I have owned a terraplane for three years and am a complete convert. During that time, I have used it on a variety of long mountaineering trips and backcountry ski trips. It carries 80lb+ loads like 60lb loads in my Lowe. In addition, the pack is pretty bomber, though it isn't as well built as a friend's older model (bought before manufacturing was moved to Mexico). I have yet to see a pack that I would prefer to this one, even with its high price tag - after one long trip, you forget what you paid for it.

Customer Service

No customer service needed...

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Lowe, TNF, REI, Gregory

The terraplane x is a great large load hauler with all the bells. Craftsmenship is top notch but ouch...my hips get bruised after a couple days in the backcountry. After trying two different hipbelt types to no avail, I feel that the overall hipbelt height and stiffness is the contributor.

Customer Service

They have been helpful in the past but I haven't contacted them since the buyout.

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Gregory Nova
Gregory Reality

I have only used the pack twice - but am totally sold on it! It handled a heavy weight up a mountain scramble in Snowdonia with no problem at all. The quality excellent! I might be the only person in England carrying one right now - but I'm sure others will follow!!! The pack certainly outperforms the English ones I am used to.

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I recently purchased this pack after trying every other pack I could find. I am 5' even, and have a very short back. It is just under 14". This is the only pack that I could find that even came close to fitting. With all the others, either the pack was too long for my back, or if that fit the shoulder harness killed me. I even tried the packs designed for smaller women. The Dana Terraplane X is by far a better fit than any other.

Customer Service

I emailed Dana asking for fitting help. They sent me the name and number of someone to help me out that same day. They were very helpful with making those small adjustments to make the pack a custom fit.

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Everything I could find at ten other large outdoor stores.

So comfortable it almost makes ferrying gear fun. I've worn it over countless miles of on and off trail hikes and with a light load it's almost like nothing at all and with a heavy load its still way comfortable. No pressure points on the belt and the balance is (assuming you know how to pack) without equal. With a fully customizable waistebelt/shoulder harness combo the sizing is limitless. It's big enough to carry all your gear and then some. In fact, if you're like me and tend to fill whatever space you have you may find it disconcertingly large. If mine ever wears out, and I doubt it will given its like new condition after 5 years of use, I would without a doubt get another.

I have 1 problem with this pack, I carry too much! Last summer we went on a 3 day snowboarding
trip in the N. Cascades, it held everthing to include the board and did'nt leave giant red marks on my sholders. On the way out I carried a good portion of my partners stuff (as well as all of mine). I made it to the truck before him. Need I say more? And I bought it used to boot!

Similar Products Used:

Lowe alpine, Standard Army Rucksack, McKinley

I've used this pack with its large side pockets and beavertail shovit pocket now on three Denali trips as well as winter trips in the Rockies, and no matter how much stuff I put in it, it's still comfortable to carry, even more weight than I could lift myself the ordinary way. Their hipbelt is clearly the key to this comfort. It's made of quite thick closed cell foam which is not only curved to fit around your body, but it's also cupped so that it cradles your pelvic bones, spreading the force of the weight over as large an area of your pelvic bones as possible, thus eliminating pressure points anywhere around where it contacts you, making use of every square inch of its surface to spread the weight onto you. The effect is truly amazing. The beavertail shovit is great for that windshell you need in a hurry, carrying that gas can on a cache trip, or other oversize gear like a big tent or snowshoes; quite a handy addition. With that and the two side pockets, I've never been at a loss for volume. Just about every part of the pack comes in a size that you can choose for your own size and shape, from the pack itself, to the shoulder straps and that beautiful hipbelt. When you add the single aluminum stay, properly adjusted, the thing just floats on your body. I bought this to replace my Lowe Contour IV, which just felt like a rock on my back, and in place of the Gregory Massif, which felt rather hard compared to the glove-like fit of the Dana. Go into a store, get yourself fitted with one, put in 60 lbs., walk around for a half hour, and see if you don't understand.

Similar Products Used:

Gregory Massif; Lowe Contour IV

I'll keep it simple. I was in US Army Long Range Recon. We were lucky enough to use Terraplane Overkills (through private purchase). Quite simply, the best damn packs in the world. We jumped with them, forged rivers, climbed mountains. On one mission I had over 110 pounds of equipment in it. Nothing broke, that is, for 1 piece of 1" fastex. I got out the Army 6 years ago, and still have my bag. It's THE BEST. Trust this trooper, ya'll. Buy this and you WON'T be sorry.

Customer Service

Their customer service is outstanding. They even do mdifications, provided you give as much details as possible.

The Terraplane has long been the godfather of backpacks. While not being perfect, it combines excellence in many different aspects of its design in a way that no other manufacturer has been able to emulate.
The suspension and frame work together wonderfully. The pack stays exactly where you set it, so that you never have to worry about resetting the suspension every few miles. It can carry very large loads without collapsing, yet it still flexes enough for general comfort.
The packbag is very elegant in design. It includes only those elements that are necessary to its function, without anything extra. It is a very clean design that doesn't leave any seams exposed to fraying or pulling loose.
The one thing I would consider changing is the suspension, not because it's bad but because I think there might be a better solution. Gregory was the first company to significantly use rigid plastics and molded foams in its suspensions, yet those parts don't conform well enough with the body. Vortex took it to the next level. They use similar technology, but their suspensions are much more form-fitting. The Vortex is the most comfortable suspension I've ever worn, by far, but I haven't had extensive experience with it. Arc'Teryx uses similar designs. Once Dana incorporates this kind of design into its packs, it will become virtually unbeatable.

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Dana Bridger
Osprey Zero-G

I have owned and used my Terraplane for 6+ years and it has never let me down. It has carried huge loads for many weeklong trips without failure or disappointment. It is important to have your pack fitted properly and after you break it in, you never have to think about it again. I have looked at several other packs by Lowe, Arcteryx and Mountainsmith but none have pulled me away from the Dana yet.

Customer Service

Have not needed the customer service as of yet.

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