I've been backpacking for more than 40 years and have used both internal and external frames. I tend to carry large loads, often traveling with scouts and other youth. This pack has been superb and has toted 65+ pounds comfortably up 12,000+ trails on 5-10 day trips. Yes, it squeaks, but that's fixable. Love it; will use until it falls apart and then I'll check ebay again.

Customer Service

asked and received an owners manual--no problem and the guy was very helpful even though the company has changed hands (marmot) and the product is no longer made.

Similar Products Used:

Kelty, Camp Trails, Lowe, Gregory

I decided on the Dana Design Loadmaster Terraframe after having tested the following I-frames Arc'teryx Bora 90, Osprey Crescent 90 and smaller load Dana Design Bridger. I've used my Terraframe for 3 years now, backpacking in the Sierra Nevada, Sequoia and various hike-in camping grounds. Quality: All 4 packs are excellent in design, quality and features (where the I-frames have a few more). Whether those features are necessary depends on the intended use, so do your own research. (More on features below). Load Handling: Each was loaded to 35-60 pounds and walked around the store, twisting-n-turning quickly, and running up-and-down the stairs for about an hour. (The entire comparison process took 2 months.) The I-frame packs felt excellent in how they "wrapped" against my back. Bending down and quick turns are easier with the I-frames. This makes them a better choice when you get off the trail and go scrambling, which I usually do with a fanny pack. As the load increased beyond 35 pounds, the Terraframe felt increasing more comfortable than the I-frames. Some have described Dana's Loadmaster E-frame series as hybrid due to the wands at the hipbelt, which when adjusted, shifts the weight forward and down to the front of the hips. This effect not only lessens the burden on the back and shoulders but improves balance. If you will, the wands effectively lowers the center of gravity. Although the I-frames allow similar adjustments, they didn't shift the weight to the degree the Terraframe could. So if you hike mostly on established trails with a heavy load, the Terraframe would likely feel more comfortable. Airy feel: In addition to the load handling of the Terraframe, I also like the airy feel from the shoulder straps down to the hipbelt. I sweat a lot so the better the ventilation, the higher the level of comfort and the lesser water I need to carry. Features: Overall the I-frames have more features and they are very attractive. If you do winter camping, the I-frames are better as they have more pockets for wet stuff and the back frame provides better insulation. But the Terraframe have the essentials covered - 2 elastic side mesh pockets, 2 huge vertical front pockets with a daisy chain in the middle, a removeable lid (fanny pack) with 2 pockets. The compression straps and loops are positioned in such a way that additional gears can be strapped neatly onto the pack. For example, I can strap 2 sleeping pads - one on each side - and a tent to the bottom of the pack w/o using additional velcro straps. The only feature the Terraframe doesn't have that I really wanted is a hydration pocket. This was easily solved by fitting a 2L bladder inside the large pocket of the removable lid/fanny pack. When the bladder is empty, I'm usually ready for a break. Unzip the pocket and remove the bladder, remove filter from the vertical pocket in front and I'm ready to pump.

Customer Service

None need so far.

Similar Products Used:

See summary.

I took this pack on the AZ Trail and I gotta say I loved using it. I found I could put just about anything I wanted in there and could hike it anywhere. It does sqeak a bit, but after a while I can to incorporate it into my hiking rythm. The fanny pack option made me the envy of several of my friends when running short trips from camp. I don't know why Dana Design is not continuing this design,I believe it is one of their better ones.

problem: squeaking solution: Using self adhesive velcro (the softer "loop" side), place small patches on the frame were it contacts the harness. Works great on any loadmaster

Similar Products Used:

various dana and kelty packs

I've had this pack for a >4 years and have taken it on many multi-day backpacking trips. Pros: lots of padding. slim design for an external frame pack. huge packbag; very durable. Cons: heavy. really does squeak like a mother. frame is awkwardly bent (i'm a tall guy and my head hits the back of the bag). overall, i was not happy with the suspension (shoulder straps meet too close to the midline). the terraplane and newer related packs by dana are much more comfortable (and lighter too). if you a dead-set on an external frame, get a tried-and-true Kelty.

Customer Service

N/U

Similar Products Used:

North Face Badlands (current)

A bit over priced at $319, but for $99 at Northern Mountain Supply it's a great pack! The Dana shoulder "trapeze" used to attach the shoulder straps is a simple but excellent design. No internal hydration pocket nor panel load features are minor nit-picks that cause me to say the pack is not worth $300.

Similar Products Used:

Kelty Appalachian

An Excellent pack. Like all equipment you reach a certain price point and you start paying heavily for top of the line features but make no mistake, Dana externals set the standard as do most all there packs, these guys aren't idiodts you know. I'll go along with "Casey" from Utah in that dollar for dollar you generally get more bang for your buck with a company like Kelty, but otherwise I think we'd all agree that his review was based soley on biased opinions rather than any sort of experience in backpacking equipment.With that said, buy a Kelty as well, they're both great.

I''''ve always had external frame bags, this is the best backpack I''''ve ever owned. I waited until I used it on a few trips before reviewing it here. I don''''t worry about weight so much, so the weight of the overall bag doesn''''t bother me a bit (2-3 more than other packs, but well worth it for the comfort). I carry everything with me on backpacking trips, and this bag holds all of it, and is the most comfortable backpack. I''''ve carried 60-70+ pounds with no problems. You can strap things to it everywhere, even if you did decide to carry a small load, there are compression straps everywhere. The top comes off just like the internals so you can use it as a small day pack. I put my mountain light north face coat in the top, along with compass and maps. Water bottle holders are within reach while you''''re walking. The zippers are heavy duty, the pack material is heavy duty. The bag is pretty much indestructable. I got a great deal on it, this pack is basically the terraplane with a frame. I can''''t bring what I want with a 4000 ci internal backpack...

Customer Service

What would I need it for, by the time this one breaks, dana might be gone...

Similar Products Used:

Jansport D-3, Camptrails externals

The firesale prices this pack is being sold for give you some idea of its popularity. It's much heavier than other external frames, yet has fewer features than the Kelty Thru-Hiker series of low profile external frames.
The frame movement is hard to get used to and it squeaks like a mother.

If you're interested in a modern, conforming low profile external pack, complete with hydration pouch and buckles that won't slip, skip the TerraFrame and get a Kelty Continental Divide. The Kelty is SO low-profile that this site has it listed as an 'internal frame"!!!

Similar Products Used:

Kelty Continental Divide
Kelty Ultra Tioga
Dana Design Longbed, T1

blow out price on a dana product- went to hoist it at the store and almost threw my back out of joint - 8 pounds 3 ounces? What's with the funky paint job on the frame, is it even an aluminum or maybe steel? Sorry dana - i can't see paying extra for light weight sleeping bags, stove, food etc and then haul this boat anchor around>

Similar Products Used:

Jansport Rockies
Peak 1, Bitteroot (5.5 LBS)