Looking to pick up a new ruck, previously was using an eberlestock bag, was a great pack but the overall fram size and waist belt set up did not particularly fit me well. I’ve been looking at the mystery ranch mountain rucks and was looking for some opinions from people that have used them. The overall pack design is exactly what I’m looking for, amd works very well for my intended uses. For size reference, I’m 6’5, 250 have a long torso so frame size input would be helpful as well. Most packs I’e used previously, the waist belts sit right on top of my belly button and can interfere with a chest rig or PC at times.
Paging ST911…
Can’t help with that particular model, but MR is GTG. Well built, thought out, and supported. They can also help work out fit and comfort issues, custom jobs, etc. Experience with other pack makes/models can be helpful as a reference point. Give them a call.
Same for HPG, they have options you might like as well.
Both makers supply people wearing fighting gear and can speak to compatibility.
I’ll call them up on monday, the pack will be replacing the large issue ruck at work so that was the reasoning picking this particular model. I’m not SOF so it looks close enough to not catch flak, but I just need something better than issue. I’ll check out HPG as well
My friends and I get issued a pair of Mystery Ranches each, and though I’m 5’7”, I’m happy with them, particularly the larger one. I just got done rucking the airfield with my smaller one, actually. They come in size ranges, and adjust for height within a size. A dude on my team is 6’4”, and says his would also work for someone a couple inches taller. He also said the website has a height based sizing guide. His has a tag that says “21-24””. Its a high quality ruck, and he’s quite fond of them.
What are you looking to do with it?
For what it’s worth, you can replace an ALICE frame with the NICE frame from MR. The Mountain Ruck will definitely have the capacity you need…they’re huge.
I’ve used the RATS pack extensively and have used a Camelbak Tri Zip since ~2011. The MR frame design is very adjustable and will work well within your intended use with kit.
The BVS is the only thing that I’ve never found to be worthwhile. I just keep them off.
Its going to replace my large issue’d molle ruck as well as double as my backpacking / hiking / hunting bag.
Thats good to know, I don’t really have an issue with the issue pack its self, just the fram and straps do not fit me very well and it gets uncomfortable quickly. So I may look into buying the frame and just retrofitting the large ruck on to it.
https://www.ar15.com/forums/armory/MOLLE_II_Ruck_on_Mystery_Ranch_NICE_Frame/10-435852/
This dude found a way to jury rig the NICE to MOLLE II. I’ve never tried to retrofit the NICE to the MOLLE ruck, so I can’t say how well it actually works in practice.
To be honest- I’m a bigger fan of the ALICE frame with the Tac Tailor waist pad and shoulder straps. I like how adjustable the MR pack frames are, but for carrying Weapons Squad level weight, the ALICE was king. I still ruck with an ALICE, even as a shitbag college student.
Mystery Ranch makes great gear, no doubt. Personally I went with a Kifaru Reckoning for what you describe. They, as well, offer different sized frames for different builds.
Have 4 MR packs for various jobs, call and speak with them about sizing and actually measure with a cloth tape. Don’t use clothing sizes.
Really? Some of you guys miss the ALICE?
Serious question, I’m not kidding.
I had mine modded at Old Sarge’s near Bragg. Buckles on the pouches, claymore pouch on the lid, waterproof liner, sewn in 2qt carrier, and extra pouches on the side that can fit a 3L in a pinch.
Love that rucksack.
So I have far less time under a ruck than most of the guys that say it, but I always wonder why when I hear it (I’ve heard it for my entire career, usually from infantry guys). I’ve always looked at as a form of Stockholm syndrome.
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Yup, that does make sense, and are really useful mods.
I just always thought the ALICE frame crippled more young people than multiple sclerosis. Unfortunately, we were never allowed to modify our gear in that fashion.
It was effective and relatively lightweight. There are better moustraps, but the MOLLE ain’t it, as far as rucks go. Although, that top rivet on the frame always broke and caused squeaking, requiring duct tape.
I always imagined the Alice couldn’t be great for you because every commercial pack I’m aware of extends vertically to carry more stuff, while the Alice extends horizontally.
Either way, love my MR bags. I have a SATL and 3 day assault. The SATL was just a tad bit small for NTC though so I kind of want the Blackjack 100 too.
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When we switched from primarily using the large ALICE to the Large MOLLE, a lot of guys tended to miss the old ruck. To a certain extent, it is simply a case of nostalgia and “different and therefore wrong”, but there are legit reasons as well. I am not a fan of the Large MOLLE in any way, shape or form, and the ALICE does have a few advantages (smaller, and distributes the load a bit better). Objectively, the ALICE really is obsolete though. Eventually realized that myself when I started rucking regularly for exercise last year and tried using an old Medium ALICE. I think the best compromise (at least in sticking to just military issue rucks) is the Medium MOLLE, but there are tons of commercial packs much better than all of these. Too few people have the option of using them though, at least on the .mil side.
Thanks gents, I was really curious.
I got badly injured a while back in a climbing accident. As in months in the hospital, then wheelchair, relearn to walk, yada yada yada. When the orthopedic folks were staring at the imagery of my spine, one of then just stared and stared. Then he looked at me and asked “Army or Marine Infantry?”
I told him what branch, and he nodded. I guess the pics don’t lie. 
Every time I look at a ALICE pack I remember his words.