Mystery Ranch G7000

300-g7000-pIf 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.

 

 

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– 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:

Volume: 7000 cu-in (115l)
Weight: 8 lbs 4 oz (3.7kg)
Dimensions: 28″x16.5″x10″ (71cm x 42cm x 25cm)
Intended Use: Extended Backpacking, Expeditions
Frame System: Guide Frame

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The Eberlestock Gunnruner

h2me smThere’s a few products on the market today that I couldn’t imagine being in the field without.  The Eberlestock rifle scabbard carrying system is one of them…  It is without a doubt the most comfortable and efficient way to carry a rifle and have it easily accessible for those moments when you have to react quickly in order to get a shot off.  Me and fellow pro staffer Sheldon Souter, during a grueling 17km hike while chasing Mule Deer this season, joked about the “dark ages” when we were forced to carry our rifles in our arms, and how at the end of the day they would be used as walking sticks… or drug behind our tired asses. As a side note,  non-hunters will find all sorts of use for the scabbard too.  I have used it to carry fly rods, trekking poles, tri pods etc…

 

As big a fan as I am of Eberlestock packs, the only minor complaint that I have ever had is that their day packs are a tad heavy.  Enter the Gunrunner…. Weighing in at only 3.25lbs this pack is ultra-light even with the A2SS Scabbard system.  I have no idea what they did to reach that weight but after 2 seasons of HARD use it has proved itself to be imo the ultimate day pack for hunters like us who hunt fast and hard and who want a ultra light pack that will carry just enough gear for the day.  It features very well fitting padded shooter harness, dual side pouches for water bottles (Nalgene bottles fit perfectly), 1000 CU main compartment, and a 200 CU top compartment. It also features tons of molle webbing for attaching additional pouches for those who want more storage. The waist belt is kind of skimpy, obviously scaled down to save weight, but surprisingly comfortable.   My only complaint is it needs one more compression strap… also a weight saver.

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