SWD Wolverine 90L

So how much weight does the flat bar vs tube frame carry before the frame starts to give?

The McHale concept makes sense and the current execution by everyone else seems incorrect to me. I’ve often wondered why no one has considered replicating what McHale designed.

I’m told that Aarn implemented McHale’s bypass harness system after the patent expired.

I imagine that we haven’t seen it in other packs because implementing it requires more time and effort (for the pack designer), relative to implementing a standard load-lifter design. Has any MYOG pack ever implemented the bypass harness system?

Or maybe it doesn’t work.

@JohnB I use bypass on my framed MYOG packs. Not going back to standard load lifters

It’s pretty easy to make

@GW, have you ever posted notes or photos on the procedure that you use to implement the bypass when you make packs? If not, I imagine that many users would be interested. I’m one of them.

@ChrisL, @GW: your points about SWD belts needing to be stiff are well taken. Do you know whether SWD uses plastic stiffeners in its belts?

@JohnB No haven’t posted about the myog bypass.

McHale uses a channel to lead the load lifters down the shoulder strap:

On my packs I decided to use a series of plastic loop locs on the daisy chain that holds the sternum strap, as one maybe can see on this poor image:

Other than that it’s beneficial to find a shoulder strap buckle/webbing combo that allows the transition of the bypass from the front to the back below the end of shoulder strap. Sorry don’t have many good construction pics

I had a Wolverine 70 and I have a Mchale LBP with the bypass system.  The latter is vastly superior in carry above 35 lbs.

And yes the bypass system is superb.

David, thank you—it’s good to know about the relative capacity of the SWD and McHale packs. Your comment reminds me of something that I’ve read about Aarn packs, which also (I’m told) implement the bypass harness: their advantage over ordinary packs is greatest when carrying a lot. When carrying little, their packs don’t feel much better than packs that have more ordinary designs.

GW, I like your design. And—please correct me if I’m wrong—it seems that one should be able to implement the bypass harness as you have while also adding shoulder-strap pockets (for example, to carry a water bottle).

I’ve had 3 Mchale packs but sold them all. I could not get that guy to build me anything under 4 lbs.

Joey, when you sold them, was your thinking that they were just too heavy to be reasonable for less-than-heavy loads (say, less than 35 pounds)?

Have you had a chance to use your Wolverine yet?

Another 95 liter Wolverine. This thing is gorgeous. Can a backpack be gorgeous? Top quality anyway.

Of course backpacks can be gorgeous! Just as it is possible for me to be in love with the front pocket of my pack.

I envy you that waist belt; looks really comfortable.

I think the side pockets are about as big as the back pocket.

The belt fits nicely. Well padded.  Not as padded as my Kuiu. Not as stiff either and thus a bit more form fitting. Height adjustable, if I can get the clips open.

The tall side pockets are huge. My 50L has tall pockets on both sides and will hold a gallon bottle of water with room to spare. I can’t imagine how much capacity the 95L has.

Jon B, yes it was the weight that had me sell the Mchales. Also, I never really cared for his water bottle side pockets. They are very nice and well built. I really wanted the Spectra fabric which he never would do anymore.

Terran, I used mine Wolverine 95L on a Wonderland trip this year. Was really great. Those hip belts really hug on to you to distribute weight to the  Yours looks really great. Nice color combination.

Baja Bob, I thought about getting both tall side pockets. I’m glad I didn’t because this pack is the first one that I’ve ever been able to reach back and get my water bottle without taking off the pack. If I did it again, I would have one tall pocket.

I like the black bodies. I figured I’d see everything better with white. At that point, I decided it needed a little color and not my usual stealth approach.

The red WB pockets are a little bright. They’re well made and fit snugly. A little intrusive.

I almost added a second tall side pocket. I’m happy with just one. I can see putting two on a 50 liter for water carry.  I put a bladder with a drink hose in mine.    The short pocket is nice for my poncho or anything else I want handy. After I  raised the belt a notch, it was easier to get to. The pack fit better too.

A short compression strap to attach a two liter HMG Versa as a belt pocket. No interference with the fit.