Which Camelbak? MULE vs. HAWG

stingray4540

stingray4540

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Mar 26, 2007
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Well, I have a gift card that's been burning a hole in my pocket, so I need your advice.

I was originally thinking about getting a MULE for those hour/day hikes, so I would just have my water, a psk, a camera and some snacks. I like that it looks small, and I don't want to carry around a huge pack if I'm just doing a 2-3 hour hike.

On the other hand, I like to take a sweetshirt or flannel in case it gets cold, and I'm a big guy so a sweetshirt takes up a lot of room. So, I was thinking about the HAWG, but I worry that it would be too big for my 2 hour hikes and not large enough for an overnighter.

So what say you?

***Should I just get a MULE and later get a proper backpackers pack for overnighters and weekend trips? I could always strap my sweatshirt to the outside of the MULE.

***Or is the HAWG small enough not to encumber me on short hikes, yet big enough to handle an overnighter?

***I could always get the MULE and if I want something bigger, give the MULE to my wife and then buy a HAWG. As I'd like to get her a hydration pack as well in the future.

I'm going to try and find a store that has both and look at them myself, so I may or may not take your advise, but I'd at least like to hear it.

P.S. I'm fat and out of shape so it doesn't take much to encumber me and get me sweating like a pig.

P.P.S We are considering the civilian versions for this thread.
 
I've used the Mule for mountain biking for several years and been pleased with it. It can expand, and carry mroe than it initially appears.

The Hawg can carry more, but is too small, I think< for a weekend backpacking trip.

However, if I were buying a new one, I'd probably get the Hawg, just for the occasional extra versatility.
 
Stingray, you may want to look at the Mayhem. It's a nice inbetweener. I have a Mule and a Mayhem. I like them both, but the Mayhem will allow you to take those extra items you mention:)

Bill
 
I bought the M.U.L.E. by mail-order, not having seen one in person. I wanted it for bicyling and dayhiking. Its description made it out to be fairly large, but it's really not. If I did it over, I would go with the HAWG.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
Personal opinion?

I would get the HAWG for general day tripping. The MULE (549 cu. in) will probably come up a little short if you start stuffing any bulky clothes into it (take the word of another "Big Guy"). If on warm days when you leave the sweater at home the bag is too empty, it does have sinch straps to tighten it up with a smaller load so no problems there.

I think even the HAWG (801 cu. in) is probably too small for even simple overnighters, though, unless you are planing on going really ultralight in warm, clement weather where warm, bulky clothes or a wind proof shelter isn't needed. I myself was thinking about picking up a Camelbak Vantage 40 (2745 cu. in) for short 2-3 overnighters as I think its big enough to handle some "Big Guy" bulky cool weather clothing and still fit in a modest camping set.
 
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I have both (military versions) and the HAWG is not that big. You won't be able to stuff a large sweatshirt into a MULE.


mdauben said:
Personal opinion?


I think even the HAWG (801 cu. in) is probably too small for even simple overnighters, though, unless you are planing on going really ultralight in warm, clement weather where warm, bulky clothes or a wind proof shelter isn't needed.
Click to expand...

I would agree with this. I do sometimes strap a poncho to the outside of the HAWG for an emergency shelter.

Here is a thread with a lot of pictures of the MULE (military version) which hopefully gives you an idea of what you can fit in one:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=578600
 
Thanks guys.

I got a chance to look at the HAWG at REI, they didn't have the MULE. I think I will go with the HAWG, it is not that big at all! I was surprised actually. I agree it might be too small for an overnighter, unless I can strap my sleeping bag to the bottom somehow, since the pack rides so high.
 
nick--- i have had a HAWG for the past 3 years or so.. i love it..:thumbup: i use it for both mtn. biking and hiking... it holds plenty of water and gear... the newer ones are pretty cool...

here's a few pics...

here it is all loaded up at our river spot.. i think you've been there...:)
IMG_1876.jpg


and with all my mtn. bike gear....:D

IMG_1869.jpg
 
Stingray...if you find my post about loading up the MULE you can see what it fills up with. It will give you an idea of average capacity with a full 3L Omega bladder. With the gear I put in it, it was pretty well loaded...
 
dougo: Ya, I remember your MULE post, that's what inspired me to get a hydration pack.

Now that I've seen the HAWG though, I think that I would prefer the extra room since it is still a pretty small pack anyways, I could probably go larger, but I want something mostly for my short hikes, bike rides, etc.

Mike: That's a good amount of stuff, does you helmet fit in there too?!
 
stingray4540 said:
Now that I've seen the HAWG though, I think that I would prefer the extra room since it is still a pretty small pack anyways, I could probably go larger, but I want something mostly for my short hikes, bike rides, etc.

Mike: That's a good amount of stuff, does you helmet fit in there too?!
Click to expand...

nick--- the helmet fits into that mesh/bungee area, in the front of the pack... it fits perfect...:thumbup:

check out the newer HAWG's... they're a bit nicer than mine, which is about 3 years old now...:o
 
I have 3 separate generations of the MULE and much as I would like to, I can't get any of them to ride comfortably on my back...with a full water bladder, they ride like a sausage strapped between my shoulders. And even without the bladder, there is still something weird about the feel...just my opinion.

Never used the HAWG, but have the Cloud Walker from several years ago, similar in size to the HAWG and I have the same issues.

It is possible that I have gotten so used to wearing a properly fitting backpack that I am not willing to have something hanging from my shoulders. I use an ancient REI snowboarder's day pack (2600 cu in) for my day trip and 1-2 night trips. The compression straps cinch down tight enough to keep the load up against your back and there's plenty of room for a 100 oz bladder or a couple of nalgenes inside. Also, there are flaps on the outside which are meant to hold the snowboard, but I use them to hold a fleece or sweatshirt right where I can get to it instantly. Plus, it has a flexible frame sheet and a serious hipbelt so it rides my hipbones instead of my shoulders.

I've given up on cool and just go with what works at this point in my life. My 2 cents.


Jeff
 
I've been looking for a hydra-pack myself and I settled on the Hawg. The Mule is too small for my needs. Havn't seen the Mayhem in person yet though, so it might also be a consideration.
 
Mule is OK for minimal kit - PSK plus a shell or very light fleece. A full bladder really hurts capacity, and makes it difficult to dig things out of the bottom. You can strap things to the outside, but I rarely plan on doing so - inside is much more secure and protected.

As for overnight, I think minimum pack size is about 2500 cubic inches, unless you are very small, have very specialized gear, are doing a survival trip with constructed shelter, are in a very easy environment, or some combination thereof.
 
I have a MULE and love it, but agree with many others that have already posted about it's size. I take it on very short trips or a medium hike when I am by myself.

I see a lot of good things said about the HAWG and I think I'll have to pick one up to see how it works on those trips where my day pack is too big, but my MULE is too small.

Does anyone know if there is a significant difference between the military and civvie HAWG?
 
I have both, and to be honest the MULE has been a waste of money. All I use it for anymore is very short hikes in the local hills in cold weather, when I have to carry some extra clothing.

The HAWG on the other hand is my mainstay, for both long dayhikes and 100 mile dirt bike rides!
 
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The HAWG it is then, I just placed an order for the Coyote colored one, but they don't get there next shipment until the 26th. :(
 
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