The 'scoop on McHale packs

I recently posted about some backpack fit problems I was having, and someone suggested that I try McHale packs. I looked at their website and have ordered their video. In the meantime I was wondering what others impressions were of his packs, besides pricey? How do they compare to other namebrand packs? How would I go about getting my hands on one to look at...do any shops carry them? My impression was that they are sold strictly from his shop.

Many thanks in advance,
Steve

Look under packs in the Gear Reviews section of this web site.

How do they compare to other namebrand packs? How would I go about getting my hands on one to look at...do any shops carry them? My impression was that they are sold strictly from his shop.

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Many thanks in advance,
Steve

I think you'll find McHale's video pretty informative. I really learned a lot from it about pack design and McHale's concept on how a pack should work. Dan really makes a great pack and it works just like he says it will. I've tried many packs over the years and have modified many myself to try and make them fit me better, but McHales packs are in a class by themselves. The hipbelt works like a hipbelt should and without slipping, pinching or gapping. It's the first hipbelt I've worn that can load the weight on my bone structure and not sit on top of my pelvis and put pressure on the tailbone and then creep downward. If you get the measurements right the pack will fit perfectly and the load spreads out so well it seems to become an extension of your body without bouncing or shifting. This saves energy I believe since you don't have to fight unwanted movement of the load and is less mentally tiring too since you never have to worry about any adjustment moving until you feel like moving it. McHale's packs compared to off the shelf packs are kind of like riding a high end efficient bicycle in comparsion to riding a Huffy from Kmart. The McHale delivers performance and does it in a way no other pack I've tried can match. He sells only from his shop or made to order over the phone.

Several years ago I tried on his packs at his shop, and later in the day I looked at Osprey and Dana packs at another shop. Without a doubt the fit of his packs, especially the hip belt was the best. (In fact I used the double buckle idea when customizing one of my lighter packs). The construction of his packs was solid, but they did not have the 'slickness' of the others. For example no custom molded plastic frame sheets. His bags and pockets tend to be rectangular, you can see the bolts holding the belt to the frame etc. It was sort of like comparing a Jeep Wrangler or Series III Landrover to Lexus 'SUV'. They are designed to carry heavy loads comfortably, but they don't have the style and bells and whistles that would catch the eye of a casual shopper.

I didn't buy at the time because of the expense, though I may have spent almost as much since then trying to find (and eventually customize) a pack that I was really happy with.

Paul

Without any doubt what-so-ever, IMHO, Dan McHale builds the finest, most comfortable, most solid pack. Period! I have two of his packs and I could in many respects, use the packs to go from a single alpine summit pack all the way to an expedition pack. His attention to detail is second to none in the industry and his customer service is unsurpassed.

Yes, you pay a few dollars more for a McHale pack but amortize this over many, many trips and many years and when you factor in the comfort, you're ahead of the game as far as I'm concerned. Go to his web site at mchalepacks.com order his video, call him up (yes, he answers the phone) and begin an experience that you will never regret. Tell him that Jerry from Denver referred you. If you have any personal questions, feel free to e-mail me personally.

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I recently posted about some backpack fit problems I was having, and someone suggested that I try McHale packs. I looked at their website and have ordered their video. In the meantime I was wondering what others impressions were of his packs, besides pricey? How do they compare to other namebrand packs? How would I go about getting my hands on one to look at...do any shops carry them? My impression was that they are sold strictly from his shop.

Many thanks in advance,
Steve

Bought my McHale Inex 5 years ago. An awesome pack. Everything in the other posts I will attest to. I ordered mine over the phone. Dan will take the time to make sure your measurements are correct and is able to build your pack to fit. I believe he will ship you a pack to try out. One trip and you will be sold. The hipbelt alone makes carrying the pack so comfortable and stable.

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I recently posted about some backpack fit problems I was having, and someone suggested that I try McHale packs. I looked at their website and have ordered their video. In the meantime I was wondering what others impressions were of his packs, besides pricey? How do they compare to other namebrand packs? How would I go about getting my hands on one to look at...do any shops carry them? My impression was that they are sold strictly from his shop.

Many thanks in advance,
Steve

They are the best. You have to ask yourself if you are willing to pay the price for the best and is the price really worth it. I have never met a McHale owner that didn't regret buying one (but they did make the comment about them being pricey).

If you don't have the funds for a McHale, go with Gregory. In fact for the price of 1 MCHale, you could buy several Gregorys.

I've dealt with followup service with both and they are the same. Gregory is just up the road from me (about 30 minutes), and I've known Wayne for years, so I tend to support new Gregory pack puchases.

My suggestion is find someone near you with a McHale and see if you can borrow it. Then take it to a store that sells good quality backpacks (REI for example) and compare right there.

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I recently posted about some backpack fit problems I was having, and someone suggested that I try McHale packs. I looked at their website and have ordered their video. In the meantime I was wondering what others impressions were of his packs, besides pricey? How do they compare to other namebrand packs? How would I go about getting my hands on one to look at...do any shops carry them? My impression was that they are sold strictly from his shop.

Many thanks in advance,
Steve

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Look under packs in the Gear Reviews section of this web site.

Well Steve....

Here is the real scoop. In 1967 I had a Kelty...then another one in 1977... bought another in 1983. Then I had a Jan Sport in 1985 (damn thing squeaked all the time)... then in 1988 a Gregory SnowCreek..... I was an "early adopter" of internal frame packs....

That Gregory was great and lasted 10 years of heavy use. Thought I'd go buy another one.

Then I sent for the McHale video and it just made a lot of sense. No hollywood models in packs on mowed grass. Just honest info.

Buying it is a long process, measuring, writing back and forth (they don't do e-mail). Phone calls, but they were great to deal with.

So I bought a McHale Inex in in 1999. And can see buying nothing else. The pack carries better with heavy loads. That is all. No hype, just it works better. I have bounced back and forth to my old Gregory and it (McHale)is amazingly better, not just a little bit.... a huge amount. I have used it for week long backpacks in Colorado and Ranier, Hood and Adams summits climbs.

If you think you will be a backpacker for the next 5 years... it is worth the extra $300 or so you pay over a regular pack.... No question about it. That's why guides use them almost exclusivly on Rainier.

Nope, I don't work for Dan.... just appreciate a great product and am happy to pass along a good experience with a quality manufacturer.

I bought an Inex Alpineer several years ago after seeing the video and talking to Dan over the phone. The pack is expensive, and heavy. And it is by far the best pack I have ever used. The hipbelt and "bypass" system are incomparable, the construction is bulletproof, the design is superb, especially the convertible frame which gives you a flexibility that increases the utility to the point where you have 2 packs in one, and the fit is, well, custom.
I regularly carry heavy, and for that my Mchale is incomparable.

Quote:

I recently posted about some backpack fit problems I was having, and someone suggested that I try McHale packs. I looked at their website and have ordered their video. In the meantime I was wondering what others impressions were of his packs, besides pricey? How do they compare to other namebrand packs? How would I go about getting my hands on one to look at...do any shops carry them? My impression was that they are sold strictly from his shop.

Many thanks in advance,
Steve