Is the Mystery Ranch Pop Up 30 a substantial upgrade from the older 28?

[flyfisher117]

I had the previous pop up. I was eyeballing the new pop up. I wouldn’t classify it as an upgrade. It’s IMHo a side step with maybe a scoot forwards.

I wouldn’t buy the new one just to glass and shoot off of the little threaded yoke. It’s a creative feature but not worth an “upgrade”

 

[chriss2455]

I just got the 30 and love it. You cant go wrong with either.

 

[Pilsner]

Wonder if I picked up a 28 or 30 Popup frame if it would work with my old 22L Mule bag?

 

[Rufus]

Wonder if I picked up a 28 or 30 Popup frame if it would work with my old 22L Mule bag?

Hi Pilsner. It does. I have a pop up 38 and put a mule on it that came off of an old guide light (not MT) frame. Depending on how old your mule is, You will probably need to change the buckles in either the mule or on the frame, which is no big deal. The meat shelf on the mule is slightly wider than on the popups, but it still works. Thanks. -Rufus.

 

[GunsAreFun]

I had the newest version 40 for a minute. I didn’t like anything about it. Bulky, heavy, buckles sucked, strappy and fiddly, and didn’t carry weight well. Haven’t tried the older versions.

I’ve tried both and didn’t like either of them. Sticking to a regular frame pack. The bags compress so well on most that I don’t see the attraction in these convertible systems.

 

[Macintosh]

@GunsAreFun its not an issue of the bags compressing for me. The attraction for me is the height of the frame above your shoulders, combined with thick vegetation. A fixed frame with load lifters necessarily protrudes well above your shoulders, and if you are forced to constantly be in thick woods or brush, it is constantly catching on branches as you duck underneath. This is also why folks see less benefit from a popup in the larger sizes, because it makes less of a difference on a larger pack…but comparing the profile and flexibility of something like an 18 or 28l popup to a similar-volume bag on a full-sized frame is night and day. I think this is an issue of where people hunt—if ducking under low branches isnt a constant situation for you, you likely will wonder what the fuss is about. If that’s your everyday I think it’ll make good sense to you.

 

[Animalmutha]

I’ve used a gen 2 PU28 for years. I think it’s great. I’ve used it for 3 day backcountry trips. It’s not big at 28L but you can haul in sleep system and tarp/tent in the meat pack shelf and also strap stuff to bottom and sides via the attached strap system. Only change I’ve made is replace the side and top buckles with the small “G clips”. This way you can tighten it down to a Lower profile when it’s not full. My day hunts I pack very slim. Water, snacks, game bags and couple knives. Nowhere near 28L so I like a super tight slim pack.

 

[Animalmutha]

Get multiple opinions because I may be an oddball.

But I strongly prefer the old version. The newer one is heavier and bulkier, which on a low profile pack is a big deal to me. Its why I think using a big multiday pack as a daypack is a major compromise. I have old version pop up 28 and 18, and really like both. I have not had any issues carrying weight in either of mine. I have never tried to pack an elk in them, but have had no issue carrying an entire bone-in quartered whitetail, Ive carried an entire ladder-stand, etc, and they are hardly more cumbersome than a standard day pack of the same volume. I would personally not trade them for a newer version.

Would you sell that 18L?

 

[Macintosh]

Would you sell that 18L?

You cant afford it.

(Thats a snarky & hopefully humorous way of saying no thank you. I havent found anything close to it in functionality, so its more or less irreplaceable, hence the snark^. No offense intended)

 

[Animalmutha]

You cant afford it.

(Thats a snarky & hopefully humorous way of saying no thank you. I havent found anything close to it in functionality, so it’s more or less irreplaceable, hence the snark^. No offense intended)

Oh I get it brother. I’ve been searching for a couple years now on and off. Basically hens teeth.

 

[BreechFace]

Oh I get it brother. I’ve been searching for a couple years now on and off. Basically hens teeth.

You and me both. I finally found a popup 28 and bought that but really want to find an 18. That fits my WT hunting needs very well here in the PNW humping hills and spot/stalk.

 

[Animalmutha]

You and me both. I finally found a popup 28 and bought that but really want to find an 18. That fits my WT hunting needs very well here in the PNW humping hills and spot/stalk.

I hunt SE WA. Archery elk the 28 works great for multi day since it’s so warm.

Hauled out a quartered mule deer in 1 trip once. Was slow but pack worked great. 4 quarters plus straps and scrap

Also hauled out 2 spike bull quarters at once. Slow and painful but had a big bear creeping on the kill. 2 of us got it out in 1 trip