Load up a CamelBak MULE-pretty pic heavy!

i was able to stuff a lot of stuff in my mule including a full size katadyn filter. the only problem i had was it cut down on the amount of water i could carry.

i think it is worth mentioning that this is the military mule not the regular version. you can put more in the nonmilitary version but it is not built as well.
 
Mine is the military MULE? I didn't know. It doesn't seem to indicate that anywhere, but it could be I suppose. I am taking it out this weekend I think.
 
Great write up and pics dougo. I've got the SAME pack and use it very frequently. I rarely use the bladder in it, but love the pack regardless. It's the perfect size for a day trip and fits perfectly on my back. I have more than enough room when the wife and I take the dog for a hike. It's also small enough for my wife to carry comfortably.

I saw a lot of use on duty when I was still in the military also. I have nothing but good things to say about the design. I think the next one I get will be the HAWG.

Here's a pic of it on my kayak holding all my gear for the day. In this pic the only thing I have on the outside of the pack is my multi-tool since I used it a decent amount while I was out there. The pack fit's great right on top of the kayak. I keep the top pocket open with fishing pliers on a long lanyard lashed to the top loops on the pack.

014-2.jpg
 
myright...does taking the bladder out give you much more space? I am just curious as I may take it out and simply carry filtration if I do longer trips. The 3L of H2O is great for me for a day and I pack a small filter set-up, but am I am curious about the load-bearing comfort when the bladder is replaced with stuff.
 
i got alot of molle compatable stuff from Cheaperthandirt...yeah its cheap and so far has held up real well. got a utility puch for my maxpedition condor2 for like 11.00 bucks. hold one otis cleaning kit and has room for two more.
go there and see what you can find.
 
langston...I just received their catalog. I noticed that they have bladders 3/$20 as well. Probably gonna snag some more of those as well...
 
crossada...thanks for the heads-up about the civvie MULE. I may buy one for my trip to Kenya. I am not sure how the camo'd out military pack would be received in light of recent action over there.


ROCK6...thanks for the pouches to test out. I picked up the large utility/med pouch from the surplus today for about $10. I think that will suit my needs best. I may pick up a few of the smaller OD ones that you sent as well as one similar to that smallest Kifaru. I will try to get them headed back to you within the next few days.

PeACE
Dougo
 
That is awesome! I've been wanting to do something like that for a while now. How much do one of those packs cost? Or are there decent generic brands out there that work just as well? Does it come in solid colors?

3 liters is .66 gallons. At 8lbs. per gallon of water, that's roughly 5.3lbs. of water.

I think you could do without the Swiss Army knife and the Buck though, they seem redundant and extra weight if you already have the Mora and Leatherman.
 
Nice job, seems a little knife heavy to me, or do you not edc a knife also?
 
dougo83 said:
myright...does taking the bladder out give you much more space? I am just curious as I may take it out and simply carry filtration if I do longer trips. The 3L of H2O is great for me for a day and I pack a small filter set-up, but am I am curious about the load-bearing comfort when the bladder is replaced with stuff.
Click to expand...


Not really. The main reason I don't use the bladder all that much is because I hate cleaning it. The bladder is cool because as you drink it there is more room freed up. With my sig bottle I still have the size of the bottle and the weight. The cool thing about a bottle is that you don't have to worry about puncturing it.
 
Stingray...the MULE like mine is going to run nearly $125. I got it at a steal for $50 on clearance. Academy has the civvie version, see crossada's link, for about $85. Also, the colors vary. I have seen black, OD, ACU, and desert tan.



Jimg...Quite a few of those blades are my EDC. I just wanted to see what the pack could handle.
 
BTW...CamelBak needs to put a disclaimer on the package. Something along the lines of "unless you want to shell out another $30 or so, this thing is gonna be a RPITA to clean and dry...have a nice day."
 
dougo83 said:
BTW...CamelBak needs to put a disclaimer on the package. Something along the lines of "unless you want to shell out another $30 or so, this thing is gonna be a RPITA to clean and dry...have a nice day."
Click to expand...

Exactly why I don't use the bladder all that much.

I went out and bought that cleaning kit they sell and it does make it a lot easier to clean, but it sucks having to spend all that to be able to clean the darn thing.
 
dougo83 said:
BTW...CamelBak needs to put a disclaimer on the package. Something along the lines of "unless you want to shell out another $30 or so, this thing is gonna be a RPITA to clean and dry...have a nice day."
Click to expand...

They can be tough if you let them sit. When we do family hikes, guess who does most of the "post hiking/camping recovery operations"?...yeap, me:D Best way to make sure they're good is to empty them immediately after a trip or hike and hang them up. They dry out real quick in my garage and I've had no issues of fungal growth. The tube cleaner/scrubber is a real good idea to pick up as well. A couple times a year, I'll clean them out with bleach and Oxyclean. The bladders are much easier to keep dry and clean than the tubes, so having an extra one or two on hand isn't a bad idea either. The real trick is to keep them clean from the beginning:thumbup:

ROCK6
 
ROCK6 said:
They can be tough if you let them sit. When we do family hikes, guess who does most of the "post hiking/camping recovery operations"?...yeap, me:D Best way to make sure they're good is to empty them immediately after a trip or hike and hang them up. They dry out real quick in my garage and I've had no issues of fungal growth. The tube cleaner/scrubber is a real good idea to pick up as well. A couple times a year, I'll clean them out with bleach and Oxyclean. The bladders are much easier to keep dry and clean than the tubes, so having an extra one or two on hand isn't a bad idea either. The real trick is to keep them clean from the beginning:thumbup:

ROCK6
Click to expand...

Yea...I have done pretty good about keeping mine clean...actually it has pretty much been filled and used every day since I picked it up. I am wondering though, can I do like I would with a water bottle and leave the water in there for a few days or weeks by just dropping in a few drops of bleach? I don't know much about how these bladders would hold up. Oh...and I will be picking up some more as soon as my employee discount at Academy kicks in...
 
dougo83 said:
I am wondering though, can I do like I would with a water bottle and leave the water in there for a few days or weeks by just dropping in a few drops of bleach? I don't know much about how these bladders would hold up. Oh...and I will be picking up some more as soon as my employee discount at Academy kicks in...
Click to expand...

You would probably be okay for a few weeks and then just clean it out and fill it back up (that's where my little MIOX comes in handy for keeping the water pretty free of growth). If it's left in the truck, I would use a large jug of water and keep the bladder empty unitl you needed to fill it and go...the jugs are easier to rotate out and keep clean.

ROCK6
 
ROCK6 said:
You would probably be okay for a few weeks and then just clean it out and fill it back up (that's where my little MIOX comes in handy for keeping the water pretty free of growth). If it's left in the truck, I would use a large jug of water and keep the bladder empty unitl you needed to fill it and go...the jugs are easier to rotate out and keep clean.

ROCK6
Click to expand...

Good to know. I really like the idea of using the MULE as a BOB and water would be a big concern...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top