Customer Reviews Mystery Ranch Bridger 45

I got my mystery ranch pack about a month ago to replace a very old backpack that I had. I was first exposed to mystery Ranch on the fire service where we used the wild line pack, and the medic pack on wildland fire incident, the comfort and awesome features of this pack are second to none. I would highly recommend this For any type of hiking or backpacking application

having two zippers on the front is genius. I also enjoy the hydration storage. Nice fit. Finally, the two pockets in the front straps is amazing and leaves plenty of room for my sat phone and snacks. I'd like to recommend moving the hip strap pockets more forward for easy access.

I bought this as a Go Bag for 0-72 hour use, and it has proven to fit everything I needed, and more. All I need to do yet is to order and use the Zoid Bags, in order to sequester specific items such as med kits, individual emergency/maintenance meds, lighting, fire, food, toiletries, and etc. The Bottom Line is that I have researched and bought several other bags, and this has prove to be perfect for my needs, which was to be low-profile and holds all my needs, without being too large and screaming, "I have good stuff in here!!!" The top of the bag will also hold an additional bag for quick access, but there aren't a lot of other attachment points on the exterior for things like an IFAK, and that would be nice to have...perhaps those attachment points might be added to improve the bag a bit. Otherwise, this bag exceeded my personal standards, especially fit, and I am a 40-year Army Special Forces veteran, so I have some wide experience in this arena. Well done, Mystery Ranch. v/r, D.S. COL, US Army Special Forces

I have had the chance to use my new pack on 5 days of hiking. I was looking for a versatile pack that was comfortable as well as durable. My first hike was 12 miles through Glacier Park. I overloaded the pack on purpose to test it. I was curious if the light waist belt would be comfortable. It did not disappoint. No wear points on the hips. The double breast straps are adjustable or removable. I actually ended up liking the two adjustable straps. Pockets on shoulder straps were handy for bear spray or other items. Pockets on waist belt worked better for smaller items than my cell phone, My phone fit, but it was stretch. The Pocket on the back of the pack was great for when I pulled off rain gear. Didn't have to put wet gear in the pack. Second test was a couple of 10 mile hikes on the Continental Divide Trail on Montana and Idaho border. Pack contents stayed dry in the rain without fly, and again wore well. This pack has room to pack extra layers, shelter, medical, water, and food. You can overload it for short hikes if you are not careful. This is my first Mystery Ranch pack. After use, I really did not find negative thoughts on the pack, Closest I could get is hydration bladder does not hang, it has a pocket. Seemed to work fine. I have had firefighter team members that rave about the quality of the Mystery Ranch products. I would agree, I don't think you will be disappointed with purchase.

This pack has blown away my expectations and set a new standard! To say the least the bar is set extremely high. However I hope this bag last me for a very long time. Straight out of the box it fit perfectly ( Size L, 6'0 210lbs). I was amazed at this in itself. I have tried on numerous packs in my quest to find the one that fit just right. It always seems like I needed to make an adjustment here or there and they never felt great I was settling. Then!! I ordered a MR In and Out 22 L pack for quick summits and it over preformed. What's big deal in such a small pack! WOW. Everything you need and nothing you don't. So, I figured why not stick with MR and get the Bridger 45? That's exactly what I did. It's holds everything I need for my backpacking trips. This bag is seamless and very easy to use. It even boast a separate quick access compartment for your sleeping bag! I love this feature. This is my experience and I hope everyone else has one similar. Have fun out there.

Very confortable, and I like the 2 zippers opening. And the lid can be use as a day pack.

Packs for a weekend with either a tent or hammock. Very comfortable and it goes without saying the quality is top notch! It is a bit pricy, but that price comes with the Mystery Ranch quality and support. I'd buy it 10 more times.

I bought the Bridger 45 recently and just completed my first overnight with it. I'm really pleased with the pack overall. On my 5 mile in, 5 mile out loop in rainy, humid, and hot weather, the pack (loaded to about 27 pounds) was comfortable to carry and my back didn't turn into a swamp--on the contrary the airflow was ample. Organization is great, with internal sleeves, the stretchy back panel, side pockets, hip belt pockets, shoulder strap pockets, top lid pocket, sleeping bag removable divider providing so many options. Everything feels well built and there's amazing attention to detail around all the features. It's an investment, and I'm looking forward to using this backpack for a long time as a lightweight overnighter and day hikes with kids/family where I'm carrying gear for several others.

My son wears the 55 Bridger and gifted me the 45 to get me kick-started back into overnight hikes I did 30 years ago. Grar has changed for the better. I was impressed with his and absolutely love the 45 for me. A sure bet that I will be strapping the 45 on for years to come. No complaints but it would be better for me if the bottom and top brain straps were about 2 inches longer. Love the color too.

This bag says it's heavier than similar options but it's by far the most comfortable bag I've worn. Carries weight better than anything else I've tried. Buy this bag! Worth every penny.

Bought the black 45 liter a month ago and did a 3 days, 2 nights in the back country of Yosemite in June. Wonderful, heavy duty and comfortable bag. On my trip, total weight came out the 25.6, which wasnt too heavy but the weight was well distributed and balance. I love the waist belt and double sterum belt. This pack can hold alot of stuff with its multi side and front pockets. This pack is so diverse with its adjustable back. The paddings are the best I have seen and used. Bridger 45L is so well rounded-top loader straps, double sterum strap, top load mini bag, it has it all. Only complaint I have is when I stuff 20oz water bottles on each front shoulder carrier, it tends to press against my arm/chest are more than I want. Maybe going down to a smaller water bottles will help. Its not an ultralight pack but overall, it is built tough and Im sure it can hold more weight than I gave it. Well done MR!

This Bridger 45 is the second Mystery Ranch backpack I've purchased in the last 4 months, the first being the Bridger 55. The Bridger 45 lends itself well in the ultralight community at slightly over 4 lbs but maintains the exceptional comfort of a Mystery Ranch traditionally framed pack. The excellent carrying stability of this pack will impress weather rock hopping streams, traversing boulder fields, or on steep ascents and descents. You can not go wrong selecting this pack for weekend, section, or thru hiking. The quality in materials, design, and craftsmanship are, in my opinion, unmatched across the industry.

I bought a month ago and have really enjoyed the pack. Awesome storage and lightweight.

Bought this Bridget 45 to carry my camera gear and go pro gear around at the softball complexes during the summer. Then we empty it out and use it for our camping/hunting trips as well. We use mystery ranch packs, zoid bags, pouches for everything we do!! Thank you for making such durable, comfortable, and long lasting gear!!!

What an amazing product! Well thought out and many pockets for organization. The yolk & frame make this back pack truly comfortable for long distances or shorter hikes. Beyond pleased. Thanks Mystery Ranch.

Mystery Ranch took the great elements of the larger Bridger packs and they incorporated them into the Bridger 45. It's a great pack, that I'm using as I write this. I also have a Bridger 55 and 65. Obviously, this line of packs is my new go to! The lower compartment is roomy enough for a sleeping bag, or my rain gear using the same enhanced cross-zip opening as the 55 and 65. The main compartment is easily accessed by the double full zip openings for packing my sleeping pad, cook stove, food, and clothing. A great feature to this pack is the detachable lid. It is easily detached, and it is large enough to use for day hikes, or as a satchel for other uses. I only have one issue with the Bridger Series of packs. I use the water bottle attachments on the front straps to carry my navigation (compass or GPS) and bear spray. These attachments are mounted to a 1 inch strap that tends to roll when putting the pack on. If there is some way to reinforce the backing of the bottle holders, it would probably be a good fix. I would like to discuss this mod with the MR design team.

I do not have your typical hiker's physique. I am 5'9 250 pounds. This pack has enough adjustment that it fits me comfortably, and doesn't get looser the longer I hike. I am sold on mystery ranch.

After using this suspension system I don't think I can use a non-Bridger pack anymore. Great for a 3 day emergency bag. I highly recommend this.

This is my first mystery ranch bag. It's obviously high quality. I love it!

I've used Mystery Ranch for a few years of total time in Afghanistan. It has been a while since I did much backpacking but they continue to be the standard bearer for innovation solutions. The harness Taking its cues from distance running harnesses is absolutely brilliant. I did 50+ miles through Chilean Patagonia with this thing and I didn't have even a whisper of a rash or irritation. Well done. I did purchase a M based on measurements on the website and the harness came as a S/M. Im 6'0 210-215 and think just going for large would probably have made the waists strap a little more comfortable. Not that it isn't comfortable, it just seems to sit with the side pouches in a strange location and I think going up a size would've been better, but it's still completely useable and comfortable.

I've been using the Bridger 45 for several months now, and it has proven to be an excellent choice for bridging the gap between 30-35L daypacks and larger 60-70L backpacks. As a Search and Rescue (SAR) team member, the Bridger serves me well as a 24-hour backpack, replacing my old Rush when I need more volume or want to ease the strain on my back. I've taken it on road trips, used it on long hikes in cold weather to carry some extra stuff or to unload some gear from my family members. In summary, I absolutely love this backpack, especially for its incredibly comfortable harness, amount of space and features. Pros: - The harness is amazing. It's very comfortable. 25 lbs load is almost unnoticeable, my back and shoulders are not tired even after 8 hours of SAR operational day (I'm in a good shape though). 35-40 lbs load also feels good as the weight is perfectly spread across hips and back. The backpack sits well on your back no matter how much you move. You can climb on a hill, crawl through the mezzanine or run, and the backpack stays perfectly in place. - MR Quality is outstanding, as with other backpacks. I have no concerns in any piece of the backpack - each zipper, each buckle looks and feels like you can rely on it. I'm pretty sure the backpack will last even with my heavy usage and constant abuse - spending hours under the rain, crawling in the mud, dragging over the rocks and etc. - The Bridger maintains its comfort and stability, whether underfilled or overloaded. - Numerous features and attachment points accommodate accessories and tools, allowing for external carry and efficient weight distribution. - The 3-zipper opening system is super convenient, making it easy to find items without rummaging through everything. Cons: - Chest bottle pockets aren't ideal for my usage. I use hydration pack (I assume that's a case for most of potential Bridger buyers) and would prefer regular pockets or the option to detach them and use MOLLE pouches instead. - Waist belt pockets are relatively small. I think it is probably not a problem for most of the users, but I personally would prefer just MOLLE straps like on Terraform so I could attach my own pouches. - Comparing to tactical backpacks, it has lack of organizing features. Again, you probably don't need it for hiking, but I'm trying to keep my SAR stuff organized in a way that allows me to find anything in complete darkness using only one hand. I'm missing some small pockets. I use Zoid Bag, but there is an attachment point for only one small size. - The chest straps, along with bottle pockets, make it challenging to use additional chest harnesses common in SAR teams. Ideas for Improvement: - Attachment points for medium-sized Zoid Bags inside the backpack along its length. - A sunshades pocket with a bit of protective padding could be a valuable addition. - Loops or keychain hooks inside the waist pockets would be useful. - The option to remove the bottle pockets on the chest harness. Overall, the Bridger 45 is an impressive backpack. It's spacious, feature-rich, well-built, and boasts an outstanding harness for comfortable long-distance wear. While I've identified some cons, they are specific to my SAR use, and the only debatable feature is the chest water bottle sacks

I bought this pack two months ago to hike the ~500 mile Camino de Santiago, and it lived up to expectations with a couple of small nuances. The good: 1) Tough and durable. Like all MR (and Dana Design) packs, the Bridger is super tough. I was willing to sacrifice a little weight and price for a pack that will last a lifetime. 2) Access. The dual zippers, along with top and bottom openings, provide full access, which was great when loading and unloading every night. It is still super-strong, so gear can be compressed from the top like a stuff sack. 3) RemovableLid. This is a great feature, convertingto a sling / fanny pack. I used it almost daily (though the belt design / storage could be more thoughtful). The not great: 1) Fit. The velcro adjustment mechanism is awkward. I'm 5'10" and 175. When fitted, the pack sat low and created a sagging gap at the top of the pack. (even with straps tightened). 2) Strap & belt pockets. I thought I'd like the shoulder pockets, but they ended up being in the way. Sadly the belt pockets are too small for an iPhone Pro. Overall a very solid pack, which I would recommend.

This was my first Mystery Ranch pack. I was looking for something that was designed for heavier loads. I carry tools for prospecting and trail clearing. Usually 40 lbs plus. I did not need volume. Just good structure. The bridger did not meet that need. The hip belt padding just barely covered my hip bones. I am 6'2 and 210 lbs. It was not structurally stout enough for my purpose. It should be fine for a smaller person with lighter loads. I have purchased the hot shot and it works fine. There is a weight penalty for that structure. For me, the weight is not as critical as the way the load is distributed. I am happy with Mystery Ranch. I just ordered the wrong pack for my needs.

This pack arrived a week ago. Love the colors and features. But the Velcro will not stay together and rips apart from the backpack and frame. I've contacted customer service and haven't heard from them in a day since I sent everything they wanted. Patiently waiting for response and hope not to send it back and go another backpacking brand.

I got this pack to use as an overnight (1-2days) camping/backpacking pack. This pack has its limitations. Alot smaller than expected. Great for summer backpacking trips. I don't recommend this pack for rugged terrain like military or for hunters. General use only.