If your a hardcore mountain hunter then chances are you have heard of Mystery Ranch packs.  I have had the opportunity to try a couple different MR models over the years and my faverate so far has been the G7000.  You would be hard pressed to find a better fitting, more durable pack on the market today.  The pack features a removable lid / day pack that has built in shoulder straps instead of a waist belt,  some well thought out zippers for easy access to your gear, a sleeping bag divider, and a hydration sleeve.  MR also incorporates a laminate on the inside of the cordura which further strengthens and waterproofs it.

Pro’s:

– Durability…. this is the toughest internal frame pack I own.  

– The pack has great ergonomics and packs a huge amount of weight comfortably.  This is due to it’s ability to distribute weight on your body using a combination of load straps and a ergonomic hip belt that you can adjust so the load is evenly distributed between your shoulders and your waist.

Cons:

– The buckles are poorly designed on the lid.  They simply do not stay tight and will drive you nuts.

– The foam in the shoulder harness and waist belt wears out quickly and will become uncomfortable over time.  I would like to see a thicker softer foam used similar to the bora series from Arcteryx.

– The laminate inside the pack starts to wear after a few seasons, however it does not seem to effect the durability much if at all.

– The G7000 is expensive.

– It’s heavy.

Specs: