Why doesn’t my Mystery Ranch feel right?

[bcar]

I can kind of relate as well. My Metcalf seems to slip down, I always assumed all packs would probably do that because you know... gravity and all... I have quite a curve in my back also, and always felt more comfortable with the belt sitting lower on my hips then centered on my iliac crest partially because of my beer gut, and also because the lumbar pad felt better down closer to my tail bone. I think I would probably really benefit from the MEAN Pad. I just haven't had the nerve to explain to my wife that the high dollar back pack that I had to have wasn't good enough, and now I need add-on's

 

[Terrapin]

I had one that didn’t fit me right and gave me back spasms all fall... which is a shame because I loved everything else about it. I happened to be wearing it at the SHOT Show (mooching free stuff). I mentioned it to the person manning the MR booth. He had me put on the pack and loosened the yoke and some straps. Then he gave a giant tug at the bottom of the pack. I immediately got the same back spasm I had all fall times ten. I choked out a muted thank you, left the show ASAP and went straight to the airport 2 days early. Laid on the floor of the Vegas airport until I could get a flight... limped home and spent the next week in bed. I never put that pack on again . I switched to a different brand that seems to fit my body shape.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BigCountry344]

I can kind of relate as well. My Metcalf seems to slip down, I always assumed all packs would probably do that because you know... gravity and all... I have quite a curve in my back also, and always felt more comfortable with the belt sitting lower on my hips then centered on my iliac crest partially because of my beer gut, and also because the lumbar pad felt better down closer to my tail bone. I think I would probably really benefit from the MEAN Pad. I just haven't had the nerve to explain to my wife that the high dollar back pack that I had to have wasn't good enough, and now I need add-on's

I could not relate enough to every single part of this response! I’d rather just go with a different pack brand entirely but worries I’ll run into the same issues.

 

[Newtosavage]

Its not that your body/pack dont fit together as they should, I think it is just important to have it fitted 100% perfect before making that decision. It may be that it isnt a good fit. I would just recommend getting it double/triple checked before moving on. There are a lot of times where people get rid of a pack way too quick and blame the pack. I would bet that for every 10 people that get rid of a higher end pack, 8 of them are because the pack is not adjusted properly. Im not negating some brands will fit some people differently, however, lots of folks on various forums will sell their pack, get the brand that everyone is saying to get, only to have the same issues with the new pack. Good packs can be made to fit a body like a glove.

I would just make sure that you are 100% spot on with your fit. If you are confident that it is correct, then maybe go towards selling it. If you're not, get some help with it from a reputable source that you can spend time with IN PERSON.

Maybe if the pack companies want to sell more packs, they will come up with a better way to help people fit their packs. I followed the MR instructions to the "T" both times. When that didn't work, I YouTubed countless pack fitting videos. Not sure what else to do. If there is some dark art to fitting packs and that's what's required to make them work, then perhaps the pack companies should address that issue.

I just figured I got a weird shaped torso and back, and that some packs just aren't going to fit well. I put training weights on my old external frame pack just yesterday, and it fit like a well-worn glove. Sucked right to my back with the weight in all the right places.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Make sure the rear corner straps are anchored off on the face of the pack and pulling taught. For my body its a night and day difference in how that frame fits me when that is and isn't done. If those aren't pulling on the frame corners a bit the frame corners flex and the lumbar slides down my back and rests on my glutens. When tensioned it stays put.

 

[805Bowhunter]

Maybe if the pack companies want to sell more packs, they will come up with a better way to help people fit their packs. I followed the MR instructions to the "T" both times. When that didn't work, I YouTubed countless pack fitting videos. Not sure what else to do. If there is some dark art to fitting packs and that's what's required to make them work, then perhaps the pack companies should address that issue.

I just figured I got a weird shaped torso and back, and that some packs just aren't going to fit well. I put training weights on my old external frame pack just yesterday, and it fit like a well-worn glove. Sucked right to my back with the weight in all the right places.

I think that you're correct. I feel like its a difficult situation for a lot of reasons. 1) Packs are, like boots, a very different fit from person to person. 2) A lot of folks, if not most, are buying their packs either online or over the phone. This is a huge problem because, while someone can "walk us through the process" on the other end, it is totally different when you're having it adjusted in person. Its like someone telling you how you should lace your boots over the phone but on something far more complex. 3) A huge part of the problem just from personal experience is people thinking a pack fits fine but in reality it is nowhere near a proper fit. Think of how many instagram photos you see of someone talking about how great a pack is and the load lifters aren't even tightened down.

There is no denying some packs fit some bodies better than others. We all have unique torsos etc. I think the best thing someone that is buying a pack can do is before they do it, go to the place they are interested in, try a few styles and/or brands on. See what they are like with 35+ pounds in them and walk around, and have someone who knows their stuff walk you through the process. Depending on where someone lives, there are usually some options, even if it means a long weekend getaway with the wife...or even scheduling a western hunt around trying to pick up a new pack. I bought my MR metcalf a couple of years ago and intentionally hunted elk that September in MT. When the hunt was over, I drove to Bozeangeles, and tried on several different packs in the greater vicinity (MR, SG etc.) I had help getting the packs dialed and was able to really check the fit. There just isnt a way to do this with detailed help over the phone or on a video.

To me, packs/fit are such a big deal that it is worth making an extra long trip to get it right. A pack is an investment in your hunting and, even if it means you have to wait a year or so, its worth getting it right because it is something you will have on you for years and years to come (hopefully).

Just my two cents.

 

[Newtosavage]

Packs fit like boots. The human body is far too variable (as are our preferences) to believe my pack or boots will work for you. But saying that, a guy really needs to be sure he's explored his possible remedies before liquidating boots or backpack. And continuing the boot theme....sometimes the average decent boot fits and works better than the high-end expensive ones. I owned 2 different Kifaru packs and could not sell them fast enough after hunting. I also once packed meat a LONG ways using a $129 Cabela's pack which was far more comfortable than the $495 Kifaru pack I was previously so proud of.

I've personally owned 3 different Mystery Ranch packs and every one of them has been a good fit for me. The hip belt has never presented an issue, so long as the yoke adjustment is good and I've got the belt down on top of my hip bones (iliac crest actually). Waistline on pants needs to be above the hip belt for me.

Man, I see soooo many pictures of guys with MR packs and the waist belt is literally around the smallest part of their waist. I'm like is that really where it's supposed to be?

I think that you're correct. I feel like its a difficult situation for a lot of reasons. 1) Packs are, like boots, a very different fit from person to person. 2) A lot of folks, if not most, are buying their packs either online or over the phone. This is a huge problem because, while someone can "walk us through the process" on the other end, it is totally different when you're having it adjusted in person. Its like someone telling you how you should lace your boots over the phone but on something far more complex. 3) A huge part of the problem just from personal experience is people thinking a pack fits fine but in reality it is nowhere near a proper fit. Think of how many instagram photos you see of someone talking about how great a pack is and the load lifters aren't even tightened down.

There is no denying some packs fit some bodies better than others. We all have unique torsos etc. I think the best thing someone that is buying a pack can do is before they do it, go to the place they are interested in, try a few styles and/or brands on. See what they are like with 35+ pounds in them and walk around, and have someone who knows their stuff walk you through the process. Depending on where someone lives, there are usually some options, even if it means a long weekend getaway with the wife...or even scheduling a western hunt around trying to pick up a new pack. I bought my MR metcalf a couple of years ago and intentionally hunted elk that September in MT. When the hunt was over, I drove to Bozeangeles, and tried on several different packs in the greater vicinity (MR, SG etc.) I had help getting the packs dialed and was able to really check the fit. There just isnt a way to do this with detailed help over the phone or on a video.

To me, packs/fit are such a big deal that it is worth making an extra long trip to get it right. A pack is an investment in your hunting and, even if it means you have to wait a year or so, its worth getting it right because it is something you will have on you for years and years to come (hopefully).

Just my two cents.

Not bad advice. But when you're nowhere near anyone who knows a damn thing about packs (because everyone around where you live think a 6-wheel UTV and insulated box blind are requirements for "hunting"), sometimes it's cheaper and less time-consuming to just order 3-4 different packs, adjust according to the directions/videos, and send back the ones that still don't feel right. At least, that's what I've done.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Man, I see soooo many pictures of guys with MR packs and the waist belt is literally around the smallest part of their waist. I'm like is that really where it's supposed to be?

That's where the tops of my hips are, yes I wear my mystery ranch and stone glacier frames up on the top of my hips so the weight is carried there and not lower on my hips where it'll be pressing on the upper portions of leg muscles. That's what's comfortable for me with packs up to 100lb (I try to avoid more than than and pref a bit less as a max if possible). We're all different bodies though, that works for me and keeps the weight off my shoulders.

 

[*zap*]

The middle of the waist belt on my iliac crest is how I wear my packs....

 

[BigCountry344]

Make sure the rear corner straps are anchored off on the face of the pack and pulling taught. For my body its a night and day difference in how that frame fits me when that is and isn't done. If those aren't pulling on the frame corners a bit the frame corners flex and the lumbar slides down my back and rests on my glutens. When tensioned it stays put.

Not sure I understand completely what you mean on this?

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Not sure I understand completely what you mean on this?

the straps that come off the bottom rear corners of the bag, try making sure they are taught to connections on the face of the pack (not the rear buckles off the back if it has some) if you aren’t already doing so. The lower corner of the frame flexes and the lumbar sage down on my body if those aren’t taught.

 

[Mtwood24]

Go get yourself a stone glacier!

 

[Don_Parsons]

I just switched to the all in 15.28 lb ultralight pack system. Good for 4 to 7 days...

Its like true freedom with nill for effort,,, i didn't like or trust the air Matt,,, switching to the guaranteed closed cell foam mat is well worth the extra 1.28 lb over the original 9 lb max catagory... darn water is heavy... Ha

This was the link that got me started,,, then I added a few extras to improve the quality of days outings...

Watch "9 Pound Ultralight Backpacking Gear List" on YouTube

Rifle/ bow,,, and clothes we have on are not added into the mix...

I'm 197 lbs
4 to 7 day at 15.28 lbs
Cloths, boots, rain gear, covers, 10 lbs
Rifle/ bow and extras 10 lbs...

235 all in... waaaaay easier on my whole body and freedom to go after the adventures...

Frugal pack with closed cell bottom and side liner that fits inside the pack like a grove...

Freedom for sure...

Don

 

[BoganOutdoors]

I too believe different packs fit different people. I'm build pretty narrow, so a couple brands' waist belts would cause my hips to tire quickly with weight compared to what I have now.