5 Best Mystery Ranch Backpacking Packs for Travel

We’ve picked out our favourite Mystery Ranch backpacking packs in this blog to accompany you on your next adventure outdoors. As always, these picks represent our personal views on what hikers need most when they’re out on the trails.

We’ve tried to include something for everyone, delving into the unique features on offer from some of the best load-bearing equipment in the world. What we’ve found has enhanced any love we already had for this stout-hearted brand.

One of the most frequently asked questions online has to do with the cost of Mystery Ranch backpacks. What exactly are you paying that extra cost for? In truth, you’re paying extra for heavy-duty construction. These backpacks are durable and hard to beat when it comes to load carrying.

The downside to all that is that these products can also be heavier. Mystery Ranch backpacks are also less fussy, with fewer features and less fanciful additions. In short, you get what you pay for – a reliable product that doesn’t let you down, or try to win you over with clever marketing.

A Brand With Fighting Spirit

The company was founded by Dana Gleason and Renée Sippel-Baker, who experimented with ways to make loaded backpacks more comfortable to carry. They used their decades of experience in the industry to further a goal of making backpacks better and stronger for everyone.

In the beginning, Mystery Ranch bags were made in China, but demand from the Navy SEALs eventually shifted production back to Gleason’s adopted home state in Bozeman, Montana. Later, Mystery Ranch was bought by a well-named manufacturer of coolers – Yeti.

Now, the company’s in-house design and teams in charge of quality control are kept closer to home. Many of the packs are made in the Philippines, but the brand does also make outdoor, tactical and fire packs in the USA as well.

Driven by the same passion they had at the outset, the brand’s founder continue to steer their creation into the sturdy future of backpack design.

The brand has benefited from having its headquarters in the outdoor oasis of Bozeman – still in business and going strong since the turn of the millennium.

There are many who insist that Mystery Ranch makes the best load-bearing backpacks in the world. They use the most reliable materials and durable construction methods to create products that live forever (or thereabouts). No environment is too tough for a Mystery Ranch pack.

5. Gallagator 25

First up, we’ll start with the option you choose when you need extra room. Maybe 30 litres is too much, but 20 litres doesn’t cut it. Well, then the GALLAGOTR 25 is just what you need – this lightweight option is roomy enough to keep you comfortable all day in the wilderness.

The sleek, 3-zip design has just enough space to accompany you on urban adventures as well. Daisy chains with tool attachments can easily carry your lunch and allow for extra interior storage as well.

All your essentials can be stashed inside GALLAGOTR 25 and the lid pocket safely holds your keys and wallet, with an integrated key clip. Easy access is assured with pocketed shoulder pads to protect your sunglasses and phone as well. Keep your valuables at your fingertips when you’re on the move.

It’s worth reiterating how important that 3-zip access is. No one wants to stuck in a tough spot, fumbling for their lifelines. Easy organisation and storage for small things is a crucial benefit that should not be snuffed at.

4. Gallagator 15

This one is the slimmer cousin of our first pick. As the name suggests, GALLAGATOR 15 is a super lightweight backpack that has been built to cater for the needs of trail runners, hikers and dirt scramblers. It will surely enhance your outdoor adventures and more leisurely day-to-day escapes.

Of course, we love this pack for easy it is to carry, but it also has plenty of storage for fuel, including snacks and water bottles. You can also throw in an extra layer, headlamp and first aid kit – pretty much anything you need for life at a faster pace.

The design is accessible and uncomplicated, built out of recycled fabric and honed for roaming time in nature. The rip-zip access recruits your fingers as agents of precision and avoids any heedless fumbling. In short, you can get to the guts of your pack in an instant.

Did we mention the pocketed shoulder pads? When it comes to extra storage these features are welcome additions, seemingly custom built for a phone or sunglasses.

3. Scree 33

Third on our list is the SCREE 33 pack, which is referred to as a leader in Mystery Ranch’s Trail line. This hefty 33-litre pack is a technical workhorse, which can easily accompany you on all kinds of extreme outdoor pursuits.

Notable features include the daisy chain with tool attachment capabilities, adjustable yoke and removable waist belt. This product also has lots of adjustable compression and it’s surprisingly easy to lug around with you.

You’ll be happy to discover how easy it is to transition between terrain as well. Cruise from scree to snowy ground with very little exertion. You can even remove the aluminium frame to make the pack lighter if you want to.

So, you’ll have all the load-bearing support needed for mountain missions, without feeling like you’ve just strapped a yak between your shoulders.

2. Women’s Scree 33

The SCREE 33 for women is also a leader in Mystery Ranch’s Trail line – this technical 33-litre pack has again been built with extreme pursuits in mind. You’ll enjoy all the adjustable compression you could ever want and be treated to extra storage when you attach tools to the daisy chain.

Similar to our last pick, this one has an adjustable yoke and removable waist belt as well. If you need to pick up your speed you can remove the aluminium frame. This is a great way to enhance your outdoor adventures with lightweight load-bearing support.

1. Bridger 45

Last on our list, we’ve found our way to the big guns and by that we mean it’s time to examine the BRIDGER 45. The toughest mountains require durable tools to chip away at them. This pack is definitely up for the challenge – it will join you on sunrise-to-sunset hikes without a whimper.

Even if you’re not scaling a mountain, weekend getaways can be made easier with ample storage space and a package that saunters through the seasons. There’s a dedicated compartment for your sleeping bag and overnight essentials as well.

Also, the double-zippered design means you don’t have to go hunting for snacks, cameras or other elusive accessories. When the inclines steepen you can take them in your stride and utilise the BRIDGER’s Endurance Yoke with running vest technology to cool your core.

Notice the YKK® zippers and DWR finish for exceptional water protection if a downpour strikes. This pack also has nylon ripstop construction and was engineered with sustainability in mind. You don’t have to throw away the environment when you put on a 45-litre backpack.