I ordered a Mchale Pack in Ultra 200TX

What’s the use case going to be?

It was going to be my every trip bag, but when I went to use it for a trip in September, I couldn’t get all my gear in it. :) It fit great, but my philosophy about my gear is changing. Like, I really didn’t think it was that heavy for a pack when I ordered it, but I tried a HMG southwest for this last trip ( because this one wouldn’t fit all the gear ) and it ALMOST fitted all my needs. So, got me thinking about if I really need all the extra stuff I’m getting with the Mchale. I need to find something in the middle.

Wanted to share on the site. Dan didn’t put it up on his site for some reason. I ordered it like 4 months ago. I think this was the first time he did a larger pack with ultra 200tx. He mentioned it was tough to work with. He might not have put it on his site to not advertise it as an option.

I’m still figuring things out. I have disposable income that I think I disposed.

What model is it? I tried one out briefly. Probably the most comfortable pack I’ve experienced.

It’s a 37 P & G.

Im trying to figure out if I’m going to sell it. I’m trying to decide if something 2lbs less can serve me just as well with my other gear being dialed in.

McHale will tell you the weight of the pack doesn’t matter. The one I tried weighed about 7lbs stripped. It was made of 1000 and 500 Cordura.

Is that about 50 liters?

I would say about 55L. Maybe even 60.

I thought you were going to say that it’s for hunting or photography, or something else where you need to carry super heavy gear.

Super interested in this thread. Sent you a PM.

I’m curious why he found the 200TX hard to work with? I made a pack with it and didn’t think it was too challenging. It’s not the lightest fabric but seems an excellent balance of durability/abrasion resistance and stitch-holding. The white interior is nice too. Given that it only adds 1-2oz over 200X, I’m surprised more pack makers aren’t using it. It doesn’t completely eliminate the delam concerns of Ultra but it must help. I found the 200X with the thicker film layer stiffer and harder to manage.

I know Nuntak uses TX fabric in his hybrid packs.

You can custom order a ULA pack in Ultra 400TX. You just have to ask. I’m considering it. Peter said a catalyst would be close to the camino in 400TX which is 50 oz.Which would be the other pack I’m considering which would be 2 lbs less than this pack and probably a larger capacity. My only concern with a ULA is would the hip belt / should straps have enough cushion for me.

I’m also looking at the bonus Maxus 80L. I would look at the SWD bags, but I don’t like the smaller webbing / buckles.

You might be disappointed in the capacity of the Catalyst. The main bag of the Catalyst is only 42L. My son had a Catalyst and now has a Circuit. ULA makes some fairly absurd volume claims. For example, the side pockets are claimed be 5.7L. The side pockets on the Circuit are claimed to be 6.6L EACH!. Putting aside the terrible design of the side pockets, you would be hard pressed to get two 1L bottles to stay secure.

I have SWD Wolverine. It is close in comfort to a McHale, but a few pounds lighter.

Baja, do the buckles bother you while on your trip? When I just put one on with weight I can feel the buckles digging in. It could have been just too tight.

What buckles are you referring to on the SWD? The hipbelt closure ones?

Yeah, the hip belt buckle. The should strap buckle was also pretty small but didn’t bother me as much.I do have a little bit of a belly.

I also wonder if the hip belt was too small for me. If I could get them to make one a little bigger, it might have helped.

I would second SWD more than ULA. SWD packs are very comfortable and their side pockets are awesome. Only thing to be careful about SWD is their volume claims. You may want to get the 90L version rather than the 70L. I have a 50L SWD Long Haul and I feel I can fit more stuff in my 48L MLD Prophet.

There is a 70L Wolverine on sale on BPL gear sale – awesome deal at $299.

@Joey G I have not had any issues with the buckle digging in but if I have it too tight i do get an odd numb feeling sometimes behind the buckle although I have a bunch of low back issues that could contribute to it . Sounds like maybe the hip belt didn’t wrap around enough for you?

I have a couple of McHales. My take away:

– The bypass load lifters are worth the price of admission. Absolutely brilliant and with an expired patent just sitting there for the taking.

– I very happy with the wide frame spacing at the bottom and the whole lumbar/belt wings setup. Super comfy.

– The trick frame-to-hipbelt little strap is also one of those McHale specials that just work

– The P&G frame extensions I never remove and not having  them would be great for weight savings and less complexity.

– The removable lower side pockets is a real useful area for modularity. Tilting one of them allow easy access to water. Leaving the other back and upright keeps fuel and extra water secure.

– The big lid adds lots of weight. I never use it.

– The fat leno mesh back padding doesn’t increase my comfort and is permanently off the pack

The bypass load lifters and the hip belt really make for a comfortable pack.