SEAlpine, The CMII is huge. It will not be undersized. I have a CM II. If I had it to do over, I would probably look at an S-Sarc instead. The sizes are the same but the hip belt is different. I say this because I have one of his guide harness small packs. It carries heavy weight well. The S-Sarc is CM II sized, has the bayonets and and bypass harness but it is a little lighter in weight. The CM waist belt is very comfortable and holds well on the hips even with very heavy loads. The regular Sarc waist belt is also very good with heavy loads compared to most other packs and it's a little more compact than the CM setup.
For a hunting pack, the bayonet feature is nice. Having the bayonets in not only allows you more packing room but the vertical stack makes it much easier to balance out a heavy load when you have a variety of stuff to pack such as on the walk in or out. But when you are taking a smaller load, such as roaming out from the main camp, you pull the bayonets and the pack collapses down below your shoulder line and does not hang up the way a taller pack will when bushwhacking.
I am very happy with my CM pack. It is just a little too much for most of what I actually get to do. As I said above, if I had realized then how capable the regular Sarc setup was, I would have just ordered that instead.
On the other hand, if you will regularly carry very heavy loads, that CM waist belt is fantastic. Get the cam buckles for heavy weights. They are easier to cinch and much easier to release with one hand, even with gloves or mittens.
You can't compare MCHale's stated capacities to other mfg.'s specs. McHale's are much more conservative. Try a CM II demo and see if it has more than enough room for you. I'll bet it will.
ok, you have turned my attention to this manufacturer. I know this is a thread about building your McHale, but can someone shed some light on why this pack might be better than the longhunter. I need a new 3 day pack, size depending on the season of bow or rifle, and was waiting to see what the Hill People were going to come up with in their new line. So I have some time to do some research. So forgive me to jump into your thread on a side note. But can anyone say why they choose McHale for hunting? I'm a gear head and can't wait to start reading about their products on their site.
My own response as to why I chose McHale is the suspension. Once I strapped on the Demo Pack, the thought that went through my mind was,"where have you been all of my life?" The load is evenly distributed and feels less than it actually is. They are a joy to carry, in my opinion.
I have had a Longhunter and also hunted with a Mystery Ranch Kodiak...
I can say that the hiking I've done with the McHales is a joy over these two other packs. I am not saying these others are not comfortable...just that my McHales is more comfortable (and it is more versatile too).
That progression is about what I would expect given that the McHale is a full custom pack, while Kifaru mentions ...customizing... on their current site and the 2005ish catalgue of theirs which I recently threw out, mentioned ...custom made..., IIRC.
Mystery Ranch, is a basic design, intended to fit a wide range of people quite well and it does just that, however, it is not "custom" and that does make a difference, IME.
I think it probably a good time to mention that, while McHale's are certainly the "cutting edge" of packs currently available. this does come at a cost which may be beyond the means of many who wish to backpack hunt. As great as Dan's packs are, they are not for everyone and there are alternatives at far less cost with which one can hunt in reasonable comfort and which are reliable.
I really enjoy seeing the different photos of McHale's here and hope that more will join in and let us see their packs from Dan.
Truly a custom pack built to your specs; not assembled from parts. Many choices of materials, some of which are tough to get in a standard pack (Dyneema / Spectra, Cuben, etc) You get to work with Dan. The man is an artist and expert in his field.
More discussion on his packs can be found at these threads:
Sold. How should I start? Is the whole process a custom order? As a hunter, which fabric is going to the quitiest? I will stop here and hit the website to start my research. I love this forum for the great information you guys are willing to share.
Start by just looking at every page on McHales website and come up with what you want for a basic design. I would not worry about what fabric is quietest. I would avoid basic cuben fiber though as its loud and crinkly when new. I do not know about the new hybrid cuben as I have never seen it in person. IMO, 500d cordura or dyneema grid is what I would use and I did . Write down what you are looking for in a pack. Hunting, load hauling, easy access, weight, size, pockets, fabric etc. If you want the biggest and baddest pack from McHale its going to cost you, my bill was over $1,000 for a S-CMII. If I would of went full spectra fabric that price would of shot way up.
Yup, it is NOT the "cheapest" means of getting a decent hunting pack, BUT, as with all my gear, I have always looked at it from the perspective of getting and using what works BEST FOR ME and also lasts longest.
I have gear, well-worn, I bought in 1964-70,in my first few years of really active backpacking, wilderness working and hunting-the hunting has always been the least of these in importance to me- that is STILL as functional as when I bought it. My buddies used to chuckle at my highend gear and then spend two years BCFS salary on a "GTO man", while I drive four-bangers and use gear that is the best one can buy.
I do not advocate a beginner buying a McHale or even a MR, start with the basics and see what YOU actually enjoy, before spending hard earned coin that you might well later regret. However, for guys like Wes here and, it seems, an increasing number of others all over North America, the current upsurge in serious backpack hunting makes it practical and fiscally sound to buy gear of this quality and then use the H*LL out of it.
This year, AT LONG LAST, the 6-pt. Elk season around my home town is OPEN Sept. 10th. and I am going to spend every minute I can there, trying to get a REAL "hawg" of a bull, something that I have never done, my biggest is a "nice" 5-pt. So, my McHale will wait until next winter and "riverjet"'s pack is exactly what I have had in mind for several years.
Would anyone be interested in a Dana Longbed Loadmaster-large-green- in NEW condition, as I have two and will never use this one?
I have not got it yet though so here is a link to some pictures and a short description. Mine is the latest one at the top of the page. I am so freaking excited to get this thing!!!
Congrats W! That's a good looking pack. Obviously I can see the "fit" but I'll bet you're going to love it.
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. --Winston Churchill
Mine took about 2 months, I think that is his average wait time but I did not get a demo. If you get a demo I think the process is drawn out a bit longer. Give him a call or email.
. Write down what you are looking for in a pack. Hunting, load hauling, easy access, weight, size, pockets, fabric etc. If you want the biggest and baddest pack from McHale its going to cost you, my bill was over $1,000 for a S-CMII. If I would of went full spectra fabric that price would of shot way up.
![[Linked Image]](http://www.mchalepacks.com/images/Graham%20Super%20loaded%209x12_8556.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://www.mchalepacks.com/images/Graham%20Super%20stripped%209x12_8573.jpg)
