Should I buy a Molly Macpack? How Do you Pack your Molly

[MacEntyre]

Is the water bladder carrier the same dimensions as the original MMP? Does it have a weight limit?

The water bladder carrier is a simple 8"x18" insulated pouch with corner loop hangers and a middle cinch strap; you can fasten it on top of the load or underneath. It is meant to be a lightweight alternative to a Camelback carrier. I've used them with four liters of water, which is a reasonable weight limit.

When you carry water in bottles, it is the same effect as a front pack if you can fasten your bottle carriers to the shoulder straps. That balances the load nicely!

- MacEntyre

[lesspayne]

The water bladder carrier is a simple 8"x18" insulated pouch with corner loop hangers and a middle cinch strap; you can fasten it on top of the load or underneath. It is meant to be a lightweight alternative to a Camelback carrier. I've used them with four liters of water, which is a reasonable weight limit.

When you carry water in bottles, it is the same effect as a front pack if you can fasten your bottle carriers to the shoulder straps. That balances the load nicely!

- MacEntyre

I apologize, I confused the names of your products Mac, I was asking those questions about the Molly Mac Pack Peregrine Insulated Hydration Pack.

[MacEntyre]

Brilliant Design.

Thank you very much!

I just wonder if it effects the performance of the pack...

No, it does not.

...like can you load heavy items near the top of the pack (as this is the correct way to load for trail hiking) where the split that contains the water bladder is located?

Yes, you can.

(I load mine opposite... heavier items at the bottom.)

- MacEntyre

[lesspayne]

Thank you very much!


No, it does not.


Yes, you can.

(I load mine opposite... heavier items at the bottom.)

- MacEntyre

Thanks For answering all my questions Mac. I may have more during my long wait (I'm so impatient).

[MacEntyre]

MacEntyre, is this the way you would rig the MMG Water Bladder Carrier?

Sorry I missed this Q before... Yes! That is how I would rig it!

I prefer bottles on my belt, unless I am going into really dry country. When I have to carry more than two liters, I use a bladder.

- MacEntyre

[lesspayne]

Came into a job that will pay me a couple extra dollars. It will be enough to get the MMP and a Packa. Will the Packa fit over most hiking loads?

[MacEntyre]

Came into a job that will pay me a couple extra dollars. It will be enough to get the MMP and a Packa. Will the Packa fit over most hiking loads?

Yes, but you don't need the extra large size pack portion of the Packa. MMP loads tend to be close to your back.

[lesspayne]

Thanks, ordered a couple of days ago, I did get a large X Packa just in case. I have a full size New River under quilt and Kelty Cornell long sleeping bag, so both together take up some room. I figure that having the extra room won't hurt.....right?

[SimonMc]

My front panel and extra pouches are in transit .

Thanks Mac.

[Rat]

Billybob
Yes that was WV carrying a load of firewood with the MMP.
I was not even considering getting the front pack until you brought up balancing the weight issue. I have a couple of questions about that.
1. Does it make your loads feel lighter?
2. Can you carry more weight, for example say I can normally travel 10 miles a day with my pack loaded down at 20 lbs, by properly balancing a load between the front, back and belt can I effectively carry 30 or 35 lbs the same distance?
Thanks

Yes, and not only that...
The Peregrine has an actual belt that you can attach actual pouches to! I use 4 liter pouches (two left and one right) plus a water bottle carrier on the right posterior position. This allows the center of gravity to be moved not only lower but also more forward.

The front panel really offsets the balance of the pack nicely and I would say you could easily add ten pounds by using one.

By fully loading the belt and using the front panel, my normal pack weights seem like child's play!

The belt, while seemingly low-tech, is the most versatile of any pack system out there; and very comfortable. Using the belt alone with a few pouches as a lumbar pack is easily accomplished in the field with a quick conversion; to gather food, water or as a summit pack.

Even if you opt to not use a front panel the belt can be used to offset the balance as well. For people in hot climates, that don't want the sweaty side effects of the front panel, they can use the belt to get much the same benefit.

For slack packing the options are easy as well:
Remove the front panel and use the back panel and belt...
Remove the front panel and back panel and use just the belt...
Re-rig the front panel with the shoulder straps and use this as the back panel without the belt...
You can even rig the front panel as a messenger type rig; over the shoulder!

Haversack Mode
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Frawg Pack, reconfigured onsite for some light fishing on a hike.
frawg pack (3).JPG