New mystery ranch packs

[MattB]

Me too. I really liked their smaller pack designs. My longbow is still probably my favorite small pack.

The longbow works great on Kifaru frames. The mod to the bag to make it work literally took me about 3 minutes.

 

[BackcountryMT]

The longbow works great on Kifaru frames. The mod to the bag to make it work literally took me about 3 minutes.

Did you just have to change buckles? Are all of the original attachment points used?

 

[dotman]

The longbow works great on Kifaru frames. The mod to the bag to make it work literally took me about 3 minutes.

X2... Super simple to mate these up, there is a write up in the DIY section with pictures if anyone wanted to see how easy it is to do.

 

[BackcountryMT]

X2... Super simple to mate these up, there is a write up in the DIY section with pictures if anyone wanted to see how easy it is to do.

Thanks

 

[MattB]

The only required mod is to cut 2 slits in the bag for the load lifters to come through. That took about 1 minute to eyeball/measure, and then I just torch-heated the blade of a cruddy old knife to make the slits. This melts the cordura rather than cuts it so it will not fray.

I frankly don't recall whether I *had to* change out the hardware (I know I did because I don't care for the locking-style ladder locks that MR uses), but the compression straps on the longbow line up with the Kifaru frame attachment points like they were made for each other.

 

[SethCalkins]

The longbow works great on Kifaru frames. The mod to the bag to make it work literally took me about 3 minutes.

Don't mean to hijack this thread, what about the MR 6500 -> Kifaru Tactical Duplex

 

[BackcountryMT]

Just got word, MR has dropped hip pockets for the new frame. Time to watch it crash a burn...

 

[mfolch]

Looks like Mystery Ranch has already launched its urban lineup in Japan:
http://global.rakuten.com/en/search/?k=mystery+ranch&l-id=keyword_suggest

 

[TheTone]

Just got word, MR has dropped hip pockets for the new frame. Time to watch it crash a burn...

Lack of hip pockets is that big a deal breaker? Looking at the pictures I have seen the new hip belt looks very similar to the stone glacier and exo as far as belt attachment possibility.

 

[BackcountryMT]

Lack of hip pockets is that big a deal breaker? Looking at the pictures I have seen the new hip belt looks very similar to the stone glacier and exo as far as belt attachment possibility.

For me, yes. How hard is it really to attach a few straps for molle webbing? I fell that's a detail that they should not have over looked.

 

[goathunter]

I actually prefer plain old hip belt attachments to PALS/MOLLE. Then I don't have to shop military gear for accessories and connectors. I had to buy an PALS to hip belt adapter to mount my holster.

I do think they should still offer the pouches though, in a standard attachment. I assumed they would still have accessories?

 

[fillthefreezer]

wow, that new version of the metcalf looks really good

 

[wyodan]

I actually prefer plain old hip belt attachments to PALS/MOLLE. Then I don't have to shop military gear for accessories and connectors. I had to buy an PALS to hip belt adapter to mount my holster.

I do think they should still offer the pouches though, in a standard attachment. I assumed they would still have accessories?

Where did you get a PALS to hip belt adapter? I can't seem to find one, or I could be running the internet wrong.

 

[goathunter]

Where did you get a PALS to hip belt adapter? I can't seem to find one, or I could be running the internet wrong.

Kifaru actually - they call it a Holster Adapter - http://www.kifaru.net/holsters.html

 

[goathunter]

wow, that new version of the metcalf looks really good

Man I disagree. From what I've seen, they added an external pocket, but that shortens the side zipper, or at least covers the bottom part of it. Then, if you really compare them side by side, they shortened the side zip on the top end too. No idea why. There are some new seams sewn into the new version up top, where the old one was just kind of a bag and the zip went all the way up. The new frame looks better, but the bag itself, the current version looks better to me. Don't get me wrong still an awesome bag, but the full side zip on the current one is sweet. I'm just going off of internet pics so who knows.

This is what I'm looking at -
http://www.huntgearnews.com/2015/12/mystery-ranch-redesigns-the-metcalf-backpack-specifically-for-hunters/

 

[ezmorningrebel]

I've got to imagine that side zip goes all the way down behind the pocket. I could be wrong but I doubt they would reduce the opening size that much.

 

[fillthefreezer]

^^ this is kind of what i was thinking. and bag without bottle pockets drive me nuts. ill be curious to see a bag only weight. as for the top of the zip, im hoping that seam is stone glacier esque and allows the bag to fold very streamlined. if the original bag zipped all the way open like an emr, and this was the change, id care

 

[machinethomas]

I think the new Metcalf look slick. I agree I like the side pocket. I always like to strap my tripod to the side. Any idea on price of the new Metcalf and frame?

 

[LBFowler]

I like the bottle pockets, I never understood the slick-sided packs. My one head-scratch is it looks like the toggle for the shock cord is on the inside of the pocket. probably to reduce snagging but I would think it would catch every time you put the bottle back.

 

[goathunter]

I noticed the little fabric tabs to hang onto while you zip are gone too.