Why This Will Level Up Your EDC Go Bag!

[@gideonstactical]

I’m sorry I must’ve forgot to highlight that there are several other color combinations, including black, gray, and a khaki, That is not Tactical looking.

[@Two_Names]

Mystery Ranch bags feel like a game of Battleship for me where they keep hitting all around what I actually want without successfully nailing it. Smart interior design? Catalyst and 2DAP (marry the two for utter perfection; imagine Catalyst's laptop compartment on the 2DAP main compartment, with a proper hydration bladder hook and passthrough from main comp through laptop comp to nape of the neck). Removable FUNCTIONAL hip belt? Scree and Coulee. Smart external pockets? Coulee's rear slip pockets, 2/3DAP side molle, and Treehouse 20 side pockets below the molle (or at the very least, Urban Assault 24 style side pockets). Offer it in 18L, 28-30L, and 40-45L, keep load lifters on all models, and include strap keepers so I don't have to add them myself. Keep the biggest model south of $300 USD and they would never be able to keep them in stock. I like their bags, truly, and they have among the best yoke and harness systems in the business. But man their bags all just seem to miss a few things that keep them from being my perfect bags.

[@daven.7685]

I bought Catalyst 26 in this color way a month ago, and love it! It is my first MR product, and I’m impressed with its quality, and will probably be buying more MR products. What I specifically like about this pack is how well it carries. It rides high like a hiking backpack, and not like a saggy book bag. And I don’t miss a narrow waist strap cutting into my gut - the sternum strap is enough. However, I would prefer a sternum strap with some elastic in it.

[@Inferna-Rex]

It's just too small for a waist strap. I have the 2 day assault bag and the waist strap is annoying cuz it serves no needed purpose and it just hangs there with hanging straps that I have no place for. On bags this small do we really need a waist strap??

[@Bad_Rattle]

Love my Mystery Ranch. I have an all black 3 Day assault pack…. Way less gray man but I wanted it made in the USA.

[@gideonstactical]

Nice!!

[@YTusercomment]

Just took delivery of this exact Catalyst 26 Backpack....very pleased with it. The main use will be Urban / Travel / EDC needs. This will be my 5th, and last, Mystery Ranch backpack. Very saddened to see the consumer line of products being phased out in 2025, by YETI. So glad I purchased all of my MR products when i did...this will fully outfit me for many years to come. No YETI "frankenstein" backpacks for me. When I needed a quality, long cold-preserving cooler, I purchased from RTIC Coolers...same performance at 1/3rd LESS cost than YETI. Also, RTIC is not promoting anti-Second Amendment propaganda.

[@johnjohnson76830]

I have been using an Osprey Radial 34L commuter daypack since 2019. It's been discontinued, but it has held up very well, and the no questions asked replacement warranty sealed the deal.

[@Sanctified_Leather]

I actually love this pack. I would totally buy one for sure and love the color combo that you have.

[@rangerjonoutdoors6429]

Would you choose this catalyst or the district 24? Thanks

[@georgeseriani2482]

I miss having a waist strap I hate having alk the pressure on my shoulders I have that exact same pack same color everything

[@christophersteingart2237]

I have an Aquamira Rig 1600. It has a built in pressurized hydration system and a hip belt. The only thing that frustrates me is the hoses are a little short and the molle spacing is slightly off.

[@georgeseriani2482]

I always use a load bearing waist belt I do like this pack even without it

[@chrisholland8226]

What pouch is that you are using for your IFAK? Have you done a load out video on that pouch and what you carry in it?

[@gideonstactical]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6nIqIuPZdaWe7ssi=-sGruO70K0le-QpA I believe this one will have what you are looking for.

[@chrisholland8226]

@@gideonstactical Thanks, that link shows a smaller medical kit inside your larger pouch. I'm curious as to what the pouch is in this video for the MR Catalyst. The orange and grey pouch with the MED patch on it.

[@gideonstactical]

@ that’s a vanquest I’m not sure if they still make it.

[@chrisholland8226]

@@gideonstactical gotcha, thank you. Great video as always!

[@VanGo_OutdoorLife]

Nice review Aaron!

[@ggs0605]

Great video - like the style and delivery. You did Mystery Ranch, now do Eberlestock!!😂

[@gideonstactical]

Challenge accepted

[@coacha2664]

Great information, specifically concerning torso length specs. Would be nice to see MR create a product for taller people. I agree that the lack of a waist strap is a big miss as it can add to support and storage. Keep up the great work!

[@gideonstactical]

Great suggestion!

[@dualsportoutdoors]

That's a nice pack. May have to grab one for my trip to Loveland, Colorado in March

[@gideonstactical]

Dude, we should meet up. I’m an hour and a half from Loveland. Email me [e-mail]

[@georgeseriani2482]

I always aporeicate your reviews espe ially the bag reviews sling or back pack

[@georgeseriani2482]

I'm picking mine up today same color tigers eye

[@catchacoolbreeze]

Thank you for talking about it standing up by itself! Can you rec other bags that do that?

[@gideonstactical]

I can’t think of others off the top of my head.

[@catchacoolbreeze]

@@gideonstactical that's my point. There aren't many!

[@rickcales38]

Would a ruger pc carbine takedown or similar size stick fit in the laptop/tablet sleeve?

[@gideonstactical]

Not sure don’t have that fire arm

[@samlee458]

looks like a great pack! 👌🏻

[@deacondavidviscount7579]

I appreciate they are pricy…but quality usually justifies the cost. Will look at picking one up, likely the 26litre. As far as the belt for a pack of this size, I cut the belt off the 20litre that I use for edc as I never used it, and it just got in the way. Saved a few ounces!!

[@gideonstactical]

Right on! 👍

[@dasa7719]

Brother, You said it has reinforced bottom but You didnt elaborate on that, I'm most curious about this matter because I find bottom section of backpacks most prone to wear out and tear, could You please say something more about it? Does it have double layered material there or something else? Thanks in advance!

[@danielparks1988]

Hey Gideon! I just purchased the black catalyst 26 and love it. What is the med pack that you used in this video? It fits perfectly in the interior pocket.

[@gideonstactical]

That’s awesome! Glad to hear that. The medkit is a vanquest compression travel cube

[@danielparks1988]

Thank you!

[@davidcarew3248]

Great Review. Do you prefer this to the District 24?

[@georgeseriani2482]

I like load bearing waist straos

[@joshuatall8134]

great review! I figure that there is no hydration bladder hanger or tube pass through because they added external water bottle pockets...with their previous packs you had to keep your water bottle inside and it took up a lot of space. I prefer the external bottle pocket. Either way, keep up the good work!

[@MountainAjar]

Thank you

[@famoffive831]

Great video, I have the 24L Urban in Waxed Wood (I hope they bring that color back) and It’s a good edc bag, but not perfect. Like you, I always wondered why they didn’t dual purpose the tab/laptop storage for a bladder, and make a stowable hip belt. I would also like to see some (not molled to death) but some outside attachment points. The outside side pockets need improvement in outside volume and an internal draw string in my opinion. Personally I think the Eberlestock has a better strap system /setup (like on the little trick). For edc and blending in I like the color options by MR though. I wouldn’t mind checking this bag out, but I would like to see more improvements probably before I would upgrade. As far as the ‘oversized’ patch comment that some made, lol that just a silly comment. In a situation where people are looking to take what you have in dire times, I think they are not going to care nor take the time to look at the label on the bag. They can do that after they have taken it. It’s also very easy change with a patch, tape, sharpie or other creative ways. I don’t know too many brands that are not branding their products nowadays. Thanks.

[@georgeseriani2482]

I'm surprised there's no big open pockets inside

[@MI_Prepper]

Most folks would pay more attention to a "military" looking pack from Walmart and have no clue what Mystery Ranch is. I still would want the pack in grey though.

[@gideonstactical]

They have several different colors included grey, black, khaki

[@papimaximus95]

"Most folks would pay more attention to a "military" looking pack from Walmart" Based on what evidence? Why would someone care about fire tinder in your "military" looking pack versus that $1800 MacBook Air in your "grey man" backpack.

[@MI_Prepper]

@papimaximus95 The implied context of the situation is a "get home bag" in an "event," not just common situations with everyday theives. What does your pack look like that makes it "stand out," gets noticed, is not "greyman," not what is inside of it, which is not EVER going to be obvious it the thought experiment. Only if your backpack says Louis Vutton or Prada etc on it will a typical thief assume by the pack there is something really expensive inside as compared to any other bag. I seriously doubt the kind of people prone to steal laptops have any idea what "fire tinder" is, but a camouflage pack with webbing all over it, on the bus, probably visually sticks out to them more on the city bus than a plain grey backpack.

[@papimaximus95]

@@MI_Prepper Gray man is a theory and urban legend. Thieves are not stupid. Anything worth carrying in a backpack they will assume contains something of value.

[@MI_Prepper]

@papimaximus95 And your eyes are naturally more drawn to things that stand out. Otherwise, the military (and nature, for that matter) wouldn't use camouflage. When most backpacks in an urban area are a solid color, no molle webbing in your environment, which one stands out? The "different one." The point is to try and blend in with "everyone else, carrying a backpack." So you are not more noticeable than they are, not to be "no more noticeable than someone without a backpack. " That would obviously not be possible if you have one.

[@argyle1812]

Another great video

[@gideonstactical]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@atomicsmith]

What’s up with MR though? They’ve been out of stock on black and other popular colors in this and other bags for MONTHS. I want a District, but they don’t seem to want to make it! Hope they’re not going out of business…

[@axcx5951]

Ultra Dragonfly - thats how daily pack should be designed.

[@tbjers]

Are these made in Vietnam or China?

[@Dreoilin]

Yes definitely a small waist strap! 👍

[@gideonstactical]

Totally! Thanks for the comment and feedback

[@lyman135]

I don't think they should have it set up for a water bladder. For a hiking pack fine. But who carries a water bladder on an edc pack? That would be weird.

[@joko2334]

Tuck in waist strap will be soo useful!

[@GYMETRIUS]

Bro, i just realized how much your voice sounds like Alexander Bromley (a strongman on youtube). He's also a readhed dude with a beard.

[@gideonstactical]

Haha 😂 that’s awesome!!!

[@YTusercomment]

If the Mystery Ranch Catalyst 26-liter backpack comes in at $180 (and can be found with 3rd party outfitters discounted), then that is great compared to the new YETI Bozeman 27-liter, that is the first "Mystery Ranch inspired" backpack YETI has released since purchasing MR...priced at $275 !! I tried to give YETI the benefit of the doubt, but obvious that YETI will screw up what had been a fantastic backpack supplier with a stellar reputation for load-bearing carry in comfort, durability & reliability, backed up by a US-based repair center. I own and use a few different Mystery Ranch backpacks and SO GLAD I purchased them when I did...I will NEVER purchase an overpriced "cottage industry" YETI aberration of a Mystery Ranch backpack.

[@Clevelandsteamer324]

Camel back is not used much anymore. Sucks to fill and clean

[@Mike-id8gu]

I don't need the waist strap, but bummed that they didn't provide means to hang a bladder inside the pack? I do like the Y access zippered compartments. I'm with you - 85 on your rotten 🥒 scale. 😂

[@gideonstactical]

Hahah!!! Right thanks for the feedback back Mike

[@MS-ge2jb]

I don't know why some people bother to do 3-ways just to open a backpack.

[@silvercommander]

Kelty redwing tactical 30 far superior

[@gideonstactical]

Interesting, I had Kelty tactical 50L and it’s got some good features, but the 30L has some major issues, water bottle pockets are too shallow, compression straps are good for hiking but a huge pain for daily use, and again for around town the organization of the MR is way better. Basically, if we are hiking 10 miles I would take the Kelty, if we are going to work and family events for a week the MR all day.

[@izora81]

Привет. Хорошего дня. Рюкзак очень даже. Мне понравился. Подскажи пожалуйста на какую камеру снимаешь? Качество супер. Удачи друг.

[@gideonstactical]

I am running my iPhone 13 and canon R10 hope that helps!

[@izora81]

Спасибо

[@Watchdog_UFOtestpilot]

Eberlestock and Vertx are the bags to get in my experience. Mystery ranch, Gregory, etc, are good, but they don’t suit my functional needs the same way. The bandit, little trick, commuter, etc, are all great edc bags for get-home or get down, whichever you need to do. Of course, I have a Skycrane 2 and a MARPAT ILBE for the big jobs in the woods.

[@jeh966]

Zippers are Always a weakpoint even YKK

[@panagiotissoufliotis6558]

Just no for me personally. It doesn't meet with my needs. External zip pockets and molle system and a water bag department is a must for my specks that i require. That back pack looks like for urban , light use for students, journalists etc. Also the big open side pockets with no drainage holes are a trouble if there is a leak or worse in a heavy rain even for few minutes.

[@Stop-All-War]

Does it come in black? Expensive clothing also a major eye-catcher in Criminals mind

[@gideonstactical]

Yes, it also comes in black gray, and an earth khaki tone that doesn’t look Tactical. Check out the links below in the video description.

[@eyeofthetiger4184]

G'day Aaron, the quality is certainly there and I reckon its generally fit for it's design intent; however; as a steadfast clam shell guy, a purely vertical zip is a no go for me and I refuse to wear any pack without a waste belt or strap; apart from the load bearing aspect, packs sliding or bouncing around is a pet hate. I do like external bottle pouches for quick access and of course saving internal space, though better in a mesh IMO, because there's no chance of water pooling in a down pour, + they need some elastic or those push button release/engagement toggle ties for retention too. I didn't see any "stand off" back padding, which I've really come to appreciate, both from a comfort and an air flow perspective, even my cheapest around town pack has that. So for me, (assuming rotten cucumbers are actually a good thing), I rate this one as only 20 of them, ..... too many basics gone AWOL IMO, ... but if those aspects I mentioned don't bother you, ..... its more like 90, .... far more palatable, ... gherkins, I'd say ; ) Cheers Duke.

[@Joe-pe6qi]

A massive "Mystery Ranch" patch on the backpack kinda ruins the gray man potential though. Never understood when you pay that amount of money for an item why should you also be forced to be working as an unpaid walking living advertisement for the company too. I understand why cheap items have them, they need to make up some of the money by getting the brand name out there so they put their branding all over their products.

[@gideonstactical]

Interesting, never really seen it that way before. Not to think on that. A little patch that’s gray out. That’s 2 x 3. Doesn’t seem that noticeable to me the main aspect that it’s really low profile and more organic looks and does not look Tactical is a big pro.

[@abelincoln9224]

Totally agree. Who doesn’t notice a 5.11, Kuiu, Hill People Gear, etc. logo and instantly identify the wearer as a “like minded” individual. I would expect Bad Guys to be aware of these brands and suspect that inside the pack could be valuable gear and possibly weapons. Not very gray man….

[@nerdyhustle]

I appreciate branding that's applied like this because it’s so easy to remove with a seam ripper. No branding on my Urban Assault - looks super clean.

[@DShiflet01]

@@abelincoln9224 I doubt most bad guys are looking at the brand name, they're gonna see ANY pack as potentially carrying something good. Even moreso if you're in an area where you don't routinely see people just walking around with backpacks on. And I mean, you look at the folders and stuff that get confiscated from "bad guys" and most of them ain't got Spydercos, ZTs, or the latest super steel folder, they're carrying knives you can buy at Walmart, Academy, or the nearest gas station. Being a bad guy doesn't make them "gear guys". Hell, I pay a lot more attention to gear than a lot of people, and I don't know what the hell Kuiu is.

[@marsiloficino5060]

Makes sense - people who know /know. But through a 🌈 button on and people will look the other way

[@allemander]

Boom! Another video drops!

[@xforce708]

I just don’t think I’m digging this pack. I’m into pockets and daily organization. This thing looks more like a hiking/camping pack where I’d just be dumping out my gear at camp.

[@gideonstactical]

Interesting, it would not be my first choice for hiking the coulee and scree are better for that this is definitely layed out for travel and everyday situations. There for the gray man idea.

[@xforce708]

@@gideonstactical maybe. But you mentioned EDC several times. And my EDC I use every day. In and out of pockets for a blade, medicine, comb, water bottle, coffee mug, charging cords, power bank, pens, tablet and such. I just really need some putter pockets for the daily quick grabs.

[@georgeseriani2482]

I'm only 5 10 but in my mind I'm 6 ft🤔