Every outdoor activity needs a backpack, right? But a standard pack with tons of features can be serious overkill. Sometimes you just need a pack that’s small and simple for short, quick outings. Mystery Ranch will release just the thing in Spring, 2021 with their new In and Out 19L Pack.
The Mystery Ranch In and Out Pack is a very light weight (1 pound) and packable daypack that’s built for summit bids on backpacking trips, or for short hikes, scrambles or even brisk bike trips.
Mystery Ranch In and Out Pack
The Mystery Ranch In and Out Pack features:
- Stuffs into its own front pocket
- Highly breathable, low-profile fixed yoke contours to the body
- 100D CORDURA® Mini Rip for durable, lightweight, packability
- Contoured shoulder straps with adjustable sternum strap
- Two, external zippered access pockets
- One, side stretch-woven water bottle pocket
- Two tool carry loops with secure straps
- Side compression straps
- 2 L hydration reservoir pocket
The Test
For most of the end of summer, I’ve been hiking and mountain biking with the In and Out Pack. The most striking thing is how light it is. Out of the box, the pack comes neatly folded into its own pocket – about the size of a calzone.
After unpacking the pack, it seems so small and weightless. At first I found it hard to imagine it carrying much on hiking trips. And that is the genius behind Mystery Ranch.
On my first outing, I took the In and Out on a short hike to Lake Mary near Brighton. Inside I packed a light windbreaker, a few bottles of water and snacks. In the outer pocket I slid my fishing tackle box.
As soon as I got stuff inside the pack, it felt like any other day hiker bag, only lighter and more comfortable. The In and Out has all the features I would expect to find – sternum strap, hydration pocket, side pockets, compression straps, etc. And yet it’s simple in design. You could say the In and Out is minimalist without being minimalist.
Wearing the pack is comfortable. The shoulder straps are flexible and ergonomically mesh with my body. The pack is adjustable in both the shoulder straps and sternum, which the compression straps keep things inside compact so they won’t shift around.
The only gripe I have with the Mystery Ranch In and Out is that it does not carry hard items well. I packed a few metal water bottles. But the pack is so light weight, there isn’t any padding or yolk on the back, which allows anything hard or sharp to be felt on the spine. That’s a trade-off for enjoying a pack of this type. A little planning ahead and packing soft bottles or a hydration reservoir is best. The pack even has a dedicated pocket for a 2 liter bladder.
Final Word
Overall, the Mystery Ranch In and Out is a specialty pack for those light-and-fast outings. It’s not great at carrying a lot of gear, but that’s not what it’s built for. If you’re day tripping to a mountain lake, or taking a few hours to bang out a summit from base camp, all you need is water, food, and an extra layer. All these things the In-and-Out will carry in a light weight, comfortable package. And when it’s stuffed inside it’s own outer pocket in “calzone mode,” you won’t hesitate to include it in you backpacking pack.
Although the 19L In and Out won’t be available until Spring ’21, you can purchase more excellent Mystery Ranch packs at mysteryranch.com
Great write-up on the Mystery Ranch In and Out Pack 19L. It looks like your use case is similar to mine, in that I plan to be day hiking and fly fishing while wading in creek beds. The small size make it ideal to carry what is needed for a day while limiting the heavy stuff to stay agile. Curious, it has been a year since your write up. Are you still using the pack on the regular? If not, what did you move to and why? If yes, how is it holding up? Thanks!
I do still use the pack regularly, and it’s been holding up great!