MR 3 Day Assault Pack as a hiking pack?

Tactical Gear Tactical Gear
1

I like my gear to be dual purpose, so for those who own and use the Mystery Ranch 3 Day Assault Pack (3DAP), have you found it a reliable hiking and camping bag? Any problems with back strain or causing irritation?

As an aside, how comfortable is it over a plat carrier?

Thanks,
-Mike

2

I can only partly help you out. I have the Big Horn which is the next size up. It’s 3,000 cubic inches opposed to the 3 Days 2,000. The Big Horn is a little taller, not much but high enough that the load lifters will lift the load off of your shoulders. I can comfortably carry 45 or so pounds with this pack.
I don’t need to wear a plate carrier so I can’t help you out with that. One of my friends has the 6500 and the Crew Cab that attach to the NICE frame. He bought the regular frame without the BVS. He said he wishes there was more padding on the lumbar pad because the plates push the bottom of the pack away from him. He said it was still comfortable and he said he still gives it an 8.5 out of 10. He likes it so much he is using his Crew Cab as his assault pack overseas.
You may want to look into the Big Horn. It doesn’t give me any back strain when hiking or carrying weight with it and I have a bad back. It isn’t much bigger than the 3 Day so you can still use it as a day pack but you will have more room for warm weather overnighters or cold weather day trips. I like the flap on the front so you can stuff a jacket in there. I don’t have any buyer’s remorse with this pack. I would buy it again in a heartbeat. I hope this helps you some.
http://www.mysteryranch.com/hunting/daypacks/big-horn-pack

3

If you’re going to use it over a plate carrier get the “BVS” variant of the pack. If I am correct they recently transitioned over to having the “BVS” system removable or attachable to tailor your needs whether you are wearing plates or not.

4

They did. http://www.mysteryranch.com/about-military-packs/body-armor-solutions
http://www.mysteryranch.com/about-military-packs/nice-frame-bvs-system

5

Thanks for the help gentlemen.

Has anyone used the 3DAP as a carry-on while flying?

-Mike

6

I have used my Big Horn as a carry on a couple of times. It wouldn’t fit under the seat in front of me but it would fit in the overhead. This was on 737s, unknown McDonnel Douglas, and unknown Airbus. I couldn’t compress it enough and it was just a little too long to fit under the seat in front. I was able to compress it enough to fit in the bin though. You will have to fold the waist belt up out of the way.
added: If I was able to get teh Big Horn to work as a carry on you should have no problem with the 3 DAP.

7

I have, I ordered my 3DAP with the extra wide hip belt, so I normally try to fold them into their pocket while flying…makes it a lot easier to stow it.

8

Thank you for the feedback. I’ll probably pick one up here in the next few months, just need to save my pennies.

-Mike

9

I did not have the 3DAP but had a Sweet Pea, which is a more civilian version of the same pack. If you pack light you could definitely make it work. I ended up using it mostly as a climbing rack and preferred something a just bit larger for backpacking though. I kept it for almost a year, I really wanted to like it but just could not get it to fit right. It was sized right and adjusted a million times, maybe it was just my body type (5’ 11"/ 127lbs.). But as far I know I’m the only one with that problem. Quality-wise I have no complaints though, easily one of the best built packs I’ve owned. I would not hesitate to buy more MR products.