Dana Design ArcLight User Manual

1
Quick Start Instructions
If you bought your new ArcLight™ pack through a dealer who fitted the pack
to you, follow these brief instructions to double-check that your pack is adjusted
properly. If you would like a full description of how to fit the pack yourself, see
Sizing and Fitting ArcLight™ Packs on page 11.
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
hook-and-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.
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 ArcLight™ 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. Be sure you adopt a backpacking position by bending slightly
forward at the hips.
a. The back panel of the pack should closely follow the contours of your back.
b. The upper ends of the shoulder pads (not the unpadded Stretch Adjusters) should
terminate one to two inches below the junction of your shoulders and neck.
c. The Stretch Adjusters should form a smooth extension of the framesheet up to
the shoulder pads.
d. The curves in the shoulder pads should swing outward around your neck and then
inward at your upper chest before sweeping outward again to avoid the breast area.
e. The lower end of the shoulder pads should terminate approximately two inches
below your armpits.
f. The sliding buckle where the shoulder-pad lift strap exits the shoulder pad
should be at the top of your shoulder.
g. The sternum strap should cross the middle of your upper chest in a comfort-
able position.
h. 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.
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 ArcLight™ Packs,
on page 11, for detailed instructions.

Dana Design ArcLight Specifications

General

Brand	Dana Design
Model	ArcLight
Category	Camping Equipment
Language	English

Summary

Quick Start Instructions

Attaching the Hipbelt

Pack Features in Detail

HipLid™

A convertible hip sack formed by combining the pack's hipbelt and lid.

Internal Load-Control Strap

A strap inside the main compartment to compress and stabilize the load.

Pack Features: Straps and Adjustments

Hipbelt Trim Straps

Connect hipbelt to pack corners to stabilize load and engage frame stays.

Shoulder-Pad Lift Straps

Shift weight to hips by adjusting shoulder pad to upper back panel connection.

Sternum Strap

Connects shoulder pads across the upper chest for stability.

Pack Features: Straps and Compartments

Compression Straps

Straps on pack sides to compress load or attach gear.

Daisy Chain

Webbing with loops for attaching gear or an ice axe.

Sleeping-Pad Straps

Straps for securing a sleeping pad or relieving zipper tension.

Sleeping-Bag Compartment Divider

Internal divider to separate sleeping bag space or create single compartment.

Pack Features: Storage and Access

Retractable Bottom

Feature to reduce pack volume or add external lashing space.

Water Bottle Pockets

Mesh pockets on pack sides for bottles or gear.

Packing For Comfort

Adjusting Your Pack on the Trail

Sizing and Fitting ArcLight™ Packs

Selecting the Correct Size ArcLight™ Pack

How to measure torso length to determine the correct pack size.

Adjusting ArcLight™ Packs

Selecting the Right Size Hipbelt

Selecting the Correct Size Shoulder Pads

Bending the Aluminum Stay

Caring For Your Pack

Buckle Threading

Dana Design® Pack Accessories

Ribs

Convenient way to carry items like camera or water bottle on shoulder straps.

PackFly™

Protects pack and user from rain; features a built-in hood.

Necessity Pockets

Pockets that attach to compression straps for extra capacity.

Pack Accessories: Travel and Lashing

Travel Pocket™

Protects pack during travel and doubles as makeshift rainfly.

BeaverTail Shovit™

Accessory to lash on large items like shovels, snowboards, or boots.

Pack Organization: Stuffers

Window Stuffers

Compartmentalize gear and provide visual cues for identification.

Compression Stuffers

Contain bulky items to manage pack volume efficiently.