Mystery Ranch Metcalf Belt Bruises - New Pack Suggestions? - Sub 4 lbs Requirement

[HNTR918]

I've hunted out west for 3 seasons now on 6 different elk hunts, 5 mule deer hunts, and 2 pronghorn hunts. For all of these I've used my Mystery Ranch Metcalf. I'm primarily a backcountry/backpack/rifle/late season hunter. When I pack out a full mule deer or pronghorn, or when I'm packing out full elk quarters. My hip belt leaves bruises that look like blood blisters. I've tried everything to adjust the belt/loadlifters/weight distribution. I'm training every day with a 96lbs pack and it's getting worse, not better.

Who has had this problem?
How did you solve it?
Any suggestions on a new pack?
I'd like to stay under 4lbs because my pack is the heaviest part of my kit besides my rifle.
I'm 5'7'' 155lb 21'' torso 29'' waist 41'' chest.

 

[nastynick]

96 lbs every day! That’s a lot on a daily basis. Have you taken a break so it could heal?

I run a metcalf and have a Marshall both on guide light, never had this problem with any weight. Are the plastic pieces inside the hip belt digging in? What size belt is it?

 

[idahohikker]

That’s a lot of weight for your body size. Seems like a pack fit issue. I don’t think it’s common from what I’ve read on the MR packs.

 

[stonewall]

I've never had trouble with my metcalf. I keep training weight around 50#. occasionally go up to 75#. have done a handful of elk packouts. and the 100# thing at train to hunt. i vote let your body rest...96# on a regular basis seems like it would do more harm than good long term. imho

 

[THBZN]

I've hunted out west for 3 seasons now on 6 different elk hunts, 5 mule deer hunts, and 2 pronghorn hunts. For all of these I've used my Mystery Ranch Metcalf. I'm primarily a backcountry/backpack/rifle/late season hunter. When I pack out a full mule deer or pronghorn, or when I'm packing out full elk quarters. My hip belt leaves bruises that look like blood blisters. I've tried everything to adjust the belt/loadlifters/weight distribution. I'm training every day with a 96lbs pack and it's getting worse, not better.

Who has had this problem?
How did you solve it?
Any suggestions on a new pack?
I'd like to stay under 4lbs because my pack is the heaviest part of my kit besides my rifle.
I'm 5'7'' 155lb 21'' torso 29'' waist 41'' chest.

What size is your pack? (Belt and torso measurements as per the pack's labeling...)
You are definitely on the lean side, so ensuring a proper waistbelt fit will be key. Also, just my opinion, 96# everyday is a recipe for potential overtraining injuries that will be more than the hip bruises and likely longer term recovery. You only get stronger/more fit during the rest phase....

Check your sizing and where the belt sits on your hips. As a starting point, the buckle should sit about 2 fingers above your bellybutton. It is at least a starting point for a good fit.

 

[easilyamused]

Sub 4 pounds is quite the goal if you want much space or organization in your pack setup, there are some out there but youd be much better off getting something that fits correctly regardless or a pound or 2. I used a MR for a season and couldnt get it to work for me with fit and changed to a Kifaru the next season and it was worlds better for fit for my body. I can tell you that at 80 lbs if the kifaru was 2 pounds heavier or lighter than the MR it wouldnt matter one bit because a comfortable 82 pound pack is worlds better than a 80 pound pack thats hurting.

If youre sold on ultralight check out some options from seek outside, some of the smaller stone glacier packs, or the new kifaru kutthroat pack.

 

[JohnB]

I have no doubt you are significantly stronger than me, but I could not imagine daily training with a 95 pound pack. I would have to think that is one of the roots of your problems. Do you think you'd have the hip bone pain if you took a month off to heal and then carried a pack like that?

 

[Dave0317]

I used to get all kinds of bruising and abrasion from my military ruck. Especially around the 45 pound mark. I find that if I go much heavier the pack tends to settle and sit in one spot on my hips. I fixed it by lengthening the torso a bit, so the pack settles on my hips better. Another cause of some pinching for me was my belt. I was using a Wilderness 5 stitch belt. It’s great for carrying a handgun and a number of other things, but it is thick and caused a little extra rubbing under a pack belt. I now hike without a belt, or if my pants are a bit loose, I wear a very thin belt like a Bison Designs belt.

Lastly, like some others said, your training program could probably be improved. You will be healthier and have a more well rounded fitness level if you start a basic strength program with barbell or kettlebells, and then ruck maybe twice a week. Do a heavy ruck and a light ruck.
Google Mike Prevost and Al Ciampa. Both have some good articles on how to plan ruck training.

The recovery is just as important as the workout.

 

[Wrench]

You're running 96 pounds....are you seriously going to be affected by one more?

I've come out over 100 and every time I go from my 40-50# hike in camp weight pack to loaded coming out weight... I have to readjust my pack.

Guys say to just suck up the load lifters, but I don't get the level of comfort that properly fitted pack gives.

With that said, I'd be calling the big 3 and talking to them about your build shape and size and load desires and results.

I would bet Aron can give you some good tips.

My lightest pack, a early 2000's badlands 2800 that is a dream to carry at 40 but step that over 100 and I will bleed through my skin.

I prefer a NICE frame for hauling heavy because of the way the yoke fits me.....even though its 7#.

My Kifaru packs don't take the weight as well for me, and I think it has to do with the width of the frame at my shoulder / neck.....but it does the best job of splitting the line between the extremes.

In my opinion, they all do something better and worse than the rest. You're asking for two key points to be covered in one shot.

Light and uber capacity are the recipie for disappointment.

 

[tdot]

Check out Seek Outside. Their system is the first I've ever used that didnt bruise my hips. I personally found that all of the other packs just weren't optimized for smaller or skinnier guys. The SO is a different story. Most other packs after being properly adjusted would start bruising my hips somewhere in the 30-60 pound range. The SO I've had over 110pounds (on a scale) for a hilly 5 mile hike and zero bruising. Approaching 200 miles over 2 months with 50-60 pounds and zero bruising.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Not gonna address setup weights cause that's entirely dependant on the bag you pick and your main issue is with the frame. My hunting partner is leaner and had issues with the MR belts (I can use them but know clamping them down puts pressure on the hips in a more concentrated way). We both also use the stone glacier EVO frame (him in a small belt) and that one definitely grabs onto our hips in a more uniform way.

One other thing I'll mention that makes a different for me and hip skin damage at loads has nothing to do with the pack but rather my clothing/belt layers. I make sure to tuck in my underlayer shirt well when packing so it doesn't ride up and expose my skin to the pack belt, inherently when that happens my softer skin will get pinched against my belt and do some damage, where as my shirt keeps that from happening. In general various considerations like that, you may already have all that addressed but just something to mention in cause its been overlooked.

 

[TheBrianM]

My hunting partner is leaner and had issues with the MR belts (I can use them but know clamping them down puts pressure on the hips in a more concentrated way).

I can attest to this. I hiked a couple days with the belt cinched tight (~70lbs in the pack) last August and the outside of my left thigh is still numb from pinching a nerve. That was with the Guide Light belt...I hear the Guide Light MT is better

 

[HNTR918]

96 lbs every day! That’s a lot on a daily basis. Have you taken a break so it could heal?

I run a metcalf and have a Marshall both on guide light, never had this problem with any weight. Are the plastic pieces inside the hip belt digging in? What size belt is it?

Thanks for all the feedback!

After reading everyone's responses, I tried to pay more attention to where the pain came from over the weekend. It is the PLASTIC pieces inside the hip belt that are cutting straight thru the padding.

Also, I'm not running with this weight, just hiking. I'm training with 2X my planned hunting weight.

The reason I care about the 2 extra lbs, is because my total skin out gear weight is currently at 46 lbs. I notice a big difference in my season if I'm carrying more than 30% my body weight in distance gone and animals seen.