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Carrying Sticks w MR Pop Up 28

B

Bach55

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2019
Messages
231
Location
Indiana
Hey all. I just got my new Mystery Ranch Pop Up 28 in. I’m all in on some deep public land pushes this season. The pack looks like it will be super versatile.

I’m curious to know how guys who have this pack are carrying their sticks in? Are you using the sides, or are you sticking them in the meat hauling area (at least on the way in!). It seems like there are a couple of ways you could do it, and creativity is not my strong suit. Looking forward to hearing how others do it so that I can hopefully steal some ideas! I have 4 of the 20” Heliums for context.
 
I used the pop up 28 all last year. I have the predator gen 2 and I would put that in the main compartment. Then I would place my sticks on the sides of the pack and strap top and bottom to the sides of the pack. You know you can place them on top of the pack (lay the pack on it's back) and attach the straps from one side of the pack to the other so that I connects at the front. Both sets of straps have a male and female buckle. I've placed my sticks there for this year as I have the mission and it goes in the meat hauling area.
 
Congrats on your new pack!! I don’t have a pop up but have been eyeing them a lot....much to love about them.
Just looking at them, I would suggest trying to keep the sticks in between the frame and the bag—especially for long walks/hikes. Keeping the heavier, bulkier items close to your back is just good general packing technique.
If the stick standoffs prevent you from doing it this way, the next best thing would be to split them up (if you have 4 sticks, split into pairs), placing two on each side of the pack.
The last option would be to simple place them under compression straps on the back of the bag. I actually run sticks this way on my current pack (HPG Connor), but because the pack itself is so low-profile, they ride close to my back...about as close as they would attached to a frame (see pic).
Hope this helps!
18cbc15f7faa94cc09fd87b82a882b00.jpg
 
Squatch said:
View attachment 35230
This is how a buddy of mine runs his
I’m using the eberlestock j34 and 1-stick method


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I would normally have the platform on the load shelf in between frame and pack. The stick and platform stacked together actually worked so well, I may start carrying them this way on each hunt.
Edit: I purchased the strap extensions for this pack. It does not come with stock straps that lash across the front. They hold the gear well.
 
This is how I currently pack my platform and sticks in and I think it works great! I have tried packing sticks with platform in the load shelf but I don’t like how far it makes the bag stick out due to the fixed standoff.
 

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I put mine in the meat shelf. Generally you want to pack the heaviest items centered and as close to your back as your can.

It is easier just to strap them to the outside of the pack. If I have a quick hike I'll do that but I do notice a difference.

Full length sticks I wouldn't go that route though, you don't want them sticking a foot over your head.
 
The guys are correct about having heavier stuff closer to your back but to me it makes it too much of a PITA for the tradeoff. That probably varies based on what sticks you have though. My MR is a way nicer pack than what I had before so that alone being an upgrade makes it so it's still better to carry the sticks as suggested above on the front of the pack. I either store my platform in the pack or carry on my saddle. I zip my pack, lay it flat on the ground (on its back), and strap my sticks flat on top. You do not have to purchase the extension straps to make this work (at least with beast sticks) but it is a tighter squeeze without them. You just need to use one left strap, coupled with one right strap, on the top and bottom to make it work. I've thought a few times about getting the extension straps but haven't yet. Hope this helps and congrats on the pack
 

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Also, again depending on your sticks, if you store them this way the steps on your sticks can act as a rest for the pack. I just store the HB sticks upside down to make it work. Not a big deal, but it makes certain things easier being able to have your pack on the ground standing straight up instead of rolling over
 
elk yinzer said:
Q6vElnK.jpg


I put mine in the meat shelf. Generally you want to pack the heaviest items centered and as close to your back as your can.

It is easier just to strap them to the outside of the pack. If I have a quick hike I'll do that but I do notice a difference.

Full length sticks I wouldn't go that route though, you don't want them sticking a foot over your head.
Click to expand...
When stacking your sticks like this are you extending your meat shelf out more to get the bag to wrap around towards the top of the pack better?
 
Outdoorsman33 said:
When stacking your sticks like this are you extending your meat shelf out more to get the bag to wrap around towards the top of the pack better?
Click to expand...

Meat shelf is generally fully extended. I've pondered strap extensions as I'd like to get even more room when I have all my cold weather clothes to pack in, but I haven't done it yet.
 
I’m considering carrying them on the side. With the Helium, I can place the extended top step into the side pocket and then strap the pack at the top. This provides two secure points, and I could even use the second strap from the pack if needed. My only concern is blowing the bottom out of that side pocket over time, but I’m not sure there is enough weight to warrant that concern. This approach seems really simple and quick.
 

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