Mystery Ranch Mule?

[Szwampdonkey]

So i heard Mystery Ranch is going to offer the Pintler and a smaller pack called "The Mule" as a bag only option this Spring?

I'm in the market for a 2000 cubic inch daypack and was wondering if anyone has any info or heard of this Mystery Ranch Mule pack? I thought MR wasn't going to offer the option to swap bags out anymore and i'd hate to get into one and find out down the road i can't swap out a smaller bag for a larger one like other companies let you do.

 

[Szwampdonkey]

No love for MR it appears, lol.

Was leaning towards Exo anyways...

 

[MT_Wyatt]

No love for MR it appears, lol.

Was leaning towards Exo anyways...

They lost a lot of dudes, including me, when they went to the “kitted” nonsense. That might explain the lack of love.

They expanded to a ton of retailers and produce a lot of good stuff these days. But if I can’t buy a frame or a bag separate I’m not buying MR for a hunting pack, period. Too many good options for packs to be subjected to that. And it’s been a couple years now and I’ve yet to see an MR “bag only” option.

Not saying their move is right or wrong business or otherwise - I just know I’d personally rather deal with another company like Stone Glacier, etc.


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[Trial153]

Kits dont bother me in the least. I have a pintler and metcalf with guide lite frames. I never have more then a handfull of packs anyone time anyway and dont want to bother with bag changes. I am also running a scapegoat 25 so i couldnt see myself getting another smaller bag then my plinter.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

The kitted aspect is odd in the market place it competes with. I just make whatever design bag I want though so it doesn't phase me. I switched to the guidelight frame this season for hunting and enjoyed the fit of it more than my NICE once I got it dialed in and also set up the belt for PALS. I tried on an xcurve the other day with 60lb, very comfortable belt on that, frame is a tad stiffer feeling and wanted to pull me backwards (it wasn't adjusted to me so I completely expect adjustment would solve that) so for the moment I'll likely continue with the guidelight.

 

[justinspicher]

So far the mystery ranch frames have fit me the best. I’ve had several of the packs, but had a couple built by pods8 and won’t buy another commercial pack as long as he will build me one!

 

[TheTone]

The lack of sales of bags and frames separate is really kinda crappy to me; especially considering all the main competitors do it. I've had a nice frame with a couple different bags for 10 years or so and really do like the MR products and bag designs.

 

[frankrb3]

Yup, I jumped off the mystery ranch ship as well. Running Stone Glacier now. Unbelievable frame, plenty of pack options (which they will gladly sell me) and still made in good ole USA. You should check out the Stone Glacier Avail. It's 2200 cu/in and has it's own suspension or can be strapped to a krux or xcurve.

 

[Szwampdonkey]

They lost a lot of dudes, including me, when they went to the “kitted” nonsense. That might explain the lack of love.

They expanded to a ton of retailers and produce a lot of good stuff these days. But if I can’t buy a frame or a bag separate I’m not buying MR for a hunting pack, period. Too many good options for packs to be subjected to that. And it’s been a couple years now and I’ve yet to see an MR “bag only” option.

Not saying their move is right or wrong business or otherwise - I just know I’d personally rather deal with another company like Stone Glacier, etc.


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Yep totally understandable that was the reason I was leaning away form MR because i see no need to have to buy a new frame every time i want to go to a smaller or larger bag. Seems pretty ridiculous with all the other options out there that allow you to swap bags out based on need.

Thats sorta why I was wondering if anyone heard of this supposed Mule day bag MR is allegedly coming out with this spring as well as offering the Pintler as just the bag. Could just be a rumor I heard but was thinking maybe they were going to start offering just the bags again?

But totally agree if they stay with the kitted option only im steering away with all the other options out there.

 

[Szwampdonkey]

Yup, I jumped off the mystery ranch ship as well. Running Stone Glacier now. Unbelievable frame, plenty of pack options (which they will gladly sell me) and still made in good ole USA. You should check out the Stone Glacier Avail. It's 2200 cu/in and has it's own suspension or can be strapped to a krux or xcurve.

Youre saying the Avail bag can be run with just suspension alone OR you can use the frame? Sounds like a perfect day pack set up. Ill have to look into it thanks.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

Youre saying the Avail bag can be run with just suspension alone OR you can use the frame? Sounds like a perfect day pack set up. Ill have to look into it thanks.

That’s correct. It was an internal flexible frame sheet with rods. You can take that out and remove the shoulder straps and hip belt. The bag itself will mount on their frames. It’s sweet.


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[blackovis]

MR will have a couple bag only options in 2018 and they started selling frames separately this year. Lots of other exciting stuff coming down the pipe from MR for 2018 as well. Don't count them out just yet.

 

[frankrb3]

Check this link out. Shows you how to remove the avail suspension and how to attach the bag to their frame. I plan on getting the avail to use on my xcurve but it would be a great bag as it is with it's included suspension.

Attaching Avail 2200 to Xcurve Frame - YouTube

 

[Szwampdonkey]

Check this link out. Shows you how to remove the avail suspension and how to attach the bag to their frame. I plan on getting the avail to use on my xcurve but it would be a great bag as it is with it's included suspension.

Attaching Avail 2200 to Xcurve Frame - YouTube

Ill check it out thanks. Sounds sorta like how the Kuiu 1850 works but I sold mine. Just was never a very comfortable pack so one season was all i got out of it.

 

[boom]

I’ll buy a pintler bag when the chance comes up. I love my mystery ranch bags. They just fit me well. I’ve had many packs and the MR feels so tough to me. I’ve crushed many sandwiches and pop tarts sitting on my pack for hours on end. I just grind my Dragonslayer into Arizona, and it has never torn. I just brush it off and go.

 

[Trial153]

Glad to hear about the extra bags and frames. The guide lite frame is my favoite frame todate.

 

[prm]

Any updates on the Mule? Interested in how well it would haul a camp in, and meat out if necessary.

 

[THBZN]

I have used it for day hunts, bringing just what I need for the day, then packing boned out deer and my gear with no problem. I'll put a puffy in a stuff sack and put it between the pack and frame for easy access. I haven't used it yet for bigger trips, but it would be a cinch to use a larger 40 liter stuff sack for the majority of your gear, then once camp is set, run it as a day pack that can haul.

On a related note, a friend of mine who is a BC resident got back from a few moose hunts, and used the Mule while on the river. If there was any question about what a Mule can haul, here you go....there is a reason MR is used by every SF team in the military, and countless hunters...

Here is his recap of the hunt:
3 bulls we harvested, all of the meat was quartered and hauled out on the Mystery Ranch Mule. That is 12 quarters packed out in 3 days, I packed out 5 of them.
I was super impressed with that stability of the load on the frame. The lightest load was 165lbs and the heaviest was 219lbs. The shortest packout 500 meters the longest 2000 metres.
View attachment 81353

 

[prm]

Thanks. Sounds like a very viable alternative then. I guess the only other item I’d want to verify is that there is enough volume on the shelf to handle a bag holding a 5-day camp, food, etc. My guess is yes, but would want to be sure. My Kifaru Reckoning is pretty full.