After a few trusty years, it was time to retire the visvim K Pack I had been using. I italicize the word visvim K Pack cause it came as a gift and of questionable authenticity. The Cordura felt a little flimsy, but the hardware and the leather seemed quite good and served its purpose for hauling stuff around on the day-to-day. But as parts of it started to rip (which further compounded the notion that it was potentially of questionable authenticity), I started looking for other options. I needed something that I could over-stuff and beat the shit out of without any worry of it getting wrecked. I see no point in buying an item I have to baby since it’s another thing I have to worry about. Maybe my love of over-design is warranted since I do feel I’m an atypical consumer of products and legitimately want shit built to last…
Anyways, ever since coming across Mystery Ranch a few years ago and its innovative tri-zip design, I was fascinated with the man behind the brand. Founder Dana Gleason had previously become well-known in the pack industry for his eponymous high-end bag label, Dana Design. Following the sale of DD, he launched Mystery Ranch out of Bozeman, Montana and has since created a line that has become a sought-after bag for both the military, hunters and general backpackers alike.
When choosing a bag, the 3 Day Assault has arguably been the most popular (even factoring into a Maiden Noir collaboration), coming in as a suitable and competent everyday pack. However, I’m a chronic over-stuffer and I like to carry a lot of shit if I can so I elected to go for the Dragon Slayer. Same design pretty much, just an extra 300 cubic inches (2,000 cubic inches vs. 2,300 cubic inches).
From an aesthetics point of view, the bag is shaped almost like a bullet. With a solid base at the bottom, it gradually tapers towards the top. The tri-zip design is unmistakable and allows you to have quick and easy access to all the pack’s contents. I felt I was able to put quite a bit of stuff in the backpack however, the inside features two sides of pockets that eat into the overall internal storage. Along the inside are rows of MOLLE webbing so you can custom pick your storage options. This is complimented by an extensive amount of MOLLE webbing on the exterior, sides and bottom as well.
When the bag is under relatively little load, compression straps come across horizontally and could very well serve as a stopper against the zipper coming down. However there was little chance the zippers would ever come un-done on their own. On the left and right sides are double pockets, one on top of each other that can serve as a water bottle holder. I have a Nalgene in the one picture and you can see it sits quite deep. However, you probably don’t want to put anything too important since there’s the chance that it will fall out. An elastic around the top is all that keeps the opening closed.
The top flap is also a series of two zippered pockets, one on top of each other. A smaller pocket houses a mini-organizer while the larger one includes a mesh panel that allows you to see into the main compartment. Not sure what purpose it serves.
For fit, there is a sliding piece of rigid plastic that sits close to your back that allows you to customize the exact fit of the bag relative to your frame. You probably need the help of somebody else to get a proper fitting but following an adjustment of the frame, you have straps at the very top of the shoulders, pull-straps to tighten the bag against your torso and chest/waist belts. The waist belt can be tucked away when it’s not needed.
Overall, I’m pretty satisfied with the bags. It is very convenient, bag looks pretty cool and quality is definitely there. The MOLLE webbing allows for great flexibility but for a pack of this style, it’s entirely expected. When I was going through the airport, taking your laptop out was extremely convenient when going through security.
Only things that I can see as potential issues, it’s not a light pack at 5 lbs 1 oz, but weight is rarely a concern for me as I’d rather have something bulletproof. Some of the compression straps are really long and get in the way. Even when the compression straps are expanded to their maximum requirement (that is the bag can’t physically expand any further and impossible to compress), there is still quite a bit of slack. Finally, while I don’t doubt the pack will stand-up to the abuse I’ll throw at it, quality wasn’t outstanding like I had expected. Some of the stitching along the vertical closure zipper wasn’t all that clean. Some other minor inconveniences, the bag isn’t waterproof but you can just throw on a rain cover… although for the everyday commuter like me it would have been helpful given the downpours experienced in Hong Kong at times. It is water-resistant though. Leadtime can be a few weeks as the bags seem to be made to order. And finally, the pack isn’t cheap as it can ring it at upwards of $270 USD before any additional pouches are purchased.
If you are interested in this sort of design but aren’t interested in the cost, CamelBak does a similar bag and for cheaper titled the TriZip. The bag is designed by Dana Gleason as well hence the similarities.
*Sorry about the images, some of them are quite similar, I actually didn’t plan to shoot the bag in this setting, it was rather impromptu.
I had two Incase pouches I put in there.
There is one of the internal pockets (housing a tennis ball). There is another pocket to the right, situated a bit lower that is almost shaped like a funnel.
Edge of the Nalgene bottle.