Mystery Ranch backpack Question

[Tikka Bird Dog]

Just a quick question for anyone with experience in the back country hunting off your boots. I have been running a Kuiu day pack for about 6 years now and it has been a great pack, but it's time to upgrade. Mainly looking for a good pack for back county elk hunting, the main thing I've been doing the last few years. To my question, does anyone have any opinions on the Mystery Ranch Sawtooth 45? It looks to be a really nice pack and before I spend $500 on it, I'd like to get anyone's opinion on that particular pack or any other elk hunting pack suggested. Any feedback welcome. Thank you Hunt Wa members!

[vandeman17]

I ran the Metcalf for a few years and liked it. I didn't camp out of it but it hauled out some heavy loads and it did great. Last year I switched to a Stone Glacier pack which I also like just because I am one that tinkers with gear until I find the winner. One piece of advice that you probably already know but is to make sure to take the time to properly fit whatever pack you get to your body. I didn't on my Metcalf when I first bought it and was close to ditching it but watched a few videos and did some adjustments. That made all the difference

[huntnnw]

I’ve had a mystery ranch for 10 years now with no complaints. Next pack will be a initial ascent .

[Tikka Bird Dog]

Thank you for the info! it is much appreciated.

[Buckjunkie]

Sorry, but I have no experience with the Sawtooth 45, but I do have three MR packs and they are all very well made and comfortable. My most recent pack is the Glacier 70. I use it for everything and I love it. I don’t do much backcountry stuff anymore, but I wish I had this one back when I did.

My nephew has always used Dana Design packs that he picks up on EBay…he must have 10-12. Dana Designs brand was discontinued in 2006 and their models were picked up by Marmot and Mystery Ranch. Dana made packs for mountaineering. They are tough.

My new Glacier 70 has everything I ever wanted in a pack and Sportsman’s had them on sale for $263 in April of 2022.

Hard to go wrong with a Mystery Ranch!

[pd]

I can offer some first hand experience.

I am an alpine climber, minimalist wherever possible.  For an extended trip (5 or 6 days), I aim to fill all my climbing gear (including ropes, helmet, harness, crampons, pickel, etc.) in a 60-liter rucksack.  I used this same philosophy when I purchased the Selway (60-liter) bag a few years ago.

Boy, was that a mistake.  There was no way that I could make an extended elk hunting trip (5 or 6 days) work in the MR Selway (whether archery or muzzleloader).  One issue is the weather--it is much colder during elk season than summertime climbing, requiring heavier sleeping system and more clothing.

I upgraded last season to the Beartooth (80-liters), and I will probably use this bag going forward for extended trips.

The frame on the Mystery Ranch system fits me very well, and I am very satisfied with it.  Everybody's body frame is different, so that might not work for you.  YMMV.

[elkchaser54]

I currently a MR terraframe 50L which is the same frame just different bag and I have absolutely loved it.  The frame is so lightweight and sturdy .  Mystery Ranch also has a wonderful warranty . They post online all the time about their warranty department fixing packs that they don't even make anymore also if they can't fix it they ship out something new. To me the buckle on the waist strap seems a little cheap to me but I haven't had any issues of it breaking.  For reference I've ran eberlestock and MR for my elk hunting and backpacking career .

[Longfield1]

I have the smaller Popup 28 as i wanted something a little smaller that would be a good day pack and possibly a minimalist overnighter. Only packs ive used was issued from the Marines.  The MR is much more comfortable than anything I've worn previously.

[Wingin it]

I’ve run the MR Popup 28 and am now running the Popup 38. I needed just a little more space was the reason for the change. Really comfortable even when hauling meat (as comfortable as that can be anyway). Good fit and zero complaints.
I don’t have a lot to compare to however aside from some cheap daypacks that definitely sucked in comparison. I don’t think a guy could go wrong with the MR lineup but I also know there are comparable and maybe even better available.

[gee_unit360]

I have the sawtooth 45. Love it. Use it for a day pack. Have hauled out some heavy loads with it. Probably a touch small if you’re planning on packing in for 4-5 nights. Maybe the metcalf for that. But you could go for a night or two.

[fowl smacker]

I've run the Metcalf for the last 5 yrs.  Longest I've hunted out of it was 5 days during archery season.  Packs everything I need.  I've had it LOADED on a pack out with 120lbs.  120 lbs on your back isn't comfortable but I wouldn't have wanted to do it with any other pack on.

[Tikka Bird Dog]

Thank you for everyone's input on their personal experience with these packs and others! I really appreciate it Hunt Wa Members. hopefully I get to add some pics of the pack out come this fall!

[Big6bull]

Like others said above, I haven't had that pack but several by mystery ranch and I really like their packs, can usually always find good sale prices too, don’t pay full price!

[Wingin it]

Keep an eye on Camofire. They run sales on MR packs and accessories for some good prices.

[444Marlin]

Before Dana Designs became Mystery Ranch, I used those for backpacking and mountaineering.

I like the Glacier and the Metcalf.  I also use the pop up 28 for day hunts.
In my opinion, there's not much gear difference between a weekend overnight hunt and a 4-5 day hunt.  The only difference is the amount of food I bring, and that could be significant for 5 days vs. 2 nights.  The gear is the same (-ish).

The sawtooth is a bit on the smaller side, and might not have the volume for food for mulitple day trips.  I'd start with the Metcalf or the Beartooth if multiple days are in your plan.

The "Back Strap" accessory is nice for having just meat packing trips.  If you're successful, maybe you make one trip out with gear + meat.  And then on subsequent trips, you just have the frame+water to haul the rest of the meat and horns.

[okie john]

I use a Pop Up 38. It's a good day pack plus it expands so you can haul meat. I keep 99% of my gear in the two top pockets with rain gear and water down below. Not sure how well it would work for an extended back-country hunt.

Definitely visit a store and get your hands on them before you buy. I was about to buy one on the Guide Lite MT frame, but when I tried it on, I found out that the frame sticks up pretty high behind my head. If I lean very far forward, which I have to do all the time in the places where I hunt, then I can’t lift my head very high. That can make it hard to shoot, ride a mountain bike, or even see where I'm going. The Pop Up frame is quite a bit shorter and doesn't do that.

MR also frames come in different sizes. The ones on Camofire are often women's sizes or small sizes and won't fit well if you're over about 5' 6" tall.

Finally, like any manufacturer, MR constantly evolves their designs. The packs shown on the MR site are the latest and greatest but lots of retailers sell older models at a substantial discount.


Okie John

[Tikka Bird Dog]

thank you for all the input everyone.