Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Astralplane / Terraplane Pack Fit

Need to get a new-to-me large capacity, heavy duty, internal. Thinking about trying to find a used Dana Designs Astralplane or Terraplane, but I don't know what size to try...I'm guessing that at 6'1"/190 I'd be wanting a Large. Any opinions from Dana users out there? I've found some old size charts on the web, but curious to hear actual experiences.

As to comparisions to other packs, I tried on a Acrteryx Bora 95 today, and came in at just in between a Regular and Tall, though the Tall won out in the end. I did not care for the Osprey Argon 110. And yes, I'd really like to try a Mystery Ranch...but really want to get a used pack as I'm spending a lot of $$$ this fall.

I pretty sure you would want a large. If it were me on the search I would look for a original Dana. Not a K2 or Marmot. I think they switched in 1995. The quality is just not the same as the original but you can get them for a pretty good price.. They pop up on ebay quite a bit too.

Good luck on your search. They are awesome packs if you can find one. If you want the definitive answer call Dana at MR. I bet he could answer your question.

A large is what you need.

kk and Cub, thanks for the input...that's what I've been thinking but then I find a decent deal and start thinking, "Well, maybe I'd fit in a Medium."

I"m going to look for an original. I know to avoid the Marmot-branded packs, but of the packs from -95-'04, I still don't have a handle on how exactly the products transitioned between companies, and how the quality de-volved, much less how to identify the packs from each era.

JR,

I used to sell and fit the original Dana's. When I bought my Astralplane, I could have gone either med or large. Went with the large and it fit great. I am 5' 11".

I have a large and I am 5'11" with a 34 waist and it fits me perfectly, but I also have the Alpine version of the same pack that is a medium and it also fits well.

Great packs IMOP and have to look pretty hard for a new pack that is much better.

Lefty C

I fit Dana for a long time, they are not fit based on height, a buddy and I are the same height, with 2" different torso measurements. That is what is important, don't go based on height or you might be upset with the fit.
To measure:
-Get a soft tape measure, like one used by seamstresses.
-Get a partner
-Stand with your back toward them, have them locate your iliac crest. Have them put their hand on your side, go till they reach the top of your hip bone, then follow the bone forward until you reach a bony point, the iliac crest. It is usually about 1" below the top of your hip on the side.
-Draw a straight line with their hand to your spine, can be done by putting their forefinger on the crest, putting the web of their hand on the hip and reaching back with the thumb.
-Locate C7 on your spine, it is the 7th cervical vertebrae, if you roll your neck forward it is the bony one that sticks out the most.
-Measure the distance between these two points in inches.
-Here's where I forget the size difference, call Dana with that measurement, they can tell you what size pack you need.
-Once you find the right size, buy it, go to a local pack shop with a 6 pack of beer, offer it to the person they say is the best pack fitter in their shop.
Hike, enjoy

I, more than once, re-fit a dana pack that someone had bought in the wrong size, they were pissed they had to buy another pack, but so much happier with the way it carried, mostly because the new one carried the way Dana designed them to.
Good luck, shoot me a PM with any other questions, I will send you a phone # and we can talk.

Wow,JonS, that was beautiful! No shortcuts, the full measurement mantra! We worked hard to get a good fit back in the twentieth century...20" was the length I designed in for the Large ArcFlex frames.
Refrencing a few other historical notes in earlier posts on this thread....We sold DD in 1995, but continued building all the packs in Montana til August, 1997. Production then moved to Mexico, but with experienced Bozeman based supervision present during production into 99 or slightly later. I left the company at the end of 98, so I can't testify to what happened later. The DD packs maintained original quality thru 97...and only declined slightly when built in La Paz, towards the southern end of Baja.
Unfortunatley, we weren't making any more supervisors...when enough of the old Bozeman crew dissipated, so did the soul of DD....
Damn...those were great people.

too cool, one of the gurus of packs shows up!


welcome Dana, now where's my danged video to figure out what kind of animal I have with my MR pack? (grin)


know you gotta be a busy guy, but it'd be way cool for a bunch of us around here that find true happiness with a pack on our back if you could add your quarter to our two cents on occassion.


didn't pull the trigger on the Terraplane many moons ago, but looked at it long, hard and often at Beaver Sports in Fairbanks.

I just have to say that this place is awesome.

I met Dana at Mule Deer Foundation annual convention this year in Salt Lake City. First person I ever met who actually knew how to fit a pack and walked me through the Mystery Ranch designs. I've been backpacking since 1974, and have struggled with the mysterious mechanics of getting something that fits.

I was impressed with his unique combination of patience and no bullshit, taken or given. I didn't buy anything there, though I'm fairly sure that won't be the last time MR and I cross paths.

Welcome, Dana, and thanks for adding your experience and insights here.

Dennis

JRaw~

Hola! My name is Mark Seacat and I work for Dana Gleason here at Mystery Ranch!

If there is anything we can do to help you with your search please let us know... I personally own a 1996 Dana Design Astralplane (that I wouldn't sell for anything!!!) but it's retired now..... turns out Dana's designs get better and better with time, experience, and technology! Now I can't seem to stop using my NICE Frame packs!!!

Anything I can do..... give me a shout.

markseacatmysteryranch.com

It's REALLY COOL to have you aboard Mr. Gleason!

Welcome Dana,

I was the Hard Goods Buyer for the Base Camp in Helena in the mid-90's.

Back then the pack wall was nearly all Dana's. Sure changed a few years later though.

I also work with one of your seamstress's from back then, Jill Forseth.

It was a hell of a good crew!

Ed T~

I purchased my Astralplane back in the day from the Base Camp in Helena!!! Thanks!

Mark

Mark,

Those were the days. Osprey was just really getting going. We had Osprey, Lowe, a couple TNF and of course the complete line of Dana.

All you had to do to sell up to a Dana ( although many customers wanted a Dana when they came in) was fit and load one of the other packs, then fit and load a Dana, just so they could compare. Not many left with anything except Dana's.

I remember many an evening when a customer would come in 15 minutes before closing and end up purchasing a pack an hour later after careful fitting and trying different models like Glaciers and Terraplanes. I think some of the gals at the cash registers hated me because I'd spend so much time with customers, even when the store was "supposed" to be closed. But it was all about knowing what you were selling and giving the customer the best service possible. Still is today.

Customer service...it's such a mystery to so many retailers. Those who don't get are always mystified at the success of those who do.

Dennis

WoW!!!! Welcome aboard!!

By the way Mark does and awesome job and I think you should give him a raise

Thanks for the support Kenai!

Mystery Ranch has given me a great opportunity and occupation. I think every single person working for our company deserves your praise!!

We'll keep it up!!!

Very true. I have yet to talk to or meet one person who wasn't awesome.

OK Dana, Give everyone a raise

Welcome aboard Dana, hope MR is treating you as well as DD did back when I bought my Astralplane, my Terraplane, my Bangtail, and my Big Sky. I don't think 1/2 an elk and head will feel as good on anything other than an Astralplane.
Those are still my go to packs.
I once met a girl fitting a dana that I ended up dating for more than a year, it was a great story that didn't end up working out for long term, but how many people get a # from a hottie just for showing off somebody else's great design. I was rather happy about it.

I remember the days of selling them and looking through the catalogs every year to see what else I would need/want. Always wanted to get in the catalog, but somehow never made it in.
Not sure how many of those photos I sent are still around, but I have one that will always linger in my head:
Imagine 4 friends on top of a peak in the Sangre De Cristos, wearing only our Dana Fanny packs and boots.
We were all looking off into the sunset so no pornographic material, but we all thought it was perfect. Guess the editors didn't agree.
If you need help fitting a pack, feel free to PM and I will give a number to call, but I will graciously defer to the man that made them so great if he can offer the time.