1AUTHENTIC HUNTING 2014

INTRODUCTIONBased in Bozeman, Montana, Mystery Ranch has a decades long heritage in hunting. Our packs, from the old Dana Design Terraplanes of the 80s and 90s to the NICE 6500/7500 today, share a robust framing that controls the outlandish loads required to pack in a camp - or pack out a trophy. Built in the US, we control the quality of Mystery Ranch packs obsessively these are tools to use, not toys from the sporting goods store.Its no secret that much of our gear, like the NICE Frame packs, are influenced by our Military Packs. Carrying unreasonable loads in unreasonable ter-rain and circumstances is second nature to us, around the world and in the backcountry of Montana. This is why our military influences, moderated and edited by Mark Seacat and our in-house crew of hunters, are a better starting point than commercial gear thats built to be marketed more than to be used.Thanks for looking at our catalog. You can find much more at www.mysteryranch.com, Facebook, or just visiting our plant in Bozeman, MT.

Dana GleasonPrincipal/Designer

Cover Photo: Steven Drake, Seacat Creative Hunter: Mark Seacat

CONTENTS

4-5

6-78-9

12-1310-11

14-15

16-17

WHAT KEEPS THE FIRE BURNINGNEW NICE LIFT KIT

NICE Metcalf

NICE CrewcabNICE Longbow

Dragon SlayerNICE 6500 NICE 7500

ACCESSORIES/TRAVEL

FABRIC AND MATERIALS 18-19

Photo: Travis Boughton | MONTANA WILD Hunter: Zack Boughton

I dont use Mystery Ranch packs for the money- MR doesnt sponsor any of their athletes. I get offers from many pack com-panies to use them in our show, but I need a pack that works in the toughest of conditions, not a pack that comes with a check. I continue to use MR packs for this simple reason it is the most versatile, best built pack I can find, and comes with the finest product support in the industry. When your hunting season is 100 days in the hills and the reward for success is hauling your animal out on your back, you dont cut corners; you cant afford a failure and you are grateful to have a Mystery Ranch on your back.

-Randy Newberg

There are many reasons to choose Mystery Ranch. Id like to think that a lot of folks really need the quality of our products - something that they never have to worry about, something that just flat out lasts. Id like to think that if you ever have the chance to tour our factory, youll be stoked to see all the smiling faces and the incredible team of people we have building these bags right here in Bozeman, Montana, because connection to a brand is important. I like to think that the people who have chosen Mystery Ranch share our vision of what hunting really is - that they are people who still work hard, who soak in the experience of every trip into the hills, who ALWAYS carry game bags. I like to think that these are men and women who get after it and dont just identify with our slogan Authentic Hunting, but live by it.

-Mark Seacat

WHAT KEEPS THE FIRE BURNING

Photo: Travis Boughton | MONTANA WILD Hunter: Zack Boughton

WHAT KEEPS THE FIRE BURNINGN

ICE LIFT KITLoad lifters? Yeah, weve been doing those for a while. The contradiction of a small volume bag that carries huge loads is a unique trait of hunting packs. While the NICE 6500 and 7500 have load lifter frame extensions already built into the bags, no one wants to carry a NICE 6500 for day hunt strictly for the load lifters. However having the suspension and support of a large pack at a reduced weight and volume would be awesome. Fortunately, we designed a multi-sized accessory to take the load off your shoulders without having to resort to carrying a massive pack. With two size ranges (59-62(L) and 62-610(XL)), you are able to get the correct angle and function out of your NICE frame load lifters while using smaller bags.

With the NICE Lift Kit you wont give up any features of your standard NICE Frame, but youll enjoy a customized ver-sion of the renowned yoke fit and weight transfer of the NICE 6500 and 7500. The NICE Frame was designed to military specifications that required a low profile and use with smaller, more adaptable bags. This is why we maintained the NICE Frame around shoulder height for maximum situational awareness. In an effort to accommodate customers carrying heavier weight with smaller bags, we designed (and brutally tested) this elegant addition to the NICE frame. At long last, its available to all. -Dana Gleason

FRAME EXTENSION

NICE LIFT KIT

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NICE METCALFFoliage Coyote Multicam

Named after the 254,000 acre Lee Metcalf Wilderness just south of our home in Bozeman Montana, this is our most versitile pack for the NICE frame.From day trips to week long adventures, the Metcalf does it all. The Metcalf incorporates both a top loading shroud design and a full-length side access zipper entry. Eight compression straps on the main bag ensure your load isnt going to shift regardless of its weight. Fully loaded with the included NICE Daypack Lid, the bag reaches 4500 cu in capacity. Fully compressed, you wont even know its there. Its the perfect combination of heavy duty load-hauler and lightweight hunting pack. As always, we utilized 500D cordura and our time tested sewing standards to withstand the abuse of hauling boned out meat, or full bone-in quarters, season after season. For the ounce-counting backpack hunter, the Metcalf easily handles your food, camp, and equipment for a week long wilderness mission.

Wt: 6lbs 13 oz (3.09kg)Vol:3600-4500 cu in (63-74l)

NICELIFT KITCOMPATIBLE

7The NICE Metcalf is my go-to pack for multiple day backcountry hunts. After a successful hunt deep in the mountains, I want the most efficient way to get out safely, while carrying a full pack. The ability to pack meat on the NICE frame and still keep my precious cargo in the bag is by far the most appealing feature of the NICE Metcalf. Not to mention, knowing that the backpack is not going to malfunction with a heavy load 8 miles from the trailhead is a huge bonus. -Travis Boughton

Simply put ,the Metcalf is bomber. My favorite feature is the full-length side zipper, it allows quick access to essential gear regardless of its location within the main bag even when packed at max capacity. Whether I need an extra layer or quick access to my spotting scope, the side zip allows me to instantly access this gear and get on with my hunt. -Zack Boughton

Photo: Zacz Boughton | MONTANA WILD Photo: Travis Boughton | MONTANA WILD

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NICE LONGBOW

The Longbow is a compact and lightweight pack for the NICE Frame system. Its 3Zip design provides top or front panel access. Six internal pockets (including 1 zippered mesh pocket) inside the main bag and a separate zippered lid pocket provide great organization for optics and personal gear. It is hydration reservoir compatible with built in ports that route the hose directly to your shoulder pad. This pack is ideal for scouting, day hunts or lightweight backpack hunts where every ounce counts.

Wt: 6 lbs 8 oz (3kg) Vol: 2400 cu-in (39l)

Foliage Coyote Multicam

NICELIFT KITCOMPATIBLE

9Being able to carry a variety of gear is an absolutely essentail part of what I do. The NICE Longbow Pack allows me to carry a variety of lenses and camera equipment, my spotting scope and everything else I need for a successful hunt. The 6 internal pockets keep every thing organized and the center zipper feature makes for quick access to anything inside the pockets. Being able to separate the pack from the NICE Frame is amazing when hauling quarters, heads and hides. It acts as a frame pack while all my camera and hunting gear stays clean inside the pack! The past 4 years this pack has been with me every step of the way, and I can honestly say its the best Ive carried.Hunt Hard,Jason Matzinger

Photo: Matt Arkins Hunter: Jason Matzinger

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NICE CREWCAB

The Crew Cab is a variable capacity pack made up of three separate compartments and multiple components that can be configured to carry loads that vary dramatically in size, shape and weight. The Crew Cab can be collapsed into a compact daypack or expanded for three to four day backpack hunts. The Crew Cabs integrated expandable platform area is perfect for hauling Mystery Ranch Load Cells, Pelican cases, shed antlers, weed control sprayers, entire antelope, or even multiple elk quarters. When fully compressed, the Crew Cab is a low profile 1900 cu. inches that will not inter-fere with active motion. Fully expanded, the Crew Cab can reach the equivalent of a 5000 cu. pack. For back country hunters and anyone looking for a system that can do it all, this is your pack.

Wt: 8 lb 4 oz (3.7 kg)Vol: 1900-5000 cu in (31-82 L)

Foliage Coyote Multicam

NICELIFT KITCOMPATIBLE

11

Ive logged seven seasons, hard seasons, abusing my Mystery Ranch packs. NICE frame flexibility is perfect for my hunting style. Most often, I am geared with my Crew Cab it carries all I need, compresses perfectly for a day pack, and is a serious load hauler when we have an elk miles from the trailhead. -Randy Newberg

Photo: Troy Batzler Hunters: Randy Newberg and Courtney Olson

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NICE 6500

For the serious backpack hunter, the NICE 6500 or 7500 series are the perfect complement to the Metcalf Bag in the NICE Frame System. The Metcalf maxes out at around 5000 cubic inches which limits it to trips that are less than 10 days. At 6500 cubic inches with the internal frame extension, the NICE 6500s volume is ideal for ten day to 14 day trips into the back country or for that Alaska sheep hunt youve always dreamed of. For those packing clients gear, pack boats or any extreme amount of sustainment gear the NICE 7500 is the behemoth of all NICE bags. Both of these models feature a classic top loading design with dual draw cord shroud to increase weather resistance and allows for upward expansion. This bag has enough features to organize the largest loads and is ideal for long hunts or extended missions.

Wt: 9 lbs 8 oz (4.3kg)Vol: 6500 cu-in(107l)

Wt: 9 lbs 11 oz (4.4kg)Vol: 7500 cu-in (123l)

Foliage Coyote Multicam

NICE 7500

13

On backpack sheep hunts spanning ten or more days, the NICE 6500 is exactly the pack I need. Its critical for a pack to have the volume, durability and design to not just handle weight, but allow a load to ride smoothly. With camp, optics, archery equipment, camera gear, food and, if good fortune strikes, horns, cape and meat, the load out can get close to 100 pounds. A pack that can literally handle more weight than I can carry allows me to keep pushing further into basins that get less traffic, knowing that we can still get out safely and in one load if successful.

I love the sleeping bag compartment and other compartmentalized pockets of the 6500. It keeps all my gear separate and organized, while compressing down tight against the frame when day-hunting out of camp. Accessorizing to include waist belt pockets and the Wet Rib allows

my GPS, rangefinder, wind checker, bars, gels and gloves to be accessible without taking the pack off.

Above all, an MR on my back means Im using a piece of gear that will long outlast me. This past fall in Alaskas Chugach Range, I was on a dicey ledge and my pack took a tumble off a 30 foot cliff. It was totally intact and performed flawlessly, as usual, in

hauling a ram 16 miles out of the mountains the very next day. Ill never say that 100 pounds is easy, but its made managable by the 6500.

-Adam Foss

Photo: Steven Drake | SEACAT CREATIVE Hunter: Adam Foss

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DRAGON SLAYER

The Dragon Slayer is the hunters choice for light and fast day missions. Based on our popular 3-Zip design, this pack provides quick front panel access to four internal pockets, (two sleeve pockets and two zippered pockets) and two zippered lid pockets perfect for holding essential items such as knives, food, or tags. Eight sets of external compres-sion straps paired with auto-locking buckles allow for a multitude of strapping configurations. The packs 80 lb internal framing capacity can handle everything from elk quarters and boned out mule deer to shed antlers and tree stands. At 4lbs 4oz with a capacity of 2300 cubic inches, the Dragon Slayer has everything a hard charging day hunter could want, and nothing more.

Wt: 4 lbs 4 oz (2kg)Vol: 2300 cu-in (37.7l) Foliage Coyote Multicam

15

The Dragon Slayer is my go-to pack for shed hunting, scouting missions and day hunts. This season I was able to use it extensively in the Montana and Idaho backcountry and was always impressed with

its capabilities. At 4.2lbs and 2300 cubic inches the weight to volume ratio is ideal and the tri-zip closure and organization pockets allow me rapid access to my spotter and cameras by splaying

the bag open with two rips. This pack has the structural integrity and comfort for packing of 50lbs of sheds, 30lbs of camera gear or 80lbs of boned out meat. Like all MR products,

this pack is bomb proof and begs you to push it harder. The light weight of this pack along with its volume allows me to reach my backcountry honey holes via high speed

overnight scouting trips. The Dragon Slayer has become a mainstay in my arsenal and I can trust it to be around for many seasons to come.

-Andrew Jakovac

Photo: Andrew Jakovac Hunter: David Burgess

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RIES NICE Load Cell

Wt: 9 oz (Small), 10 oz (Large)Vol: Small - 950 cu in Large - 1450 cu in

These gear bags have internal compression straps to hold your gear in the bags. The bags come in two sizes and are designed to work with our Load Hauling packs. One Large and two Smalls work best with our Crew Cab.

Wet Rib

Wt: 5 oz (140g)Vol: 48 cu in (0.75L)

The Wet Rib is back. This accessory gives instant access to a water bottle, snacks, gloves; anything you need to get at without remov-ing your pack. Compatible with all Mystery Ranch packs.

NICE Daypack LidWt: 1 lb 3 oz (0.5 kg)Dimensions: 4x 7x 12.5 (900 cu in) Compatible with all NICE bags, this lid is designed with two separate pockets for your gear. It attaches to your NICE pack and removes to double as a day pack with enough room for survival gear and a hydration system.

Flip Top BoxWt: 5 oz (14g)Vol: 50 cu-in (.8l)

Flip Top Boxes are wonderful accessories to add on to any Mystery Ranch Backpack. Flip Top Boxes surround your items and hold them secure with wall to wall foam padding and a secure buckle attachment and closure. Flip Tops are perfect for your digital camera, ammunition, large range finder, GPS, etc.

The Load Sling is the most basic method in which to lash objects to the NICE Frame. Its wide range of adjustability will conform to any load you are attempting to carry be it Jerry cans, chemical weed sprayers, bone-in quarters, meat bags, shed antlers or pony kegs.

NICE LoadslingWt: 5 lbs 3 oz (2.6 kg)Vol: 2400 cu-in (39l)

Removable Belt PocketWt: 2.4 oz (68 gr)

The removable belt pocket was designed to give the user the option to attach 1 or 2 pockets to either the Live Wing or Contour waist belt system. The RBP is attached using the PALS system, and is a perfect solution for quick access to small important tools like: range finders, GPS units, calls, or energy foods.

NICE Lift KitWt: 6.5 oz (184 oz)

The NICE Lift Kit Adds an extension to the frame which lets you get a more effective angle on your load lifters. This is very beneficial for hauling those heavey loads with the smaller packs like the NICE Crewcab, Nice Longbow, NICE Metcalf or NICE Loadsling

Foliage Coyote Multicam

Available in:

NICE Loadsling

SmallWt: 1 lbs 9 oz (0.7 kg)Vol: 2200 cu in (36 L)MediumWt: 1 lbs 13 oz (0.8 kg)Vol: 3400 cu in (56 L)

Spandura DuffelThe Spandura Duffels utilize a large swath of a unique fabric called Spandura (spandex threads wrapped in Cordura) - which has the durability of Cordura yet stretches like Spandex. Lining each side of the main zipper with this fabric allows these panels and the zipper to easily stretch and close over the worst overloads. Each duffle is lined with stiff foam so it keeps it shape for easy packing. With interior pockets and exterior end pockets for smaller items. These duffles are a must have, no Rancher travels without one.

LargeWt: 2 lbs 3 oz (1 kg)Vol: 5600 cu in (92 L)

One Man DuffelWt: 2lbs 13oz (1.3 kg)Vol: 8000 cu in (131 L)

Designed for travel and large enough to fit almost anything. Folds into its own storage pocket when not in use.

TRAVEL

Red Coyote Black

MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTIONAll Mystery Ranch packs in this catalog are made in the U.S. All sewn materials are U.S. made from the fibers up through every stage of production. These packs are constructed in the USA.

FabricsOur primary fabric is 500 denier Cordura nylon. Tougher than traditional ALICE-style packcloth, 500d Cordura is about half the weight of 1000d Cordura. This can mean a pound lighter pack. 500d Cordura has superior waterproofing qualities and just plain makes a better pack. 1000d Cordura is a little tougher, but anything that damages 500d Cordura will damage 1000d as well. The difference in durability comes down to minutes while the difference in weight is double. The bottoms of all of our packs are double layered. The inner layer is stitched 1/2 smaller than the outer layer which places the bulk of the loads weight on that inner layer, leaving the outer unstressed to maximize the materials waterproof and abrasion resistance qualities. Where theres a need to stiffen the packbag itself we use X-Pac. X-Pac is a laminate that sandwiches thick strands of polyester between an inner and outer fabric layer. These strands stiffen the fabric, giving the bag additional structure and load control properties. All pack shrouds are built out of coated and water resistant 200d nylon which is tougher than most tent floors, yet flexible enough to seal tightly. All of our exterior fabrics are IR-compliant and double-coated: inside with a polyurethane coating, the outside with a Teflon treatment for excellent water resistance. For places that require stretchy and/or compressive material we use Spandura, a hi-tech fabric that combines the toughness of Cordura with the stretch of Lycra. Made of Cordura fibers spun around a Lycra core, it provides a level of abrasion resistance never before approached in a stretch fabric. For areas on the packs that experience extreme abrasion, we use Hypalon. Hypalon is traditionally what the toughest whitewater rafts are built from.

Thermoplastics, Alloys and CompositesFiberforge, a thermoplastics company weve partnered with, builds our Framesheet Adjusters. These adjusters are a thermoplastic composite material created by fusing a poly-carbonate material with recycled pop bottles. Per pound the resulting material is lighter than aluminum and stiffer than steel. We have several versatile aircraft alloys to choose from when using aluminum in our framing. These alloys are strong, light, and bendable, yet retain their shape once formed to our specs. Carbon fiber is the key ingredient in the NICE Frame. Carbon fiber is incredibly strong, impres-sively light, and remains flexible under massive loads.

FoamsWith attention to memory and durability, each foam we use is chosen for appropriate firmness, breathability, and cushioning.

Parts and AccessoriesAll main zippers are YKK #10 and all lid and pocket zippers are YKK #8. All zipper sliders are Black Oxide plated, which produces a far more durable zipper than painted sliders. All grom-mets for drawcords are Black Oxide plated and mounted in a 500d Cordura reinforcement. All web is mil-spec nylon, and all plastic buckles are tough Delrin made by National Molding. For serious lashing and compression options we use the National Molding Autolock buckles.

For more detailed information on materials, packs, fitting and use, please visit our website:

www.mysteryranch.com

Back Cover Photo: Ryan Saul | Saul Creative Hunter: Andrew Jakovac

Mystery Ranch 1750 Evergreen DriveBozeman, MT 59715

Phone: 406.585.1428Email: theworks@mysteryranchusa.comWebsite: www.mysteryranch.com

COPYRIGHT MYSTERY RANCH BACKPACKS 2013