Mystery Ranch Scree 33L Backpack Review

Mystery Ranch Scree 33 – Built for the mission.

Scree : an accumulation of loose stones or rocky debris lying on a slope or at the base of a hill or cliff. Enter the Mystery Ranch Scree 33- built to handle anything the mountains can throw at you.

The Mystery Ranch Scree 33 is built to last. Mystery Ranch uses their technical custom laminate fabric to create one of the burliest bags on the market. Blending the lines of a versatile light weight pack, and the durability of a haul bag this 33 liter pack will take you from peak, to snow to rock.

Year Round Adventures

When looking for a new backpack there is a world of options. Very rare is it to find a pack that will work for winter and summer activities and shine in both seasons. When you first see and feel the Scree 33 you will be amazed by the durable fabric. It’s hard to put into words how burly this fabric is, yet still lightweight. This pack will take abuse for years to come. Sharp rocks, ski edges or ice axes ripping the pack is not a concern.

Compartment / Pockets

The Mystery Ranch Scree 33 features 3 zip technology which offers easy access to the interior of the pack and all contents. There is only one main compartment in this pack, which can be a downside for people wanting a specific shovel/probe pocket. I found it to be very quick and easy to access the packs main pocket with the 3 zippers opening the pack wide open.

There is a hydration sleeve in the main compartment but that’s it. A quick access top pocket is sizable for snacks, gloves and a small layer and has a smaller mesh pocket for little items. Basic yet well thought out backpack design, very user friendly.

Weight

Weighing in at 3.2 lbs it’s not the lightest pack on the market but the removable 7000 series aerospace aluminum frame hauls quite a heavy load very comfortably, and can be removed for lightweight ascents. The padded shoulder straps combined with adjustable load straps cinch in perfectly to keep the weight of your pack close to your back and comfortable.

The padded hip belt is extremely comfortable and has two sides of adjustment to get the padding located perfectly on your body.

Overall this pack can handle a heavy load with ease and is very adjustable.

Mystery Ranch Accessory Straps

The accessory straps on the Scree 33 are an area of discussion for ski touring. The compression straps, or ski straps on the side of the pack are removable. There is a pro and a con to this design. The pro is during summer rock climbs you can strip the pack to make it more streamlined and less chance of getting hung up on features.

You can also move the straps to different locations along the daisy chain to get the perfect configuration. The con is that the clips are just a slip on design. There is a chance they could pop off and get lost in the field. I haven’t found it to be an issue with the ski/compression side straps as much as the chest strap which you seem to use more often. Once it pops off it’s hard to slip back on while wearing ski gloves.

I also found the ice axe holder to be a 50/50 in design also. I really liked the lower attachment which is solid, and easy to use for all types of ice axes. The upper bungee attachment works well, but is hard to use with gloves on. The bungee must go into a little groove which can get a little iced up and it’s hard to attach without taking a glove off. Small details matter when transitioning above exposure.

Mystery Ranch Scree 33L Backpack Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Durable fabric for year-round adventures
• 3 zip technology for easy access
• Adjustable, comfortable weight distribution
• Accessory straps offer customization options
• Built to handle heavy loads with ease

Cons:

• Main compartment lacks specific shovel/probe pocket
• Accessory straps may pop off and get lost
• Upper bungee attachment challenging with gloves

Overall Impression

If one bombproof pack for multiple sports and multiple seasons is what your looking for, consider the Mystery Ranch Scree 33 ($275.00) as a strong contender. This pack is built to last a lifetime and it’s even backed by Mystery Ranch’s lifetime warranty. A solid investment, as the scree piles shift and change, your pack will remain the same.

Related Ski & Snowboard Backpacks We Tested on Snow

1. Ortovox Free Rider 22L Backpack
2. Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight 40L Backpack
3. Gregory Alpinisto 35L Backpack