Mystery Ranch 3 Way 18L Expandable Briefcase

This is a briefcase made from backpack-caliber materials and that converts to backpack shoulder carry. It has comfortable handles, a usable but not amazing single shoulder strap, and very comfortable backpack straps that stow away. Internal organization is decent, The sides are well-padded to protect electronics, and the top zippers don’t open as widely as I would like. This is an older, made-in-USA model—check the newer models, very similar configuration with some worthy design changes.

BACKGROUND

Mystery Ranch currently sells two versions of its three way expandable briefcase, in two sizes: 18 liters and 27 liters. They retail for $199 and $229. The version I'm reviewing is very similar to the current 18 liter model; the 27-liter model doubles as an overnighter and has a different zipper configuration that offers better access to the interior. It’s worth noting that mine was made in 2014 (in Bozeman, Montana), purchased recently as "new without tags." I don't know how much it was used, but it's in new or near-new condition. Anyway, today, Mystery Ranch has these manufactured overseas.

I assume this briefcase holds roughly 18 liters, but I'm not 100% sure. The dimensions of mine are 16.5 inches the long way, 11 inches tall, and roughly 6-8  inches deep, depending on whether it's expanded or not. The version sold today lists as 10.5 inches deep, so it's a somewhat larger briefcase. The larger version is advertised as 12x17x11.5.

I looked at this briefcase as a daily commuting alternative to a leather briefcase I’ve used for many years. I wanted something less formal and capable of being carried like a backpack if I wanted; I also wanted something with good organization for my things and that would be durable. 

THE DETAILS

Mystery Ranch’s expandable three-way briefcase is made from what appears to be 500 denier cordura nylon as the basic material. The zippers (YKK coil), pulls, handles, and straps all appear to be built to last. As a briefcase, it has a front storage area that closes with two zippers and a bottom clip; that pocket has some organizing features for pens and stuff  you want zipped into a compartment. 

There are two main storage areas, each sized to fit a laptop and tablet or something similar. Both exterior walls have firm padding to shield your electronics from getting whacked. The top zippers are fine, but neither zips all the way down the size of the bag. 

There is a zip-open expansion feature on one side of the bag—keep it zipped shut if you prefer a narrower profile, unzip to get more space. The expansion is on the bottom. Today, it looks like the expansion is larger and that the expansion zipper runs across the top. 

The single shoulder strap is thin but sturdy webbing and clips to the bag via plastic hardware, both on the strap and on the briefcase. The shoulder strap would have benefitted from a small, sliding piece of padding; I don’t carry a lot, but it might not be super-comfortable to use that strap if fully loaded.

Finally, because Mystery Ranch is primarily a company that makes backpacks, this briefcase has shoulder straps that are either concealed under a panel of nylon or outside, clipped to straps, and that are very comfortable if you carry this as a backpack, with plenty of leeway to adjust the shoulder straps. It’s a pretty ingenious way to have backpack capability yet hide those straps. Also, the handles for normal briefcase carry are well-secured and very comfortable.  

TAKEAWAYS

Mystery Ranch did a very nice job with this one; it says something that they’ve been selling their expandable briefcase for at least ten years with relatively limited changes in the design. The current 18 liter version appears to have more volume due to a larger expansion feature, and the 27-liter version has one side that opens like a clamshell—longer zipper, easier access, which would be a real plus. If you want a briefcase that doubles as a bag for your gym stuff or an overnight, or if you really like the clamshell open and more detailed internal storage features, look at the 27-liter model.

Regardless, this briefcase is comfortable to carry, has plenty of space for a laptop or two plus a tablet, and the organization is pretty good.

If I’m picking nits, it would benefit from slightly more organizational features on the inside. Also, if you carry a lot, you may want to add a small shoulder pad from a luggage store—the webbing is fine, but I could see some people feeling like it could dig into their shoulder if carrying a lot of weight.  

Background

This is new to me—my initial impressions, and I have transferred all my daily commute stuff into it. However, I have happily hiked with three Mystery Ranch backpacks: a small one I re-sold years ago, a large daypack/overnighter that I use frequently, and a large pack for winter and lengthy hiking trips.

For the outdoor professional who is compelled to appear as, and travel like, a professional, this "briefcase" is the perfect shoulder bag for meetings.

The terminology:

The "3 way" aspect of this bag is that it has storable shoulder straps, allowing it to be worn as a backpack, like a kid on their first day of school, grab handles for when you want to carry it like a briefcase, like a grifter about to make the exchange, and a shoulder strap for when it is worn on a shoulder or across the body, like Indiana Jones.

The expandable describes the aspect of this bag that allows the user to unzip a full-length zipper and reveal an extra couple inches of expansion which yields several liters of additional volume. This part of the bag is legitimate, however, I wish the expansion was larger. It goes from briefcase (by definition a case for carrying briefs, often printed on paper-thin sheets of paper) to an overnight bag. The extra, expanded space makes room for a change of socks and undies, but little else.

Were this bag capable of expanding a full ten-extra-liters, it would exist between the realms of everyday carry bag and true overnight bag. It could haul 10 liters of socks, undies, toileting kit, and even a sport coat (for those of us who fly in the cozy hoodie, but then I toss the sport coat on for much improved first impressions. But alas, the toilet kit is reduced to a toothbrush and wet wipes, and the sport coat gets stowed in the overhead bin. Not a deal breaker by any means.

Features:

As it is, I am fine with the minimal expandability, as this bag makes up for minor constrictions with massive amounts of organization. I fly maybe six times a year, but I carry this bag six days a week, full time, year round. My laptop is safe and nestled behind some light armoring (plastic reinforced divider sleeve), my pens and pencils, flashlight, and snacks are grab-able via two angled zippers and a quick release buckle on the front of the bag.

On several Mystery Ranch emergency worker bags these triangular zippers with pull-clip are designed to you can open a pack or a pocket, even while wearing gloves, in one quick motion. On this bag, when I really need an energy bar and my AirPods, this same quick access feature is incredibly cool.

The sealed zippers will, at first, likely frustrate some users. Let me say that I experienced the same, "oh man, I want these things to slide like they were sewn into buttered ballbearings," however, moving between buildings all day at the ski area where I work, I was psyched to have sealed zippers protecting my files, electronics, and snacks on a powder day dumping six inches before lunch in the form of glass-eye-sized flakes.

The burly, overall construction of this pack allows me to carry other necessities for my job like a couple sets of pliers, a multi tool, a small pry bar, and a dozen or more wires, adapters, dongles, and cords. I have had much heavier bags that could take the abuse, but that I never wanted to carry, and lightweight bags that felt like clouds stuffed with cotton candy, but lasted about as long under the abuses of professional outdoor recreation work.

Overall, this is my go-to, do it all, get the job done, everyday user. I don't find myself muttering, "ya know, if it only had," or "I should sew a-" This bag does what I need day to day, in a semi-professional environment, where sometimes I am on skis and sometimes riding in a golf cart, and always on the move.

Background

I work at a large resort with a ski area and two golf courses; I manage, I ski patrol, I am a ski instructor, and I work outside most of the summer supervising the golf courses. I also teach at a local community college where we do classroom work as well as fieldwork in the outdoors. I have been using this bag since start of winter 2023.