Osprey and Dana Backpacks

[Steve]

I am moving into a position at work where I will be traveling abroad 6-8 times per year and am becoming more active in personal overseas travel as well. I have read all of the very helpful information on this site regarding travel packs. I have looked at some Eagle Creek packs both on the web and in person. I have also seen the Osprey models and just ran across one from Dana Designs that appears to have a very good price at the moment. Does anyone have any experience with either of these brands? The Osprey looks very versatile and rugged. Are they worth the price? The other confusing thing about the Osprey is that they have the day pack on the front of the pack vs. the back. The advantage may be that there is only one set of shoulder straps, but that seems to make for a bigger, heavier daypack. I'm also wondering if you can actually put much of anything in the daypack when the two are zippered together. Just looking for some feedback from the more experienced...

www.sierratradingpost.com/product.asp?base_no=85497&mscssid=BA4D23F329ED4A57ABADE0D2BC183EEB


www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/packdetail.cfm/OS184

[Eagle]

Steve, I have a few comments to offer. I researched Backpacks for over three months before I finally bought one, and I chose Eagle Creek because I felt it was the best pack for me. So far I've been really pleased with it, and feel I made a good choice.

I'm not overly familiar with Dana Packs. I didn't see too much on them when I was researching Packs? Therefore I can't provide either "pro" or "con" comments on these.

I did look at Osprey Packs. From everything I saw, these are excellent quality, with a well designed harness! My impression was these were leaning towards "trekking" packs rather than "travel" (although they do have some "travel" models). I chose EC because the overall combination of features was more to my liking.

With regard to having the day pack on the front rather than the back, that was one big selling feature of the Continental Journey that I use -- the Day Pack can be carried either in the "Marsupial Pocket" or in a "front carry" configuration. This provides the advantages of:
> it's easier to "keep an eye" on the Daypack, as that's usually where some valuables are stored.
> it works well in some cases to re-balance the weight distribution.
> it "frees up" the Marsupial Pocket to store other stuff, if needed.
I'm not sure if this feature is provided in the newer models of the CJ as well?

You could also have a look at Gregory Packs (also excellent quality, but definetily leaning towards trekking), Arcteryx (again more "outdoor" style), Rick Steves (very inexpensive and versatile), or if you happen to be in Canada check out Mountain Equipment Co-op (they carry Gregory and some others, as well as their own line of Packs). Whichever Pack you buy, make sure you are properly fitted!!!

Hope these few comments will be of some help. Good luck with this!!!

[debcsus]

The 2004 CJ that I was looking at did not have the marsupial pouch.

[Libby]

What are the MEC packs like? I've considered purchasing one of them. In your reseach Eagle..what did you find?

[Marie]

I looked at the MEC packs last summer before buying but I found their travel packs weren't has convinient as other packs : the ones I saw didn't have rain covers, were smaller just not as good as other packs. MEC also sells the Arcteryx packs, I almost got the women's Bora 65, but ended getting the EC continental journey.

I love MEC mostly for the clothing and accessories but they lack in certain brand names.

[Eagle]

LIBBY, the MEC Travel Packs appeared to be reasonably good quality, but EC seemed to be a bit better in my view. I liked a lot of the design features on the EC Pack, such as the front pouch, front carry option for the Daypack, rain hood, harness design, etc. There were a lot of "little things" as well that really made the EC stand out such as the quality of the Cordura nylon material, the zippers, the expandable Daypack, etc. Basically, it had everything I wanted in a Backpack, and that's why I chose the EC.

Like a lot of Backpacks these days, I believe that both EC & MEC are manufacturer in Vietnam. By all means, check out the MEC Packs to see if their designs would be suitable for your purposes. They also sell some Gregory and Arcteryx models, both good packs also but more of a "trekking" style (top loaders), which is not what I wanted.

Hope this helps. Happy travels!!!

[Steve]

Thanks everyone for your valuable insights. You have convinced me. After another look at the Eagle Creek and Osprey packs I have decided to give the CJ a try. Part of that was due to the fact that REI currently has a closeout on the 2003 CJ at a 40% discount. (As some of the other contributors have mentioned, I think I prefer some of the features of the 2003 model over the 2004.) Now I just need to see if I can implement the "one bag" packing guidelines! Speaking of which, does anyone use any of the Eagle Creek "pack-it" products? (ex: pack-it cube, pack-it folder, toiletries bag) Are these functional or gimicky? I notice Rick Steves has three packing cubes on his site for about the price of one of the Eagle Creek cubes. I'd be interested in the experiences of others with these products.

Link to closeout on 2003 CJ packs @ REI:

www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&catalogId=40000008001&storeId=8001&partNumber=710657&memberId=-2000&link=1&cm_ven=ad_Yahoo&cm_ite=datafeed&cm_pla=na&cm_cat=datafeed

[Eagle]

STEVE, a few comments on your last Post......

It sounds like REI has a very attractive price on the CJ Packs. Although I haven't used the newer models, I like the features and design of the one I'm using, the "older model". The pouch on the front has proven very useful at times.

One word of caution though. Have you had your torso size measured yet? The CJ Pack has a "fixed" harness system and from what I recall, Eagle Creek indicated this was designed for a torso range of 15" - 21" (or thereabouts). You could check with EC to confirm this before you buy?

To answer the last part of your Post, YES I use the EC Pack-It Cubes, Toiletry kit and Pack-It Sacks and I think they're great! One of the products I use is the padded half-Cube and this worked well to protect the contents during transit. I believe the Rick Steves models use a mesh construction rather than solid Cordura Nylon, but I'm sure they would be equally good, and as you pointed out the price is attractive. I brought some Porcelain Mugs home from the U.K. recently, and packed these in the Cubes with rolled-up clothing around them. Everything arrived in excellent condition!

With the Continental Journey, space is a bit limited in terms of how many Cubes, etc. can be carried in the pack. However, I find them indispensable for organizing various bits of travel gear into functional groups. I've been designing a "Modular Packing System" and the Cube, etc. fit well with this concept. I found on my last trip that four Cubes fit almost perfectly across the bottom of the CJ with room left over to lay some clothes on top and still get the pack closed. BTW, I'm also a BIG fan of Tilley travel clothing ( www.tilley.com ), so I can pack all the clothing I need fairly efficiently, even with a smaller Backpack.

In addition to the Cubes, I also use the Pack-It Sacks (in various sizes) and find them extremely useful. I have one of the medium sized Sacks configured as a "backup" Toiletries kit (Razor, Toothbrush, etc.), which I keep in the Daypack while in transit. It's very compact and doesn't take up much room at all. If the airline should "misplace" my main Pack (hey, it happens), at least I'll have some basics to get by for a week or so if necessary (I keep my larger toiletries kit in the main Pack). I've also found the smaller kit useful on longer day trips, and it's great while in transit at airports, etc.

One other comment on the CJ Pack. EC advertises that the main Pack is carry-on size without the Daypack attached. While this is technically true according to the dimensions supplied by the airlines, I've found that in reality (especially lately) the airlines (especially the Charters) are becoming much more strict. On my last trip they refused to let me take the main pack as carry-on, so I had to check this and do the baggage carousel routine at my destination. I can understand their logic completely, as the passengers were fairly tightly packed, and there would have been NO room for anything larger than my Daypack! It's not a big deal, but one of the reasons I bought the CJ was because I thought I might be able to transit airports much faster if I didn't have to wait for my luggage.

One final comment on the CJ Pack, I believe this Pack is designed to attach a Shoulder Strap to the sides (there are two small rings attached to one side, at the top & bottom of the Pack). I sent a note to EC to confirm this, but haven't received a reply yet? On my last trip I stowed the Harness when I got to the Airport, and just used the "suitcase handle" on the side (I figured this would save time once I got to the check-in counter). With the pack fairly well loaded, the suitcase handle is a bit cumbersome when running to catch a connecting flight. I'm definitely going to buy a shoulder strap before my next trip, as I believe it will be easier to carry! That's another nice feature of the CJ Pack - three ways to carry it!

BTW, I was curious where you're located? You're not registered on this Board, so don't have a profile. Hope these few comments have answered your questions. Happy travels!!!

[Steve]

Eagle, Thanks again for sharing your experiences.

I should be OK with the torso length on the CJ. I had my torso measured last year when I was looking for a treking backpack for a trip I took this simmer with my son's boy scout troop. Although I'm tall (6'6"), my torso was measured at under 21". I carried my large REI pack for about 80 miles with over 50lbs and didn't have any problems. I didn't even have the harness expanded as much as it could have been.

Though the CJ will be considerably smaller than the pack I carried this summer, I can see how the cubes and other pack-it products could help. I got frustrated this summer with the disorganization of my pack even though I did have everything in ziplocks. I am committed to trying to reduce what I take with me on trips. My wife and I went to Paris during the summer of 2003 and had a great time, but the one thing I would change is reducing the amount of luggage we took. I don't want to lug multiple bags through the RER, Metro, and downs the streets of Paris again. From what I have seen on the web, it doesn't look as though there is any discounting of the pack-it products. There is a local store where I live that appears to carry a full line. (I have since registered with the site, so you can see that I live in the midwest.) Have you ever used any of the pack-it folders? When I travel for work I will need to bring 2-3 dress shirts and 2-3 dress pants. I thought that may work to reduce wrinkling.

I have noticed other posts regarding using a shoulder strap as well. I think that sounds like a good idea. As I will be flying mostly commercial (ie: not charter) I was hoping to be able to carry on the pieces separately. It doesn't surprise me that the carry handle on the main bag might be a bit awkward. I will lookinto a shoulder strap a well.

Thanks again for all the helpful advice. I will continue to monitor this site for more helpful information.

[Steve]

Eagle,

Thanks also for the travel clothing site tip. I didn't pick that up the first time I read your post. Do you have any other travel clothing site recommendations? I've found a few but am still looking for more. I'm primarily looking for "business casual" attire. (ex: sport coats, dress slacks, dress shirts.) My casual wardrobe is pretty well stocked with appropriate clothing from my camping days. I'm looking for fabrics that won't wrinkle. (Is that really possible?

[Eagle]

STEVE, I have used the Pack-It Folder as well (the model 15, I believe) but I don't use this on every trip. I was packing a dress suit on the last trip and couldn't fit everything into the CJ. By rolling some of the clothes and fitting them in various "open spaces" I was able to fit everything in. I had to take the dress jacket in my carry on however. My last trip included a somewhat formal ceremony for my Son so I had to take the suit. I don't normally travel with a dress suit.

With regard to the travel clothing, I've found the Tilley clothing to be fairly resistant to "wrinkling". That's one of it's main features! You might find it entertaining to order a copy of the Tilley catalogue, as there are a lot of interesting "real life" travel stories from people who travel with this clothing.

A couple of other sites you could check would be www.magellans.com (they have a good catalogue also) or www.exofficio.com as they both offer "travel" clothing.

You might be able to take both Packs as carry-on but I suspect this will be less likely in future. Even commercial airlines seem to be packing the passengers in fairly tightly and there's not a lot of room under the seats. On a flight from the U.K. recently I had a window seat, and there was some kind of "hardware" mounted under the seat in front of me which reduced the amount of space available. I could barely get my feet in there, so the CJ main pack would have been completely out of the question.

The concept of packing light is something I'm "fine tuning" with each trip. It's great that you're able to travel often. I hope to take regular trips to Europe in future, but may have to wait a year or so before the finances fall into place. I could retire at that time, but may work a bit longer to get some "travelling money".

Good luck with your new pack. Cheers!!!