Mystery Ranch pack

[Huntin4Ever]

Any opinions out there on the Mystery Ranch Metcalf and Sawtooth 45 packs. for overnight hunts and for packing out deer?

[fowl smacker]

I've had the Metcalf for 3 seasons now and LOVE it.  Hunted for 4 and 5 days out of it.  Packs meat awesome with the load shelf and pack still on.  I highly recommend.

[WapitiTalk1]

Ok, listen. Research the history on Mystery Ranch and “Dana” packs. That’ll answer your questions. And yes, they are upper crust packs for backcountry hunting. Happy shopping 

[deerhuntr4885]

I love mine. Hauled out half an elk in one last year. 

[huntnnw]

7 years and counting on mine. Had 80-145lbs in it hundred plus times.no issues

[Jakobv]

Had the sawtooth 45 for about 2 years now, hauled out an elk with it, and many overnight hunts not a complaint at all. Would definitely recommend


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[JakeLand]

Mystery ranch are nice packs for sure but I will say I grab my exo 4800 first just the comfort and the way the accessibility to the pockets and accessories is a little nicer to me

[Huntin4Ever]

Thanks for all the replies, sounds like I cant go wrong with either of them. Packs are just like boot, some fit just right!!

[vandeman17]

I run the metcalf and like it. It will do anything you need

[Big6bull]

I run the metcalf and my partner runs the marshal. I’m tight on space for multiple day trips but pack a bit heavy. Overall I’m very happy with them. The marshal is a beast and has tons of room. If you are in between sizes they recommended to go with the smaller size.

[baker5150]

Mystery ranch are nice packs for sure but I will say I grab my exo 4800 first just the comfort and the way the accessibility to the pockets and accessories is a little nicer to me

EXO needs to get their warranty dept figured out. 

A guy shouldn't have to wait 2 years and counting for a warranty dry bag replacement.

[NiteHawk]

I bought the Metcalf a few years back. I also picked a Pintler bag (bag only) that is interchangeable with the Metcalf. When backpacking, I use the Metcalf and it packs up nicely if you take care in how you pack your pack. If I'm going on day hunts I will use the Pintler. I wasn't really sure about the Pintler before I bought it. Turns out I'm a huge fan of the pintler for day hunts/car camping hunts. It packs down tightly and quietly.

Last year I  packed a whole boned out mule deer and it's skull using the Metcalf. I used my Pintler "day" bag to pack out a bear and a blacktail buck.

The bear and the Mule Deer were not fun or comfortable. No pack will eliminate the pain of climbing 1500 feet with a 150lb pack. I think what you're getting with a Mystery Ranch is their ability to load a full deer sized animal in one trip and not have to go back for a second trip. Awesome packs, I would say send it on either.

I have been using my Metcalf this turkey season because I can shove two inflatable turkey decoys in there. It works great for a turkey hunting pack.

My one complaint - Once you pack it up the 25-30lbs, it squeaks pretty loudly. I have to look into how I can quiet it down.

[fishngamereaper]

Love my MR. Although I run the Selway, a tad smaller, I can fit enough for 4-5 days in it.

[vandeman17]

I bought the Metcalf a few years back. I also picked a Pintler bag (bag only) that is interchangeable with the Metcalf. When backpacking, I use the Metcalf and it packs up nicely if you take care in how you pack your pack. If I'm going on day hunts I will use the Pintler. I wasn't really sure about the Pintler before I bought it. Turns out I'm a huge fan of the pintler for day hunts/car camping hunts. It packs down tightly and quietly.

Last year I  packed a whole boned out mule deer and it's skull using the Metcalf. I used my Pintler "day" bag to pack out a bear and a blacktail buck.

The bear and the Mule Deer were not fun or comfortable. No pack will eliminate the pain of climbing 1500 feet with a 150lb pack. I think what you're getting with a Mystery Ranch is their ability to load a full deer sized animal in one trip and not have to go back for a second trip. Awesome packs, I would say send it on either.

I have been using my Metcalf this turkey season because I can shove two inflatable turkey decoys in there. It works great for a turkey hunting pack.

My one complaint - Once you pack it up the 25-30lbs, it squeaks pretty loudly. I have to look into how I can quiet it down.

For the squeak, you can take the packs and everything off the frame and put tape on the points that their is tension for the bag.

[kselkhunter]

Mystery Ranch are high quality packs and have been around a long time (Dana Designs before he sold that off to K2 and started Mystery Ranch).  My Crew Cab is still going strong all these years later.  The Metcalf and Sawtooth are great packs; I'd lean towards the Metcalf if it were me. 

[Doublelunger]

Mystery ranch is awesome.  The Metcalf is basically their flagship pack. I've been rocking the beartooth 80 for a couple years now and couldn't be happier. Tried out a exo 4800 and imo the beartooth is better.

[NiteHawk]

For the squeak, you can take the packs and everything off the frame and put tape on the points that their is tension for the bag.

Great tip, I will try that.

[vandeman17]

For the squeak, you can take the packs and everything off the frame and put tape on the points that their is tension for the bag.

Great tip, I will try that.

I put leukotape on mine and it helped. Nothing worse then having to deal with a squeak on a long otherwise quiet hike 

[haftard]

Im got the sawtooth 45 and my wife has the pop up 38. Love em. I wosh i would have gotten a bigger pack tho. Or that they wpuld,make a lid for the sawtooth. I will have to try the tape trick to fix the creek

[spin05]

Mystery ranch are nice packs for sure but I will say I grab my exo 4800 first just the comfort and the way the accessibility to the pockets and accessories is a little nicer to me

EXO needs to get their warranty dept figured out. 

A guy shouldn't have to wait 2 years and counting for a warranty dry bag replacement.

You need to talk directly to Mark at EXO and by pass there Warranty dept. He will get right on it

[baker5150]

Mystery ranch are nice packs for sure but I will say I grab my exo 4800 first just the comfort and the way the accessibility to the pockets and accessories is a little nicer to me

EXO needs to get their warranty dept figured out. 

A guy shouldn't have to wait 2 years and counting for a warranty dry bag replacement.

You need to talk directly to Mark at EXO and by pass there Warranty dept. He will get right on it

I have many emails to, and from Mark.  He is quick to respond, I have no complaints there. 

I believe the issue is a lack of extra dry bags to send out under warranty.  Just my assumption. 

[bowguy]

I have the sawtooth 45 works awesome as a day pack and could easily get a few days out of it. Also the meat hauling aspects are awesome

[KFhunter]

Mystery ranch are nice packs for sure but I will say I grab my exo 4800 first just the comfort and the way the accessibility to the pockets and accessories is a little nicer to me

EXO needs to get their warranty dept figured out. 

A guy shouldn't have to wait 2 years and counting for a warranty dry bag replacement.

You need to talk directly to Mark at EXO and by pass there Warranty dept. He will get right on it

I've already spoke with Mark, I was trying to figure out the accessory lid strap for the optional lid on the 1800 bag.

I got super frustrated and started trying to yank the male buckle off because it was male to male...jokes withheld....and scavenge a female buckle off from somewhere else.

So just before I go all Hulk on this pack,  I thought hell w it it I'm calling EXO...

"Hi this is Mark, how can I help you?"

Right then I noticed that on the lid theres a male side and a female side....I felt like a real dork all I had to do was switch em around
   
"Hey Mark, ummm.  I just figured it out thanks so much for your help!"

Awkward pause...

"Hey, no problem!"

Bye


SO...EXO is not exactly hard to get in touch with

[HAGEMANIAC]

+1 on the Metcalf.  It is a tiny bit large for day hunting IMO.  It does cinch down pretty well, but I'd rather just have a separate day pack.

[ThurstonCokid]

I have a pop up 28 and a bear tooth 80. Day pack and overnight.. the reason i run mystery ranch is the super quick easy meat pack.. and it’s huge


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[HAGEMANIAC]

Camofire.com is running some nice deals on mystery ranch today.

[Bambi Bar-B-Q]

           I got the metcalf A couple years back. Works great for my day pack and has no problem packing out elk Quarters. I haven’t had a chance yet to get it up in the Alpine for a multiple day hunt,but hopefully I will get a chance to test it out this September!

[Chukarhead]

I've run the Metcalf for a couple of years. I've lived out of it for up to seven nights, last day with a boned out mountain goat on overload. I like it.  I added a couple of hip pockets for snacks and at-hand items.  It's not super light, but comfortable.  Buddies also run Stone Glacier and Kuiu packs and like them, too.

[yakimanoob]

Packs are just like boot, some fit just right!!

The quality of Mystery Ranch packs can't be doubted. They didn't get their reputation in the hunting, fire, and military communities by making packs that aren't worth the money. 

FWIW - I decided to sell my Sawtooth 45 in favor of the Terraframe 50, and I have zero regrets.  Same frame/suspension, but a more versatile pack design for my needs. 

[Utah]

7 years and counting on mine. Had 80-145lbs in it hundred plus times.no issues

training is different than real world packing out animal weight.   Hundreds of times?  Smoke another bowl.

[huntnnw]

7 years and counting on mine. Had 80-145lbs in it hundred plus times.no issues

training is different than real world packing out animal weight.   Hundreds of times?  Smoke another bowl.

please elaborate.. weight is weight and miles are miles in the mountians. And yes its had about 30 loads of meat in it. sounds like you need to head on back to nez perce and smoke another bowl. Go home troll

[jstone]

Are they better than the exo?

[Karl Blanchard]

7 years and counting on mine. Had 80-145lbs in it hundred plus times.no issues

training is different than real world packing out animal weight.   Hundreds of times?  Smoke another bowl.

please elaborate.. weight is weight and miles are miles in the mountians. And yes its had about 30 loads of meat in it. sounds like you need to head on back to nez perce and smoke another bowl. Go home troll

  meat, gear and water, salt into a camera, training hikes,etc. Weight is weight. Huntnnw has packed more than 99% of guys guaranteed. How is 100's of times in 7 years not a reasonable amount for a serious hunter? I've had multiple 30+ animal seasons worth of packing, not even counting pack ins and training hikes.

[trophyhunt]

I didn’t know huntnnw was a pot head!         

[Doublelunger]

Are they better than the exo?

IMO, The exo is lighter and more comfortable with light weight.  My biggest complaint is that as you increase the weight of your load the more unstable it becomes.  60# + and it felt really floppy on my back, mostly side to side. (Yes, everthing was properly adjusted). The mystery ranch is like one pound heavier and feels extremely secure even with 100# +. I would also speculate that the mystery ranch is more durable, i think that's probably the trade off for a slightly heavier pack.

[Chukarhead]

Are they better than the exo?

IMO, The exo is lighter and more comfortable with light weight.  My biggest complaint is that as you increase the weight of your load the more unstable it becomes.  60# + and it felt really floppy on my back, mostly side to side. (Yes, everthing was properly adjusted). The mystery ranch is like one pound heavier and feels extremely secure even with 100# +. I would also speculate that the mystery ranch is more durable, i think that's probably the trade off for a slightly heavier pack.

I haven't run an Exo, but can confirm that the MR seems super secure compared to freighter packs that I've run in years past, even with heavy loads.  60# is my standard training pack--it doesn't shift around at all when all cinched down.

[Huntin4Ever]

Ordered the Mystery Ranch Metcalf in Optifade, found an online dealer for $425, looking forward to testing it out on some trips into the backcountry in the Olympics, its a great way to get in hunting shape and see some incredible country.

[huntnfmly]

Ordered the Mystery Ranch Metcalf in Optifade, found an online dealer for $425, looking forward to testing it out on some trips into the backcountry in the Olympics, its a great way to get in hunting shape and see some incredible country.
Buying new gear is always fun
You’ll like the mystery ranch I ended up going to mystery ranch and really like the way it fits
It carries weight good I haven’t had any serious weight in it but a few outings putting out trail cams it carried 50# very comfortably