Mystery Ranch In and Out 18 Review

The Mystery Ranch In and Out 18 might not have the brand’s trademark tri-zip opening, but you’ll notice plenty of hallmarks immediately. Namely, it utilizes lightweight but durable materials, the ability to use a hydration bladder, and a design that works well for the outdoors. Will this pack work for urban environments, too, or should we stick to the trail when using it? Let’s find out.

External Components

The Mystery Ranch In and Out 18’s primary pack material is robic nylon ripstop, which is incredibly lightweight but still durable. It has held up well in testing, though it lacks much structure, which can lead to sagging and gear making the bag look lumpy. Still, for a packable bag, it performs well.

The zippers are from YKK, and the plastic hardware is from Duraflex. These are two of the best brands in the business. Both feel durable enough to handle the job at hand and are easy to use, which is all you can ask for from hardware on a pack.

There are loops on the bottom of the pack and elastic loops on the top, which are handy for attaching hiking gear, like trekking poles or ice picks. You can use this for various gear, like a Bluetooth speaker or hanging clothing, and the loops don’t get in the way when you aren’t using them.

We’ve got dual water bottle pockets so you can stay hydrated. Or, stow a travel water bottle in one and a travel tripod in the other for optimum hydration and photography. The pockets have elastic fasteners on the top, so you can adjust them to fit around your bottle or any other gear you stow inside. You can make the opening very small, which hugs smaller gear to ensure nothing falls out.

The Mystery Ranch logo is a good size but blends nicely with the robic nylon ripstop, so it isn’t visible unless you’re right on top of it.

The pack has a thin top handle, standard with packable backpacks. It works, but it isn’t the most comfortable solution if you have to carry the pack like that for an extended period. Luckily, it has shoulder straps, so you don’t have to do that.

Fit Notes

The back panel lacks padding or aeration, which, again, is typical for packable bags. If you pack the bag incorrectly, pokey items can jut out and cause you back and side issues. We typically try to load anything potentially problematic in the front of the bag so it doesn’t affect carry comfort. Generally, the back panel is fine if you pack well.
The shoulder straps have some padding, though not much. There’s mesh to keep things cool, which we appreciate and wish existed on the back panel. However, we understand that decisions have to be made regarding size and weight when designing a packable backpack. When finding one that works best for you, the goal is to look for a model that doesn’t compromise what you care most about. If you need padded and aerated shoulder straps but don’t care about the back panel, this bag is for you.

The shoulder straps have attachment loops, which are handy for adding gear or guiding your hydration bladder hose. There’s a sternum strap, too, which keeps things feeling secure. The strap is on a ladder, so you can’t make micro-adjustments. Still, it doesn’t move when you don’t want it to, which we appreciate, especially when hiking or being active.

Inside The Pack

There isn’t much going on inside this pack, though there are two compartments. The front pocket is also the stuff sack, which is pretty easy to operate. As a pocket, it has no organization, but it works well for stowing your phone, wallet, snacks, and other quick-use items. The back wall is mesh, making stuffing the rest of the bag easier as it will expand. Generally, it’s one of the easier bags we’ve tested to stow away, but it isn’t the smallest once the job is done, which makes sense. Typically, the harder the bag is to stow, the smaller it’ll be when it is.

The main compartment also has little organization but a lot of open space. We recommend packing cubes, a tech pouch, and other organizational helpers to keep the bag segmented and your gear easy to find. Without additional devices, finding your gear can be challenging.

Near the lid, there are two holes through which you can feed your hydration bladder hose. Depending on your preference, you can have it on your left or right side. It’s easy to feed through, which is handy.

There’s a small pocket on the back wall for your hydration bladder. It has an elastic topper that holds larger items in place. If you’re not using it for water, you can stow gear here, like clothing or headphones.

There’s no other organization to speak of, which we dig for a packable bag. Typically, you have a packable daypack for many reasons. If its internal organization was tailored for just hiking, the gym, or working from the coffee shop, it would be annoying to do anything else with it. Because they left the organization up to you, you have more use-case options while traveling. If you’re looking for something specific, this might not be the pack for you. Still, it’s crafted from durable materials, is easy to pack, and comes in handy on trips of all kinds.