1.      Owner Review:  Dana Design Bomb Pack

2.      Biographical information

Name:  Bill Puckett
Age:  58
Gender: Male 
Height: 6’5” (1.98 meters)
Weight: 240 lbs (109 kg)
Email address: bpuckett@pclink.com
City, State, Country: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Date:  July, 2004
Backpacking Background:  My backpacking dates from the early 1970’s with hiking, backpacking and canoe tripping in the Carolinas, Virginia, the Rockies, Minnesota and Canada.  I am definitely still in the heavyweight pack club, but will be upgrading to lighter choices on an item by item basis going forward.

1. Product information
   a.  Manufacturer:  Dana Design
   b. Year of Manufacture:  1995
   c. URL of Manufacturer:  www.danadesign.com     
   d. Listed weight:  4 lbs, 10 oz (2.1kg)
   e. Weight as delivered:  4 lbs 14 oz (2.2 kg) including the accessory “wet rib” pocket
   f.  Product description:  The Bomb Pack is one of the staples of the Dana Design line and is the smallest in volume of the “Arc” series (Dana Design’s largest and heaviest duty packs) and derives its name from the supposed use by ski patrol members to haul heavy loads of dynamite into the high country to blast away potential avalanches.  Generically, it’s a “day and a half” pack or “weekend” pack.  Here are the current model specifics:
1. Volume: 3,200 cu. in. (52 L)
2. Sizes: Xs/S, M/Lg, Lg/Xlg (Mine is the Lg/Xlg)
3. MSRP: $259.95 (US)
4. Features

• Extendable lid (My older model doesn’t have this feature)
• Hip Lid (The extendable lid with zipper pocket can be used with the hip belt as a fanny pack, though my older model doesn’t have this option)
• Removable “shovit” pocket (Mine isn’t removable.  Discussed in Comments below)
• Internal Load Control (This is a strap inside the pack that extends from the outside middle of the pack (sewn there)  to fasten via a quick release buckle to the inside top of the pack to prevent sagging of the pack bag)
• Daisy Chain loops (My older model has twin Daisy Chain Loops)
• Tool Tubes (My older model doesn’t have this feature)
• Compression straps
• Ice axe loops (This what my 1995 edition has before the days of “tool tubes”)

 

                                

2. Field information
   a. Locations Used:  I’ve used this pack since 1995 in all seasons in Minnesota, Colorado and the British Isles.  I estimate over 100 “trail days” with this pack on trips of 3 to 16 miles (5 to 26 km)
   b. Description of location:  Rough trails, hilly terrain, with altitudes from 1,500 ft to 8,500 feet (460 m to 2,400 m)
   c. Weather conditions:  From summer sun to autumn rain/sleet to winter snowstorm and back again.  Temperatures of use range from -10 º F (-23 º C) to 90 º F (32 º C)
   d.  Comments:

This is my first choice of pack for all-day hiking trips (my longest is 16 miles (26 km)).  Its strong points are its superb fit and load carrying capacity, traits which make it perfect for carrying the family lunch, the “ten essentials”, 3+ liters of water, water filter, rain gear, my Crazy Creek Chair, first aid kit, extra clothing AND reading material.  I’m a big person (nearly 6 ½ ft/2 m tall, 240 lbs/109 kg) so my extra clothing, especially in colder weather, is bulky/high volume. The pack is successful at transferring its load to my hips via the beefy and (for me) comfortable hip belt.  This pack is on the heavy side of the choices in today’s market, but I’ve carried loads up to 25 lbs (11.3 kg) all day with comfort.  Its narrow profile enables me to use it while cross country skiing without interfering with arm swing.  While I believe it has sufficient volume for overnight/weekend use, I’ve not used it in this way. 

Construction quality is excellent with no loose threads, split seams or other problems noted in the 9 years I’ve owned this pack.  The primary material used is coated cordura nylon for the pack body and lid.  The shoulder straps and hip belt are similar to those used in full-sized packs in the Dana Design line (Terraplane and Astralplane, both of which I own).  The zippered lid (approximately 200 cu in volume (3 L)) offers quick access to small items and is topped with a rubberized accessory patch that can accommodate even more items on the exterior.  The compression straps allow me to snug down the pack so that unused volume is a non-issue.  The internal “load control” strap also helps to manage the load to keep it lifted and pulled toward the back.  There are no side pockets/water bottle pockets so I’ve added the Dana Design “wet rib” accessory pocket that adds a small zippered storage pocket and water bottle holder to the side/front straps.  In heavy rain, I have found the pack will admit some water to the inside along the seams with slight dampness on items packed on the seams, so a waterproof rain cover is a good idea if sustained or heavy rain is in the forecast.  The “shovit” pocket is an 8”x18” (20 cm x 46 cm) flap sewn to the bottom rear of the pack, extending up the rear of the pack and connecting to the side compression straps with quick release buckles.  In current models, it is removable.  It is made of nylon and a rubberized heavy duty center.  This acts as part of the overall load control/compression system and offers additional packing flexibility by allowing me to carry wet raingear or extra items (e.g. rope, helmet, water bladder) on the outside for quick access without having to dig down through the top-loading pack.  The twin daisy chain loops are sewn onto the exterior of the shovit pocket.  I’ve used these to attach small items that I wanted for quick access (e.g. mug for drinking) with small carabiners or double sided Velcro tape.  I’ve only used the ice axe loops to attach my hiking poles, so I can’t comment further on their primary use. 

I’ve made dozens of 3 mile to 16 mile day trips with this pack and have yet to find a comparable volume pack that I want to replace it.  After 9 years, it shows no apparent signs of wear.  It is heavy relative to today’s lightweight packs, but its comfort, superior fit (for me as a tall hiker), flexible capacity and sturdy construction more than compensate for the weight. 

3. Summary

What I Like

• Comfort, fit
• Plenty of flexible volume for day hiking loads
• Construction quality
• Shovit pocket adds convenience and packing flexibility
• Twin daisy chain

What I Don’t Like

• Lack of external pockets (mitigated by the “wet rib” accessory pocket)
• Lack of hydration bladder holder
• Heavy