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Mystery Ranch packs

N

Njsaddlehunter

New Member
SH Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2020
Messages
21
I’m torn between the pop up 28 and the treehouse has anyone had both. Which one is everyone’s favorite? I want to be able to haul 4 20” sticks my platform and some cold weather gear. Like a bulky Jacket.
 
I have the pop up 28... i put my platform in the meat shelf and extend the side straps to put my sticks on the outside... I run regular length hawk heliums..but I'm switching to wide edge steps with knaider and swaider.. you can put the sticks in the meat shelf but I noticed my tree cleats rubbing the pack inside the meat shelf and saw that being an issue down the road... I use the inside of the pack for winter clothes o put on at the bottom of the stand... itll fit my saddle(with pouches), a winter coat , and my FL sanctuary bibs... so a good amount of room in the bag.. I really like the pack...
 
I'll 2x on the pop up 28. The nice thing about a load shelf is 1) it keeps the heaviest part of the load (platform + sticks) close to your back and 2) still gives you easy access to the main pockets of the pack without having to break the whole thing down. Plus, if you're feeling adventurous, you have the option of packing out meat.
 
I just got a pop up 38 and a mule bag which is a smaller bag that works with the newer pop-up frames. So far I really like it. Walked 6+ miles today with close to 20 pounds in the 38 and it carried really well once everything was adjusted correctly. I'll probably use the mule bag most of the time until I need more room for bibs and a jacket then switch to the 38. The 38 is big enough that I'm thinking I could use it for 1-2 night backpack hunts if I wanted to, but also compresses down pretty small when it's not full.
 
I have a Pop Up 28 and really like it. It carries all my heavy clothes in the bag and my platform and stick on the meat shelf. I couldn't image another pack that would work as well. I'm a pack addict and am constantly checking out other bags but have yet to find one that will do what the MR bags will. I just wish I could find one in the Subalpine color.
 
I have the pop up 18 and I really like it.
 

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The pop up frame system is really well done for saddle hunting. I would always size up in the bag size but I pack a lot of clothes in. It's easy to compress a little extra fabric and much more hassle to make more load room when it wants to squirt out between the straps.

Not going to win any weight weenie awards because you're adding a few pounds to the crap that gets you up the tree, but it is a really pleasant way to carry it all in with the option of carrying meat out.
 
I have the Popup 28 also but if I had to go back I’d get the 38 or different. It’s a great pack really I just don’t care for how the bag opens up like a bucket. You really have to be mindful of the way you put stuff in as in the order you’ll take them out. And I find when I have anything in the top of the bag as in the little pocket on top it really gets in the way when you unzip the main bag and try and get stuff out. I’ve put a few miles on with mine for me finding the comfort was hard because I’ve never had a frame pack so all new to me but once figured out road like a dream. I have looked at the treehouse once or twice and liked it but was alittle big for my liking (alittle big as in profile hanging from the tree) but as long as you don’t Have To haul anything Heavy it looks to be a great pack.
 
I picked up the 38 at the beginning of November. Bags a little bigger than I needed but I didn't like the way the 28 opened up and didn't have a side zipper. It caries very well, packing 3L of water, predator platform 20" EWO stick, pocket arm, camera and extra clothing layers.
 
TooheyBirdie said:
I have the pop up 28... i put my platform in the meat shelf and extend the side straps to put my sticks on the outside... I run regular length hawk heliums..but I'm switching to wide edge steps with knaider and swaider.. you can put the sticks in the meat shelf but I noticed my tree cleats rubbing the pack inside the meat shelf and saw that being an issue down the road... I use the inside of the pack for winter clothes o put on at the bottom of the stand... itll fit my saddle(with pouches), a winter coat , and my FL sanctuary bibs... so a good amount of room in the bag.. I really like the pack...
Click to expand...
How are you running your straps to put the sticks on the outside of pack like that?
 
The straps on the side of the pack are male/female and female/male so you can run them across the front and cinch everything down.
 
I have an original popup28. On the rare occasion I don’t hunt out of the JX3, I carry the pop up. It’s perfect for saddle hunting. It carries as little or as much stuff as you want. It can be cinched down to a really low profile against the tree.

only complaint that seems to persist is noise. Remember - the frame and bag are separate. You can put any bag you want on the frame with basic sewing skills and a speedy stitcher. But also, with use/abuse/washings/rain/sunlight the bag gets softer and quieter. I typically don’t fish in my bag during hunts.
 
Pop ups on camofire today. I pulled the trigger on a subalpine 28 (was a real struggle deciding between subalpine and foliage). Figured if I needed something bigger I could also get a Pintler or Sawtooth or something later. I like the top opening packs as I have a tendency to unintentionally dump everything out with side zip bags. Not cool up in a tree. I’ve been drooling for a while waiting on a sale somewhere. Hard to beat their price for a new MR pack to my door. Worst case if I don’t like it, I’m sure somebody here will.
 
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How I use mine too. When I get to the base of my tree I'm trying to get up it as quick as possible. It wouldn't be much extra time but the pack carries the weight well enough that it's not worth it to me to put my platform and sticks on the meat shelf. I put the platform on top of the bag and my sticks on top of the platform. Buckle everything down. Silent as could be and when I get to the tree I don't have to worry about unbuckling the top straps, just undo the front straps, pull off the platform and steps, buckle back up and go. I love the pack but agree with what others said about opting for the 38 over the 28 and that the lid of the pack is annoying. A side zipper would be great as packing stuff in the lid makes it difficult to open.
 
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hokiehunter373 said:
How I use mine too. When I get to the base of my tree I'm trying to get up it as quick as possible. It wouldn't be much extra time but the pack carries the weight well enough that it's not worth it to me to put my platform and sticks on the meat shelf. I put the platform on top of the bag and my sticks on top of the platform. Buckle everything down. Silent as could be and when I get to the tree I don't have to worry about unbuckling the top straps, just undue the front straps, pull off the platform and steps, buckle back up and go. I love the pack but agree with what others said about opting for the 38 over the 28 and that the lid of the pack is annoying. A side zipper would be great as packing stuff in the lid makes it difficult to open.
Click to expand...

.. completely agree with this.. if the Pop up 28 had the Y zipper of the Pintler, it would be perfect. I actually wrote MR about getting this done and I never heard back.

I'm actually going to be getting WIld Edge steps, making a kydex holster, getting an additional set up buckles from MR, and making it so I can just clamp it to the front of the pack similar to how I'm clamping on the sticks.
 
So no love for the treehouse? I like the way to pack park of the treehouse works but I also like the frame of the pop up 28. Hard decision on picking one.
 
i like the treehouse but this price on the popup 38 is tempting. I don't really understand their sizing, i'm 6'2 with a 21 inch torso 34ish waist, so not sure if medium or large is right. large probably?
 
I have use Treehouse and for a while I thought it was the best pack for a treestand hunter on the market when I got it. It has some nice features:

Pros: Super comfortable, MOLLE straps, top loader with double zippers, front compression straps, ridged frame
Cons: side pockets are small, side pockets for bottles are too small, not a lot of room inside the pack, zippers are not very quiet

I carry my stick on a strap on my side and my bow over my back or attached the Treehouse.

It is a good pack, but I have had to do a lot of mods to make it work for me.

The Treehouse is also very adjustable for us tall guys. - Super comfortable pack.
 
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