Drop/Durston Pack

Whiteburn

Thru Hiker
.....Shoulder straps are set quite wide, i have to use chest strap to get them to sit right....
I found that too.....IMO it would be an uncomfortable carry without the chest strap fastened.
My only other gripe after using over a few days is that there's no proper lift handle on the top of the pack; yes there's an extension of the top strap that can be used to lift the pack but being oriented vertically I find it an awkward 2 finger lift to swing the pack onto the shoulders.
 

oreocereus

Thru Hiker
Glad I’m not the only one who found the straps quite wide set. I made a comment on drop and Dan Durston reckoned they were pretty average. @Matt Chaz’s pack is the one Clare sold to me (and I sold onto Matt) because we both found the straps too wide.
I am on the more slender side of things, but hadn’t had that trouble before (but I’ve really only owned 2 packs that weren’t 80s external framed canvas sacks).
Glad it sounds to be working for you though Matt.
 
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Matt Chaz

Trail Blazer
Glad I’m not the only one who found the straps quite wide set. I made a comment on drop and Dan Durston reckoned they were pretty average. @Matt Chaz’s pack is the one Clare sold to me (and I sold onto Matt) because we both found the straps too wide.
I am on the more slender side of things, but hadn’t had that trouble before.
Glad it sounds to be working for you though Matt.
. Sorry, forgot to send thanks! Not used to new gear, except from Ali, so is a real treat!
 

Swayndo

Summit Camper
Santa asked me what I wanted this year. I do tend to buy what I need when I need it so it's been said I'm hard to buy for. This is interesting though. I'm using a Lowe Alpine Airzone Pro 35:45 as my main pack. I'll not be doing more than a couple of nights at any time. Tempted to get in on this for a wee bit more flexibility, but maybe it's too similar in function.

I know I'm a bit short on info, but I'd appreciate any thoughts.
 
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Jamess

Section Hiker
The DD pack is a nice design and a fair bit lighter than your current pack but some on this forum have had issues with fit so I'd be tempted to ask if anyone local to you has one you can try before you buy.

I'd also suggest you think about the features you want on a pack and use that to find a pack that meets your needs rather than looking at a brand.

F
 

Swayndo

Summit Camper
The DD pack is a nice design and a fair bit lighter than your current pack but some on this forum have had issues with fit so I'd be tempted to ask if anyone local to you has one you can try before you buy.

I'd also suggest you think about the features you want on a pack and use that to find a pack that meets your needs rather than looking at a brand.

Thanks @Jamess's yep a good bit lighter and a more useable front stash pocket is what I'm basing this on. Otherwise what I have is actually grand for my needs. North Highlands (Scotland) based if anyone is around and has an ML I could try on.
 

oreocereus

Thru Hiker
If the main things you're after only doing 2-3 night trips with a reasonably contained kit list, and you're main reasons for switching packs are to save weight and have a stash pocket on the back.. I'm not sure it's the right choice. There are lighter packs capable of carrying 2-3 nights of stuff, if you're keeping your total pack weigh under 14kg (which in most conditions is very doable on a 3 day trip). And the front stash pocket has divided opinions a fair bit. So, if the main needs are lighter, and more stash pocket storage, you might find other options more suitable.

The Zipper pocket is small and some think it's relatively useless (it would be a handy place to store a map and permits, if you were hiking in a place that needed permits). The shock cord closure means its only good for holding a wet shelter or maybe something like rain gear - which might be sufficient for you.

I had one briefly and sold it due to a fit issue. Basically the shoulder straps were too wide set for my body type (relatively narrow - i'm 58-60kg and around 5'10"). It seemed a really well made pack, with much higher end materials than anything else I've owned - and it was less expensive, which is impressive.

It seemed to transfer weight to the hips at higher loads better than other packs I've used at higher loads.

The feature set and layout is quite unique. Since it didn't fit well enough for me even to go for an overnight trip (pinched under my armpits), I didn't get a chance to figure out if I liked the unique pocket layout. Some people have complained about the small zippered shoulder straps for being too small. They'd be good if you carry a few dinky bits you want quick access to - such as chapstick, hand soap, etc - personally they'd probably have stayed empty for me. Some seem to be finding the side pocket thing a bit of a gimmick, as if you put much in the pocket above it, then you collapse the volume below - and vice-versa. My plan had been to store my camera in the "quick access" side pocket and my cold soak pot in pocket above, which I think would've worked and solved an issue with quick camera access I haven't managed with other packs.

Edit to be clear, I'm not bagging on this bag (hah), I think it's excellent value for the quality of build, and it's a thoughtful design. Just it's worth being conscious that it's unique features make it relatively specific in who it might or might not be optimal for (assuming it fit you)
 
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Swayndo

Summit Camper
I've been agonising over which pack to buy myself for a few days but just noticed these had been reduced to $120 on Drop. Decided to stop the agony and just buy one at less than £100 including delivery. I can handle customs/VAT on that.
 

Swayndo

Summit Camper
That’s an absolute steal of a price for a pack of this quality (if it fits your body and needs!)

Spent so much time researching that I think fatigue got me in the end (or was it the single malt?). I was at the stage of over-thinking. I think in the long run I can go smaller in summer with ~30 a removable webbing belt and no frame. I was down to Atom custom, Hyberg Bandit and Liteway Gramless. The relative lack of user feedback on the latter two stopped me from jumping and I didn't want to drop £200+ (yet) on such a simple pack.

Body-wise I think this will work for me. I'm an average build 6' with a 19.5" torso. Very hopeful the ML will be a good fit. It will replace my current pack which my teenage son will inherit. Pockets are mostly great - maybe I'd have preferred mesh on the front pocket and most say the strap pockets are pretty useless. Main compartment may be a touch bigger than I need in summer but maybe I'll just not compress my bag as much :)

Guess delivery will be in the New Year... we'll see.
 

Matt Chaz

Trail Blazer
Pity, I have the opportunity to cancel as the delivery is delayed. Can I ask why you are not sticking with it?
Its a great pack, but I found the shoulder straps maybe a bit uncomfy, or at least one of them, and I have 2 other packs, could do with some funds..
 
Hi all, I’m right on the cusp of biting the bullet and buying the DD40 from Amazon (unless anyone here has a M/L going?), my only reservations regards the width between the shoulder straps and how this effects fit.

From reading this thread (and various others around the web) I can see this has caused an issue for some people so, to save me the hassle of getting a pack that doesn’t fit and I have to return/resell it, is anyone able to measure the distance between the straps (probably both the inner and outer edges) say at the top of the shoulder and at chest level?

I’d also be interested in any user reports re: fit depending on your size/shape.

Thanks
 

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
Hi all, I’m right on the cusp of biting the bullet and buying the DD40 from Amazon (unless anyone here has a M/L going?), my only reservations regards the width between the shoulder straps and how this effects fit.

From reading this thread (and various others around the web) I can see this has caused an issue for some people so, to save me the hassle of getting a pack that doesn’t fit and I have to return/resell it, is anyone able to measure the distance between the straps (probably both the inner and outer edges) say at the top of the shoulder and at chest level?

I’d also be interested in any user reports re: fit depending on your size/shape.

Thanks

And your shape ??
Are you skinny malink ? - probably not a great fit.
or a beefy "barn door" shape ? - probably a better fit.
 
And your shape ??
Are you skinny malink ? - probably not a great fit.
or a beefy "barn door" shape ? - probably a better fit.

My clavicle is ~36cm and, measured across the top (behind my neck) the width of my shoulders is ~47cm. Not sure what this makes me on the skinny malink - barn door scale!

I’m not concerned about the length, there’s some pretty detailed images online showing the various torso measurements and I should fit nicely (my torso ~19”/48cm).
 

dandurston

Section Hiker
The width between the shoulder straps is a difficult thing to measure because it's not a set distance. It is a set distance right at the pack, but that's not that informative because like any pack that distances can widen or narrow as it wraps over your shoulders to form a 3D shape. Depending on the size of your shoulders it can be wider or narrower.

It does seem like a portion of people find it wide and then they pull them closer with the sternum strap. That initially puts the straps slightly on edge so they can dig in a bit, but the straps stretch/break in over a couple days and most people with initial fit issues here find it resolves itself in a couple days of walking.
 
The width between the shoulder straps is a difficult thing to measure because it's not a set distance. It is a set distance right at the pack, but that's not that informative because like any pack that distances can widen or narrow as it wraps over your shoulders to form a 3D shape. Depending on the size of your shoulders it can be wider or narrower.

It does seem like a portion of people find it wide and then they pull them closer with the sternum strap. That initially puts the straps slightly on edge so they can dig in a bit, but the straps stretch/break in over a couple days and most people with initial fit issues here find it resolves itself in a couple days of walking.

Thanks Dan - I know you hear this a lot, but it’s really impressive how much time you must spend replying to various posts strewn all over the web. Do you still get chance to go outside?!

In truth I’m just delaying the inevitable now, I need to accept that and bite the bullet.
 
My clavicle is ~36cm and, measured across the top (behind my neck) the width of my shoulders is ~47cm. Not sure what this makes me on the skinny malink - barn door scale!

I’m not concerned about the length, there’s some pretty detailed images online showing the various torso measurements and I should fit nicely (my torso ~19”/48cm).

Following up on this in case someone with a similar questions ends up here via a Google (and to be another data point on the massive user feedback spreadsheet I imagine Dan must maintain).

I purchased the bag and had chance to take it out for a ~23km test run carrying ~7.5kg yesterday. It fits my dimensions like a dream, no issues with the shoulders/straps. Potentially took me a little longer to dial the fit in than normal but I think at least part of that is me getting used to the running vest style harness and how it ‘hugs’ the body.

So, yeah, for my and my body shape it’s another top draw product from DD.
 
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