Quick Start Instructions If you re already familiar with our packs, follow these brief instructions to make sure your new ArcFlex pack is adjusted properly and fits correctly. If you would like more details, see page 12. 1. Make sure the hipbelt is positioned at the very bottom of the slot behind the lumbar pad. If it s not, reach between the belt and lumbar pad, break loose the hookand-loop and reposition the belt. 2. Load the pack with a reasonable amount of weight (25 to 40 pounds). Be sure to fasten and tighten the internal load-control strap this is the strap with a yellow buckle found inside the pack bag near the top. Loosen the hipbelt trim straps and shoulder-pad lift straps, and put the pack on. 3. For maximum comfort, it is imperative that you observe the following ritual when fitting the pack and each time you put the pack on. First, loosen the hipbelt trim straps and shoulder-pad lift straps. Now put the pack on and adjust the straps in the following order: 1. Center the hipbelt on your hip crests and tighten the belt. 2. Tighten the main shoulder straps comfortably snug. 3. Firmly tighten the hipbelt trim straps this is crucial to obtain the best possible performance from your ArcFlex pack. 4. Retighten the main shoulder straps. 5. Lightly tension the shoulder-pad lift straps. 6. Place the sternum strap in a comfortable position on your upper chest and snug it lightly. 4. Now check off the following points using the Quick Start Fitting illustrations on the left as a guide. a. The back panel of the pack should closely follow the contours of your back. b. The upper ends of the shoulder pads should connect to the back panel one to two inches below the junction of your shoulders and neck. c. The curves in the shoulder pads should swing outward around your neck and then inward at your upper chest before sweeping outward again past the breast area. d. The lower end of the shoulder pads should terminate approximately two inches below your armpits. e. The sliding buckle where the shoulder-pad lift strap exits the shoulder pad should be at the top of your shoulder. f. The sternum strap should cross the middle of your upper chest in a comfortable position. g. The hipbelt s pads should extend past the front points of your hipbones by an inch or so, but not be so long that they prevent the belt from being tightened fully. 1 If everything checks out okay, you re ready to load the pack for real and hit the trail! If something feels uncomfortable, see Sizing and Fitting ArcFlex Packs, on page 12, for detailed instructions.
Introduction Thank you for purchasing a Dana Design ArcFlex pack. This owner s manual will tell you how to use the many features we build into our packs. It will also tell you how to select the correct size pack, hipbelt and shoulder pads, how to assemble and adjust the pack and how to make sure the pack fits you. Adjusted and used properly, an ArcFlex pack will give you greater carrying comfort than any other pack on the market. Please take a few minutes to read through this manual to learn how to use your new pack. Your reward will be years of hiking pleasure. Table of Contents Attaching the Hipbelt... 3 Pack Features in Detail... 4 Packing for Comfort... 9 Adjusting Your Pack on the Trail... 11 Sizing and Fitting ArcFlex packs... 12 Bending the Aluminum Stay... 14 Size Charts... 15 Caring For Your Pack... 15 Buckle Threading... 17 Dana Design Pack Accessories... 18 Warranty...Back Cover 2
Attaching the Hipbelt You may want to remove your hipbelt for any number of reasons: to clean your pack, to create a HipLid hipsac or to reduce bulk while traveling. Whatever the reason for removing the belt, you ll need to know how to attach it again properly. Here s how. Start with the pack right side up and the back panel toward you. Orient the belt so it smiles so the ends of the belt curve upward. Insert one end of the belt behind the lumbar pad and pull until the belt is centered left to right and the hook-and-loop fastener is engaged. By inserting your hand between the lumbar pad and the belt and breaking loose the hook-and-loop fastener, you can insert and remove the belt more easily. It also Attaching the Hipbelt. helps to pull the two-inch webbing and its associated buckle through the slot behind the lumbar pad before pulling the padded portion of the belt through. Start by placing the belt all the way down at the bottom of the slot behind the lumbar pad. (You may eventually want to fine-tune the torso length by moving the belt up a maximum of 1 1/2 inches. We ll cover that in detail in Sizing and Fitting ArcFlex Packs on 2 page 12.) Once the belt is in 3 position, connect the hipbelt trim straps to the buckles at 1 the bottom corners of the pack s back panel. 3 Attaching the Hipbelt Trim Straps. (1) Thread the strap from its hipbelt attachment point up through the bottom of the buckle, (2) over the visible bar (3) then back down through the buckle and out. This end becomes the loose end used for adjusting strap tension.
Pack Features in Detail The following features are found on all ArcFlex packs with a few exceptions. HipLid A HipLid is a large-capacity hipsac created by combining the pack s hipbelt and lid. To create the HipLid, remove the lid and hipbelt from the pack. As you do this, make a mental note on the position of the hipbelt in the slot behind the lumbar pad and the path the lid straps follow as they pass through the buckles. Orient the belt so it smiles so the ends of the belt The assembled HipLid. curve upward. Now, with the pocket zipper facing up, insert the hipbelt behind the lumbar pad on the bottom side of the lid. Be sure the hipbelt is at the bottom of the slot behind the lid s lumbar pad. Engage the hook-and-loop fastener, then thread the hipbelt trim straps through the Ladder-Lock buckles on the sides of the lid. These straps compress the load and pull the HipLid into Fig. A Reattaching/removing the HipLid. your back for a stable, comfortable ride. When you reassemble your pack, be sure that the ends of the hipbelt curve upward and the hipbelt is positioned correctly in the slot behind the pack s lumbar pad. It s easiest to rethread the buckles connecting the lid to the pack if the pocket is held in the flipped open position (figure A), as if you had opened the lid to gain access to the main compartment. Internal Load-Control Strap The internal load-control strap is the strap with a yellow buckle found inside the main compartment near the top. It serves two purposes. When passed over your load and cinched down tight, it improves your balance by compressing and stabilizing the load and pulling it toward your body. Tightening the internal load-control strap also creates the HeadSpace, the cavity at the top of the back panel that lets you tilt your head back. Before loading the pack, place the male end of the yellow internal load-control strap buckle through the top 4
loop of the daisy chain. This will prevent the buckle from getting tangled in the load as you pack. It also holds the shroud open and reminds you to buckle the strap when you re done. Once the strap is buckled and tightened, you can throw an item that you want to reach quickly, like a fleece jacket, on top. Close the shroud, fasten the lid and you re ready to go. Hipbelt Trim Straps These straps connect the hipbelt to the bottom corners of the back panel of the pack. By tensioning the hipbelt trim straps, you pull the bottom corners of the pack toward you, which helps stabilize the pack. Tensioning the hipbelt trim straps and shoulder-pad lift straps on ArcFlex packs also puts tension on the carbon-fiber stays, bending them into an arc. These stays actively counterbalance the weight of your load, pulling the The Hipbelt Trim load forward over your shoulders and wrapping it further around your hips. With the tensioned flexible stays carrying most of the weight, the central aluminum stay can retain its original, body-hugging shape, so the load stays close to your back, no matter how much weight you re carrying. The closer the load rides to your back, the more upright you can walk and the more comfortable you ll be. Tightening the hipbelt trim straps also hangs some of the pack s weight from the sides of the hipbelt. Putting firm tension on the hipbelt trim straps is crucial to obtain the best possible performance from your ArcFlex pack. If you want a softer-flexing frame while carrying lighter loads, reduce the tension on the hipbelt trim straps. Shoulder-Pad Lift Straps These straps connect the top of the shoulder pads to the top of the back panel. When tightened, they relieve the pressure of the shoulder pads on your shoulders and help shift the weight down to your hips, where it belongs. They also help stabilize the upper part of the pack. Moderate tension on the shoulder-pad lift straps is sufficient for them to do their job. If you tighten them too much, you ll lift the shoulder pads completely off your shoulders and put excessive pressure on the front of your chest. The sliding buckle where the shoulder-pad lift strap exits the shoulder pad should be at the top of your shoulder. 5 Sternum Strap This strap connects the two shoulder pads and should be attached roughly 1-1/2 inches to 2 inches below the two protruding points of your collarbone adjacent to the top of the breast bone. It helps secure the shoulder pads in a comfortable position as they cross your shoulders and chest. Position the sternum strap initially so it crosses the middle of your upper chest. Altering the sternum strap s position and tension periodically during the day helps prevent
muscle fatigue and pressure points. Check out Adjusting Your Pack on the Trail, page 11, for an additional tip. HeadSpace The HeadSpace is the cavity near the top of the back panel that lets you tilt your head back and look around. The HeadSpace also allows the upper section of the pack to ride closer to your back, which improves your balance and lets you adopt a more comfortable, upright stance. To The Headspace. create the HeadSpace, load the pack s main compartment, then buckle the internal load-control strap over the load and cinch it down firmly. This pulls the HeadSpace fabric away from your head. Avoid packing hard objects in the HeadSpace area; they will prevent the creation of the HeadSpace and be uncomfortable when you tilt your head back. Compression Straps Compression straps are the two horizontal straps located on each side of the pack bag. They are used to compress any size load, reduce the pack s volume when carrying a small load and attach skis, tent poles, fishing rods, etc. Keep the compression straps snugged tight at all times to compress and immobilize your load. For tips on using compression straps to lash on skis and other long objects, see Packing For Comfort, page 9. Snugger Straps Snugger Straps are diagonal straps that connect the middle of the side panel to the bottom of the carbon-fiber stays. Gravity causes a loaded pack to sag away from your back. This reduces the surface area supporting the load and makes the pack less comfortable. Tightening the Snugger Straps pulls the load tight against your back. To use them most effectively, loosen them before loading your pack. Put the pack on, tighten the hipbelt, main shoulder straps, hipbelt trim straps and shoulder-pad lift straps, then tighten the Snugger Straps. Heavy loads, in particular, will carry better if you loosen the Snugger Straps and hipbelt trim straps each time you stop, then tighten them again after the pack is on your back. If your load is small, you may need to shorten the upper, V-shaped portion of the Snugger Straps by adjusting each strap s slider buckle. 6
BeaverTail Shovit In its standard configuration (figure A), the BeaverTail Shovit is a compression panel that lies flat against the front of the pack. It s perfect for holding something flat and medium-sized, like the blade of a shovel. Got something longer, like a snowboard or a big tripod? Unbuckle the side compression straps from the BeaverTail so the panel hangs down like Fig. A a beaver s tail, then fold the tail in half to The BeaverTail Shovit. Fig. B form a pocket hanging below the bottom of the pack. Connect the buckles as shown in (figure B) to hold the sides of the pocket closed, slip in the tail of the snowboard, then use the pack s compression straps to lash the upper part of the board to the pack. Daisy Chain A daisy chain is a vertically oriented piece of webbing bar-tacked at twoinch intervals to form a series of small loops. You can use the daisy chain to strap on gear such as a sleeping pad or tripod. It can also be used in conjunction with an ice-ax loop to attach an ice ax. Sleeping-Pad Straps Sleeping-pad straps are a pair of vertically oriented straps which buckle at the top of the sleeping-bag compartment. As the name implies, they re normally used to attach a sleeping pad. They can also be used to relieve the tension on the sleeping-bag compartment zipper when zipping the compartment closed after stuffing a large sleeping bag inside. Don t leave the sleeping-pad straps loose even if you don t use them to lash on gear; they snag easily on brush. 7 Sleeping-Bag Compartment Divider The sleeping-bag compartment divider is a panel inside the pack bag which separates the sleeping-bag compartment from the main compartment. Its primary purpose is to help keep the pack bag slim, so the load rides closer to your back for better balance and comfort. By loosening the divider s straps, you can
increase the sleeping bag compartment s volume to accommodate a very large sleeping bag. It s also possible to detach these straps completely to form a single-compartment pack bag, which maximizes the pack s volume. Retractable Bottom Packing extra heavy? Packing extra light? Our unique retractable bottom helps in both situations. If you re traveling light, retracting the bottom gives you a smaller pack that still carries superbly, with the weight distributed evenly across the upper two-thirds of your back. If you re traveling with a bulky load, cinching down the retractable bottom gives you an extra eight inches of space at the bottom of the frame where you can The Retractable Bottom retracted. use the sleeping-pad straps to lash on bulky items that don t fit inside the sleeping-bag compartment. This works much better than lashing a large bundle on top of the pack. To retract the pack bottom, open the sleeping-bag compartment and undo the sleeping-bag compartment divider from its buckles. Now locate the two short black straps sewn to the bottom of the pack inside the sleeping-bag compartment. Thread these straps Retracting the bottom. through the now-vacant divider buckles and cinch them tight. This collapses the sleeping-bag compartment and reduces the pack s volume. Zip the sleeping-bag compartment shut and presto! Just pack and go. Before lashing on a bulky item, slip the sleepingpad straps back out through the metal D-rings at the bottom of the pack bag. This will give you the necessary slack. Wand Pockets Wand pockets are small pockets located at the bottom of the pack s side panels. They re used in conjunction with the compression straps to carry bamboo wands for marking routes across glaciers. They can also be used to carry tent poles, fishing rods, snow-climbing pickets, etc. 8
Map Pocket This pocket, on the underside of the lid, can be used to hold maps without crumpling them. Alternatively, it can be used to store items you really don t want to lose, like your car keys and wallet. By reserving this pocket exclusively for those items, you ll never need to open it again until you re back at your vehicle. Crampon Patch Our crampon patch is a rectangle of ultra durable Hypalon fabric on top of the lid which has slots for accessory straps. You can use them to attach crampons without fear of abrading or puncturing your pack. It s also a handy place to lash extra clothing when you re using an ArcFlex lid as a HipLid. Packing For Comfort To obtain the greatest possible comfort from your ArcFlex pack, you must load it properly. The fundamental principle is that a thin, flat load, as viewed from the side, carries better than a fat, cylindrical load. Carrying a thin load lets you walk comfortably upright instead of leaning forward in a constant battle against a pack that s trying to pull you over backwards. Follow these suggestions to keep the load thin and your pack riding comfortably. 1. Before you start loading the pack, be sure all compression straps and Snugger Straps are loose. Pull out the internal load-control strap and thread the yellow buckle through the top loop of the daisy chain. This keeps the buckle from getting tangled in the load as you pack. 2. Place the lightest and bulkiest items in the bottom third of the pack bag, the heaviest, most dense items in the middle third as close to your back as possible and medium-weight items in the upper third. This weight distribution will give you a balanced, comfortable ride. 9
3. Women have a lower center of mass than men. As a result, some women prefer to pack the heaviest items a little lower than men. Experiment to see what works best for you. Low (7) Med./Low (6) 4. (See illustration) Always pack your sleeping bag at the very bottom. If your pack has a sleeping-bag compartment, you can either stuff the sleeping bag into the compartment without its stuff sack to save weight, or you can use the stuff sack for extra moisture protection. If you use a stuff sack, fill out the corners of the sleeping-bag compartment with small items such as socks and underwear so you use the compartment s volume with maximum efficiency. Med. (5b) 5. (See illustration) (a) Load food and other heavy items, such as extra water or climbing hardware, General packing weight regions. above the sleeping-bag compartment and as close to your back as possible. The framesheet will keep sharp objects from jabbing you in the back. (b) Surround these heavy items with clothing. This helps insulate the food as well as insuring that the heavy items remain close to your back. 6. (See illustration) Put your stove and cookset in the upper area of the main compartment. Surround it with lightweight items that you might need quickly, such as a PackFly, rainwear, or a fleece jacket. 7. (See illustration) Pack small necessities like your map and compass, trail or field guide, first-aid kit, hat and gloves in the lid pocket. 8. Avoid lashing heavy items on the front of your pack, or placing heavy items in the front pockets or BeaverTail Shovit. Placing heavy items on the front of your pack will throw off the balance of the pack and force you to lean forward uncomfortably. 9. Pack your gear tightly. Then tighten the compression straps to compact the load still further. If you take some clothing out of the pack as the temperature drops, be sure to re-tighten the compression straps. 10. Reef down hard on the internal load-control strap inside the pack near the top. This strap further compresses the load and pulls the top of the pack into a flat, slim profile. It also creates the HeadSpace, the cavity at the top of the back panel that gives you room to tilt your head back. Once you ve tightened the strap, put your fleece jacket or rain gear anything you want to reach quickly in on top, then close the pack s shroud over it. 11. Keep the sleeping-bag compartment divider strapped in tight. It s cut in a rectangular rather than circular shape to help keep the load flat against your back. Without the divider in place, the pack will become two or three inches thicker with only a slight increase in volume. Low (4) High (5a) 12. There are many options for carrying your tent. One option is to separate the tent body from the fly and poles. Lash the tent body (in a stuff sack) under one set of compression straps and lash the fly and poles (in another stuff sack) under the other set. A second option is to pack the tent body and fly together in one stuff sack and stow it in the middle third of the pack, then lash the poles outside using a wand pocket and compression straps. 10
13. To carry skis, lash one on each side of the pack. Start by slipping the tail of one ski under a bottom compression strap, then wrap the top compression strap completely around the ski before tightening the strap. Then lash the tips together with an accessory strap. This creates an A-frame configuration that keeps the ski tails from jabbing the back of your knees. Wrapping the top compression strap around the object also helps stabilize fishing rods, tent poles and wands. If a Necessity Pocket is on the compression strap, slide the ski between the pocket s plastic frame and the pocket itself. 14. Dana Design packs are built from extremely tough materials, but naked fabric is no match for sharpened steel. To protect your pack when carrying skis, cut four sixinch lengths from an old bicycle inner tube. Slip these rubber tubes over the ends of your compression straps and position the tubes so they protect the straps and fabric from the ski edges. Adjusting Your Pack on the Trail For maximum comfort, it is imperative that you follow this ritual each time you put the pack on. Before picking up the pack, make sure that the hipbelt trim straps, shoulder-pad lift straps and Snugger Straps are loose. Now put the pack on making sure to lift the pack by the haul loop and not the shoulder pads. Center the hipbelt over your hip crests and tighten it, then tighten the main shoulder straps. Next this is important tighten the hipbelt trim straps by pulling forward and up. Retighten the main shoulder straps, then snug the shoulder-pad lift straps a moderate amount. The sliding buckle where the shoulderpad lift strap exits the shoulder pad should be at the top of your shoulder. Position the sternum strap in a comfortable location on your upper chest and tighten it lightly. (See Sternum Strap under Pack Features) As a final suspension adjustment, try this tweak to improve the shoulder pad fit. Once all the hipbelt and shoulder straps are snug, slightly loosen the main shoulder straps, which will transfer more weight to your hips. It will also cause the pack to fall away from your back. To solve this, do not tighten the shoulder-pad lift straps; instead, retighten the sternum strap. This pulls the pack closer to your back without putting more weight on your shoulders. It also allows the shoulder pads to ride closer to the center of your body, which reduces pressure on the relatively weak outer portion of your shoulders and redistributes the load to your ribcage. When the pack is properly adjusted, about three-quarters of the pack s weight should ride on your hips, with the remaining quarter on your shoulders. You can vary that ratio, however, by adjusting the hipbelt, main shoulder straps, shoulder-pad lift straps and sternum strap. To shift more weight to your shoulders, for example, loosen the hipbelt slightly. Changing the ratio periodically during the day, particularly with a very heavy load, helps prevent fatigue and pressure points. 11
Sizing and Fitting Arcflex Packs A Note on Fitting While it is possible to size and fit an ArcFlex pack by yourself, we highly recommend that you visit a Dana Design dealer who we have trained to size and fit our packs. If you have any questions which cannot be answered by a dealer, please call our Customer Service Department at 888-357-3262. It s open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time. Selecting the Correct Size ArcFlex Pack ArcFlex packs come in five sizes: extra-small through extra-large, with a two-inch increment in torso length between each size. The pack size label is sewn into the side seam next to the mesh back panel. To determine the correct size, you must first measure your torso length. Ask a friend to use a flexible tape measure (a tailor s tape works best) to measure along the surface of your back. First, locate your seventh cervical vertebra (the most prominent bump at the base of your neck when you tilt your head all the way forward). This vertebra lies at the junction of your shoulders and neck. Now, with your head upright, not tilted forward, measure from that vertebra to a horizontal line across your back connecting the outward protrusion of your hip crests. Once you know your torso length, use the chart on page 15 to determine the correct pack size. 7th Vertebra Aluminum Stay Torso length measurement area. Hip Crest Take your waist measurement here. Please don t try to predict your torso length from your height. If you have any questions, or feel you are between sizes, please contact your nearest dealer. Measuring your torso length is just a starting point. The actual pack size will be determined by how the pack fits your back. 12
To check the fit, load the pack with 25 to 40 pounds and put it on. Center the hipbelt on your hips and tighten the main shoulder straps comfortably snug. Tighten the hipbelt trim straps, then retighten the main shoulder straps. Lightly tension the shoulder-pad lift straps and sternum strap. Now check the following points: (See Quick Start Fitting illustrations inside front cover for reference.) The upper ends of the shoulder pads should connect to the back panel one to two inches below the junction of your shoulders and neck. The curves in the pads should swing outward around your neck and then inward at your upper chest before sweeping outward again past the breast area. The lower end of the pads should terminate approximately two inches below your armpits. The sliding buckle where the shoulder-pad lift strap exits the shoulder pad should be at the top of your shoulder. The shoulder pads should be as close to your neck as possible without chafing. The distance between the shoulder pads can be adjusted by separating the hook-and-loop fastener underneath the two-inch webbing at the top of the shoulder pad and moving the shoulder pad from side to side as needed. The correct size pack should fit well right off the rack when the hipbelt is positioned at the very bottom of the slot behind the lumbar pad. If the fit is very close but not perfect, you can adjust the torso length a small amount by changing the height of the hipbelt. Slip your hand in between the hipbelt and the lumbar pad, break loose the hook-and-loop and reposition the belt. Move it up no more than 1 1/2 inches from the bottom of the slot behind the lumbar pad. If you feel the need to move it up further, you need the next smaller size of pack. Selecting the Correct Size Hipbelt ArcFlex packs use our Contour Molded Hipbelt. Men s hips tend to be nearly cylindrical; women s hips have more pronounced curves. To fit these different contours, Dana Design makes ArcFlex Contour Molded Hipbelts in two shapes. Our women s (22 ) belts are made in small, medium and large. Our men s (14 ) belts are made in medium, large and extra-large. To determine the correct size hipbelt, you must measure your hip circumference. Again, a tailor s tape works best. Remember that the hipbelt is wrapping around and cupping over your hipbones, so be sure to measure the circumference of your hips, not your stomach. Once you have determined your hip circumference, use the chart on page 15 to select the correct size belt. When sized properly, the pads should extend past the front points of your hipbones by an inch or so, but not be so long that they prevent the belt from being tightened fully. Men s 14 Contour Molded Hipbelt. 13 Women s 22 Contour Molded Hipbelt.
Selecting the Correct Size Shoulder Pads All ArcFlex packs use our Soft Edge Shoulder Pads. These pads are available in three sizes: small through large. In general, many women use small pads while taller women (5' 8" and up) use medium pads. Most men use medium pads while tall (6' 3" +) or thick-chested ( 46" +) men use large pads. Exceptionally tall or thick-chested men could use extra-large pads, which are only available in Burly. When properly sized, the lower end of the pad will be approximately two inches below your armpit. Bending the Aluminum Stay ArcFlex frames include a single aluminum stay that parallels your spine and gives the pack its shape. We pre-bend our stays to a shape that fits the majority of people. When properly sized and fitted, a Dana Design pack should closely conform to the shape of your back. If it doesn t, you should bend the stay to match your back s contours. If you feel you must modify the stay s shape, we strongly urge you to seek out a Dana Design dealer. All our dealers have been trained in the proper fitting of our packs. If that s impossible, you can test your agility by using a mirror or test a friendship by employing a friend. Removing, Bending and Replacing the Stay To remove the stay, open the main compartment of the pack. You will see a vertically oriented, five-inch-long piece of webbing with hook-and-loop fastener at the top of the back panel. Undo the vertical strap and lift up the two-inch webbing underneath. This will expose the top of the stay. Before removing the stay, mark the top end on the side away from your back with a felt-tip marker or piece of tape. Pull out the stay. Now pretend you have a weighted pack on your back by adopting a slight forward bend at the hips. Position the stay along your spine so that the top is just below your seventh cervical vertebra (the large bump at the base of your neck) and the bottom is two to three inches below a line connecting the outward protrusion of your hip crests. With the stay in this position, check the fit. The stay should closely follow the curve of your back. It s easiest to bend the stay smoothly, without creating kinks, if you bend it over a broad, rounded surface like your thigh. Once the stay is shaped, re-insert it into the two-inch webbing slot sewn to the framesheet, being careful to put it in right side up and with the lumbar and top curves facing the correct way. The stay s lower (lumbar) curve is the smaller of the two curves. Fold the two-inch webbing tab over the stay and the framesheet, then reattach the vertical webbing, making sure it passes over the horizontal bar. 14
BELT SIZES DANA DESIGN Sizing Chart FRAME SIZES Waist Measurement Size Pack Series Back Measurement Size - - Arc Flex Series under 16" (41 cm) XS up to 30" S 16" 18" (41 46 cm) S 30" 36" M 18" 20" (46 51 cm) M 36" 42" L 20" 22" (51 56 cm) L 40" 46" XL 22" (56 cm) and over XL The pack size label is found along the side seam next to the mesh backpanel. Cleaning Your Pack Caring For Your Pack Packs lead a hard life. They get dragged through the mud and tossed into the back of pickup trucks. You can extend the life of your pack by cleaning it when necessary. Start by removing the aluminum stay (see Bending the Stay, on page 14) and the hipbelt (see Attaching the Hipbelt, on page 3). You ll be able to clean the hipbelt much more effectively if it s not attached to the pack. Now turn the pack bag upside down and shake out all the accumulated trail grit. Use a soft, dry brush to sweep out all the particles and dislodge anything stuck to the surface. If spot-cleaning is all you need, try Energine brand or a similar 100% naptha product, available at most supermarkets and drugstores. If the whole pack needs cleaning, follow this procedure. First, fill a bath tub half full with lukewarm water. Add 1/8 of a cup of mild soap (Palmolive dishwashing liquid and Woolite are good choices). Do not use detergents or harsh soaps, which can damage the fabric s waterproof coating. Soak the pack bag and hipbelt for 10 minutes, then use a soft hand brush or sponge to gently scrub the hipbelt and outside of the pack bag. Do not scrub the inner, coated side. Thoroughly rinse the pack bag and hipbelt with cool water, then line dry them away from direct sunlight. Never use a dryer! Never put your pack in a washing machine! 15 Your Pack is not a Haul Bag! We build all our packs from very tough materials. However, they are not haul bags! If you tie your pack to the end of a rope and haul it up a rock wall, you will put holes in it! Front pockets are particularly vulnerable to this form of abuse. If you must haul your pack, put it inside a haul bag first then expect to replace the shredded haul bag every few trips.
Avoiding animal damage Animals can destroy a pack. To prevent damage, remove all food, food wrappers and anything else that has an odor. Wash your pack occasionally to remove food debris, odors and the salt left behind when perspiration evaporates. Many animals love to chew on salty items. When in camp, open all zippered compartments and, if possible, hang the pack from a tree limb to further discourage mammalian mastication. Storing Your Pack Before storing your pack, loosen the shoulder-pad lift straps and tighten the main shoulder straps completely so that the shoulder pads are held flat against the back panel. This prevents the pads from developing a permanent kink. Loosen the hipbelt trim straps to relieve tension on the hipbelt. If storage space is at a premium, remove the hipbelt and tuck it inside the pack bag. Make sure the pack is clean and dry, then store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid storing your pack in a garage or shed where critters, either domestic or wild, can get at it. 16
Ladder-Lock Buckle (1) Thread the strap from its pack attachment point up through the bottom of the buckle, (2) over the visible bar, (3) then back down 3 through the buckle and out. This end becomes 1 the loose end used for adjusting strap tension. (4) This loop attaches the buckle itself to a fixed point on the pack and is shown here for reference only. Buckle Threading 2 4 Tri-Glide Buckle (1) Thread straps up through the bottom of the buckle, (2) over the center bar, (3) then back down through the opposite slot and out the bottom. 3 2 1 Side-Release Buckle This buckle functions similar to a Ladder Lock buckle. (1) Thread the strap from its pack attachment point up through the bottom of the buckle, (2) over the center bar, (3) then back down through the buckle and out. This end becomes the loose end used for adjusting strap tension. 2 2 3 3 17 1 1
Dana Design Pack Accessories We build a full line of pack accessories that can make your trip more convenient and enjoyable. Ribs Ribs are a convenient and comfortable way to carry items you want to reach quickly, such as a camera, map or water bottle. Ribs attach firmly to the lower webbing of the shoulder straps, so they don t jiggle and bounce when you walk. Unlike hipbelt-mounted pockets, Ribs won t bang into your thighs with each step. PackFly Wet Rib Hiking in monsoons or the occasional thunderstorm? Keep things dry with the Packfly. Features a built in hood so you keep the pack, your head and most importantly the area where your pack meets your back dry and comfy. When the rain stops, it stuffs into any integral stuffsack, Derivatives include a Killer B Packfly and a Framefly. Necessity Pockets If you need extra capacity, consider buying our Necessity Pockets, which attach to the compression straps of almost any pack. You can either mount the pocket outside the compression straps or underneath them. Placing the pocket outside the straps allows you to lash items under the straps. If you attach the pocket under the straps, the plastic frame of the pocket compresses the pocket s contents against the pack, which prevents the contents from shifting. 18
Travel Pocket When traveling on airplanes with your pack as checked luggage, we strongly recommend stowing the pack inside our Travel Pocket. Not only does the Travel Pocket protect the pack from conveyor belts and baggage gorillas, but it doubles as a makeshift rainfly and a second piece of luggage. Lastly, it disguises your pack when you re hanging out in an urban jungle. Available in two sizes, Regular and Behemoth. BeaverTail Shovit You can use this multi-talented accessory to lash on an avalanche shovel, snowboard, big tripod or pair of telemark boots practically anything that won t fit conveniently inside the main compartment. 19
Window Stuffers For the ultimate in organization, Window Stuffers not only compartmentalize your gear, they also give cues for at a glance identification. Three sizes for versatility. Ideal for first aid kits, repair kits, spice kits, anything where easy identification is useful. Compression Stuffers When your gear threatens to explode out of your pack, Compression Stuffers are the ideal containment system. Three sizes will control a variety of bulky items. Not meant for use in nuclear power facilities. 20