Dana Design Astralplane

[mtnhippy]

Just purchased an older red DD Astalplane in great shape. When did Dana Design move their manufacturing to Mexico? How can you tell if it was made in Bozeman? Thanks.

[denalidave]

I have a red Astralplane that I purchased about 1994 and I believe it says it "Bozeman, MT" right on the tag. I was at REI and my buddy convinced me to spend the extra $150, or whatever it was, and I am so glad he talked me into it... "Dave, as much shit as you carry, you deserve the Astralplane". It has been a great pack and still going strong 15 years later. (Although most of those years it has been in the gear closet). Not sure when the switch was made, but look your pack over and see if any of the tags say Bozeman, MT on them. If not, it is likely made in Mexico.

[mtnhippy]

This one also has the Bozeman, MT tag. Thanks.

[Wastral]

I own an Astraplane and a Gregory Denali pro. The denali pro whoops the astraplane in every category. Carries better. Distrubutes weight about the same, but it wins hands down on functionaility by a GIGANTIC MARGIN.

 

Denali pro you can take the top pocket off and use it as a summit sack. Denali doesn't have that stupid internal webbbing to transfer the load. In otherwords it doesn't crush your food. Gregory has attachment points for attaching Skis, astraplane does not. On top of that the Gregory pack does not have that stupid zipper on the side that lets water in.

 

Either pack is gigantic and you had better be going for longer than 2 weeks because they both weigh 8lbs whereas my 50L pack weight in at 3 or lighter.

 

Best thing about the astraplane is its 2 back pockets instead of gregory's 1 and that is the only nice thing.