MR Mule pack?

[PA Archer]

Was just seeing if any of you have ran the Mystery Ranch Mule pack and what your thoughts were on it? How well does it pack a load and just overall comfort and functionality of it for a day pack or short 2 day trip? Thanks

 

[Desk Jockey]

I have a crew cab which is like the mule with side pockets. It is fine. Can haul some weight and with a dry bag to contain everything it does fine in backpack mode. It isn’t as stable or user friendly as a pack with a bag. Count on having to adjust your load periodically. They are very strappy so Getting in and out of it is more of a pain in the ass. I think it is a good solution for putting a day pack on a full size frame. I think it is a great solution for carrying weird, bulky loads like a bag of corn or a big box of something or more importantly, a load of meat. I think it works a bit less well when it comes to replacing a pack bag, especially one with a meat shelf, as a full time hauler. After a bit of use, I got frustrated with the strappyness and bought a Metcalf. I do keep the crew cab around. It is sitting on an old NICE frame loaded with sand as a training pack and gets pulled out as a loaner, meat hauler and for odd sized/shaped loads.

 

[jjchad]

It worked well for my son, No complaints other than the ticks, haha.

 

[PA Archer]

I have a crew cab which is like the mule with side pockets. It is fine. Can haul some weight and with a dry bag to contain everything it does fine in backpack mode. It isn’t as stable or user friendly as a pack with a bag. Count on having to adjust your load periodically. They are very strappy so Getting in and out of it is more of a pain in the ass. I think it is a good solution for putting a day pack on a full size frame. I think it is a great solution for carrying weird, bulky loads like a bag of corn or a big box of something or more importantly, a load of meat. I think it works a bit less well when it comes to replacing a pack bag, especially one with a meat shelf, as a full time hauler. After a bit of use, I got frustrated with the strappyness and bought a Metcalf. I do keep the crew cab around. It is sitting on an old NICE frame loaded with sand as a training pack and gets pulled out as a loaner, meat hauler and for odd sized/shaped loads.

So when your saying strappyness (like straps in the way?) are you talking about getting to the items inside the bag or getting to the load shelf? I would be using it mainly for a daybag from a basecamp for food and layer clothes and also for the load shelf if the hunt goes according to plan.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Yeah. So. It is basically like a load sling with an integrated daypack, right. So (1) if you are hauling a load, to get anything in your camp bag you are going to have to undo or adjust between 2-8 straps plus your camp bag. (2) In daypack mode, those same straps keep the pack tight to the frame and provide compression as well so you end up having to loosen them up to get into the contents even when just using it as a daypack. I just found myself tugging and pulling a lot of straps regardless of how I used it. I ultimately replaced it with a pintler and now a sawtooth. Much easier to get into the main bag regardless of whether the meat shelf is being used or not.

It is also quite easy to fill up a 23l bag even with daypack stuff if you haul extra layers.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Yeah. So. It is basically like a load sling with an integrated daypack, right. So (1) if you are hauling a load, to get anything in your camp bag you are going to have to undo or adjust between 2-8 straps plus your camp bag. (2) In daypack mode, those same straps keep the pack tight to the frame and provide compression as well so you end up having to loosen them up to get into the contents even when just using it as a daypack. I just found myself tugging and pulling a lot of straps regardless of how I used it. I ultimately replaced it with a pintler and now a sawtooth. Much easier to get into the main bag regardless of whether the meat shelf is being used or not.

It is also quite easy to fill up a 23l bag even with daypack stuff if you haul extra layers.

 

[Jsn_leonard]

I really like the Mule. I switch between that and a Pintler on the guide lite frame depending on what type of hunting I’m doin. The straps are pretty long so keep them rolled up and secure with the Velcro. I keep my glassing pad between the frame an bag to help keep everything tight. I compare the Mule to a Jansport back pack with a meat hauler frame. Packed out an elk this year and had no problem fitting two bone in front shoulders in one shot.

 

[askibness]

The mule is a great pack. Only complaint is the small storage that’s built in, which can be remedied with a dry bag/stuff sack loaded into the load shelf. I went with a cabinet. Same functionality, few more pockets and wider load shelf. Both great packs though.

 

[PA Archer]

Thanks guys for the responses. Think I'm going to pick one up and try it and see what I think, may end up with the sawtooth if the money is right. Thanks again