Dana Design Shadow Peak

I take all my hiking activities very seriously. A day hike is no different in many respects from an overnight. I do not believe in strapping on a fanny pack and traipsing off into the woods. Better people than I have died doing just that.

So much for preaching. When I do a day hike (usually around 10 miles) I carry gear to cover most contingencies. No sleeping bag or tent but most everything else. The load averages around 20 - 25 pounds. The Shadow Peak is without doubt the best day pack I have ever worn.

It incorporates many features found in much larger packs. Among them are lift straps, shoulder pulls, contoured shoulder pads, and well padded hip belt. There is one top loading compartment (my favorite kind), a top flap with a pocket, and a shovel pocket. I have never had a single day of discomfort. It rides like a dream.

The price is steep but well worth it for a serious day hiker. If you are techno retro and like wearing torture racks then by all means scoff at the Shadow Peak and continue your righteous journeys. All others run to the nearest outfitter and plunk down the cash.

I have now had my Shadow Peak for three years and the most impressive thing I can think of to express how I feel about it is that I actually forgot I had it on one day while hiking in the Nantahala Mtns.! (Of course a good part of that experience is due to the beauty of the Nantahalas) It has been almost everywhere I have since I bought it and is still in perfect condition. Yes, it is a lot of money for a daypack; but as another reviewer pointed out I take my dayhikes as seriously as I take my overnighters. This little pack has always held all the essentials for both myself and my wife with room to spare - no matter the season. And it has never caused me a moment of discomfort.

I do recommend adding a "wet pocket" to this pack; keeping water/food handy makes keeping my energy level in check lot easier. And I don't see anything preventing one from adding Dana side pockets to it for enough capacity to handle one or two night hikes in mild weather.

Bought mine in 1995. It's been all over Alaska, the Philippines, N.Y., and all my other traveling in the last 20 plus years. It is always with me. Even if I have other stuff it's the first bag packed. There are a few rips and a broken clip, but 20+! years of constant use it has stood the test of time.

The best pack I have ever had. It's been literally 10s of thousands of miles in airplanes, boats, cars, trucks, buses, and on foot through rivers over mountains, jungles, and cities—just about anything you could put it through—and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon!

This is my third Dana pack and I have to say that I LOVE IT!

I bought it mainly for school and day trips. It has served me well at school. The reason I chose this pack is b/c it was around the same price (on sale) as a North fFace or Gregory pack, but it had an aluminum stay and an awesome hipbelt for its size. The pack is very well made. The two things I don't like about it is that the pocket inside the main bag gets in the way sometimes, and the straps were really long. I cut the straps and now all is well. I think that you could probably get by on hauling 40lbs or so with this pack w/o getting too uncomfortable. I would recommend this pack to anyone! Now, If I could just get a small down sleeping bag and a bivy, I could do overnighters! hmmm...

No other pack that I've seen in this size measures up to the Shadow Peak. I looked at every other pack I could find but I couldn't justify buying anything else after looking at the Dana Designs pack. Aside from its top quality constrution, it was also unrivaled regarding fit. It has nearly every adjustment that the full size Dana packs have. I also got mine at an excellent price because it was last year's color. I was prepared to pay full price for it.

Disclaimer: I am only a backpacker. I do not work for or even know Dana. The only compensation given to me is the joy of owning the Dana Designs Shadow Peak.

I looked at every day pack available and there is simply no better pack on the market. The Shadow Peak is literally a smaller version of their large packs. The suspension is rock solid and FULLY adjustible to fit all. The shoulder straps and waist belt are the same quality as on their big packs.

The bag itself is made of heavy cordura that will last forever. This pack will also carry more weight COMFORTABLY than any other pack...period. This is a serious day pack for rugged, technical use. You can save yourself the time looking around and just buy a Shadow Peak fron Dana Design.

You won't regret it.