Dana Design Far Flung?

[Carolyn]

Hi all,

I'm planning for a 10-week trip to Asia this summer (month around SEA and 6 weeks teaching in 2 diff. cities in China) and I was so excited to find your site today!

In the past, I've backpacked around parts of Latin America and Europe using a fairly big Eagle Creek backpack I bought ~5 years ago. I decided it's too big for me, though -- I want to do this trip with a pack that's a little more streamlined (and airline carry-on-able).

I checked out some packs this weekend and brought home a Dana Designs Far Flung, size small (I'm 5'4" with a short torso.) I love that it's smaller than my old pack and seems well-designed. I just have one question:

I like that it comes with a detachable daypack, but the daypack doesn't seem to be able to be attached to the front of the pack. Am I missing something? I think I could clip the sternum strap through the daypack straps, but this seems pretty makeshift. When I travel, I generally keep valuables and frequently-accessed items (guides, etc.) in the daypack, so I really like to put it on my front as I walk around so I can keep an eye on it and grab stuff as needed.

Will the Far Flung let me do this? Or should I return it and get something else? Or does anyone have any travel tips that'll let me find a better way to go about things?

Thanks very much! You all seem so knowledgeable that I'm excited to hear what you have to say!

Happy travels.

Carolyn

[benna2]

I had the far flung for about a week before returning it. I exchanged it for the bigger Dana version of the swift traveller. (The far flung was just too small for the kinda trip I had in mind, but it is a great pack!)

I remember having trouble figuring out the daypack as well, but eventually figured it out. For the life of me I can't remember how it was put together, but you CAN attach it to the front...play with it and see if you can figure it out. Maybe someone else can give you some more detailed advice....Yeah I am real helpful! Anyway though, it is a good pack, durable and pretty! Enjoy.

Also, Welcome to the boards.

[xanthuos]

Just an FYI...Dana Design has since been acquired by Marmot. They will continue to service lifetime warranties, but it's the end of Dana as we know it *tear* -- I'm the happy owner of a Swift Traveler as well.

[space virgin]

^ Aaaand, just to make things more interesting, Marmot is owned by K2. One big happy family, eh?

[kingcrazylegs]

Hope you get it all figured out in the end...

Just an fyi, many of the Dana Design packs are still being made by Marmot as the two mergered (under the said K2) and Dana was slowly encompassed by the larger Marmot.

[foofiter]

I own and use the Far Flung and I love it. I have had no troubles with it and will use it until it falls apart.

Foo

[fallenleafs]

I got a far flung as well and I really like the pack. I cant wait till next year around this time me and my far flung will be off on a rtw trip.