Considering a Mystery Ranch g6000 for extended (10-21 day) trips in the winter to haul 60-80lbs without resupply. I am confused as to which frame to go with. They have the "NICE" frame and the "Guide" frame. I realize there is a weight difference. Anyone with experience with these packs please advise on the frame question. I currently use a ULA P-1 for three season use with light weight gear, but want to do extended winter trips with a "bombproof" snow load/wind load capable tent (Hilleberg..etc), and 20 to 40 lbs of food. Thanks.

I can't help you with the Mystery Ranch frames, but have you looked at the lighter alternatives? They might even save you money.

The first option is by Titanium Goat.
...and I'm trying to find it and it seems to be gone. It had an external carbon fiber frame with a dry bag. I believe the frame and suspension weighed about the same as a ULA Catalyst and was priced around $500. The thing I liked about this option because it used a simple dry bag that allowed you to quickly and inexpensively change the capacity (and weight) of this pack.

The second option isn't talked much here. There are 3000 & 6000 cubic inch versions. The bigger pack weighs 88 ounces and costs $550. The Kuiu website has an active forum if you want to find out more.
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The other option is a custom Mchale pack, and while it will certainly be a great pack, the price will make the other three options look cheap.

That said, I know from experience that the Mystery Ranch suspension works quite well.

I've got a Mystery Ranch pack, and have been very impressed with the in depth, careful help they provide both before and after the sale. I'd suggest calling them and getting their input. In my case, they actually steered me to a less expensive pack, but only after talking to me quite a bit to be sure they identified my needs.
Jim

Tim,

I've used a Mystery Ranch BDSB, now the G7000, for fifteen years, and for fifteen years before that I used a Dana-designed and made Dana Design Terraplane. Best packs of all time for weight transfer. They are certainly not light but when you are carrying 60+ lb they can't be beat.

There was no frame choice when I bought my BDSB, but I think I have what's now called the Guide frame. The NICE frame (NICE is a military acronym for something) is used by itself for unusually shaped loads - mortars, ammunition, a hunter's carcass, fire-fighting equipment, etc. Call MR and inquire, but I'd say go with the guide frame.

Richard

Thanks for the responses. I will definitely check out the Titanium Goat, and the Kuiu site. I carried this weight many years ago, and did not think I would do that again !

I can attest to the quality of Mystery Ranch when carrying a heavier load. Any MR pack on a NICE frame is as good as it gets when the weight is increased.
I use different variations of MR packs in my military capacity all the time. I am required to carry the standard loadout, but in addition I am a communications guy, so my pack is generally upwards of 70-100 pounds of unstable/oddly-shaped gear, and nothing carries it as well as a pack on the NICE frame.

My first experience w/ the frame was in a store in Fayetteville, NC called 21st Century Tactical - I actually carried the 165lb owner of the store around on my back as he hung from the frame. Yeah, it was heavy -- but at only 185lbs myself, I was able to do it relatively easily. The way the weight is transferred to the hips is amazing, and the adjustability of the frame to fit your torso is unmatched, IMHO.

We also use variations of their 1-3 day packs with great success. Prices are at a premium, but so is the quality.

I own two mystery ranch the packs the big sky and the sweat pea with the futura frame system and the big sky has the X frame added for heavier loads. I love the packs I also owned Dana design Terraplane
I use to carry 60 to 70 lbs of mostly water and my equipment desert backpacking, Dana Gleason just got frame/pack design correct years ago and it just keeps evolving.

I have been making my own ultra lite rucks sacks for the past few years and have come to the conclusion till I get a commercial sewing machine I can not make the packs I want to make that will carries loads and durability wise. That's why I have gone back to my Mystery ranch packs for durability and load carry and better design.

Plus thousands of fire fighter,hunter and us military can't be wrong with the strength and load carry capability of the mystery ranch packs
Terry

These packs are great, my 3 day assault is my usual go to pack, suitable for me up to 5.days solo.

The nice frame and load sling has been on my wish list for a while now, just use a dry bag as the pack bag.

Look into the Kifaru KU 5200 with the add-on pockets.

"The other option is a custom Mchale pack, and while it will certainly be a great pack, the price will make the other three options look cheap."

I can attest to that, on both counts. My McHale is among his largest packs, and it's still one of the lightest framed packs I've run into so far, yet it allowed me to carry nearly 70 pounds when I didn't know how to optimize my gear weight. On my last trip, a week in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, I carried around 50 pounds, of which around 30 was photography gear. Price out a field monorail, and then look at ultralight backpacks again. Then their prices look less scary :)

Definitely the Nice frame. It is modular, allowing a number of different pack backs to be attached and can easily handle well over 100 lb load (yikes). It is heavy but made out of bomber materials - unlike Kifaru.

The NICE frame is the most comfortable I've ever used for carrying heavy loads. Regarding Kifaru, I think you should clarify that Kifaru DOES make bomber packs as well...its just the KU (ultralight) line that is less durable and much lighter. but Kifaru packs in general are also well regarded and able to carry large loads comfortably.

I was responding to the post by Dan regarding the KU line. Thanks,

Cilogear maybe. Lightweight packs that are supposed to be pretty good at carrying heavier loads. I don't know how they compare to Mystery Ranch though.