New Mystery Ranch Packs

[Desk Jockey]

-- The Pop Up 28 and 18 packs use 7075 aluminum that is the same strength and durability and trekking pole tubing. MR went with the burliest tubing possible, while keeping overall diameter in check. These packs will handle heavy duty loads, but not quite as comfortably as the GuideLight series. They are designed for the hunter who may not need the full Monty of a GuideLight pack/frame, but still wants the ability to haul an animal out of the woods. The weight and lower profile silhouette is more like a daypack vs a big hauler, yet it has the hauling capabilities a lot of dawn till dusk day hunters want once the "pop up" frame is snapped into place.

The pop up 28 intrigues me. I am (currently) mostly an eastern whitetail hunter and like to Still hunt or set up ambushes with portable blind material. I am relatively new and started with a Day Pack. That proved unsatisfactory the first time I downed an animal far from the truck and had to drag it much further than I might have liked. The next year I went with a mr crew cab. I liked it and it packed a nice quartered out whitetail quite well. My issue was the complexity of the day Pack mode with the 3 pockets and having to strap things down and open them up all the time to get your gear. I wanted something that was easier to use as a day Pack bc that was its primary function. I used a Kifaru woodsman on a 22 inch frame this year. As things worked out, I didn’t need to haul meat but the larger bag worked better as a day pack but it was a bit too much bag until late season when I was hauling extra clothes.

I will be keen to hear the reviews on these and how they haul a load.

In the meantime, any info on the interior? Are there pockets or sleeves, etc.

 

[TheTone]

I will see if I can shine some light on the questions...



-- Bag only options are the Pintler and Mule. Also women's specific harnessing is available for the Metcalf and Pintler, as well as Sub Alpine camo in most styles.

Any reason why the larger guide light bags (selway, Metcalf, marshall) aren't available on their own without a frame?

Also what is the difference between the male and female harnessing?

Do you think the mule bag would work with an older nice frame?

 

[Trial153]

Nice new offering. Since I switch from the nice to the guide Lite frame I been a very happy camper. I am running a pintler and a metcalf. The guide Lite frame has been the best load hauler I owned. I can’t see having anything else on my back if Elk or moose are on my agenda.
The pop up pack is intriguing to me and seems to be a I fine alternative if nothing larger then Deer is on the agenda...so Deer from a basecamp...that looks like a great pack idea.

 

[frankrb3]

[QUOTE Do you think the mule bag would work with an older nice frame?[/QUOTE]

I'm wondering the same thing. Also, why does mystery ranch make the mule in subalpine camo with the guide light frame but doesn't offer it as an option for the bag only? Same with the new pop up packs. It would be nice if they got rid of that heinous desolve bare camo and started offering all their hunting packs in multi cam and subalpine. Just my 2 cents.

 

[UtahJimmy]

Any reason why the larger guide light bags (selway, Metcalf, marshall) aren't available on their own without a frame?

Also what is the difference between the male and female harnessing?

Do you think the mule bag would work with an older nice frame?

I'm also bummed that the metcalf/marshall aren't available w/o the frame. Was hoping to pick up a marshall this offseason to go with my pintler for the longer hunts as I can get 3 days in my pintler w/o using the shelf for gear.

 

[Trial153]

The tree house looks decent ...that thing has Sitka written all over it. I can see it a replacement for my tool box.

 

[Ledanek]

I encounter far more lateral obstructions (and noise) in the bush than I do overhead ones. That's just me however.

I think this why most MIL that have been issued MR packs started removing the PALS webbing trying to make pack "slicker" is to avoid getting caught in brushes. Interesting to read similar experiences.
Thanks for sharing

I'm also considering getting a Metcalf bag now since I have the Pintler with GLF. But, I need to size down my GLF to size Small. I still having slip issue with my Medium waistbelt. I'm 32 belt/pant size and I can't cinch it anymore on the Medium GLF.

The price to buy just a belt vs a complete GLF from MR (PLUS MR's shipping prices gives me headaches) I really wish other retailers sells MR waistbelt individually. Other retailers got their shipping rates or free shipping squared away.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I'm also considering getting a Metcalf bag now since I have the Pintler with GLF. But, I need to size down my GLF to size Small. I still having slip issue with my Medium waistbelt. I'm 32 belt/pant size and I can't cinch it anymore on the Medium GLF.

The price to buy just a belt vs a complete GLF from MR (PLUS MR's shipping prices gives me headaches) I really wish other retailers sells MR waistbelt individually. Other retailers got their shipping rates or free shipping squared away.

Watch out, the "small" sizing has the same belt size at the medium but a smaller torso. The "extra small" has the smaller belt but also the smaller torso. So for any guys with a typical torso but lean waist there isn't a combo as far as I can see when I looked (at high loads I bottom out my belt also with the "medium" frame).

 

[THBZN]

I think this why most MIL that have been issued MR packs started removing the PALS webbing trying to make pack "slicker" is to avoid getting caught in brushes. Interesting to read similar experiences.
Thanks for sharing

I'm also considering getting a Metcalf bag now since I have the Pintler with GLF. But, I need to size down my GLF to size Small. I still having slip issue with my Medium waistbelt. I'm 32 belt/pant size and I can't cinch it anymore on the Medium GLF.

The price to buy just a belt vs a complete GLF from MR (PLUS MR's shipping prices gives me headaches) I really wish other retailers sells MR waistbelt individually. Other retailers got their shipping rates or free shipping squared away.

There are a number of retailers who sell the waistbelt only, just an FYI. I don't have the list off the top of my head, but it is an option for sure.

 

[THBZN]

[QUOTE Do you think the mule bag would work with an older nice frame?

I'm wondering the same thing. Also, why does mystery ranch make the mule in subalpine camo with the guide light frame but doesn't offer it as an option for the bag only? Same with the new pop up packs. It would be nice if they got rid of that heinous desolve bare camo and started offering all their hunting packs in multi cam and subalpine. Just my 2 cents.[/QUOTE]

The Mule is available as a bag only option in all four colors, SubAlpine included.

 

[THBZN]

Any reason why the larger guide light bags (selway, Metcalf, marshall) aren't available on their own without a frame?

Also what is the difference between the male and female harnessing?

Do you think the mule bag would work with an older nice frame?

Initial offering of two bag only options for 2018.

Male/Female harnessing -- the women's harnessing has a slightly narrower width on the shoulder harness, as well as an anatomically correct curve/fit to the harness and yoke. Waistbelts correspond with the fit, however the frame and bags are the same size as the men's. No reduction in terms of overall bag capacity. I know plenty of female hunters that can haul with the best of them, so no need to "shrink it and pink it" like some brands do.

Not sure on the Mule/NICE frame compatibility....

 

[Gutpile]

Didn't read all of the replies but this is NOT a new design. Kuiu has been running this "meat shelf" system for years. The only reason I'm posting this is just to let folks know there are other options if this feature is important to you.

For those of you experienced with Mystery Ranch, how is their suspension system under heavy loads. The kuiu straps cut into my shoulders like crazy under heavy loads and I'm thinking about making a change.

 

[THBZN]

Didn't read all of the replies but this is NOT a new design. Kuiu has been running this "meat shelf" system for years. The only reason I'm posting this is just to let folks know there are other options if this feature is important to you.

For those of you experienced with Mystery Ranch, how is their suspension system under heavy loads. The kuiu straps cut into my shoulders like crazy under heavy loads and I'm thinking about making a change.

I have had very good results with the suspension/frame/harnessing under heavy and awkward loads -- elk quarters, boned out meat, hard sided camera cases, treestands, etc.
MR packs are worn by Special Forces across all branches and have been since 2000, as well as hunters, etc. The system works. Dana Gleason has 40 years experience building packs, including the Overload Shelf concept. It came to light during the military contract work, long before KUIU was a reality. Where do you think they "borrowed" the idea from?

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

For those of you experienced with Mystery Ranch, how is their suspension system under heavy loads. The kuiu straps cut into my shoulders like crazy under heavy loads and I'm thinking about making a change.

This fall I routinely trained with 75lb on hikes comfortably with my guidelight, I wear my belt tight on the top of my hips and don't load my shoulders much. Heaviest load for me I've carried is 94lb in fairly rough terrain and was still decently comfortable all considered, I bottomed out my belt at that load so I carried a bit more on my shoulders then which isn't my preference but it wasn't cutting in. Can't complain much in that case, its a heavy load and that is where my waist size falls versus the belt size I have.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

There are a number of retailers who sell the waistbelt only, just an FYI. I don't have the list off the top of my head, but it is an option for sure.

Do you know how much shorter the 25-29" pads are versus the 29-34"?

 

[D snyder]

I purchased a Scapegoat 35 and it works great for a daypack and will haul 60-70 lbs of whitetail meat without a lot of fuss. I don’t travel more than a mile or two on my way out-normally .
The waist belt and the shoulder harness will detach from the pack. I was thinking about buying a guidelight frame and trying to figure out a good way to attach/ detach the bag from the frame.
Anybody have any thoughts? Think that might work? I bought it because I didn’t want the Pintler with the dedicated external frame...

 

[Ledanek]

Watch out, the "small" sizing has the same belt size at the medium but a smaller torso. The "extra small" has the smaller belt but also the smaller torso. So for any guys with a typical torso but lean waist there isn't a combo as far as I can see when I looked (at high loads I bottom out my belt also with the "medium" frame).

much appreciated the heads up.
not really sure why the Medium Waist Belt will work fine on my hikes (20lbs) for 2.5 miles, but, will start sliding off the after the next 2 miles. I cinched it both from above the iliac crest to belly button, its cinched to a point there is an inch before buckles would touch. I've been in contact with 4 CS from MR and most suggest I size down, with one suggesting XS. Again, thanks for the heads up.

 

[Ledanek]

There are a number of retailers who sell the waistbelt only, just an FYI. I don't have the list off the top of my head, but it is an option for sure.

Scheels is the only one that replied to my email and they said No Individual/ Separate Waist belt at this time.

Thanks will try other retailers since MR updates with new packs

I'd go with MR but, their shipping rates if I was to buy and/or return is almost designed not for you to return.

 

[Lockster]

Didn't read all of the replies but this is NOT a new design. Kuiu has been running this "meat shelf" system for years. The only reason I'm posting this is just to let folks know there are other options if this feature is important to you.

For those of you experienced with Mystery Ranch, how is their suspension system under heavy loads. The kuiu straps cut into my shoulders like crazy under heavy loads and I'm thinking about making a change.

A lot of high level military units using MR packs to carry monumental loads, having owned both Kifaru and MR, I personally rate their suspension better than Kifaru suspension (Kifaru belt is hard to beat though). Kuiu are just not designed to carry those loads, different design for a different market. MR are designed to be bombproof, I'm quite certain an MR will be a step up for you in terms of carrying heavy loads.

 

[NDGuy]

It would be nice if they got rid of that heinous desolve bare camo and started offering all their hunting packs in multi cam and subalpine

Hey now! What do you have against Desolve!? I thought it was a cool camo, at my local store I only could pick that or Foliage.