Mystery Ranch Glacier

Designed For The Long Haul.

Being a gear junkie you end up going through a lot of different backpacks. After owning and using many styles and brands, I found that the most durable and comfortable packs are typically in the hunting and tactical series. That being said, most of these companies do have an expedition line such as Eberlestock and Mystery Ranch. Kifaru, Kuiu, Exo, Badlands and others make some excellent packs, but in Canada, price and availability create a problem.

Having owned six Eberlestock packs and now three Mystery Ranch, I'm leaning towards Mystery Ranch these days. The Glacier 70L in their Mountain Expedition line is a great choice for anyone looking to do some long distance heavy hauling. The pack is very easy to dial in the "perfect fit" which will aid in a pain free experience with little or no fatigue. 

It was incredibly comfortable with 37 pounds on a 28-km hike up and down a mountain trail. It was a three-day trip and I had more than enough room for all my gear including food and water. Although, we did have multiple water sources along the way. It can easily manage a five-day trip packed conservatively.

The overall construction is excellent. The stitching is flawless. The materials are durable. The zippers are quality. The buckles are rigid. The frame design is well thought out. The wide mouth sleeping bag feature works well. The tube compartments are great for rain gear and layers. The company has proven to be trusted and backs up their lifetime warranty. I'll carry the extra two pounds for what it's worth.

My only preference would be to have a front panel access like the Terraframe 80L pack. A side zipper access can be difficult to retrieve items in any brand of backpack. In summary, the Glacier 70L is a durable load bearing multi-day backpack that offers excellent support and comfort when properly adjusted. With it's time tested reliable construction, it will withstand the abuse of many adventures to come. Don't hesitate, it's a Great Investment. Cheers! 

Background

30 years of mountain hiking in the Rockies. Owned many multi-day backpacks in this category: Arc'teryx Bora 65L, MEC Ibex 80L, Ebelestock G4 Operator 77L, Arc'teryx Altra 65L, Gregory Denali 75L, Eberlestock Little Big Top 60L, Osprey Atmos 65L, Eberlestock Destroyer 60L, Mystery Ranch Glacier 70L, Badlands Sacrifice 55L, Mystery Ranch Terraframe 80L. And now I just purchased the Mystery Ranch Beartooth 80L. Mystery Ranch is the most comfortable load bearing backpack I have ever used. Lol. Kifaru is next !!

Features I don't see in other packs, quality seldom seen anywhere.

I used a 1970s model Lowe Expedition for years, then the sorry scum in Marsailles stole it and everything in it. I had not found a pack its equal since.

Then I found this. The suspension is extremely well thought out and adjustable. It can be configured as a big sack or you can separate the bottom compartment. The compartments on the back are large enough to actually be useful—something a lot of current packs sort of miss out on. Personally, I feel a lot of packs out there just stick zipper bags on the back and or sides because the competition does it.

The side entrances to the main compartment were a gimmick, until I thought it through. Having loaded up all the sacks I now see this as a major plus in the design. I no longer have to unload half the pack to get to what I thought I would not need until tonight—at mid morning.

Purchased this at Good Sports in San Antonio, Texas, where the staff loaded it up with roughly 50 lbs and then helped me adjust everything to my liking. I have been on a couple of 5-milers in the hill country since and this is an even better riding pack than my beloved Expedition. I am sold.

If you are a trekker, you know you can't use gear that might let you down three days from the trailhead. I am convinced this pack will take everything I can throw at it.

Stunningly well made backpack—American made, with the most flawless fit, finish, function, and design of any backpack on the market.  

I've worn packs from Mountainsmith, Dana Design, Gregory, REI, Jansport, and North Face, and nothing compares to this. The harness is lush, overbuilt without being heavy, comfortable, and easily and infinitely adjustable. I can't emphasize the durability enough. Pull on straps as hard as you'd like. They aren't coming off.

The pack bag is extremely well thought out—a reincarnation of the old Dana Design Terraplane/Astralplane design, but modernized with a much improved sleeping bag/bottom compartment, and improved access, materials, and design at every turn.

I'm thrilled to find such a great durable pack at a reasonable weight. After having and witnessing failed packs on thru hikes and long trails, I'll sacrifice a bit of weight for durability any day, but the Glacier is paired back a bit from the bigger and heavier g-series packs so it's pretty reasonable in the weight department.  

All this, and at a price that compares to the Chinese made packs that are "top of the line" from all of the other big name makers.