I was lucky, In the early 90's I worked at the Outfitters Store at the Nantahala Outdoor Center..Dana Had fired his rep for the southeast....so He filled in and came to take care of business personally...I had been reading in Backpacker mag. about his packs and was going to get one since we carried them.....so this was just too good to be true,.... I own an Arcflex Alpine...custom fit by the big cheese himself....I have carried it on the A.T. and in the Tetons, Cascades, The Boone and Yellowstone...It carries loads very well...better than any other pack I have tried and being in the outdoor retail world since the late 80's I have carried a lot of different packs...I love the shove-it pocket for everything wet, dirty or otherwise not suitable for inside the pack....ropes work well there too...detachable top turns into a fanny pack and I used it on a summit push in Wyoming..perfect for that!...too much to like and type about ..just read the reviews...its all good and all true

none, other than Dana is doing mystery stuff now instead

Best 5000 cubic inch pack ever! I have stuffed up to 68 puonds and it was just as comfortable as 40. Not a single stitch has ever come out. Simple to use and very functional. Cab accomodate many different packing arrangements.

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Vortex, TNF, Kelty

I'm a little disappointed with Dana after reading their catalog. They seem to spend too much time making up words, trademarking them, and printing them prominently everywhere. Still, I have to admit, this pack is amazing. The suspension is the best I've tried by far (I hear McHale is better), making a 65 pound load quite manageable, more like a 40 pound load in a lesser pack. The hipbelt is held on with velcro. I haven't heard of too many problems with this (I don't have enough experience with the pack to say), but I doubt that it's as durable as some other systems. I don't like the design of the pack. The detachable fanny pack is great (uses the real hipbelt), but the beavertail is less useful for me than a large pocket, such as Arc'teryx packs have. Dana makes packs with such pockets, but these only have one (hard to get to) daisychain. This pack is great for carrying a shovel, though! If you can find a Dana at a discount, think hard about it. The suspension is amazing, which alone gets it 5 stars.

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Arc'teryx, TNF, EMS, Lowe Alpine, Gregory, etc

If you have been beaten dow by 35 pound in your pack, get this pack. I carried 50-55 pounds in Yosemitelast summer with no pain. The suspension is first class in weight distribution & support. No sore shoulders or hips for 4 years on backpacks up to 9.5 mies a day with elevation changes up to 3000'. Make sure you get a professional fitting. Having had external packs before, I now know why experienced backpackers prefer internals.With design & construction this good, this will be the last pack that I expect to get which is good considering its cost. That & no dedicated place for a hydration bladder as on Dana Gleason's new pack line (new company)are my only complaints.

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Camp Trails Omega

All Dana Designs ArcFlex packs are top quality. I think that the Alpine is an excellent design for most backpacking/mountaineering needs. I've used my pack for about six years now and have never had a seam tear or component break despite hauling heavy loads of (often sharp) climbing gear. The shove-it pocket bis very useful for hauling ropes, shovels, or even your rain shell in the fickle Colorado weather.

The pack is heavier than most in this size class (about 7 lbs.) which means that even with minimalist backpacking gear you can't get much below 35 lbs. However, the suspension of this pack more than makes up for the weight, especially when you are hauling significantly more weight. 35 lbs feels like 20 with a lighter, fimbseier pack.

My only complaint with this pack is its poor excuse for Ice Axe loops. It isn't easy to secure water ice Ice Axes and even mountaineering ice axes fit loosely with the shaft tucked behind the shovit pocket top strap. I do respect Dana for taking the minimalist no-nonsense approach to all the "bells and whistles" that most manufactures add to their packs. It's true that most people never use the ice axe loops, but for some, they are a necessity.

Customer Service

Nothing ever broke. Never Used it.

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I own a North Face climbing pack that is much lighter but the suspension sucks. It also has tubes for ice axe loops that are much more secure.

I also own the Dana Elkhorn daypack. I love the construction on this pack too. However, I lost a pair of water ice axes in deep snow on an epic retreat from an ice climb because of the lousy ice axe loops on this pack too.

This pack rocks. Originally got it for xcountry ski and snow camping, have used it for everything (back-country snowboarding, international travel, loaned to freinds, you name it). It's super versatile, totally bombproof. Got it at a rental sale for $200, at that price you can't give it a high enough value rating.

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None

This is a great pack, provided you need it. I have one that I love and cherish, and don't use all that much. It is capable of comfortably carrying anything you could possibly dream of, and the beaver tail is a great accessory. Just be sure that it fits before you buy it. I have a nasty reminder of the first time I used mine from and ill-fitting hip belt.

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None

I have used this pack for about 6.5 years and have had no problems with the construction of it what soever. The seams are indestructible and so are the rest of the materials it is made of. My biggest complaint with this pack is the shoulder straps on all other Dana Design packs have a ladder system in them and this one does not so a person is stuck with the position the straps are attached in.

Similar Products Used:

Gregory, Arc Teric, Kelty, REI

Very stable with a large heavy load. Beaver tail is good crampons, snowboard, windbreaker, rope etc. Great climbing pack. Had the same pack for 6 years; can't complain.

Customer Service

Hip belt buckle broke. They told me to go to Marmot and pick up a new belt @ no charge!

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None

Can't beat a Dana in my book. I got a great deal on the Alpine about 3 years ago (40% off!) and love it. It is a super comfortable and stable pack. I am by no means a minimalist so it is always stuffed to the gills and can take it. The Beaver Tail is convenient for carrying odd loads like shovels, snowshoes, jackets, etc. Next time around I will get something bigger though (Astralplane

Customer Service

I have called with a few questions and they have always been right there.

Similar Products Used:

Gregory, TNF, Lowe, Mountainsmith