This made the hike even more bearable than it would have been with my FILBE assault pack, although the distinctive Mystery Ranch pack shape got me a bit of attention for wearing something other than what Im issued. El Dorado Hills, CA 95762-4549 Finally, I tested the straps by doing the same thing I did to the top carry handle, and of course, they passed. This is the closure that holds the packs plastic frame sheet. The straps do a good job of pulling the bags load toward the users body and keeping it neat, but arent long enough to hold much against the outside of the pack. Often, but not always, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through certain product links.
During testing I passed my Mystery Ranch Bridger 55 to a friend so he could try it on. Thats really nice, especially when fully loaded. While its not intended to be used as a military pack, it definitely can fulfill that role in terms of features, and it comes in enough tactical colors to where you can make it fit into whatever your respective branch likes (if they allow you to wear private purchase packs). eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'wellrigged_com-netboard-1','ezslot_21',175,'0','0'])); While Mystery Ranch says this pocket can be used for a tablet, Id only do use it in a pinch(there is already another dedicated padded sleeve for a tablet). Also, every zipper has a webbing loop sowed to the ends to serve as counter-grips to grab onto while zipping and unzipping. I do have one complaint though. One final caveat: this is very important, but should you be intending to field this pack in any environment where youre dealing with an enemy threat that could be using night vision, this pack is NOT shielded to absorb near-infrared frequencies, while Mystery Ranchs real military packs are solution-treated at the yarn level to be IRR-compliant and absorb near-infrared. Useless fact of the day: 1 Denier is based on the weight of a 9km(5.59 mi) long strand of natural silk. Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), link to Are Birkenstocks Worth It? The key feature of the Bridger backpacks is Mystery Ranchs new harness system, which theyre calling the Endurance Yoke. Overall, the pack passed the tests with two key caveats. I love the new Endurance yoke, and cant wait to see it appear on more packs. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Mystery Ranch was thinking smart when they placed these small mesh pockets at the upper-left and right of the pack.
On the inside back of pack there is a huge zipper. But today, were talking about the little brother of the 3-DAP, the Mystery Ranch 2-Day Assault Pack, also known as 2-DAY. Mystery Ranch is very careful to not list this as an assault pack, instead advertising it as an everyday carry (EDC) bag for people who want the aesthetics of a 3-Day, but who live a non-combative lifestyle. This pack redefines richly-featured and takes it to the point of excess, with a truly staggering list of pockets, attachment points, and options for fitment.
Prices, specifications and availability of products are subject to change without notice Using the Bridger 55 in Spring I stayed practically sweat-free I cant wait to test for hot-weather performance, when I feel like this system will actually make a difference. On the casual 10K, I packed my gym clothes, cleanup kit, towel, and a gallon of water into the 2-DAY, and walked the 3.1 miles to my gym, changed, exercised, and then walked back. I understand that this is a very niche concern, but this pack is not suitable if youre planning on using it in any sort of modern tactical environment. Typical ventilation systems on backpacks involve lifting the pack away from the wearers body, which creates leverage away from the hips and generally I actually had a hard job getting the Bridger 55 to put me off balance, despite being loaded with some heavy weights. Outdoorsman and Nerdpunk. Cordura is a nylon fabric brand originally developed by Dupont and widely respected as an industry-standard in ultra-durable nylon fabrics (source). Weight aside, a few staples of ultralight pack design have made their way onto Mystery Ranchs drawing board, showing up here on the Bridger 55. This legendary reputation shows, because as part of my equipment as a forward observer in the Marines, Im issued the Mystery Ranch Observed Fires Pack, which is a combination of the COMM 4 pack, the Hitchhiker 20, and the Daypack Lid, along with a few other pieces. From Southwest England; based in East Scotland.
For the durability test, I loaded the pack up with 30 pounds of stuff and picked it up by each of the MOLLE loops, as those loops are oftentimes points of failure if not properly executed.
As for the rest of the pack, Ill agree that some tweaks are needed.
For the better part of a decade, Mystery Ranch of Bozeman, Montana, has occupied the collective mind of the tactical gear-collecting public as one of the premier names in backpacks for the serious outdoors enthusiast. Sales - (916) 633-6565 Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about coupons and special promotions. Getting the 2-DAY out of the bag, we see the feature that makes Mystery Ranch NOT self-explanatory, which is the telltale triple Y zipper that Mystery Ranch has popularized. Its roots are in the 2 Day Assault BVS and a further refinement to Mystery Ranchs bestselling Urban Assault 21. 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 400; Arlington, VA 22202 The kidney strap is literally just a strap, but it does help with heavier loads, should you decide to use this for backpacking instead of everyday urban operations. The straps present the issue of, unlike the 3-DAP, not featuring the Velcro strap gathers, which means that youll have to kick it old school and bust out the black electrical tape to make sure your pack isnt a mess of hanging straps. You can attach it inside the bag or to the straps on the outside. I kinda wish they had included a drawstring or elastic at the top of these pockets. Separation between the belt and shoulder pad allows air to move against the wearers back, reminiscent of the Bergans packs Ive used in the past.
Looking to contribute your thoughts? Let me put it this way. Constructed with heavy-duty TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) for superior flexibility, it meets all tactical strength standards.
By About The Perfect Pack A versatile EDC pack? eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'wellrigged_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_19',181,'0','0']));Toyota does this, and the Urban Assault 24 is an example of this process at work as well. JavaScript is disabled. However, Mystery Ranch doesnt consider this a military pack, and therefore it is made in Vietnam. The 2-DAY has color-matched brown urethane-covered zippers and buckles throughout and features a generic Mystery Ranch sewn-on tag, as well as a loop-side Velcro panel on top, which can be used for name tags, distress strobes, or more realistically, Punisher skull patches. Matt Sampson is a commerce reporter for Task and Purpose and The Gear Locker, and a contributing writer for The Drive, and Car Bibles, covering everything gear and tech-related. Overall, this pack strikes me as something for people who want to feel tactical, while not delivering any of the minutiae necessary to make it work at the professional level in any of the fields mentioned. The harness is very cushy. Id packed heavier than him; coming from his Granite Gear Blaze 60 he commented on the weight in-hand. Mystery Ranch Hydrapack 3.1L OHY Reservoir, CAL FIRE Approved to Spec 1728, with all-black hose, hardware, and dust cover, Slide-Seal Top: opens wide for easy filling & seals tight, Shape-Loc Baffle: slim profile and increased stabilization, Blaster Valve: high-flow bite valve with twist shut/off, HydraFusion Tube: 36", insulates and protects, Plug-N-Play Connector: quick disconnect for convenient tube removal, Can be frozen or filled with hot water (max temp 60 C / 140 F). The belt pockets zip up and are well sized for at-hand items like snacks or a headlamp, but will also hold a smartphone or pair of sunglasses in a case. It carries weight well, accommodates a variety of attachments and configurations, and overall seems to be well-made. Like a complete dork, I brought my CIF and put the pack on over my flak. A Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVO) Business For example, Id been hoping to strap a Z-Lite style sleeping pad to the side of my Bridger, but found it impossible to get the straps around it. I dont wear backpacks casually or call my trips to the liquor store everyday urban operations, but I can definitely find occasions to wear a backpack and see if I can use it for what it looks like, which is a pack for the military (semi) professional. That being said, the Bridger 55 is heavier even than Mystery Ranchs own Terraframe 50, so may be hard to justify for some users. As anAmazon AssociateI earn from qualifying purchases. The Endurance yoke improves the breathability of the Bridger pack, but also does an awesome job for comfort under load. I'm not really familiar with the 7500. The Bridger series is a new release for Spring 22, with 65 litre and 55 litre offerings available (I tested the 55L). I found the Urban Assault 24 exceptionally comfortable for day hiking. This is really useful and well implemented, as a supplement to the main access beneath the lid. Although not purpose-built for a stash, I discovered this neat hiding spot while doing a close inspection of the laptop compartment for this Urban Assault 24 review. Spoiler alert: there actually isnt much to whine about.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'wellrigged_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',166,'0','0'])); Also Worth Checking Out: 17 Super Durable Backpacks Thatll Survive the Apocolypse and An Epic Guide to the Most Durable Duffel Bags on Earth.
I was Unsurprised to find no loose threads. For someone who spends a lot of time in-garrison and only ever rarely goes to the field, this is a good option, as even though its not a great assault pack, its a good military-style backpack and can work as an assault pack in a pinch. Even in that case, I dont think the Bridger makes a good example, as the opening was too narrow for my 3-season bag to fit through. I find this space is much more suited as a dedicated document sleeve. My point is: A good backpack should shut up and just do its job without you noticing that it was even there. Going hiking? Urban peeps could use these internal long pockets for things like laptop chargers, gym clothes, or wireless Bluetooth speakers. I think the Urban Assault 24 is a significant improvement over the 21. The 2-DAY is supremely wearable, thanks in no small part to the aforementioned Futura harness system. One of the things that I noticed is that the Futura Harness with its yoke and adjustable load-lifters really helped make the pack fit close to my body and the load not feel overly heavy. Mystery Ranch advertises it as being a 27-liter pack or, if you only understand merican, 1,650 cubic inches, which is an okay amount for a normal backpack in laymans terms. The fact that this pack isnt made in America, but is simply an American design executed overseas, doesnt seem to have affected it either, especially when comparing it to other Mystery Ranch packs that Ive used. My longbow is like that, but it does have Molle webbing. Due to the Berry Amendment, for an item to be used officially by the military and receive a National Stock Number, it needs to be made in the U.S. or in specific countries (usually for small components).
Unbuckling the side compression straps reveals a zippered access to the main compartment of the pack. Similarly, the Bridger 55 has a number of compression straps across the sides, base, and even inside the top-loading collar. Other than that though, who the hell is this pack for? It would just hang there diggin its claws into my shoulders and swaying awkwardly with every move I made. The shoulder straps are broad and spread across the chest when worn, with two sternum straps included to keep the load in place. Management Solutions, LLC. Its a great spot to stash sunglasses, keys, mobile phones, earbuds, or anything else youll need quickly. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'wellrigged_com-leader-4','ezslot_16',179,'0','0'])); Although it is slim it reaches the full depth of the bag. They list this as an EDC bag, but honestly, wearing a bag like this for any sort of EDC situation, even if youre unarmed, is just asking for undue attention, especially in colors like coyote brown, foliage green, or black.
If you plan on using this pack (or any pack, for that matter) over armor, there are some key considerations that you need to keep in mind. Aside from some minor quibbles, the Urban Assault 24 has the hallmarks of a future classic. Durable, well-design products are painstakingly developed over time and multiple production cycles. $70.00 Mystery Ranchs signature 3-Zip design is the best thing about this backpack. The Urban Assault 24 improves on the Urban Assault 21 in these key areas: Mystery Ranch makes seriously durable gear. Setting aside the fact that using this backpack in any sort of everyday environment is the equivalent of concealed carrying while wearing 5.11 pants, a moto t-shirt, camouflage ball cap, hiking boots, a Garmin watch, and a memorial band, and also setting aside the fact that all this talk about everyday urban operations and the aesthetics of a 3-day assault pack for the non-combative lifestyle sounds a lot like, well, LARPing, the question remains: Is this thing any good? Birkenstocks have a well-earned reputation for durability, but are they really worth their price tag? At around $199, its also half the price of the 3-DAP, so that might be another important aspect of what someone might want in a pack that looks like a smaller 3-DAP, but I digress. I was also able to use this zipper feature to rout a hydration hose through while using the laptop pocket for a Camelbak bladder. Empty, the Bridger 55 weighs roughly double the Granite Gear Crown 60. Time will tell if thats something that will cause a drop in quality or performance. The zip here feels like unnecessary weight and complexity to an already heavy and complicated bag. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'wellrigged_com-leader-3','ezslot_15',187,'0','0'])); Of course, its strongest suite is as an urban EDC. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. (More info here..). You are using an out of date browser. I cant imagine theyre that much more expensive, and theyd solve one of my biggest complaints with this pack. Intended for backpacking and camping, the design takes influence from trail running vests to further develop Mystery Ranchs already A-Grade stability and comfort, while improving comfort through breathability and ventilation to the harness. For weekend trips you could use these pockets for underwear, socks, a GoPro or a rain ponchoyou get the idea. A chest cinch strap will likely fix a good chunk of the issues that I had with the lateral movement over my flak, and purchasing it in the bright blue colorway alleviates some of the issues I have with the overtly tactical appearance of the pack. I cant recommend it as a great pack for military use, because it lacks the features that you need to make it work as an actual assault pack. But wait, theres more! I tested the top carrying handle by taking the fully loaded pack and swinging it wildly by the handle, which survived. Just use the laptop sleeve for a hydration bladder(without the laptop of course). (Yes, click here for details), OCIE (Organizational Clothing and Ind. The content of the review was not shared with Mystery Ranch prior to publication. Get the very best "Buy It For Life" recommendations and benefit from thousands of hours of unbiased research for free!
There are three parts to the laptop compartment. Its a MOLLE-covered coyote brown pack with Velcro for morale patches and most of the alternate colors for it are explicitly military, so Im going to use it in the military. The materials are weather resistant (though not waterproof) and have held up well against rocks, mud and snow. Theyve gotten pretty good at it. Heres why: This is a flat zip-pocket about 8 inches deep and accessible from the top flap of the Urban Assault 24 even when its loaded.
WellRigged.com focuses on durability products, but what good is it to have reliable, tough Hi, I'm Don and I despise junky, unreliable products. Your email address will not be sold or shared with anyone else.
Its also good to see Mystery Ranch considering the durability of their gear, using compression straps to take the strain off zips, which are common points of failure.
A weatherproof YKK zipper on the lid gives access to the decent-sized mesh-backed lid pocket. Ive already griped a couple of times about the straps not having the Velcro strap keepers, but its a pretty important thing for me. So, when you go to put the pack on, the arms hold themselves out for you (like a butler holding your coat.) The Bergans Helium 55 I used last year comes in at less than 1kg, despite having a remarkably similar feature set. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'wellrigged_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_20',159,'0','0'])); eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'wellrigged_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_18',188,'0','0']));While researching thousands of durable products here at WellRigged.com one thing has become abundantly clear. A: Depends on who you are. A 500ml soft bottle fits well, but I often used mine to hold my map, in a weatherproof case. Naturally, everyone has different priorities, and how the weight on the scale plays against weight on-body is up to you, in your own order of ranking. The Mystery Ranch Urban Assault 24 checks all the right boxes for a full-fledged EDC backpack. The obvious counterpoint might be durability both of those packs showed clear signs of use after just a couple of outings, whereas the Bridger feels as though itll last me for decades. What lies beneath is all the grit and toughness of Mystery Ranchs professional line of military rucksacks (namely their 2 Day Assault BVS. I didnt expect this to make much difference, but moving around with the Bridger I found it exceptionally stable on my back. Im here to find out.
The harness was unlike anything hed ever worn, making the perceived weight of the bag feel less than his own. For civilian options, like their hiking packs, theyre definitely still an option, but compare whatever option you choose with other brands, because while Mystery Ranch is peerless in terms of their military packs, the field is a lot more populated when it comes to hiking bags, and the prices can vary more. The warning signs are flashing that tough times may be ahead. How much is marketing hype and how much is real value? eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'wellrigged_com-box-3','ezslot_3',165,'0','0'])); The Urban Assault 24 was already a stand-out performer in our recent in-depth look at 17 Super-Durable Backpacks. The lid is floating but also removable, with a hidden strap to be worn separately around the waist. I cant recommend it as a great pack for everyday use, because it looks too overtly tactical. Let's find out. Sandwiched beside the laptop sleeve is a generously sized tablet sleeve(also floating.) I find its a handy spot for travel documents or cash but you can use it for pretty much anything. Daisy-chain webbing on the front panel comes with shock cord to hold trekking poles in place. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'wellrigged_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',156,'0','0']));This makes packing easy, but more importantly, you can get right to the bottom of the fully-loaded pack without making a mess or unpacking.