Mystery Ranch is Evolving: The New Lightweight Radix Pack is Proof

Will thru-hikers fall in love? Did they do enough to entice even the Ultralight crowd? Did they alienate their loyal following?

Mystery Ranch just came out with the Radix pack, its first backpack aimed at the lightweight backpacking crowd. They have shaved a couple pounds off their notoriously rugged and comfortable packs in order to tantalize thru-hikers and traditional backpackers alike. This is a shockingly different pack for a company known for being overbuilt and capable of withstanding bear-nados (tornadoes full of bears of course). But how did they do? I've put in several hundred miles between the 57 and 47 liter packs. Here's what I think.

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[invaderjoshua]

This is the first ultralight backpack I've seen I might actually want.

[edwardbenton]

To attract the ultralight / through hiker crowd. They need to double the price. It's not expensive enough
ATB.

[ashlynnbachmann]

Thanks to you and your wife, I just purchased the Mystery Ranch Bridger 55 yesterday! I couldn’t pass up the runner vest style strap. Game changer

[jessegarnett]

Because you’ve been such a fan and contrubuter with Mystery Ranch, you should get some intel on the Yeti purchase and make a quick video about your thoughts.

[adamkuns]

Eric! Thank you for the review. I picked up the Radix 57 to replace my old atmos 65. I think simplifying pockets and storage and making the storage more functional is such a game changer! I always felt like I need to bring so much extra crap. Having my load down to about 25 pounds with water really feels excellent with this backpack. I’m so glad to see this review! 🙏

[mobilewintercamp]

I like the bottom straps for a tent or accordion style closed cell foam pad. I think getting away from that in the industry is a mistake. It stands the pack up on the ground and the external access of these items I find is functional. The open pocket on front I’d rather was mesh. I like to see items, shed any rain and air items out while hiking. Nice video you always seem precise

[YankeeWoodcraft]

NOBODY "needs" Dyneema to carry 10lbs on their back. That's just insane. Ultralight packs are overbuilt for stuff that they'll never do and anyone putting 40lbs in a Dyneema rig that's low on features (like a frame and padding and adjustibility) deserves to suffer.

This 3.8lb 57L pack from Mystery Ranch is just 1.2lbs lighter than their insanely comfortable (more and more being called the "Cadillac" of packs) Mystery Ranch Bridger 55. Sure, you lose 2L of capacity and gain 1.2lbs, but it can carry a ton (no pun intended) of weight super comfortably. I have the Bridger 65 (along with 4 other Mystery Ranch packs). 25lbs is my heaviest loadout with food & water.

Honestly, it's the smarter pack for those who want to go light but not ultralight. I'd imagine it'd be way more comfortable than an ultralight pack, but then again, no one is carrying more than 10lbs in an ultralight pack + food & water so really no pack should be "UN"comfortable with 10lbs.

You only need more padding, more frame and more features if you're backpacking. If you're thru-hiking, you just need a duffle bag with shoulder straps because you're only stopping for water & for a quick meal.

Conceptually, I like the Radix just like I like the Big Agnes, a similar hybrid. They make sense. Some think that less pack weight equals more miles, I say that comfort does a lot more for extending one's range than weight and more padding & structure (while adding more weight) equals more comfort and less pain will keep you on a trail longer (for those that stuff like that matters to).

[hollubaloo]

Fingers crossed they take your design suggestions, like the running-style shoulderstraps and waterproof outer fabric. 47 looks sick. Can't wait to see their next evolution in their backpacking line. Great video as always, cheers!

[jpriddle]

Nice detailed overview. I like what Mystery Ranch is doing to move into a lighter form factor. They’ve got some stiff competition with other traditional packs, like the Osprey Exos/Eja that come in a pound lighter and are more established. Good to see options, though.

I don’t think this is a fair comparison with frameless UL packs (comfort carry under 25lbs). And there are many framed UL packs that comfortably carry 35lbs that weigh at or under 2lb. I have personally owned Zpacks Arc Haul, LiteAF Curve 48 Full Suspension and Gossamer Mariposa all up to 35lb carry without any comfort issues.

[Iblk]

Great breakdown.
I am really happy with my Bridger 55 liter i got thanks to you, because sometimes i need heavy loads, but this looks like a really great option for a second backpack in the future.

[therealchickentender]

Might have gone for this if it had the running-vest yoke, but went for the Bridger instead. I've been using a 2013 Osprey Volt 75 (hugely underrated) for this long because I love how it carries - plus simple and fairly light at about 4.2lbs. The Bridger being a bit heavier and less volume is the first pack to make me break from it, purely based on carry. Carry is king, weight regardless.

[kellym]

Heard YETI picked them up. I hope that is not a bad thing. Thank you Eric.

[mikesalasek]

I got my Radix 57 a couple weeks ago, packed it up with everything except water for a 6 day trip. Now I am definitely excited to try it out. I too have a couple of complaints with the straps, but mine are mostly with the tie down points and the closure under the lid. I wish it closed tighter so you could use it without the lid, maybe a roll type closure.

[mikebellick]

One thing I heard from a CDT thru hiker that was older than the average age of thru hiker was. On the front end of a 5-6 day food carry combined with the potential for longer water carries a more beefy pack would be nice. More frame and support for comfort. Now maybe the younger folks on those trails don’t mind. But the 35+ crowd is bending to that thought? Hence the move for traditional pack makers to reduce weight. And the cottage UL pack makers to add more support? On a thru hike heading out of town with 5 days food and a gallon of water and maybe some snow gear those UL packs just aren’t built for that.

[Fizzyfuzzybignbuzzy]

My Kelty coyote 65L is at 4 lbs. super comfortable and can carry up to 50lbs weight. It was also less than half the cost of this.

[trentonmiley]

As a avid back country Alaskan hunter I’ve used mystery ranch hunting packs for all of my hunts for years. I’ve also used there packs for our hiking trips because well why spend so much just to loose a few pounds and feel less comfortable. See this come out this year and ordered one ASAP. Can’t wait to use it this summer. Save a few pounds and retain the mystery ranch comfort.

[BeautifuLakesStreamsBiologists]

Plus, the see-through material allows for visually finding what you are looking for in the pack!

[dakotahess]

I am absolutely toren between the bridger 65 amd radix 57 which do you think you would typically reach for i do mainly 3-7 day trips and these both seem like killer options!!

[JarradShaw]

Shoot… of course I watched this, loved it and need to now watch it again. Lol, sorry Eric. Thanks for reminding me about this pack. 😅

[Mzzii]

If you're more into traditional backpacking I would suggest also checking out Lundhags backpacks. Gnaur is really good choice. Sturdy materials. Easy to fix and it carries load easy. There are also different sizes (I don't know if they have products in US but intrawebs probably knows) also when I started to dropping some weight from my pack I bought Exped lightning backpack. It really is a miracle maker and you can have it in 60L or 45L and it is very comfortable to carry and deals loads well (it has kind of frame and you can adjust the back length)