Any Mystery Ranch Popup 28 guys out there

I just ordered one on the Black Ovis sale. I’ve test fit at a local backpack store that is happy to charge retail plus freight. Hope to have a report soon, little late for hunting but fishing season is right around the corner.
 
I liked the look of it myself and bought one yesterday with the Black Ovis sale. I’ve never handled one in person so I really can’t add much. Should be a good day pack and for throwing in the back seat of the truck. Maybe use it for some summer camping.
 
I bought one when they first came out and spent about a month with it strapped to my back. They first couple weeks I played with the shoulder straps trying to get it to fit. I could never get it to fit right and by the end of each day my shoulders were killing me. So when I went to Montana to hunt stopped in Bozeman at the headquarters and took my pack in and spent about an hour in there with two of their gentleman fitting the pack to my back. Left all pumped up. Started hunting with it the next day and after about 2 hours my shoulders were killing me again, I powered through the hunt but decided that this pack was not for me.. They are great packs but for some reason it does not fit me. it is a great idea and there are a ton of people it works for, not knocking the product just saying it did not work for me.
 
I bought one when they first came out and spent about a month with it strapped to my back. They first couple weeks I played with the shoulder straps trying to get it to fit. I could never get it to fit right and by the end of each day my shoulders were killing me. So when I went to Montana to hunt stopped in Bozeman at the headquarters and took my pack in and spent about an hour in there with two of their gentleman fitting the pack to my back. Left all pumped up. Started hunting with it the next day and after about 2 hours my shoulders were killing me again, I powered through the hunt but decided that this pack was not for me.. They are great packs but for some reason it does not fit me. it is a great idea and there are a ton of people it works for, not knocking the product just saying it did not work for me.

Can you briefly describe in what way it didn’t fit you? You mentioned the shoulder straps, but what was causing you pain?
 
I had an 18 and really liked the pack. I found that about 70-ish lbs was the limit for me with this pack, which is pretty decent considering. With the pack frame folded away I could get around easier in thick timber.

I ended up selling it as it was tough to justify two dedicated hunting packs. Kept my Stone Glacier and just bought a smaller bag for it to day hunt.

It is a very solid day pack in my opinion.
 
Can you briefly describe in what way it didn’t fit you? You mentioned the shoulder straps, but what was causing you pain?


I believe in my case the shoulder straps are not padded enough. I would tighten the waist strap as tight as I could but it would eventually sag to the point where the pack load would be resting on my shoulders. I have used packs for over 50 years so I am familiar with how a pack should work and through the years I have had packs that just would not work and others that you could wear all day and not be sore.
 
I bought one when they first came out and spent about a month with it strapped to my back. They first couple weeks I played with the shoulder straps trying to get it to fit. I could never get it to fit right and by the end of each day my shoulders were killing me. So when I went to Montana to hunt stopped in Bozeman at the headquarters and took my pack in and spent about an hour in there with two of their gentleman fitting the pack to my back. Left all pumped up. Started hunting with it the next day and after about 2 hours my shoulders were killing me again, I powered through the hunt but decided that this pack was not for me.. They are great packs but for some reason it does not fit me. it is a great idea and there are a ton of people it works for, not knocking the product just saying it did not work for me.
I had a very similar experience. Sold my Pop-up 28 a week after I bought it. I never found a way to make it comfortable, and when I had my camp loaded in the overload shelf, I felt like I was going to fall over backwards all the time.
 
Love my 28. Have used it as a daypack for whitetail. Packed out a +60# load of meat with it. It works but it is not a full size hauler. Perfect as a daypack that may rarely need to haul a heavy load.
 
I had the Pop-Up for a bit but decided to get the Sawtooth 45. Love the new frame design and very comfortable.

I might take a gander at the pop up 36.
 
Just talked to MR and a new updated version is coming out in a week or so. New frame and bad is now made from 330 vice 500/550 whatever it is now. Guy said to definitely wait for the update version. Price jump too $325.
 
At ATA in Indy this week will have the new Pop Ups on display, and at MR retailers and on the site in the coming weeks.....there is a 28 and 38 liter version.....improved frame and waistbelt, a camo option....should be good!
 
I wish there was more info on the new 2020 pop up, the telescoping frame looks cool. Torn on getting a used / clearance 2019 pop up, definitely cheaper than full retail.
 
I wish there was more info on the new 2020 pop up, the telescoping frame looks cool. Torn on getting a used / clearance 2019 pop up, definitely cheaper than full retail.

I would wait to see how everybody likes the new pack first. You should be able to pick up a old pop up even cheaper once they come to market.
 
I'm hoping MR will offer the 38 as a bag only option.
I can see a need for both bags with one frame.
 
Love mine
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I have an 18 and really like it. Versatile but can still carry a decent load for reasonable distances. Used it for sheep and elk this fall, you can go with a small light compact load or strap on as much as you want to carry. Great for carrying a tripod and spotter to have it easily accessible.
 
I finally put about 8 miles on mine this past Sunday. Didn’t weight it, would estimate maybe 20lbs all in. I was a bit skeptical at first as it really didn’t seem too comfortable just getting it fit up in the house. It turns out that I really like it. I’ll get some more weight in it next time. I’m not a pack snob, nor am I a long distance camp out of a pack for a week guy. Just day use. The other one I have that I like is an older Badlands 2200.
 
I found one online cheap but not sure if it is the old model or new?

Can someone tell me the difference or how I can tell if the one I found is 2019 model or 2020?
 
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