Outdoorsman3830
Lil-Rokslider
I have been using the Mystery Ranch NICE frame off and on over the last four years or so. During that time, I have equipped it with Mystery Ranch's Longbow, Crew Cab, Metcalf (Gen. 2), 6500, 7500, Load Sling, and large frame extension. Additionally, I have used the Oneiros Valley's lumbar pad and power pull accessories. I have countless miles training, hiking, backpacking, and backpack hunting under it in Idaho and California. Also, I have carried loads ranging up to 125 pounds with it.
There is no doubt that the Mystery Ranch NICE frame is a comfortable and capable pack any hunter can rely on. It is nearly indestructible and bombproof. However, that is to be expected since it was designed primarily for military purposes. With the military in mind, it was built to replace the ancient ALICE frame with a more modern, robust, comfortable, and reliable system. The frame itself allows users to carry the most unusual and awkward of loads ranging from day loads to the longest of expeditions.
So, how does this military pack fit into hunting? Clearly, it is more than capable of handling most hunters needs and desires. However, in most cases it is overkill and overbuilt. Most hunters and backpackers will never need to use such a platform. It utilizes several vertical and horizontal stays along with a frame sheet and pre-shaped yoke. Such robust protection and design features add unnecessary complexity and weight. Proper care and strategic packing practices eliminate the need for the frame sheet and horizontal cross stays. The pre-shaped yoke provides contour over the upper back to counter the flat vertical stays that could be eliminated through the use of pre-shaped composite or aluminum stays. Additionally, three vertical stays are not necessary for hunters. Two vertical stays made of aluminum (preferably 7075 aluminum) that are stiff enough to support the heaviest expected loads are optimal in internal frame design, especially since aluminum can be bent to fit each individual users back.
With that said, the draw backs of weight and complexity did not leave me complaining about comfort or carrying capacity. In fact, it carries weight very comfortable for me. The complexity of the design allowed for me to obtain a very personal fit through the micro-adjustable Futura Yoke and canting of the hip-belt. However, fitting this pack required several trips and many miles to get dialed in just right. A learning curve exists when fitting this pack appropriately.
After fitting it appropriately, I experienced the NICE frame's comfort. Mystery Ranch's unique lumbar wrap system offers incredible stability under heavy loads, but felt stiff and constrictive under lighter loads. The yoke conformed nicely adding comfort and stability under heavier loads, which I confirmed by testing the NICE frame without its composite yoke insert. Despite being 6'2", I have a torso range measuring around 17.5" to 18". The frame is rated to carry as light of loads as 25 pounds, but I found it to be most comfortable with at least 35 to 40 pounds. Without the frame extension, I felt it was only comfortable up to 55 pounds or so. With the frame extension, the frame was as comfortable as anyone should really expect at loads exceeding 80 or even 100 plus pounds.
Pros:
The Mystery Ranch NICE frame is a very comfortable carrying system capable of being equipped with a variety of bags ranging from 1900 to 7500 cubic inches. It is capable of being fit to each individual through a micro-adjustable harness and hip-belt along with a choice of adding a longer frame extension more suitable for handling heavier loads and fitting longer torsos.
Cons:
The Mystery Ranch NICE frame is an overbuilt and unnecessarily complex design for hunters and backpackers. It's unique is hip-belt system is constraining under lighter loads.
Final Thoughts:
The Mystery Ranch NICE frame is ideal for military personnel needing a modular frame capable of handling heavy awkward loads. However, I would not recommend it for hunters or backpackers. Traditional internal frame designs like Kifaru's Duplex Frame or McHale packs are just as capable for hunting and backpacking purposes without adding the unnecessary complexities and weight to the design. I foresee Mystery Ranch encountering resistance from more seasoned backpack hunters(1) in the hunting market if it does not design a hunting specific platform built off of Dana Design's more traditional and trusted designs.
Notes:
(1) I am only 25 years old and am by no means considering myself a seasoned hunter or expert for that matter. Ten years from now I would be fortunate enough to consider myself a seasoned hunter, let alone an expert. Nevertheless, I hope my review provides valuable insight regarding the Mystery Ranch NICE frame.
"I am not affiliated with any of the entities previously mentioned and posted this review to simply add my experience and point-of-view regarding the Mystery Ranch's NICE frame."
There is no doubt that the Mystery Ranch NICE frame is a comfortable and capable pack any hunter can rely on. It is nearly indestructible and bombproof. However, that is to be expected since it was designed primarily for military purposes. With the military in mind, it was built to replace the ancient ALICE frame with a more modern, robust, comfortable, and reliable system. The frame itself allows users to carry the most unusual and awkward of loads ranging from day loads to the longest of expeditions.
So, how does this military pack fit into hunting? Clearly, it is more than capable of handling most hunters needs and desires. However, in most cases it is overkill and overbuilt. Most hunters and backpackers will never need to use such a platform. It utilizes several vertical and horizontal stays along with a frame sheet and pre-shaped yoke. Such robust protection and design features add unnecessary complexity and weight. Proper care and strategic packing practices eliminate the need for the frame sheet and horizontal cross stays. The pre-shaped yoke provides contour over the upper back to counter the flat vertical stays that could be eliminated through the use of pre-shaped composite or aluminum stays. Additionally, three vertical stays are not necessary for hunters. Two vertical stays made of aluminum (preferably 7075 aluminum) that are stiff enough to support the heaviest expected loads are optimal in internal frame design, especially since aluminum can be bent to fit each individual users back.
With that said, the draw backs of weight and complexity did not leave me complaining about comfort or carrying capacity. In fact, it carries weight very comfortable for me. The complexity of the design allowed for me to obtain a very personal fit through the micro-adjustable Futura Yoke and canting of the hip-belt. However, fitting this pack required several trips and many miles to get dialed in just right. A learning curve exists when fitting this pack appropriately.
After fitting it appropriately, I experienced the NICE frame's comfort. Mystery Ranch's unique lumbar wrap system offers incredible stability under heavy loads, but felt stiff and constrictive under lighter loads. The yoke conformed nicely adding comfort and stability under heavier loads, which I confirmed by testing the NICE frame without its composite yoke insert. Despite being 6'2", I have a torso range measuring around 17.5" to 18". The frame is rated to carry as light of loads as 25 pounds, but I found it to be most comfortable with at least 35 to 40 pounds. Without the frame extension, I felt it was only comfortable up to 55 pounds or so. With the frame extension, the frame was as comfortable as anyone should really expect at loads exceeding 80 or even 100 plus pounds.
Pros:
The Mystery Ranch NICE frame is a very comfortable carrying system capable of being equipped with a variety of bags ranging from 1900 to 7500 cubic inches. It is capable of being fit to each individual through a micro-adjustable harness and hip-belt along with a choice of adding a longer frame extension more suitable for handling heavier loads and fitting longer torsos.
Cons:
The Mystery Ranch NICE frame is an overbuilt and unnecessarily complex design for hunters and backpackers. It's unique is hip-belt system is constraining under lighter loads.
Final Thoughts:
The Mystery Ranch NICE frame is ideal for military personnel needing a modular frame capable of handling heavy awkward loads. However, I would not recommend it for hunters or backpackers. Traditional internal frame designs like Kifaru's Duplex Frame or McHale packs are just as capable for hunting and backpacking purposes without adding the unnecessary complexities and weight to the design. I foresee Mystery Ranch encountering resistance from more seasoned backpack hunters(1) in the hunting market if it does not design a hunting specific platform built off of Dana Design's more traditional and trusted designs.
Notes:
(1) I am only 25 years old and am by no means considering myself a seasoned hunter or expert for that matter. Ten years from now I would be fortunate enough to consider myself a seasoned hunter, let alone an expert. Nevertheless, I hope my review provides valuable insight regarding the Mystery Ranch NICE frame.
"I am not affiliated with any of the entities previously mentioned and posted this review to simply add my experience and point-of-view regarding the Mystery Ranch's NICE frame."
