Mt Whitney Webcam
Mt Williamson Webcam
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 155 guests, and 16 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Mystery Ranch Backpacks
#43943 08/11/15 11:56 AM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 632
OP Offline
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 632
I have a favorite day pack made by Dana Designs. I searched the internet to discover they no longer exist. Instead I found this website. I believe these packs are Made in USA. I thought the WZ had a Made in USA thread but I could not find it in my searches. I was going to post this in that thread but since I am not sure these are made in the USA I have created a new topic, Mystery Ranch Backpacks (I really like the name). I have never seen these packs mentioned on the WZ but then again I have not been on the WZ much lately.

http://www.mysteryranch.com/


Lynnaroo
Re: Mystery Ranch Backpacks
lynn-a-roo #43961 08/13/15 05:59 AM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,034
Offline
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,034
I looked at this company's product line a few years ago when I was looking for a large high volume winter pack. They are definitely high quality, but they are heavy. They are primarily selling products to the US military and hunters, so their design caters to support very high loads.

I may not be what you call an ultra light packer, but even for me these packs were simply too heavy. And they aren't cheap either. What they now call "Carson Mountain" was the pack I was interested in, but at 10lbs 8oz and over %600 for a 98L pack, I hesitated, plus the bigger packs are all camouflage, not my favorite color. All their packs that go over 100 liters are even heavier and more expensive.

I ended up with a made in USA Gregory Denali instead (the only pack they still make in the USA) and have been happy with it. In fact, all my large packs have been Gregory since around 2008.

Looking at the MR web site today, it appears that since my last visit a few years ago, they have expanded their non-military line significantly, but still subscribe to a durable design philosophy.

Re: Mystery Ranch Backpacks
lynn-a-roo #44028 08/19/15 04:57 PM
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 11
P
Offline
P
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 11
I used a Mystery Ranch Swift backpack two weeks ago when summiting Mt. Whitney. Very comfortable and supports a load very well. The construction is well conceived and the feature set is also quite good. Items within the pack are very accessible given the zipper placements and there are ample pockets on the outside. Two outside water bottle pockets hold these items securely, within easy reach, and internal sleeve easily holds three liter bladder. Well placed zippered pockets on the waist belt are of appropriate volume.

Highly recommended.

Re: Mystery Ranch Backpacks
Pistachio #44195 09/01/15 08:48 PM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 632
OP Offline
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 632
Hi Pistacho, I just read a review of the Swift Pack on the Mystery Ranch website after reading your recommendation. That person also summited Mt. Whitney and they took the pack on a 22 day hike. Sounds like a good pack. Thank you for the recommendation. The specs say it's a 4 lb. 8 oz. pack. That does not sound like a heavy pack. The previous comment said Mystery Ranch packs are heavy and expensive. I will have to do some price and pound comparisons. $265 and 4 lb 8 oz. seems like a fair price and good weight for a pack that can take a hiker on a 22 mile trek...and it's made in the USA.

Last edited by lynn-a-roo; 09/01/15 08:52 PM.

Lynnaroo
Re: Mystery Ranch Backpacks
lynn-a-roo #44281 09/14/15 10:48 AM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 114
Offline
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 114
That's a very heavy pack!

For example, the Osprey Exos 58L is 15L bigger and 2 pounds lighter. I use this pack on all of my hikes - it's like a cloud on my back - very light and comfortable.

Re: Mystery Ranch Backpacks
goldscott #44453 10/06/15 12:50 PM
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1
D
Offline
D
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1
Mystery Ranch is the company Dana started after selling Dana Designs....


Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4
(Release build 20200307)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 7.4.33 Page Time: 0.020s Queries: 26 (0.015s) Memory: 0.5949 MB (Peak: 0.6618 MB) Data Comp: Off Server Time: 2024-03-28 16:25:47 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS