Mystery Ranch Mysterium Series

[westsloper]

Yeah, this is a yeti infused design.
Build cheap, sell expensive. No idea on durability.

And the presenter in that clip, seen him before. Maybe it's me but, I detect less enthusiasm in his presentation.

I bought an "MR" Pintler, found a lid as well. I like it

I'm guessing these were designed prior to the YETI aquisition.

FWIW Mystery Ranch has never been big on modularity and swapping bags/frames. I can't find it now, but I remember reading an interview with Dana Gleason where he was pretty unenthusiastic about the idea of selling bags and frames separately.

 

[Trial153]

I'm guessing these were designed prior to the YETI aquisition.

FWIW Mystery Ranch has never been big on modularity and swapping bags/frames. I can't find it now, but I remember reading an interview with Dana Gleason where he was pretty unenthusiastic about the idea of selling bags and frames separately.

100% this is nothing new, if your looking for a modular system then MR has never been the pack company for you. I am not sure why anyone would expected that to change .

 

[970thinair]

It is kind of a bummer this system doesn't work with legacy systems. MR does make solid packs though. I used to have a 6500 and NICE frame. It was by far the best load-carrying pack I've owned.

 

[westsloper]

Been looking at these a lot over the last few days. I'm not gonna lie, I think the colors are pretty cool.

 

[406rlg]

I agree with the majority on here, it’s a bummer they aren’t compatible with the old frames. I like the sizes and layouts of the new ones. The future of MR will be interesting post Yeti buyout.

 

[Fritz D]

I should have kept my old 6500 NICE.

 

[VinPie1]

I hope they continue the pintler but have not seen it under the new frame yet. I hope they decide to release it at some point for the 3 zip fans

 

[VinPie1]

That sawt

I’m in for a Sawtooth 65. I have the 45 now and love it. Between the two I’ll have a lot of versatility for the hunting I do.

That 65 does look a handy size for my 4th season Gunnison elk hunt when I'm constantly shedding layers

 

[pacoalcracker]

MR, any of the compound bow makers..same nonsense. New model with slight changes and lots of hype every year. Its the American way of sales departments.

 

[VinPie1]

I'm guessing these were designed prior to the YETI aquisition.

FWIW Mystery Ranch has never been big on modularity and swapping bags/frames. I can't find it now, but I remember reading an interview with Dana Gleason where he was pretty unenthusiastic about the idea of selling bags and frames separately.

They did start to limit the bag only options the last several years.

 

[Bump79]

I'm interested to hear if anyone has done a side by side comparison

 

[KD123]

I started hunting with a DD Shorbed which I still have. Great pack and will carry max weight comfortably. It finally developed a squeak which was not conducive to hunting so I upgraded to the Sawtooth 45. Awesome pack but the organization could be improved for anyone interested.

 

[rhunter424]

I'm guessing these were designed prior to the YETI aquisition.

FWIW Mystery Ranch has never been big on modularity and swapping bags/frames. I can't find it now, but I remember reading an interview with Dana Gleason where he was pretty unenthusiastic about the idea of selling bags and frames separately.

I agree regarding the frame/bag compatibility. They used to sell a "bag conversion" kit for this. I forget which iteration of frames it was to/from. Either way their frame connection system hasn't really changed over the years and you may just need to swap buckles on the bag you're attaching.

As someone with a shorter torso I'm not a fan of the lack of load lifter angles on the mysterium frame. I do like that they added back the PALS on the rear half of the waist belt since that's typically lost real estate. Some iterations of the NICE frame have this.

My preference for top loading packs but not needing the marshall's capacity leaves me either waiting on MR to update the metcalf to the mysterium frame or buying two frames/bags, mixing them and selling the counter-parts separately.

 

[bp78]

Any word what direction Mystery Ranch will now go since it was acquired by Yeti I believe?

 

[timbernomad]

Yeah, there is quality and durability with Mystery Ranch products. They are made overseas but quality control issues are rare. Some people don't rate them as highly as the most expensive options. Some people do.

 

[wlawburns]

I picked up the new sawtooth 65. Ive had the metcalf for 5 years or so and beat the hell out of it. I got a pro deal on the new pack so between what I can sell the old metcalf for it is a $100 upgrade.

I am very pleased with the update. Way better pocket organization. I love the pockets on the outside of the pack and inside the horseshoe flap. Water proofing is better. And hip belt and shoulder straps are more comfortable and breath better.

I've been taking it on rucks with a total weight of 62lbs and it feels very comfortable (as did the original metcalf). Frame also does not bend a make noise that I have heard was an issue on the last version of the metcalf. Carries weight effortlessly.

I bought this pack so I can take one pack with me on hunts where I primary go out for long days, but sometimes stay out 2-3 nights depending on the situation. I didnt want to have two packs for the same trip and this pack is the perfect balance that packs down for a day hunt, but can be loaded up for a few nights.

The other thing that I liked is that they brought the molle webbing back for the entire hip belt. My original metcalf had that, but the latest version did not and some of molle attachments (particularly kydex holster) needs four molle straps which is why i never considering updating to the newer metcalf last year.

We'll see how the new materials holds up, but my impressions so far is that this is a huge upgrade from previous models with a very thoughtful layout without sacrificing quality.

 

[timbernomad]

I saw some of the updated packs at Scheels in Ft. Collins. They look good, although all the different fabrics seems unnecessarily busy and complex. As far as the frame goes, it seems identical to the Guide Light MT, with just a difference on the face fabric for the padding.

 

[Tahr]

I picked up the new sawtooth 65. Ive had the metcalf for 5 years or so and beat the hell out of it. I got a pro deal on the new pack so between what I can sell the old metcalf for it is a $100 upgrade.

I am very pleased with the update. Way better pocket organization. I love the pockets on the outside of the pack and inside the horseshoe flap. Water proofing is better. And hip belt and shoulder straps are more comfortable and breath better.

I've been taking it on rucks with a total weight of 62lbs and it feels very comfortable (as did the original metcalf). Frame also does not bend a make noise that I have heard was an issue on the last version of the metcalf. Carries weight effortlessly.

I bought this pack so I can take one pack with me on hunts where I primary go out for long days, but sometimes stay out 2-3 nights depending on the situation. I didnt want to have two packs for the same trip and this pack is the perfect balance that packs down for a day hunt, but can be loaded up for a few nights.

The other thing that I liked is that they brought the molle webbing back for the entire hip belt. My original metcalf had that, but the latest version did not and some of molle attachments (particularly kydex holster) needs four molle straps which is why i never considering updating to the newer metcalf last year.

We'll see how the new materials holds up, but my impressions so far is that this is a huge upgrade from previous models with a very thoughtful layout without sacrificing quality.

Good.
A post based on practical user experience certainly beats the ones about "sheeple" and slagging the company.

 

[griebel303]

I have hunted with the Pintler pack with Guide Lite MT frame for the past few years, packed a couple elk and deer out with it, and recently picked up the Sawtooth 45 on the Mysterium Frame. For me there were a couple of pros and cons of the new design:
Pros - Didn't squeak like my Guide Lite MT was doing at the end
Under minimal load (30 lbs or so of daily hunting gear) the new padding was very comfortable and breathed well in 60 degree weather
The new meat shelf load straps attached to the frame did awesome holding my load securely and coming down steep side hills I never had my meat shift or need readjustment (1 load of two front quarters, the second load one hind quarter and the head)
Storage was sufficient, I easily organize my kill kit, first aid kit, and other necessities with the internal pockets, Upper storage lid seems a little smaller but not horrible compared to the pintler. You do have to unzip your pack all the way down to get to stuff in the bottom which was a little trickier when loaded out with meat
Load lifters worked great for putting more of the load on my shoulders like the Guide lite MT frame did
The new material on the face of the pack seems like it will do a good job of being water repellant, its super easy to clean up when covered in blood which was nice

Cons- Under load with two front quarters the mysterium shoulder padding seemed to squish down pretty good which seemed less supportive than the guide lite mt padding under load
The velcro used to adjust the pack position for your torso length didn't hold tight and shifted a few times, where I could see on the level indicator it being down lower or sideways which made for an uncomfortable pack out at times

Overall its still a good pack, it was comfortable to hunt all day in and did a pretty good job on pack outs. Hope that helps someone else interested in the newer frame.