Mystery Solved? How the Women's Bridger 55L Backpack Running Vest Fits

[@rhondakay4724]

I have both the 55 and 65 liter Bridger. I love both of them!!! I am a 36D. What I found is by adjusting the load lifter straps by making them longer, you can actually lower the harness so that the bottom strap fits under your breasts. It made all the difference in the world! I almost sent the packs back because they “squished “ the girls until I found this hack! Try it out and let me know!

[@BackpackingTV]

Excellent note here Rhonda! I showed Kristi this comment and she's intrigued to try it out!

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

I love seeing the trail running vest making its way on to more packs. I won't buy one now without it now, it just holds to the body so much better.

[@BackpackingTV]

It's a pretty awesome development.

[@peterfagley772]

My Bridger 55 arrived yesterday! After watching most of your videos on Mystery Ranch and this series of backpacks, I am delighted with the product. Your reviews were extremely helpful and I thank you again.

[@sIosha]

As a newbie, I'm glad I found your videos about the Bridger series. I can't imagine spending $100s (Or $1ks) more worrying too much about weight. Also, RE the harness mesh design: Hexagon is the bestagon 😃

[@YankeeWoodcraft]

I love my Bridger 65. I hope they listen to you and make the mods to their next series AND offer retrofit kits (straps, lid, etc...) for the current series.

[@rebecca_finds_life]

I managed to find one in stores to try on! I could tell that I would enjoy the weight distribution, but also my chest is going to sweat more. Can't wait to be able to buy one and actually try it out on trail!

[@BackpackingTV]

Awesome Rebecca, I hope it works out for you!

[@greasemonkey4god]

Love my mystery ranch. I’m using a hunting line pack, but for comfort and load carriage it’s bombproof. I hike with kids in a troop aspect so i usually end up slightly overloaded.

[@haroldjennings5771]

Bought the Bridger last night brother! The 55 litre in Hummus color. Got $85 bucks off on Black Friday. Thanks !

[@david521]

I bought this 55L Bridger immediately when it was on the market. It's a great backpack. Also, you guys are a lovely couple. ;-)

[@curtelverd]

Thanks for the review! They could easily fix that brain issue by having it be a double zipper up top. I've heard good things about backpacks with this running vest style system. I can't wait to be able to try one on and test it out for myself!

[@JarradShaw]

This was great. Thanks guys! You have won me over on the 55L for my wife and me. However, I keep weighing Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight in my head as maybe another option. It’s lighter, but not light and simple as Hyperlights or Zpacks line of backpacks. Eric did ever get the Shadowlight? What did you think of their 45 or 60L pack? Oh, and congrats again you two❤

[@BackpackingTV]

Hey Jarrad, I have the Shadowlight 45 and have used it some. But I still need to get it more testing. I do like the design, especially having zipper access to the main compartment. The biggest problem I have with it isn't actually a problem with the pack. But because I haul camera equipment too, I often need to carry more than the 45L capacity can handle. I'm still searching for a trip where I can also drop most of my camera weight to get the Shadowlight some use. Oh, and thank you!

[@JarradShaw]

I could see the 45 being a bit tight for you with camera gear, and could see their 60L being a better fit for ya. I was thinking of the 60 L because I think it can rolled down to… ehhh, 45-50 ish liters, yet could be rolled out more if you were going on a bigger, longer trip.

[@dkurihara]

I love my Bridger 65, all the hallmarks that make mystery ranch packs, plus additional vest and waist belt pockets. But I sometimes wish these builtin pockets to be detached and replaced with other modular pouches. I'm asian man of small build and got small/medium size of this sack (there's a couple of size options) which is smallest available, but waist belt seems a bit too long, cinched tightly almost at its shortest possible length.

[@billb5732]

I am trying to decide between an Osprey Atmos AG and the Bridger. Everybody says the AG is the most comfortable pack they have carried (including you). OTOH, there is a lot to love about the Bridger, as you repeatedly point out. I get hung up by the reviews on the Mystery Ranch website. Apparently there is an issue with the shoulder strap padding being too short on people with large shoulders (like mine). You and Kristi both look "wiry"; probably model builds for the pack. OTOH, you have better sense about carry weight than all other KZbinrs. In this vid you said exactly what I keep thinking: That a couple of pounds in the pack is irrelevant if it lets you carry more comfortably. What's your take on the too-short padding issue? Is there a workaround, or is it a show-stopper?

[@DerrickMorgan-q1z]

This uzbagx tote is beautifully colored, very sturdy and the perfect size. Not too small, not too big. I look forward to joining my rotationhand-pink-waving

[@jameystanley5836]

I’ve seen several review of the Bridger 65 complaining about the padding/ lack of padding on the shoulder straps. What are your thoughts on the should straps?

[@Qb7deepsea]

For what it's worth, I have about a hundred miles on the 65L loaded to the gills, 35-40lbs total. I haven't noticed anything abnormal with the shoulders. No pain, no added stress, and no pressure points. If the bag is fitted properly, and the load lifters and waist adjusted properly, I can't imagine any shoulder issues that wouldn't already be there. The foam is super comfortable and everything adjusts or repositions easily. I truly don't even notice the bag until the 5-6mi mark. Like they said, the only issue I ever have is the brain not being seated more forward like a bucket, similar to the dual-pocket MR 6500 series (105L discontinued), and the lower compression straps not being longer (solved with Paracord and carabineers I carry anyways) if needed. But overall, especially weight-wise, I'd carry this bag over any other on my shelf, including Osprey, Gregory, NF, and other MRs.

[@jameystanley5836]

@@Qb7deepsea thank you that is very helpful! I’ve been thinking about making the Bridger 65 my next backpack but have been hesitant because of the couple reviews that I had seen. I don’t have a local shop that carries mystery ranch stuff so I can’t go look at it in person, I appreciate you’re input.

[@BackpackingTV]

Hey Jamey, I think the shoulder straps are a strong suit of this pack, they're very comfortable. Especially compared to so many other packs on the market. Chances are high that if people are experiencing discomfort they either have the fit wrong or they are carrying suuper heavy loads.

[@shawnshaggy]

Hey brother, love the content! Is there an actual difference between the womens and mens packs of the same size (I.E. size, fit, and cut of the vest harness) or is it just the different color selection?

[@BackpackingTV]

Mystery Ranch claims that the shape of the pack frame is made for women specifically. Other than that it's just color.

[@Gibbdog]

Hi do you know if you can buy these packs in Australia

[@BackpackingTV]

I was just in Australia and most people weren't aware of Mystery Ranch. I don't think they have distribution there, but I actually don't know.

[@lohyewcheong]

Can you do a review and comparison with a Six Moon Designs backpack please? Both Six Moon Designs and Mystery Ranch use running vest type shoulder straps. Would love to hear your feedback and Christie’s opinion on how the Six Moon Designs backpacks compare to the Mystery Ranch backpacks 🙏🏼

[@renemedina8026]

Good looking couple thanks guys 😊

[@BackpackingTV]

aww shucks. thanks!

[@TracySwenson]

Does the top cover portion detach and become a fanny pack or pack in itself?

[@emeliehammarstrom15]

What, shouldn’t she be your fiancée? Didn’t the proposal go well?

[@sueb860]

I thought the same thing!

[@sueb860]

@elzo stubbe true true. They still look happy together. 🤣🤣

[@BackpackingTV]

I appreciate your concern! However, as Elzo points out, this was filmed before I proposed. The proposal went well and we are in fact engaged!

[@BackpackingTV]

@sueB we are very happy together and engaged! This was filmed before the proposal.

[@sueb860]

@@BackpackingTVYay!

[@SpaceCaptnFace]

As a male fatpacker...im definitely concerned about boob straps, and almost never use them..just make sure the pack is snug on my shoulders and hips

[@billb5732]

Regarding snacks falling out of the brain, isn't that a packing issue more than a pack issue? A 2-gallon ziplock should solve the problem.

[@BackpackingTV]

Potentially. But then I think the whole ziplock would dump out every time as well. There are ways around this issue but I have noticed it as an inconvenience in my own Bridger pack.

[@billb5732]

@@BackpackingTV Engineer POV: Be careful what you wish for. Stuff doesn't fall out of the brain of my pack, at the cost of having to reach in and grope around by feel in order to identify anything. I would much prefer the wide-open access of the Bridger, and deal with organization myself. A duct tape reinforcement and a carabiner or two would keep the ziplock from falling out. Or safety pins. Lots of ways to deal with that.

[@NathanHassall]

Im a skinny man whos been told he laughs like a woman so I feel like I have a dog in this fight ...5 Pounds is ridiculous...the same pack design made with a more efficient material could probably weigh half that. That pack weighs almost as much as my base weight including my pack.

[@layne4376]

If you are doing long supplies where you need to carry 20 lbs of food and / or backpack in the winter, it will excel. There are no lighter packs that will do so much so well at those loads.