Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting McHale pack picture thread

Would you guys please PM me your specs that you asked Dan for in your hnuting packs- I'd like to replicate your experience as close as possible

Thank you!

Theres really no set specs to follow and thats the great thing. It will be your custom pack and you build it how you want. Just tell him the max weight you expect to carry. My pack is a heavy beast, over 7,000 cu inches, tough and for 120+ pound loads. That made the weight go up to 8 pounds and I am fine with that. It is a pack bulit for true 120+ loads, comparable only to an external. Other dual stay packs claim they can carry this load but seeing how the frame on his critical mass packs is built I beg to differ.

He also offers a lot of fabric choices. I am no expert on that but 500d cordura is a good cheaper option. Full spectra is a bit lighter and I think tougher but will raise the price of your pack by a lot. Dyneema grid is an even lighter option and is also a tough fabric but for a hunting pack I would choose Spectra or cordura over it. You can even chose the width of your shoulder harness and other things. If you go to his shop and try on some packs you will get a better idea on what its all about.

Your best bet is just to talk it over with him and he will guide you toward the choices you should make. Take a long look at his website and see what base design interests you.

After I have some time with my new pack I will do a full write on the details and its performance.

Thanks, great idea. How long did it take to get your pack made?

Like I said on the last page 2 months but I dont know if it has shipped yet i have not heard back from him. Pretty sure I should have it by the end of next week. I dont think he likes to give a "timeline" on when your pack will be built and done. Sounds like he is busy and this is probably the busiest part of the year. I would not expect to have one by this hunting season but who knows. You can always use a demo until your pack is done. This is not something that can be rushed and I dont think he like to be rushed, I also dont think he likes to get emails every week asking if your pack is done .

Why is it all the backpacking greats are hippy burnouts with high IQs and [bleep] business ethics?

Based on my experience with Dan McHale during the spec'ing and ordering of my own pack, I would say your comment about '[bleep] business ethics' is way off the mark.

Then why doesn'[t he hire another hippy that can make really cool hemp necklaces so that turn around time isn't two months??

Perhaps because he doesn't feel 2months is unreasonable for a custom product made from scratch, the majority of his customers don't either, and he understands that most people who run their mouths about him in a negative manner are internet bigshot wanna-be pack 'experts' who have no intention of ever buying one of his products and couldn't really afford to anyway?

Perhaps because he doesn't view his business decisions and practices as irresponsible in any moral or social way, thus any characterization of his 'business ethics' as '[bleep]' would be, in his opinion incorrect?

I had a great experience with my pack build/order. How was your personal experience with same?

Dan, I started this thread for those of us McHale pack fans to post pictures of our packs for enjoyment purposes. It has the added benefit that anyone interested in a McHale can see some colors/ options/ combos that they may not have considered before.

Please don't crap on this thread and turn it into a flame war. If you have negative comments about McHale packs or Dan's business practices feel free to start your own thread on that topic.

In the spirit of the thread, here is a picture from last years sheep hunt with my CM11 in day mode with the bayonets removed. Everything I need for the day-spotter, tripod, raingear, meat bags, food, water, etc, etc..

Brother Dave, and Jedi. I'm not just speaking about Dan McHale. Dana, Patrick, and pretty much all of them in the biz are pretty much that same personality type. That's what I meant. It's cool that they're all in the business, but they don't do it for a fat paycheck and big living.

Dave, I've been kicking around the idea of ordering a McHale. The 2 month turnaround will make it something I won't worry about until winter. If turnaround was quicker, Dan would be getting my money sooner. 50-60 hour weeks leaves plenty of scratch for toys in the budget

For the record, I really like what I see on Dan's packs.

The flexibility is one of my favorite things about my LBP.

5 day trip? No problem. Loosen the compression straps, put on the lid and hydration sleeve, add the bayonets and by-pass straps and you're good to go.

Evening scouting trip? No problem. Compress down, remove top lid, hydration sleeve, bayonets and by-pass straps, extend Q-bayos, add water bottle pouches and you're good to go.

I can't post pics on this site but will link back to some from Bowsite after this hunting season.

I have a $900. Mchale pack and its a deal- one of my top pieces of gear for sure. Now if you would have asked me beforehand or even during the process- I was in major doubt and couldn't comprehend how a pack can be worth all that.

I have 2 Dana packs- still do and tried Badlands,Eberlestock,Kifaru and about 1/2 of the mountaineering packs on the market. Comparing the best of those packs to my Mchale is like comparing an old navy T shirt to a custom tailored italian suit. Even then its not a fair comparison since you can only wear the suit and the pack is versatile. Will your pack carry an 80# meat load [game bag inside a compactor bag] without sliding to the bottom like a sack of potatoes? My Mchale holds it right in the middle of my back

Now I'm a tall guy thats hard to fit with an off the shelf pack so it might not be worth the dough for custom to an avg size guy. But for me to have a pack that fits perfect, functions as a 3-5 day backpack or a daypack that carries a heavy meat load without any sagging all at just below 6#. Theres just no way to explain it to someone- I was skeptical myself before....but not now.

I know exactly what you mean. I used to dread the idea of paying $400 for a Kifaru, and now I also own a $900 McHale. And yet the first thing I thought when I got it was, "Holy cow! I got my money's worth." The degree of workmanship that Dan puts into his pack is phenomenal. I'm not sure you can even describe it to someone who hasn't bought one without them thinking your nuts.

Here is a pic of the second pack I had made. Its a LBP36 I had made for my mom as a mothers day present. I think I am good for about 10 years worth of Mothers days now .

Today was my first hike with the new McHale, did about 13 miles and 3400 ft gain. Had it in day pack mode, although its still big enough for a 5 day trip even with the frame out. The quality of this pack is amazing and it feels great too!

Pic of my CMII that is still being built.

Good sir, I have a few questions about your setup there. I am in the market for a pack, and these look like the ticket.
For starters, where were you on your sheep hunt? Looks like beautiful country! How did you pack perform (Hauling meat, just gear for hunt?)

I see that both of your arms are at your side, yet your rifle is near at-the-ready. Is this a deceiving photo angle, or do you have some sort of sling/device?

Thank you

Big_W--That's why my pack didnt look as cool��your pack was beside it!

George, this was a 14 day stones sheep hunt in northern B.C., I went in heavy last year because I took lots of food and it was close to 70lbs everything included. Its very comfortable with that weight but I didnt connect on a ram that year so I wasnt able to load it up any heavier. I did carry a deer in it later in the season and it felt good. The critical mass harness has a one piece belt with 2 sinch straps so the load gets equally distributed all around your waist instead of just hanging off the front of your hip bones. I used to use a kifaru longhunter before this and even though I really like that pack it just didnt work for my hips with loads over 65lbs. Im 140 lbs so I need something that will grab my hips. I had the pack built so I could use the gunbearer from my kifaru pack.