Customer Reviews

Outdoor Products Dragonfly External Frame Backpack

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought one of these in 1991 when it was sold by Coleman under the Peak 1 brand name. This is the best frame design ever for a backpack. After 15 years, it still holds up. The cleverness of the design is in that the frame is flexible enough to move with you, but stiff enough to support the pack. It won't fatigue, break or corrode like aluminum frame packs plus there are enough attachment points that you can configure the pack anyway you want.

If you're interested in an external frame pack, buy one of these.

Great design. I'll be buying these for my kids as they get older.

** Update 1/6/2008 **

My oldest son (11) recently went on a two night backpacking trip with his scout troop. He carried ALL his gear in and on this pack. Not once did he get fatigued or sore, nor did he complain about this pack. Another new scout who is about the same size had a much more expensive pack and had trouble the entire trip. When we got back, his dad was so impressed by how this pack worked for my son he ordered one for his son.

I've already bought another one for my other son who will be entering boy scouts this summer.

** Another Update 1/13/2011 **

Three years later and both of my boys are still using these packs (I'm still using mine from 20 years ago!). As they have grown, we've simply adjusted the attachment points of the straps. These really are great packs. Neither of my boys has ever complained about soreness or chafing. Some here have complained that the strapping or buckles shattered. We've never had that problem.

It is imperative that you adjust and load the pack properly. No pack, no matter how well it's made will ever be comfortable if it isn't adjusted and loaded properly. However, these packs are very accommodating for boys of all sizes and will carry enough gear for several nights camping.

Good choice for a new scout. Perfect for their weekend trips. Can fit all essential items without being over stuffed. Size is perfect for the "inbetween" size person----not a child but not an adult either. This pack is perfect for the "tween" size--it distributes the weight evenly and doesn't topple over the carrier. Weight when packed is manageable. It has a lot of separate pockets for packing things so they are easily accessible without disturbing the rest of the gear. Highly functional and well made. We are very glad we chose this pack!

I have bought two of these for my two sons. They are a great deal. The new frame design has great improvements. In just two months, the time between purchases, they made the frame idiot proof with markings to help adjust the pack to yourself and formed a handle in the frame to pick it up. The frame is of a hard black plastic.I would reccommend this back to anyone! I have no complaints. Love the lifetime warrenty. I always chose Outdoor Products. The price is right and you can't go wrong.

I bought this pack for my seven year old son because it said that it was designed to be an entry-level pack for youths. Well, when it arrived it was plainly clear that it was waaaaay too big for him. It's big enough for ME to use. And in fact, I am going to be using it, and we went out to G.I. Joes and bought him something more suitably sized. Other than that, it's a cool pack which I look forward to backpacking with.

As a scoutmaster, I purchased several of these for our new scouts (10-11 years old) and it is great for that size boy up to probably 13 or 14 years old. I liked everything about the pack except for the cheap plastic used on the strap adjustments. When the boys pulled hard enough to cinch up the straps, the plastic shattered.

After an internal frame youth pack was a bust, I tried this for my average size 10 year old daughter. It's been great. Plenty of room and, despite looking like it's a little large for her, is still easy for her to handle. Most importantly, she says it's comfortable. After three multi-day outings it's still in great shape.

I grew up with external frame backpacks, so I really like this one. It's just what I wanted and expected. Room for everything and to tie on Sleeping bag. Comfortable enough, as far as external frames go.

I just got this for my nephew and he loves it. He's a big 11-year-old, but the pack fits him on its lowest setting, so it can grow with him over time.

This is as good as any Pack I have owened and you can not beat the Price. Plenty of storage and easy to re-size to fit any size person. Every option described is true and you can shop pricing for yourself and see that this is a hard price to beat. Excellent quality well constructed and easy to acess. What more can you ask for? HIGHLY RECOMMEND FOR ANYONE!!!!!!!!!!

Bought this for my 11 year old son for Boy Scout camp outs. Fits everything he needs for a week-long trip, but isn't too large for him to carry. Highly recommend it!