This is a great bag for a lot of different body types. I am 5'2" on a good day and have found the fit to be extremely comfortable. The pack is durable, easy to access from the top and sides and has a lot of great compressioin straps. I have carried loads much heavier than I thought I could with relative ease. Generally I find carrying a heavy load in this bag to be more comfotable than carrying a lighter load in any other pack I have tried. The waist belt is really terrific in transfering the load to the hips.

Great pack! I am not all that tall of a person and at first the pack appeared to be to big for me. But, after carying 45 pounds in it for three days my final conclusion was very comfortable. The construction on it is great, the material is tough and would not rip easy. The material makes the pack a little heavy but it was well worth it. A bit pricy but if you want a back that will last a life time and be very comfortable the Terrplane is the only way to go.

Customer Service

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Similar Products Used:

REI New Star

I purchased a Terraplane Overkill about 5 or 6 years ago, used it for about 2 or 3 years, and then replaced it with a McHale Inex Alpineer Bayonet. I purchased a Terraplane with the hope that it would be my final expedition pack. My previous packs were either insufficient to support fifty-or-more pound loads, handle the volume of gear I carried, or both. The Terraplane did not fare much better.

I was eager to try my pack when I first received it, and I remember using it several times during my first few weeks of ownership with loads ranging from about 40 pounds to 55 pounds (combined weight of pack and contents). I was not impressed with the pack's ability to distribute load. At the time, I also had access to a TNF Snow Leopard that I felt handled my loads slightly better. However, the Snow Leopard suffered from poor pack bag construction (there was loose thread everywhere) that caused me to view the pack in its entirety with disfavor. Other manufacturers' packs that I tried at the time such as Mountainsmith, Arc'Teryx, MEC, and EMS were ridiculously soft and/or short framed. Gregory was not much better at the time although it appears from the available literature that Gregory's Pro line of packs improved over the last few years by incorporating higher strength aluminum alloy in their frames, but I have not actually tried Gregory's latest packs and cannot comment further.

My Dana pack handled up to a 50 pound load only a little better than my previous Lowe pack. A 55 pound load was more than the Dana pack and I could handle. I was disappointed - - especially since I thought I just had purchased the best pack available. I almost relegated myself to believing that I would have to live with shoulder pain, waist strangulation, and a pack that insisted (with loads greater than 50 pounds) on sliding down the belt. That is, the belt is connected to the pack - - in part - - with a large, vertically adjustable Velcro flap. With heavy loads, the pack actually slid down the belt (or the belt moved up the pack depending on your viewpoint). I found this quite annoying. One option for me was to limit my loads to 50 pounds. So much for Dana's claim that the pack would control any load I could lift.

On the positive side, the bag of my Terraplane was well stitched, all seams were taped, and the details of the fabric were very good - - with one not so minor exception I will elaborate below. However, the advertising for the Overkill at the time stated that the pack entirely was constructed of 1000 denier Cordura Plus nylon. In fact, the side walls of the sleeping bag compartment were constructed of two-layer 500 denier Cordura Plus nylon. The harness side and lid also contained sections not comprised of 1000 denier Cordura Plus nylon.

I complained about the (in my opinion) false advertising to several people at Dana Design and was informed that the wording would be changed in future catalogs. Indeed, with the very next catalog (I believe that was either the 1995 or 1996 issue) the wording was changed to more accurately reflect the bag's fabric composition. I would have preferred a Terraplane that actually was 100% 1000 denier Cordura Plus nylon with the advertising unchanged.

With a stated volume of 5,800 cubic inches for my size bag, I also was a little
disappointed with how little space I actually had in the main compartment for large items. However, the retractable sleeping bag compartment compensated for this a little. Even so at 5'8" and 140 pounds, I primarily consider the Terraplane a three-season backpack. Load-control inability aside, it is not large enough for serious winter use.

The pack's frame simply does not control heavy loads. My feeling is that the (carbon
fiber) frame stays were too weak and too short to control the loads I carried. Despite
Dana's ample advertising, the frame is ridiculously insufficient for controlling loads for which it supposedly is designed. Furthermore, it was necessary for me to cinch the belt really tightly to even attempt controlling the load. That action led to discomfort from squeezing the frame against my coccyx; that never was a pleasant sensation.

There was nothing special about the harness. The stabilizer straps were sewn into the dorsal sides of the shoulder pads so that in pulling hard on the stabilizer straps the shoulder pads were lifted off my shoulders. This seems to be standard fare in the industry insofar as shoulder harnesses are concerned. That is, shoulder pad adjustment and pack stabilization are in conflict with each other, and, unfortunately, most companies make harnesses in this fashion.

After several weeks of ownership, I discovered what I believed was a quality-control
problem with my Terraplane. There was a horizontal tear about « inch to inch in
length on the pack's harness side just above one of the shoulder pad's attachment points and hidden from direct view by the shoulder pad. Unfortunately for me, I did not notice this tear for several weeks - - after the thirty-day return policy offered by the dealer (Swallow's Nest) expired. The dealer passed me off to Dana Design. Dana Design initially offered to repair the tear at charge because they believed the tear could have been caused only by a knife or other sharp object in opening the packing box.

Sorry, I used no knife. Even if I had, to create a tear in that particular location I would have had to cut through the entire thickness of the shoulder pad! I was livid with anger and made my displeasure known to more than one person at the company. Eventually, Dana Design capitulated to repairing the pack at no charge by replacing the entire harness side. Furthermore, this was the second such problem I had with a Dana Design pack (at the time I purchased my Terraplane, I already had owned 3 other Dana packs).

I cannot recommend the Dana Design Terraplane as an expedition pack. For the price and the company's claims, I cannot recommend the pack at all. The McHale Alpineer I replaced my Dana Terraplane with cost me about $125.00 more at the time, but the McHale is several times the pack my Terraplane was, and it is the expedition pack I was searching for years. I regret not purchasing a McHale pack several years earlier and saving myself the aggravation and disappointment of owning a Terraplane.

Customer Service

At the time (remember this incident occurred several years ago), Dana Design seemed to take the position that their quality control process was beyond reproach. That was the feeling I received from speaking to their customer service personnel, and I believe it accounts for why I was given such a hard time before my request for service (on my terms) was agreed to. I don't appreciate their attitude of assuming the customer must be wrong because we (Dana Design) don't make mistakes. That indicates to me that their organization is not service oriented, and it certainly does not endear customers to them.

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(Please see my comments above.)

Best overall pack. I've carried over 60 lbs for 3 days without a hip blowout. No chafes, no tugs, no pulls - nothing but big fat comfort for 100 miles. This puppy is worth every penny for the serious freak (bought mine for $379 - year end close out). Previously, I owned a Lowe Alpine - The suspension sagged after around 30 lbs and the hipbelt dug in a few miles into the trail and the overall quality was mediocre (frayed stitching, etc.)... However, with my Terraplane X, I'm not distracted by constantly adjusting my belt or grabbing load lifters every twenty minutes. Overall quality is supreme. It's pure smoking satisfaction.

Customer Service

my wife had good experience with customer service - friendly, knowledgeable people.

I picked up this pack this year on sale at a substantial savings. My purchase was of the medium size pack with the medium hip belt. After receiving this by mailorder, I decided to switch the hip belt from medium to large, even though I am 5'9", 165 Lb. This pack is made in Mexico. The workmanship is absolutely first rate. My first trip with this pack was an overnight trip to Everglades National Park. I had to pack-in water, as there is no fresh water on the Coastal Prairie Trail, with camping on the beach. Total pack weight with food and water was about 50 Lb. This pack felt great, like I had a much lighter load. The hip-belt is very comfortable, and the pack hugs your back without forcing you to bend forward to counter-balance the load. The two outside pockets work well, and I used one of them for my hydration bladder without any problems. You will like the sleeping bag compartment, and the fact that you can access the main part of the pack either on the top or through two side zippers. I feel this pack is a substantial improvement over my old Camp Trails pack. I would recommend it without reservation. The list price is high, around $470; so try to find it on sale. Even if you have to pay full price, you will not regret this purchase. If this pack has a drawback, it is that it comes in close to 7 Lb in weight--but I feel that the extra weight is a reasonable trade-off for the comfort you will experience with this pack.

I believe that the consensus is that the Terraplane is one hellova pack. It carriees loads that would make other packs scream for mercy. I'm 140 lbs and can carry 60 lbs of gear with no problem. The quality of my American Made pack is fantastic and the in the eight years of abuse I have given the pack has barely put a dent in the fabric.

Sure, it's expensive but for me it's the best values in packs toady.

What else can you say about this pack. Carries heavy loads like a dream, can be battened down for a simple weekend load. Minimal bells and whistles/two simple pockets with the option to add more. Most I've carried is about 55 lbs. and the pack could carry much more if needed. Cons are price and weight, but this pack will last a lifetime if you take care of it. And for the weight, I tried several smaller, ligher packs and they just could'nt carry the loads with the comfort of the Terraplane. A must have!!!

Customer Service

I have the "made in mexico" Terraplane, and thoroughly checked it against an older USA model still in the store (diff. model pack, however). Withought the made-in tag, you can't tell the difference. Stitching looks great, all panels sewn true, no loose thread or fabric.

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Gregory Shasta, Reality; DD Glacier,

As witnessed by most others, this pack is a real companion in the backcountry. I've backpacked for many years and this is the first pack I've used that is totally comfortable at all weight levels (used for 3+ yrs and carried up to 70lbs). The suspension and hip belt designs are the key, with function, comfort and durability really coming together. The shoulder straps are deceivingly thin and compact - they are extremely comfortable and durable. The bag is very functional and durable and the load transfer straps attached to the belt eliminate any 'sag' you may have in lower-end bags. The whole package is streamlined and elegant - not as high-tech looking as some bags, but after you've worn and used this pack over many miles, the real quality will be apparent....what a great piece of equipment! If the pack fits, wear it.....
One consideration is that if you do more mountaineering or back-country snowsports, consider the Dana Alpine.....it's the same pack with a 'beavertail' attachment instead of 2 external pockets....it'll easily carry oddsized items like shovels, axe, snowboard, etc.

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North Face, Lowe, REI

This has got to be the most comfortable pack on the planet. I humped about 60lbs in my Terraplane for 6 days (most of it without a shirt), and did not even get any chafes on my back or shoulders. These packs allow you to support 100% of your load on your hips and tucked close in to your back.We had to do some pretty hairy bushwhacking, too - no problem - my Terraplane hugged me like an amorous monkey! Well worth the $. Very rugged & bombproof, too.

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LL Bean Expedition pack

I have the terriplane aniversery edition (later named the terraplane X). I bought it to replace a 15 year old Kelty. Right off the bat this bag fit like it was custom made for me. I have been greatly pleased with how well it caries heavy loads and how well it reduces in size to stablize smaller loads. Despite the price tag, this is one of the best bags (if not the best) out there.

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