I started with the Mystery Ranch 3 Way Briefcase after seeing your review on it and was hooked. Love the black with orange interior, picked up the District 18 and just ordered the District 24, both in the same color scheme. Great reviews, great bags!
This bag is almost perfect for me. I really like the look of this bag, the organisation is perfect, and 18L is just right for my size. I ultimately decided to not buy it because of the suboptimal water bottle pockets and the use of velcro. I think they should have gone with magnetic buckles instead. I dislike velcro because of the noise (I don't want to have everyone staring at me when I open it in a quiet place) and previously I had my favourite clothes getting damaged by velcro, so I have sworn off velcro since then.
It's not a perfect solution, but you can buy velcro and cut panels to size, then sandwich magnets between the pieces of velcro to make the flap magnetic.
The collapsible divider is a genius design! Seriously considering the 18L version for my short torso. It'd be perfect if elastic bands could be added to the opening of the water bottle pockets.
How does it compare to the 18? I’m trying to decide if I need the bigger version. Is the volume difference from being taller? Thicker? I think it’s like a ten dollar difference so it would only be a functional consideration.
I have two primary concerns with the design of the District packs, true for both sizes as far as I can tell. First, the tear drop shape. Even with the load lifters, they naturally sag a bit much like a worn out school pack. This is especially noticeable when compared to packs that ride higher/tighter like options from Evergoods and Aer or even other MR bags. This may not matter for some but once packed out with a bit of weight that low weight distribution is noticeable. Second, elasticity of the external water bottle pouches. I wish you'd spent more time showing them off as one of the major criticisms of the bag is how weak the elasticity is combined with being shallow and having no loops, straps, or d-rings above the pouches to help retain water bottles. I really wish this pack rode higher and tighter against the back and had more secure water pouches. This would be a killer option, especially for the price. That could've made a great competitor to the chz22.
Thank you for watching and good call outs! The shape has been better at handling when than originally expected, but definitely tough to compete with some of the other options you mentioned and it would have been awesome to see a water bottle implementation that was closer to the chz
That thick harness, back padding, and load lifters, mystery ranch is one of very very few brands that understand how comfortable a backpack is at carrying heavy weights is the single most important feature of a backpack. That's what makes backpack different than other packs like messengers or briefcase. Too bad most other brands prioritize looks and "sleekness" over function.
hey Danny, I really love this bag but I'm shooting for the 18L version. The one thing that's stopping me from buying it is the shallow water bottle holder. I like to carry water bottles, and I have different sizes. I'm wondering how it holds up when you put a bigger and taller bottle - if it's going to be unstable. This is kind of a deal breaker for me.
You don't really need those pockets. can put bottles into the main compartment, due to the divider there' a perfect place for water bottles between the side wall of the pack and the divider. Similar to yeti bags. The bottle is always upright even when bag is empty and easily accessible because the zippers run all along the sides. Pretty clever
Thank you for watching! Comfort is always such a tough thing to gauge since everyone is so different with their preferences, I have personally had a good experience with the harness here but can see how it might not work as well for some people
So lots of pouches but only one secured zippered pocket not counting the main compartment. Also the water bottle pouches looks lame. Its best feature is that wide open clamshell design which I happen to be a big fan of. It’s also not very busy with a simplistic streamlined aesthetic another win besides MR’s quality along with fit and finish which screams durability
I started with the Mystery Ranch 3 Way Briefcase after seeing your review on it and was hooked. Love the black with orange interior, picked up the District 18 and just ordered the District 24, both in the same color scheme. Great reviews, great bags!
Thank you for watching and for the support! Mystery ranch definitely has many great options to pick from!
This bag is almost perfect for me. I really like the look of this bag, the organisation is perfect, and 18L is just right for my size. I ultimately decided to not buy it because of the suboptimal water bottle pockets and the use of velcro. I think they should have gone with magnetic buckles instead.
I dislike velcro because of the noise (I don't want to have everyone staring at me when I open it in a quiet place) and previously I had my favourite clothes getting damaged by velcro, so I have sworn off velcro since then.
It's not a perfect solution, but you can buy velcro and cut panels to size, then sandwich magnets between the pieces of velcro to make the flap magnetic.
Fantastic review Danny - appreciate the thoughtful thorough take on this one - sure helped in my decision making process. I am loving this pack!
Thank you for watching and I’m glad the video was helpful!:)
The collapsible divider is a genius design! Seriously considering the 18L version for my short torso. It'd be perfect if elastic bands could be added to the opening of the water bottle pockets.
Thank you for watching and I agree, it’s a pretty cool feature and good call on the water bottle pockets
Where can I get the version you have the white branding and blue zipper pulls!? That looks fantastic!
How does it compare to the 18? I’m trying to decide if I need the bigger version. Is the volume difference from being taller? Thicker? I think it’s like a ten dollar difference so it would only be a functional consideration.
I have two primary concerns with the design of the District packs, true for both sizes as far as I can tell. First, the tear drop shape. Even with the load lifters, they naturally sag a bit much like a worn out school pack. This is especially noticeable when compared to packs that ride higher/tighter like options from Evergoods and Aer or even other MR bags. This may not matter for some but once packed out with a bit of weight that low weight distribution is noticeable.
Second, elasticity of the external water bottle pouches. I wish you'd spent more time showing them off as one of the major criticisms of the bag is how weak the elasticity is combined with being shallow and having no loops, straps, or d-rings above the pouches to help retain water bottles.
I really wish this pack rode higher and tighter against the back and had more secure water pouches. This would be a killer option, especially for the price. That could've made a great competitor to the chz22.
Thank you for watching and good call outs! The shape has been better at handling when than originally expected, but definitely tough to compete with some of the other options you mentioned and it would have been awesome to see a water bottle implementation that was closer to the chz
You say Evergoods is overall better because of this? Im fixing to order a backpack and searching things out.
That thick harness, back padding, and load lifters, mystery ranch is one of very very few brands that understand how comfortable a backpack is at carrying heavy weights is the single most important feature of a backpack. That's what makes backpack different than other packs like messengers or briefcase. Too bad most other brands prioritize looks and "sleekness" over function.
Thank you for watching and I agree, really appreciate their focus on comfort!
I can't find the color combination you reviewed on anywhere. Is that a non production sample?
mystery ranch never disappoints
Thank you for watching and I agree, they always have really solid bags!:)
hey Danny, I really love this bag but I'm shooting for the 18L version. The one thing that's stopping me from buying it is the shallow water bottle holder. I like to carry water bottles, and I have different sizes. I'm wondering how it holds up when you put a bigger and taller bottle - if it's going to be unstable. This is kind of a deal breaker for me.
You don't really need those pockets. can put bottles into the main compartment, due to the divider there' a perfect place for water bottles between the side wall of the pack and the divider. Similar to yeti bags. The bottle is always upright even when bag is empty and easily accessible because the zippers run all along the sides. Pretty clever
I saw a pack hacker review on the light blue version of this district 24 and he said no marrterhow he adjusted it he couldnt make it feel comfortable.
Thank you for watching! Comfort is always such a tough thing to gauge since everyone is so different with their preferences, I have personally had a good experience with the harness here but can see how it might not work as well for some people
I really like how this looks but I'm not a fan of the organization options.
Thank you for watching and I can definitely see how that layout might not work with for everyone’s packing style
Nice review Danny!
Thank you for watching and for the support!:)
So lots of pouches but only one secured zippered pocket not counting the main compartment. Also the water bottle pouches looks lame.
Its best feature is that wide open clamshell design which I happen to be a big fan of. It’s also not very busy with a simplistic streamlined aesthetic another win besides MR’s quality along with fit and finish which screams durability