Paradox/SeekOutside Unaweep Pics

Hence one of the reasons why McHales water bottle pockets are second to none. Of course what makes a McHale is the hipbelt.

The Paradox frame seems like it is top notch and I am sure they will refine the pack more and more as time goes by.

How are you all closing the top of the Unaweep? I usually roll it and clip each side together, and secure the y-strap over it (my 5th or 6th pic down "Top of the pack"). It doesn't look right though. I know you can attach them to the compression straps, but I prefer to use those to, you know, compress stuff.

I liked the SMD Fusion's roll top, because it had a buckle on each side of the bag, which would compress the top downward.

@Brad

What's so good about the McHale pockets?

There are several ways you can close the top.

If the pack is not full much above frame height, I simply wrap it around the top of the frame and buckle it.

If I am not compressing a ton a gear, and am really worried about keeping it water tight I will repurpose a compression strap and clip each side ti the middle or top compression strap

If I am compressing something over the top (sleeping pad etc), I will just roll / buckle and use the over the top straps

If I want to use all 3 compression straps and still buckle down , you can slide an extra buckle on one of the compression straps and buckle it down. As an example, a compression strap would have a buckle that goes to a talon, and then the left over has another buckle which is used for the top.

I know several have commented about how we finish the webbing on our compression straps, and this is the very reason we do it that way. We feel our "triangle' gives enough resistance , but is still easy to move buckles around if desired.

On the EVO, there is a lower strap n the bag that can be used for the roll top as well, if you are using it on the 24 inch frame.

On the Unaweep, if you really want the extra strap all the time for closing the top it's easy to add one, since the frame is pretty exposed. There are advantages and some disadvantages to having the frame so exposed. I prefer the advantages, as I can find a lot of utilitarian uses for the frame.

Cheers
Kevin

@Eli: the McHale pockets are separate (and removable) from the main pack. Their modular design allows you to mount them vertically or at a slight forward angle. They are very easy to get a water bottle in and out of even with a full pack. I have used a ton of packs in the past and I was dis satisfied with the water bottle pockets in most all of them. Of course my opinion may not be the same as others but I find the McHale pockets superior to:

Packs I used extensively
Osprey Aether 60 (2003)
Mountain smith Phantom (2004)
Gossamer gear mariposia plus (2008)
Six moon designs swift (2010)
ULA conduit (2010)

Packs I returned/sold
Gregory a pack (2005)
Six moon designs starlite (2008)
Golite pinnacle (2009)
MLD Ark (2010)
HMG wind rider (2012)

I always roll the top as tight as I can, then clip the sides to themselves. Roll it towards you and the loop tends to lay flat and not get in the way.

Mchale pockets are really the best. They do not impede on the volume of the main pack when full, are removable, can be raised or lowered, and can be tilted for easy access while on the move. He also offers different sizes.

Thanks Kevin, I'll try your suggestions.

On another note, I took a 16 mile hike with about 35 lbs yesterday and I didn't have to readjust once. It stayed off my shoulders and the belt didn't slip a centimeter. My other packs seemed to get that "bowling ball at the bottom" effect that would hit my butt with that much weight. Not so with this one.

Been looking at this brand ever since it was reviewed here on BPL. Only external frame pack that interests me, well, aside from the Osprey "wire frame" packs, which truly are a hybrid frame.

There is a rifle scabbard custom mode that goes between pack and frame.

I just got done backpacking 70 miles in glacier national park with the unaweep. This was the first trip with it and I must say the hip belt was the most comfortable I have ever used. This beat the osprey, ula, and granite gear packs I have used in the past

Well, I bought a Unaweep. Seek Outside got it to me far quicker than expected, so I was able to try it out this past weekend. It carried 25 lbs fine (as expected), but when loaded up with more weight at home, I find the bottom of the frame hits my butt. I see two positions that the pack can hang from, and mine is set on the highest one that allows for the least amount of hang.

Has any one else experienced this? How low does your Unaweep frame hang below the hipbelt?

John, is the belt angled back toward your rear or is it fairly horizontal?

Edit: this is with 38 lbs total weight.

There's a slight angle. Here are some pictures:

Wow John. The belt looks fine but that frame is indeed way too low. Hopefully Kevin or even Dave C can comment.

John, extrapolating off where I assume your pants are sitting, it looks like the belt is above your illiac crest. It seems like that's pushing the frame into your butt, mainly by allowing the frame to angle back a bit. To put it another way, you're wearing the pack such that the generic curves of the frame are approximately 2 inches above where they're designed to be. If that's where you naturally wear hipbelts, I imagine you could bend the frame such that this issue could be sorted out. Making the angle of the first curve a little greater would I think do the trick.

This picture (http://bedrockandparadox.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/img_3517.jpg) is the best I currently have. Not ideal, but it might help clarify how the frame sits with the belt a bit lower.

I think the pack is pushing my pants down a little in that picture. The top of my illiac crest is just below my belly button (height wise). I usually center the hip belt of a pack on my illiac crest, so this results in the buckle being about an inch below my belly button. This is what feels most natural to me.

I tried wearing the pack a little lower (such that the center of the hip belt is now below my illiac crest), and it feels a little better, but it's still poking me in the butt. The frame is so stiff, I'm not sure I want to try bending it.

John, I build the frames so I'll comment…

First try raising the frame up on the hipbelt. If it is already set on the grommet position closest to the hipbelt then simply move that grommet to the backside of the frame instead of having the grommet on the front (toward your body). In this order you'll have the head of the screw, the frame, the grommet, then the nut. This will give you an extra 1-2 inches of height.

If that doesn't work then we can explore different options. My email is nathan@paradoxpacks.com if you have any in depth questions.

Nathan, thank you for the tip. I just finished trying these setups:

Running the grommet under the frame (from the front) and securing it in the back – tried both grommet locations
Running the grommet under the frame (from the back) and securing it in the front – tried both grommet locations

They all successful raised the frame up, but I couldn't get a good wrap with the hip belt with these setups unless I cinched it incredibly tight (at which point it felt like a nerve was being pinched). I'll fiddle with it more tonight, but not sure I can get it to fit me.

Can you shorten the Torso adjustment so the frame sits higher.Do you have any pics of the shoulder harness position?

John,

Can you email me some side profile pics of you wearing the pack?

Hey Jon just wondering if you got the butt bumping frame sorted out?

I found that packing the weight higher and keeping the talon taut vertically helps a little with that issue, but I still can't get a good overall fit and carry with the pack. Something about the hipbelt doesn't work me at heavier loads. Maybe I am too picky about these things. The shoulder straps are great though.

I am going to simply conclude that pick fit is very individual and that this pack does not fit me like I want. So I'm going to sell it and try out some other packs.

If the Paradox doesn't fit and you still want something for heavier loads contact Dan McHale at McHale Packs. If you can get over the cost, he will make you a custom fitted pack that carries weight better then just about anything.

"If the Paradox doesn't fit and you still want something for heavier loads contact Dan McHale at McHale Packs. "

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