Had this bag for a few months and didn't really like it. 21L didn't feel like it. Felt very much like a 15L due to the laptop sleeve part kind of pushing outwards even without a laptop. The frame sheet also went to a permanent bent so it didn't stand on its own anymore. The trizip, I guess it's personal preference but I hate having to set my bag down just to get something quickly.
The backpack is very popular with tons of positive reviews. So after 3 years the votes are in and your take is clearly in the minority of the minority...
Great review and video quality. I received my US21 a couple of days ago. The back sheet on mine is really curved, curved so much that it obstructs 1/3 of the main internal compartment. The back sheet of yours looks mostly flat?
Great hands on review as always. Question, he's probably mentioned it in another videos, but does anyone the clip that's attached to the top carry handle?
Hey Timothy - Tom here: glad you enjoyed the review! It's the DSPTCH Cap Snap: packhacker.com/travel-gear/dsptch/hat-clip/ - niche item, but handy if you carry a hat (especially a fitted one without an adjustable closure).
Looks neat and comfortable, I wonder what that top part looks like on someone when the bag isn’t fully packed etc. I’m also curious if it’s just as waterproof as other bag types vs the 3 zipper one here. I wonder if water can work it’s way in if one’s wearing it biking in the rain etc.. 🍻
@@jonathanklein9168 thanks for the info. I have a red one now, and use it biking all the time. It’s very comfortable! If I thought I was going to be in crazy weather, I’d probably make sure anything that could get wet on the inside was also protected, but it’s been great so far.
@@adamsarwar Yep, the tri-zip system does a great job of keeping water on the outside. Not sure how long the hydrophobic nature of the cordura will last but we will see!
The no water bottle pouch is a deal breaker for me. Like most of the features and form factor, but it seems to be lacking in some areas, especially given the price.
So I walked 9 miles a few weeks ago to check out the Mystery Ranch 21/24 UA (I live in a city) and I felt like the inner liner / materials were like, really low quality feeling and crinkly? Especially the mesh in the zipper pockets and in the quick access pockets felt SUPER rough and scratchy to my hand. Likewise, the slip pockets made out of the liner material felt really loose and like things would fall out of them really easily, and I would have really liked if they were elasticated. Do you guys have any thoughts on that? Absolutely agree with you guys though - easily- one of the most comfortable bags I've ever worn, especially for a non-hiking bag.
Hey Praxis-Cat - Tom here. The liner & mesh doesn't feel cheap to me personally, but I agree that it does feel stiff and scratchy. This could be because MR is rooted in outdoor, adventure performance versus urban comfort. There's certainly softer-to-the-touch mesh and liner out there we've experienced in other bags.
Hey arthur pan, there aren’t any external water bottle pockets on this pack like there are on the UA24. Their absence could be because they would bulk up the bag’s slim urban aesthetic. There’s room on the inside of the compartment to store one if it’s an essential item for you, but you may not be comfortable keeping water that close to your laptop and other gear, so your mileage may vary. - Rebecca
Where do they recommend you run a hose through it for a water bladder so it can come out the front and attach to that sternum strap bungee?
Had this bag for a few months and didn't really like it. 21L didn't feel like it. Felt very much like a 15L due to the laptop sleeve part kind of pushing outwards even without a laptop. The frame sheet also went to a permanent bent so it didn't stand on its own anymore. The trizip, I guess it's personal preference but I hate having to set my bag down just to get something quickly.
The backpack is very popular with tons of positive reviews.
So after 3 years the votes are in and your take is clearly in the minority of the minority...
Thanks for the awesome Tom. I wondered which one you of the UA21 and UA24 do you actually prefer?
Great review and video quality. I received my US21 a couple of days ago. The back sheet on mine is really curved, curved so much that it obstructs 1/3 of the main internal compartment. The back sheet of yours looks mostly flat?
Great and thorough review, good job!
Great hands on review as always. Question, he's probably mentioned it in another videos, but does anyone the clip that's attached to the top carry handle?
Hey Timothy - Tom here: glad you enjoyed the review! It's the DSPTCH Cap Snap: packhacker.com/travel-gear/dsptch/hat-clip/ - niche item, but handy if you carry a hat (especially a fitted one without an adjustable closure).
Looks neat and comfortable, I wonder what that top part looks like on someone when the bag isn’t fully packed etc. I’m also curious if it’s just as waterproof as other bag types vs the 3 zipper one here.
I wonder if water can work it’s way in if one’s wearing it biking in the rain etc..
🍻
I’ve used this on a few very wet training days out in the field and the cordura along with the zippers seem to keep water out pretty well
@@jonathanklein9168 thanks for the info. I have a red one now, and use it biking all the time. It’s very comfortable!
If I thought I was going to be in crazy weather, I’d probably make sure anything that could get wet on the inside was also protected, but it’s been great so far.
@@adamsarwar Yep, the tri-zip system does a great job of keeping water on the outside. Not sure how long the hydrophobic nature of the cordura will last but we will see!
The no water bottle pouch is a deal breaker for me. Like most of the features and form factor, but it seems to be lacking in some areas, especially given the price.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Geoffrey!
- Austin
It's crazy how these companies can make such blatant oversights with their designs.
@@Reloading20 Not every wants a water bottle holder or wants to look like they just got back from hiking acrss Europe...
yeah because only people that do multi week backpacking use side pockets. ffs @@RK-um9tu
Either the bag is small, or you have a big hand!
Love your videos man!
Thanks for the support!
- Austin
any ideas for the PALS on this bag ?
It would seem that this bag would be extremely easy for others to open completely without you being aware?
Oof, that sounds like a deal breaker to me!
@@ToastyMonk you can hide the third zipper
@@anhvutran6306 can you do that? It seems that this bag would be an easy target for pickpockets
@@weuiwhuih zip up he middle one all the way up, then it won't be visible
Maybe review the mystery ranch robo flip next ?
So the sternum strap can't be removed? Also can a medium size packing cube fit?
So I walked 9 miles a few weeks ago to check out the Mystery Ranch 21/24 UA (I live in a city) and I felt like the inner liner / materials were like, really low quality feeling and crinkly? Especially the mesh in the zipper pockets and in the quick access pockets felt SUPER rough and scratchy to my hand. Likewise, the slip pockets made out of the liner material felt really loose and like things would fall out of them really easily, and I would have really liked if they were elasticated. Do you guys have any thoughts on that? Absolutely agree with you guys though - easily- one of the most comfortable bags I've ever worn, especially for a non-hiking bag.
Hey Praxis-Cat - Tom here. The liner & mesh doesn't feel cheap to me personally, but I agree that it does feel stiff and scratchy. This could be because MR is rooted in outdoor, adventure performance versus urban comfort. There's certainly softer-to-the-touch mesh and liner out there we've experienced in other bags.
@@PackHacker2 Hi! What's the highest rated urban comfort back pack on your site? I couldn't find it myself..
Great vid. Thanks
What color is this?
This is the Grape colorway!
-Eric
Looks way too dinky for 21l - would be a stretch getting my gym kit in there.
Can you please review the mystery ranch rip ruck 15. Thank you!
On the list!
- Tom
where to put water cup??
Hey arthur pan, there aren’t any external water bottle pockets on this pack like there are on the UA24. Their absence could be because they would bulk up the bag’s slim urban aesthetic. There’s room on the inside of the compartment to store one if it’s an essential item for you, but you may not be comfortable keeping water that close to your laptop and other gear, so your mileage may vary.
- Rebecca
Any idea what the second bit of Velcro on the strapping is for?
to fold over on itself so you can access the laptop when the pack is full. He didn't noticed and complained about laptop access.
don’t understand how this can be rated 9.0 on the site
It is a pretty basic backpack. Well built but basic.