Dana Design
Encyclopedia
Dana Design was a small manufacturer of high end backpacks for mountain climbing based in the Rocky Mountains. The company was founded by Dana Gleason in Bozeman, Montana
. Their most popular pack was the Terraplane. Dana Design packs are known for their ability to haul, meaning that their packs can balance large weights very well and cause the wearer far less stress than other backpacks. Additionally, most Dana Design products used a redundant system of straps and zippers to prevent any single zipper or strap failure from rendering the pack unusable.
Dana Design was sold to K2 Sports
in 1996, and control of the division was subsequently assumed by Marmot
in 2004, which moved operations to Vashon Island
, Washington. Manufacturing was moved overseas in the late 90's. Dana Design ceased to exist as a name brand in 2006. Many of their popular packs, such as the Terraplane, Bridger, and Bomb Pack were rebranded under the Marmot name.
After the expiration of his non-competitive agreement with K2, Dana Gleason went on to start Mystery Ranch, a boutique pack builder. The packs are domestically made in Bozeman, Montana, and some of the Mystery Ranch designs bear a strong resemblance to Gleason's original Dana Design packs.
Mystery Ranch currently has on-going procurement for the United States Navy SEAL Team. The pack is called BDSB. Also several United States Air Force Pararescue teams have bought specially designed medical pack for the operational usage in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman is a city in and the county seat of Gallatin County, Montana, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. The 2010 census put Bozeman's population at 37,280 making it the fourth largest city in the state. It is the principal city of the Bozeman micropolitan area, which consists...
. Their most popular pack was the Terraplane. Dana Design packs are known for their ability to haul, meaning that their packs can balance large weights very well and cause the wearer far less stress than other backpacks. Additionally, most Dana Design products used a redundant system of straps and zippers to prevent any single zipper or strap failure from rendering the pack unusable.
Dana Design was sold to K2 Sports
K2 Sports
K-2, Corporation. was founded in 1961 by brothers Bill and Don Kirschner on Vashon Island, near Seattle, Washington. K2 is known for pioneering fiberglass ski technology, which made skis significantly lighter and more lively than their wood and metal contemporaries...
in 1996, and control of the division was subsequently assumed by Marmot
Marmot (company)
Marmot is an outdoor clothing and sporting goods company founded in 1973. The company was founded by two University of California, Santa Cruz students who wished to make their own mountaineering equipment. The company has received numerous awards, including Backpacker magazine's Editor's Choice...
in 2004, which moved operations to Vashon Island
Vashon Island
Vashon is a census-designated place in King County, Washington, United States. It covers an island alternately called Vashon Island or Vashon-Maury Island, the largest island in Puget Sound south of Admiralty Inlet. The population was 10,624 at the 2010 census. At , it is about 60 percent larger...
, Washington. Manufacturing was moved overseas in the late 90's. Dana Design ceased to exist as a name brand in 2006. Many of their popular packs, such as the Terraplane, Bridger, and Bomb Pack were rebranded under the Marmot name.
After the expiration of his non-competitive agreement with K2, Dana Gleason went on to start Mystery Ranch, a boutique pack builder. The packs are domestically made in Bozeman, Montana, and some of the Mystery Ranch designs bear a strong resemblance to Gleason's original Dana Design packs.
Mystery Ranch currently has on-going procurement for the United States Navy SEAL Team. The pack is called BDSB. Also several United States Air Force Pararescue teams have bought specially designed medical pack for the operational usage in Afghanistan and Iraq.