fairly heavy loads (lots of water, usually). Everything worked, nothing broke and, every time I wriggled around, looking to adjust the load a bit, there was a strap! Well thought out design, excellent quality (the switch in manufacturing down to Mexico doesn't seem to have affected quality, judging frommy pack). Highly recommended.

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Kelty Tioga. Very durable, didn't like the weight distribution via hip belt, but my pack's 25 years old, and they've probably improved this by now.

I couldn't be happier with this pack. I've used it on weekend and weeklong trips. I recently took it on a 5-day trip, and had plenty of room for my gear. In fact, I had to force myself not to bring too much, just because it would fit. Dana backpacks are the most comfortable externals there are, period. If you prefer externals, but have been teased by the tales of better comfort from the internals, you'll be happy you got this pack. It's a perfect balance of the best of both, especially if you're mostly a trail hiker. By the way, the Shortbed was NOT DESIGNED for rock-hoppers or ultralight hikers.

Customer Service

Haven't had to call on them.

Similar Products Used:

Kelty, Hillary, Jansport, Peak1

Bought in 1997, my K2 Shortbed is the best pack I've ever owned. While my hiking buddies are complaining about the heavy loads they are carrying in theie Arcteryxs, Keltys and Gregorys, I'm carrying a few pounds more -- more comfortably. I LOVE this pack!

I use the Platypus bag in the dedicated slot for hydration and itt works well. Plenty of room: I stuff my bag in a compression sack and put it in the lower compartment and still have plenty of room for my equipment and five days of food.

The suspension system is magnificent. I have heard that that the top straps (for pulling the weight forward) have been known to tear out. I'm keeping my eye on them, however, and and haven't noticed any problems in four years and approximately 200 miles on the AT.

This external frame pack with the internal frame suspension iss the way to go. Just my 2 cents.... :-)

Customer Service

None

Similar Products Used:

Camp Trails, Northface a long time ago

Just bought my shorbed and have experimented wth it around home. I can get all my stuff in it with no problem. Still trying to figure out the best way to use a hydration bladder with this pack. Got the pack in the red color and love it.
I paid full retail for it from a local retailer in Oklahoma City, but they took their time and were very patient with the fit and my many questions, therefore, I did not paying a little more for this service (Backwoods in OKC). This pack fits me perfectly. I highly recommend it. The suspension system really works - tighten up the load lifter straps and the pack feels 10 pounds lighter!!

Customer Service

Sent an email to customer service and received a response within 4 hours that fully answered my question.

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Kelty - it was a good pack but not as good as my shortbed.

This pack does a fantastic job of combining the best features of an internal on an external frame. The unique design allows you to control to a great degree the distribution of weight on/off the hips and shoulders. I've carried anywhere from 25 to 60 pounds in complete comfort. For the few times that I've had to do some bushwacking, this pack performed remarkably well. Also, if you are into "ultralight" hiking, do your homework BEFORE you purchase a pack. Don't blame the product for your own failure to make the right decision (see below). In my opinion, if you backpack primarily on trail, you can't find a better pack, internal or external.

Customer Service

Dana/K2 customer service is one of the best.

Similar Products Used:

Kelty Tioga, Gregory Shasta

I have several packs including an old Gregory Snow Creek(circa 1983), a Gregory Evolution external frame (1995), a new Gregory Forester(2000) and this new (1999)Dana Shortbed external frame. The old Snow Creek has been retired, the Evolution was not comfortable for me amd is languishing, the Forester has yet to be tried. I have used the Shortbed on two trips however, and love it! After 15 years of internal pack experience, I felt that for backpacking, externals were much easier to load and live with. I missed them even though I agree that internals provide better balance and generally more comfort. The Shortbed is the first external frame pack that is manufactured to the standards of the best internal frames and features significant improvements in the suspension. The pack rates a 15 on a scale of 1 to 10 against ALL other externals! I wish it was lighter. Dana could use MUCH lighter pack fabric since externals do not receive the same amount of bag abuse that internals do. They could also use a slightly smaller diameter tubing on the frame. I also believe the bag is too deep (from the frame out) and must be loaded so that the weight is not carried toward the back of the pack. That said, this pack has been superb for trips of one week and up and carries heavy loads better than any pack I have used before. Long tern durability remains to be seen, although this thing is built like a Mack truck.

Customer Service

No experience with Dana customer service.

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Mentioned above.

Yup, it is heavy but I knew that going in. I also knew how well I liked the "fit" and the quality of the materials and workmanship. Sorry they went to Mexico...didn't know they had when I bought this. Have used this pack for a season of trailwork, bushwacking and class 2 scrambling Tahoe to Yosemite and on the Sierra High Route. Have never found it so easy to carry the 38# that I usually do. I was surprised by how well it moved with me though nothing can match an internal that way. The adjustment for size couldn't be easier. The Zippers are easy and all inside edges are finished so there isn't nylon thread loosening everywhere. It's also easy to pack.
BAD POINTS: I try not to use the front pockets for anything but maps or a bit of lunch. Places weight to far out. The profile could be narrower but there is a load compressor inside the bag to pull things in. I thought the squeak of the flexible cross-bar rubbing on the pack-frame was going to drive me nuts until I wrapped a bit of ensolite around the frame at the rubbing point. Also be advised that the delrain rods for load transfer will wear on the pack-cloth so it's a good idea to apply some rip-stop tape between the pack and the rods. I've done this on the inside as well to prevent wear on the urethane coating. If ordering on-line pay close attention to the fitting instuctions, better yet go to a shop where you can have it fit.
To demonstrate how tired I am of "go-liters" preaching at me just let me ask why this pack should get a lousy rating cause it doesn't fit in with the way somebody chooses to travel? Why fool around with a 7#5oz pack when you want to "go-lite"?
Comfort, ease of use, and quality bring about the high rating.

Customer Service

Customer Service responded immediately to my E inquiry about hip-belt sizing and other issues.

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Kelty,JanSport,MountainSmith