gregory pack vs. dana designs

[Blue]

I am looking for a multi-day pack to do several days on the LT or the 100 mile wilderness.

Last night I went to REI and was fitted into a Gregory Electra (4350 cu).
I bought it and (gulp) paid full price, knowing that I can return it.

I've also been interested in a Dana Designs pack that is on sale through REI outlet and looks like this. They didn't have it in the store and so I couldn't compare.

The gregory had nice outside pockets, but the Dana Designs has removeable pockets.

Do you have a pack you love? I've also thought about an Osprey.
Any advice? Thanks.

 

[Rick]

I really like my Dana Designs Astralplane, but it is so heavy. - 7 or 7.5 lbs. However, when I have my little one with me, I have plenty of room for teddy bears, piglet, power rangers and a couple of "shooter gunlike thingys" for monsters in the woods.

 

[jfb]

Serratus makes good packs (I have three). You can order one from MEC and have it delivered to your home in about a week. Try it and if you don't like it, send it back for a full refund. The IBEX 70 is on sale right now.

Ibex 70

 

[MichaelJ]

Intriguingly, I can answer to all of these brands.

A friend of mine with fairly close to the same build as yours swears by her Osprey (if I remember correctly it's an Aether). My "big" pack is an Osprey Crescent and it's a wonderful pack for carrying uber-loads (though a bit heavy on its own), and has the neat accessory feature where part of the pack pops off into a little pack for running up summits.

I have a Gregory Chaos and use it as my winter day pack - it fits well, supports my gear well, and is a pleasant pack to use. I guided a friend to the Gregory Reality and he's been very happy with it for his once-a-year backpacking trips with me.

But personally, my Dana Designs Bomb Pack is the best backpack I've ever packed on my back. It fits the shape of my spine, nestles in the small of my back, has the best of all my packs' hip belts, and with 20 pounds in it I don't even realize it's on me.

Any of Dana, Osprey, or Gregory will be a well-made pack that will suit you. The thing to do is to get a really expert fitting. It sounds like you did this, but I'll repeat it here for others who may be shopping: check where all the straps land against your body for comfort. Adjust all the internal stays (including those which bend to meet your back). Get the correct size for your torso length. Load it up with weight and walk the store.

Personally, I would go with the Dana. Heck, I'm tempted right now. But the Gregory is a woman-specific design, and as another thread here points out, that can really help.

Finally, the Dana is a larger-capacity pack, and you may want that for the winter, or it may just be too much.

Good luck!

 

[Doc McPeak]

I own 5 Danas so I may a bit biased...

I love my Alpine (circa 98 or 99). I also have a Sluiskin 45 which has all the funky new stuff like the new Alpine. They may be a little heavier when empty, but you more than make back the difference with how much you can carry in comfort. What's great about the Alpine is you can cinch them down to 2500 cu. and use it for peakbagging when you leave basecamp, or go lighter (nice weather option like i did in Yosemite) and use the waist belt and top lid to make a bomber fanny pack. I wish I could justify an upgrade but my old Alpine is still like new and will be good for another 10 years at least. You can't go wrong with a Dana.

 

[WalksWithBlackflies]

You're probably gonna get a hundred different responses, but...

I love my Lowe Alpine Contour Classic. You can really fine-tune the straps and load distribution. Doesn't fell like you're wearing a pack at all... at least for the first twelve miles. I believe the Sirocco is the women's version of the Contour, but don't quote me.

 

[Danielle]

Osprey

Blue,

Just thought I'd throw in a comment about Osprey... I recently purchased their Ariel 60 pack. Haven't used it too much yet, but was out last weekend using it for an overnight with about 25 lbs. in it, and it was super comfortable.

It's not all that heavy (3 lbs or so, or at least it's lighter than my old pack!), it's big enough but not too big, it's a woman's pack and has a great hipbelt, and I was able to swap out the harness to get an extra-small so it would fit me.

Don't know where you live, but I bought mine at Hilton's Tent City in Boston, MA--they were super helpful and the price was reasonable. Plus they have lots of packs that you can try on there...

Hope you find a pack that works for you! Good luck!
-Danielle

 

[Peakbagr]

I am an admitted Pack freak. This is the one item I'm really particular about.
I'd be embarrassed to list the packs I own.
After absolutely wearing-out a Northface Wrapac, my current winter and larger daypack is a Dana Shadow Peak that I got about 10 years ago. Strong, carriers well and has strapon side pockets. Another much smaller summer pack is my Osprey panel loader. The problem with the Dana is that its too heavy unloaded and I usually overpack it.
Both companies make top quality stuff that fits and carries well.
Besides fit and other features, I LOVE pockets, back and sides.
I usually sew-in small pockets on the inside of the main compartment for compass and knife.
You might try Mountainsmith as they make woman-specific sizes.
If $$$ are not an object, McHale will custom make you a pack out of any material you specify or with any features you want. They are VERY expensive, but will probably last a lifetime and will fit you better than any pack you can buy in a store.

 

[Jonatha]

Blue,

I spent hours, literally, at REI getting fitted for my first pack - had great help there at the time. Anyways, I have a Gregory Shasta as well as a Gregory Acadia and I love both of them. They fit amazingly well, for me at least. You will just have to go with what fits you vs what pockets, bells and whistles you are willing to go without for fit - for instance my Shasta only has one (topload) external pocket, but I took comfort over another brand that had many pockets. Ok, and truth be told, I just got a Marmot Eiger for smaller day trips.......I know, I have a gear problem!!

 

[ajtiv]

their web site has some good information www.danadesign.com

the sizes they have are great;
differnt size packs based on torso lenghth, different sizes belts and different angles for the belt support for women and men to ensure the pads are over your hips.
I have the Dana Designs Terrapalne LTW.

The key is the arcactive support that transfers loads evenly and concentrates the weight to your hips this makes for a comfotable walk.
Best pack in MO.
They even have dealer locaitons and web sites that carry their packs, but they do suggest you try them on and load them up in the shop to really try them out.

Dana has some of the most loyal customers out their and there are reasons why.
Good luck selecting
Al

 

[KenC]

I have a Dana Alpine LTW (lightweight) and love it!

It has the Removable alpine shov-it that is great in winter and can be removed easily for three season use. The large toplid and the waistbelt are removable and make a great summit fanny pack. Pretty good sized too.

It's a great well thought out pack but it does weigh a bit more than many others. The little extra weight for me is worth it for the fit and how well the pack rides.

I also have an Osprey Ceres50 that i use as a winter daypack and some summer overnights. Great pack also, sturdy, pockets and straps for all that extra winter gear we need to carry.

 

[LittleBear]

I just got back from a five day backpack in the Grand Canyon. I bought a Gregory Electra for this trip and I, too, gasped over the price. I love Gregory packs (I also have a Gravity), and had tried the Forester. I was very close to getting the Forester and then decided to try the Electra again (I had tried it on at REI and the salesman wasn't very helpful in getting it to fit properly, so I had kinda eliminated it). The salesperson at EMS was very helpful in getting me the proper fit. Even though the Electra weighs in at almost 1 pound more than the Forester, it carries the load much better (IMO). In fact, it felt like the load was a good ten pounds lighter in the Electra.

I have a short torso, so I got the small size. However, the hip belt seemed a bit too small. EMS changed it with a medium hip belt, and what a difference. Although my pack weighed in at around 42 pounds for my Canyon trip, it performed beautifully. It carried the load very well and I couldn't be happier with this pack. I didn't experience any bruising around my hipbones and there was no strain on my shoulders. A good choice (I think). But of course, fit and comfort are everything regardless of the brand!

 

[LauraM]

Blue:

Count me in as another Dana Design junkie -- I have 3 of their packs. Best hip belts and shoulder straps IMO -- another place to check for deals: www.killerdeals.com

Good luck, I am sure you will find a great pack!

Laura

 

[Warren]

I've owned a Gregory Fury (I think) it's 3lb-ish 3000 cu-ish and gifted to an old friend for putting me up for 2 weeks. Well, that's not true, I ran into a Dana Sphinx on closeout that could stripped down while staying at this friends house, tried it on, an that was it.

The Gregory had much better details- see through under lid, spacious net pockets, an outside front and center pocket where the material that divided the pocket from the pack body is - get this- mesh with a zipper running down it. The frame on it was pretty floppy though. The Dana however can be stripped down to a frame-less rucksack or built up to to pack that could do several days in cold weather and fit just wonderfully. It does however lack some basics, not a key loop or mesh outer pocket to be found.

I get the impression that the Gregory design is a killer pack with a beefier frame, I've heard lots from people who just love their Gregorys. On the other hand Dana just updated their packs a year or two back, you can still find an excellent pack for pretty cheap at some places. I think Tents and Trails here in NYC still has some, others might as well.