Mchale Packs?

Andre,

The 2nd post in this thread had a link to a comprehensive review that has plenty of pictures of the interior of a couple McHale packs.

Thanks nick! Im surprised at how his frame system is constructed.

I will say I looked at Dan’s site for years.  Then I had one to many 30 lbs trips using pretty popular UL pack.  My McHale is 3lbs more (5 lbs with top) but but I have no shoulder pain at all in the 59 year old shoulders.  The full spectra is VERY heavy, I went with a grid and spectra mix with full spectra on the kangaroo pocket, bottom, and rims. The wide waist band is very helpful to me – makes a huge impact – and the by pass makes adjusting easy.  If I strip it down and takes off pockets and bayonettes, I’m down to 3.5 pounds but total comfort.   Dan was great, my torso is small for my height, but the longer frame was still better after a bit of back and forth.  Been to Kings Canyon Muro Blanco, Sawtooths and Hells Canyon – tough on packs.  Clemson Orange Grid kept me visible!

@dmbyerley I can’t decide about full spectra or grid spectra! It’s a tough choice! I love the way spectra looks, and I’m not easy, or rough on my gear. Somewhere in between. I just want something that will last

The Dyneema Grid is pretty durable and should be durable enough, but what’s the cost difference for the full woven Dyneema (Spectra)?   A full woven dyneema pack will last a lifetime for sure, and if you’re going to be spending that much money anyways, why not?

I got Dyneema Grid for my McHale except for the pack bottom and shoulder straps.

@mocs123 It’s about $1000 more haha so not cheap! I can swing it, I’m just trying to figure it all out. I may have to have Dan help me haha

IMO – not worth $1K additional cost.  Though if you are hard on gear and this is your forever pack it might be.  I’m not sure how much longer Dan will make packs.

@mocs123 Yeah those are my same thoughts. Im 32 and have clothing I still wear from when I was 15 (so I keep my stuff forever and rarely buy new things). So the spectra is probably worth it. I also have had that thought about him potentially not making packs for much longer, So I definitely wanted to hop on it while I can

Dan will send you sample during process.  I was thinking full spectra but it is soooo heavy compared to Grid.  You have to feel it to understand.  It will last though.  I think the blend is the best balance. Sides and body grid, kangaroo pocket full spectra, bottoms and rims Dan already uses full spectra.  Grid, I found out, is plenty water proof also – guess is it laminate but kept everything very dry in an unexpected dunk in Snake River.

The double layer summit flap is just about perfect for keeping your 1st aid kit, toilet kit, maps handy.  If you go that route suggest asking Dan to add a Velcro tab or two to “close” the pockets Or at least the top pocket as things migrate  from the upper to the lower pocket.

As to the larger fanny pack pocket, I had this with my Inex. It was great then as I could carry jackets and rain gear for both my kids.  Today, for me it would be waaay overkill.   And I used it as a Fanny pack twice in fifteen years.

Not to say don’t get one, just consider your use case and make sure it works for you.

The Dyneema Grid is pretty durable and should be durable enough, but what’s the cost difference for the full woven Dyneema (Spectra)?   A full woven dyneema pack will last a lifetime for sure, and if you’re going to be spending that much money anyways, why not?
<p style=”text-align: left;”>I got Dyneema Grid for my McHale except for the pack bottom and shoulder straps.

</p>

Exactly. Mine is the same.  Spectra bottom and shoulder straps.

I received my demo pack the other day. I got the LBP 41 AKA the sarc casm. Super impressed with the level of engineering that went into making it. It frankly may be too large of a pack, is bigger than I expected! Can anyone speak as to the Different sizes and their “liter equivalent”. Im coming from a HMG 3400, so If I had something similar to that size with maybe just a little more room that would be perfect

Mine is 41” circumference at top, 40” at the bottom.  33” fully extended with the bayonets.  Per my earlier post about 50l.

The pack volume will depend on both the circumference and length. You can use the pack volumes page on McHale’s website to determine the volume in cubic inches, then convert to liters using 1L = 61.02 in3.

HMG rates the 3400 at 55 liters with the sleeve extended (but I would argue the useful capacity is somewhat less). Roughly equivalent LBP sizes (untapered) are shaded in blue in the table below. I’m 5’11” and my LBP is ~24 in. to the top of the frame (no P&G). Add ~6 in. for extension or P&G gives ~30 in. bag length. So, if I wanted something close to the max capacity of the HMG 3400, I’d probably be looking at a LBP 38-ish.

Figuring another way:  HMG 3400 specs list the bottom circumference as 33.5 in. and the top circumference as 40 in., or 36.75 average assuming constant taper, with a fully unrolled length of 34 in. The length required for the roll top has to be subtracted, so the max closed length is ~30 in. So, an LPB 37 should be roughly equivalent and an LBP 38 should give you a little more volume.

For reference, I have a LBP 36 that I use for short trips and a Popcan 43/40 for longer trips. The Popcan sizing was based on accommodating a bear canister horizontally.

Hey guys, figured I would show you the first pic Dan just sent me of my pack. I’m pretty excited about it!

I like the colors. Subdued, but still colorful.

How’d the demo process go? And what size did you end up going with? I just got my LBP demo pack – seems good so far!

@johnnyh88 It was easy! He sent me a pack, I went on a few different hikes and took some pics, the one he sent me fit perfect. So from there we just figured out what I wanted and got it all done. This is the Little big pack 41 AKA the sarc-casm.

I carried a McHale pack thirty years ago and it was terrific,  but they’re too heavy, and I can’t tolerate any load on my old shoulders.

Denis

Sorry for the OT post, but as an increasingly decrepit hiker myself, can I recommend the Aarn bodypacks? Properly adjusted you have literally no significant load on your shoulders at all. A game-changer for people with neck or shoulder issues.

Understood, my neck is in awful shape, shoulders are not much better. I opted for the Mchale Because I felt like while using the demo the weight was perfectly resting upon my hips, and nothing on my shoulders.

I’ve seen those Aarn pack and they look really interesting. I was wondering about those.

If you communicate to Dan the issues you are having with packs because of physical ailments or previous packs that “just did not fit”, I know he will work getting the demo pack he send for you to practice with to solve those concerns. Dan does not want one of his packs to leave Washington unless it meets the new owner AND his fitting specifications prior to building a pack, and the reason for the many trial trip with the demo is necessary.

Absolutely love this pack. I frankly don’t even notice it while it’s on my back. I’m assuming that’s what people mean when they say Dans packs are extremely comfortable. Definitely glad I made the investment

Looks very nice. Congrats on the new gear, hopefully you won’t need to buy a new pack ever again.

<p style=”text-align: left;”>I’m guessing a few walk-about are being planned!  And the sarc-chasm while not UL is light enough and scrunches down small for weekends while blowing out to accommodate the big 2+ week carries. </p>
Enjoy it.

Yes I fully agree. I went on a day hike with it today and was able to get the pack to be pretty petite. But I also do plan on doing some longer trips. So this should suit many purposes for me