Molly Mac Pac Inspired

[bdbart]

Haven't trail tested 'em yet... but they seem to be pretty sturdy

I have seen the official Molly Mac Pacs....and they are totally bomb-proof and waterproof...mine are not waterproof (or even firecracker proof)...after making these, I would not hesitate to pay $170-$180 for the official gear

The camo one is made from 9oz nylon ripstop and nylon webbing for the MOLLE thingies. shoulder straps are made from additional camo material.

The blue one is salvaged from an 10+ year old alum. frame pack. The material was deteriorating from being in the attic for so long..but the hip-strap was fine....so I kept in one this frame. The shoulder straps are just some rope that is wrapped around iteself

[Goblin]

The external frame pack is actually the direction I went this last summer. I took an old frame (from the '70's I think), and removed the bag. I just strapped on my stuff sacks to the outside. Nothing as elaborate as you have here... I'm too lazy! I also strapped on a hydration pack for my water. It wasn't the most comfortable, but it was airy for the southern heat, and light. Good luck on your test runs!

[MacEntyre]

Would you show us the other side of the camo MMP-wannabe? I'm interested in how you attached the shoulder straps and belt, and how you made the straps and belt.

[bdbart]

It is definitely not as secure as the MMP... essentially I will use it for lightweight hiking...and try it out for biking

I did not put MOLLE thingies on the other side b/c...well I just didn't...except for two strips (one on top, another on bottom)

The shoulder straps are just a long strip of fabric that is about 2 inches wide....all I did was secure it to the bottom webbing, then run it thru the top webbing, and back down to the bottom....later I added a tube of fabric to run the strip thru

Did that make any sense..let me know

the hip strap is just another strip of fabric that I tie around my waist

[MacEntyre]

...will use it for lightweight hiking...and try it out for biking

I bet it weighs nothing at all!

I did not put MOLLE thingies on the other side...

That's where most of the labor lies.

I see you have side and top stiffeners sewn into the binding. What did you use for stiffeners?

Looks good!

- MacEntyre

[BillyBob58]

Way to go, bdbart! Good start!

[KerMegan]

your frame retro-fit reminds me of the 'luxury-lite' sort of thing. nifty!
KM (who likes 're-use, re-purpose, then recycle'!)

[bdbart]

I see you have side and top stiffeners sewn into the binding. What did you use for stiffeners?

I don't know what it's called. like rebar....except its smooth and about 1/4 inch diameter. the top stiffeners are even thinner ~1/8 inch

[Rat]

I don't know what it's called. like rebar....except its smooth and about 1/4 inch diameter. the top stiffeners are even thinner ~1/8 inch

We call that round stock, round bar, or round rod; looks like brass and maybe stainless?

[mountain_man_mike]

That is a nice set up there. It reminds me of a leg of the JMT to Mt. Whitney few years ago. I used an external frame from a Jansport pack, removed the pack, folded my cc pad, wrapped all except for the "go to" items in a tarp wrapped burrito style and diamond hitched it to the frame. I then secured a hydration pack and the "go to" bag to the outside. For the eight day trek the complete pack weight came in at 27 pounds, including bear canister but less water. Not extreme but not a bad go of it.

Nice job on the project!