I love good gear, and although I acquired it accidentally, I’m a big fan of the Mystery Ranch 2 Day Assault Pack. While I wasn’t in the market for a new backpack, my boyfriend was given this pack, which was too small for him and he gave it to me. I considered using this Mystery Ranch pack for hunting, but I already have a Sitka pack I love. While this backpack will also make a great day pack (or, as the name implies, a 2-day pack), I’ve used it as a computer and book bag. 

I’ve never owned a Mystery Ranch pack nor done much research on them. My perspective of them has been that it’s a brand used by some of the toughest mountain hunting guides. I have always known they make really good packs, from hunting to fire packs and anything in between. I’ve used many brands, including Kuiu, Sitka, Frontier Gear of Alaska (from Barney’s Sports Chalet in Anchorage), Osprey, Gregory, Camelback, and probably more. The Mystery Ranch 2 Day Assault Pack is arguably higher quality, or at least on par with the best. 

Before I go on, I’m not getting paid to promote this item or receive anything if you click the link and purchase one. I currently have no affiliation with Mystery Ranch; I believe in quality outdoor gear and sharing the information I have. 

Mystery Ranch 2 Day Assault Pack Features

The following features are listed on the Mystery Ranch website for the 2 Day Assault Pack, and I will touch on a few of these below:

• Two zippered lid pockets
• VELCRO® pile on top of lid for morale patches
• Interior dump pockets
• Adjustable yoke
• Main compartment and side zip access to floating, padded sleeve that fits laptops up to 15″ and document/tablet sleeve pocket 
• Two interior mesh pockets
• Full-length plastic frame sheet
• Removable web waist belt 
• Compression straps
• MOLLE on exterior

Durability

The quality of the materials is exceptional. It would take a lot to damage this pack. The Mystery Ranch website says it’s made of 500D CORDURA® fabric and YKK® zippers. Whatever that means, rest assured it’s solid, and I would have to try hard to rip this thing.

Straps

Good straps are a feature I find essential in a pack, especially if I’m using it outdoors, particularly for hunting. I want to be able to throw a coat, elk shed, or a spotting scope on the back with minimal fuss. The top strap is connected to the back of the pack, so if you want to put your spotting scope or tripod in the water bottle pocket on the side, the top strap will help secure it. The bottom strap sits next to the water bottle pockets and snaps in the middle. Both straps include heavy-duty plastic buckles that will be hard to break. 

Zippers

The zippers on this pack are heavy-duty and may be my only minor complaint. The front zip design runs up to the lid, and zippers come in from each side. This way, you can access items at the bottom of the pack from the front without pulling everything out. The design is good, but the zippers are so burly that I have difficulty getting them zipped. This is not a bad thing; it’s just an annoyance. 

Pockets

The Mystery Ranch 2 Day Assault Pack does not lack pockets. The lid has a mesh pocket and a small pocket, with multiple mesh and other pockets inside. There is also a laptop slot. If it wasn’t designed for a laptop, it still works great for one. It provides support and stability with the frame on one side and a sturdy, slightly padded wall on the interior side. 

Because of the front zipper, I can stack multiple layers of books in this pack and access them easily. 

Shoulder Straps and Hip Belt

This pack also has padded shoulder straps, a feature that is often missing on lesser packs. Padded straps allow for carrying heavier loads in comfort. Additionally, the 2 Day Assault has a padded hip belt. This is also great for carrying heavy loads, allowing you to put most of the weight comfortably on your hips. If you’ve ever used a pack without a padded hip belt, you know it can be miserable with too much weight. 

Pack Sizes

This Mystery Ranch backpack comes in two sizes, S/M and L/XL. My boyfriend is 6’3″ and 220 pounds, and the S/M was just too small for him. I’m 5’6″ and 150, which fits me well.

Mystery Ranch 2 Day Assault Pack Uses

As I mentioned, this Mystery Ranch pack can be used for many things. While so far my primary use for this pack is a computer and book bag (which, at a training, I received lots of interest in), I would use it for other purposes, including:

• Hunting
• A one-night backpack trip
• Day hiking
• Shed hunting 

Final Thoughts

For the money, and based on my experience with other high-quality backpacks like Sitka and Kuiu, I think the Mystery Ranch 2 Day Assault pack is a good buy. Whatever you intend to use it for, it has plenty of excellent features, including ample space, lots of pockets, and high-quality materials. 

I have the black with orange straps, and as I mentioned, I received plenty of compliments at an incident management training for firefighting professionals. In fact, I had a gal at my table looking it up to buy it on the spot. 

I’m a gear snob. Years ago, I learned that buying good equipment and gear will save you money in the long run and make you much more comfortable. If you’re leaning toward this pack, go for it! 

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