Bridger 35L Backpack
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Why We Like The MYSTERY RANCH Bridger 35L Backpack
Built for demanding day hikes or minimalist overnights, the Bridger 35L Backpack keeps us moving nimbly on the trail with easy access to all our gear. A yoke harness with chest pockets keeps snacks and small bottles at hand, while both top lid and zippered front panel openings give us full pack access to find items quickly.
Details
- Robust day pack for gear-heavy hikes on the trail
- Robic nylon material boasts high wear resistance
- Steel frame provides an efficient load transfer
- Padded mesh backpanel provides ventilated comfort
- Waist belt and chest yoke deliver a secure fit
- Multiple compression straps help stabilize load
- Dual-front daisy chains for lashing extra gear
- Multiple pockets organize the small essentials
- Item #MYTD031
- Responsible Collection
- Recycled/Repurposed
- Material
- [main] recycled 100D Robic nylon ripstop [high-wear areas] 330D Robic nylon
- Volume
- 35L (2165cu in)
- Support/Suspension
- spring steel wire frame
- Shoulder Straps
- mesh yoke with dual sternum straps
- Waist Belt
- padded mesh
- Hydration Compatible
- yes
- Reservoir Included
- no
- Access
- top, front panel
- Pockets
- [external] 1 zippered lid, 2 drawcord yoke, 2 zippered waist belt, 2 side stretch mesh [internal] 1 drop-in mesh
- Gear Loops
- yes
- Trekking Pole Carry
- yes
- Compression
- 2 vertical front, dual side straps
- Dimensions
- 24 x 12 x 12in
- Claimed Weight
- 3lb 11.2oz
- Activity
- hiking, ultralight backpacking
- Manufacturer Warranty
- limited lifetime
Reviews
Q&A
Overall Rating
5 based on 15 ratings
Review Summary
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageMarch 9, 2024
Fabulous Midsize Pack
I purchased this pack to replace a Mystery Ranch 25 liter as I needed higher capacity for an extended, four season outing (read: more room for a puffy, Jetboil, etc). It is now my favorite two/three day pack and will replace my current go bag for the vehicle. It is well thought out, well designed and has the same quality for which MR is known.
Originally reviewed on mysteryranch.com
February 28, 2024
Amazing pack
I finally got this out yesterday for a longer hike, and wow, was I impressed. I had to adjust the torso pad a little, and once I had that dialed in, I hardly knew it was on my back. And that was with about 23 pounds of gear. They really hit it out of the park with this design. The runner's harness chest setup helps distribute weight so well, I almost didn't need the hip belt. The pack has just the right amount of organization (I'd recommend getting a zoid for the hangers above the bladder sleeve) and I love the way it can function both as a top-loader and as a panel loader, with the side zips allowing it to fillet out and make access very easy. I do wish there were a few more pockets on the chest harness, like a zippered pocket on one or both sides for flatter devices like a phone, but just having the two is so convenient. Love this pack!
Originally reviewed on mysteryranch.com
January 19, 2024
Super Winter daypack/overnighter!
I bought this pack this past summer, and didn't bring out until shoulder season and now the winter. I've had the opportunity to load this up with 25ish pounds to this point and it carries extremely well. Have done a 12 and 7 mile winter day hike most recently, and it carries all my essentials + layers for the winter extremely well. Had a 2L bladder inside + 2 liters on the outside and I didn't feel like the pack was uncomfortable in the slightest. As well, I brought it out for a winter overnight and was able to carry all my gear (pad, two quilts, tent externally) without a single issue along with 2L of water, essentials, and extra layers. It was snug, but the pack had no troubles!
Originally reviewed on mysteryranch.com
December 23, 2023
A pretty remarkable day pack
I've always used Gregory products (and I still do), but a purchased this to replace a well-used Zulu 40. The double strap "joggers" harness took a little bit to get used to but what a game changer. It enables this pack to fit more snuggly and comfortable than any other i've come across. The breathable endurance yoke provides a lot of comfort as well and is easily adjustable. This may sound weird, but both pockets on the hip belt zip towards you (from left to right, back to front) and this makes them infinitely easier to use while wearing the pack with the hip belt clipped. I also dig the mesh lined holders on each side of the interior of the backpack. The material seems sturdy and I appreciate all of the attach loops. I also like that there are two straps at the bottom of the pack that you can use to attach things such as a tarp (similar to a larger overnight packs). Now for some of my drawbacks (I'll try not to be as "nitpicky" as a lot of the hiking community seems to be about gear). The water bladder holder is small. I tried to put on empty Platypus 2L in it and I had to really shove it in (empty), which makes me think I would def. not try to put a full bladder in. I also used a similar Gregory water bladder that was taller and thinner (2L) and it would probably fit full, but it comes way up to the zipper of the pack. The water bottle holders on the strap don't hold bottles much more than a 24oz Polar squeeze bottle. I can't really equate that to the collapsable bottles because i don't use them, but I would assume it's similar. Also, this pack is manufactured in VIETNAM, not the US. I tried looking into that, but never could find out beforehand. I should have asked so that's my fault. Overall, this pack (in my opinion) is phenomenal. Unlike most of the hiking community i'm not some hipster, leftist hiking "expert," but I tend to hike around Western PA twice or more times a week and I really think this pack will serve me well. I recommend reading the "about" section of their website. It seems like the owners really take pride in their products and have created this brand out of passion, not necessarily for monetary gain. Is it pricey...yes (i'll admit I was blessed enough to receive a discount), but I still believe the old adage is true...you get what you pay for.
Originally reviewed on mysteryranch.com
August 30, 2023
Comfortable
The fit is good, and extremely comfortable. Great pack for long day trips, when lots of snacks and layers could be required. Able to fit most of my climbing gear if I just throw the rope under the brain. The side bottles could be bigger as they are quite a tight squeeze for 1-liter nalgenes, would not put in anything bigger.
Originally reviewed on mysteryranch.com
August 20, 2023
The perfect day pack for heavier loads
I just finished putting a Bridger 35 through a solid hike, and I can honestly say this is the best daypack I have ever used. My son and I did the Penguin Ridge traverse for the first time - 17 miles and 9,000 vert over 13 hours, with plenty of varied terrain and some respectable scrambling, and I'm very glad I had this pack to accompany me. Starting load was 27 pounds, including 5 liters of water and enough clothing to bivvy if needed. That doesn't mean I didn't have some quibbles, but this pack checks off all my requirements for a serious day pack. It carries a load beautifully, and I have carried loads in three other Mystery Ranch packs over the past decade - a Swift, a Sphinx, and most recently a Scree 32. The hip belt is a definite improvement from the Scree 32, so if you prefer a pack for heavier loads, this is the one to get. The stiffeners on the pack body that insert into the hip belt transfer load very well. This is the first pack I've carried that with a decent load (25+ pounds) carried for a whole day with no desire to shift load from shoulders to hips and back. If you prefer a lighter pack for lighter loads, then go with the Scree 32. The hip belt appears to be detachable (for swapping), although I can't imagine getting this heavy a pack and not wanting to use the hip belt. I was able to detach the hip belt stiffener on one side, thread it through a bear spray holster, and reattach. Super stable holster attachment, and no issues with banging my arms against it or the holster hanging up on stuff while scrambling. Side note - after some family friendly-fire incidents, I have recently started sewing my own holsters with serious top flaps that ensure the safety will not accidentally get yanked! The shoulder straps are very comfortable, and the dual chest straps worked well. Again, this pack is a delight to carry. When I first test fit it, I thought the back pads felt a little strange, but after 20 mins on the trail everything smoothed out and it fit my torso like a hand-crafted glove. This pack has a taller compartment than the Screen 32, and a similar width side to side, so that makes it noticeably thinner back to front than the Scree 32. The back-to-front thinness does require some adjustments while arranging things in the pack, but I quickly got used to it. The advantage is it carries the load closer to the back and higher, which reduces forward lean and shoulder strain. It does, however, make it easier to catch the pack on low hanging branches, so that requires a little adjustment while bush whacking. The double zippered compartment makes access even easier than the Y-zippered Scree 32, but this comes at the expense of having to pop a bunch of quick releases (two for the top pouch, one for the top compression strap, and then the four side straps). On the other hand, having the side straps attach to the outer panel provides redundancy for zipper failure and takes load off the zipper which reduces wear. It does make using the side straps for side loads a bit of a pain, but that encourages using the daisy chain on the back panel, which is the smarter choice for bush whacking. I'd really love to have two dual-adjust quick release straps that attach to the daisy chain for strapping a sitting pad, so I plan to sew some of those. The bottom quick-release straps do dual duty - if you're in non-scrambling terrain, they are great for attaching something light (like a sitting pad). In scrambling terrain where crab walking is a thing, bottom strapped things hang up on rocks, so those loads can be strapped to the back panel and the bottom straps compressed to shift the load higher in the pack and gain even more clearance. I do miss the second small top pouch from the Scree 32 - that's where I like to put my knife and wallet/keys to keep them easy to get to, but less likely to fall out when getting bigger items from the main top pouch. I may see if I can find a small zipper bag that I can attach to the key chain hook inside the compartment (I keep my cash, cards, and key in a ziplock bag so heavy rains won't do electrical damage). Also, the top pouch can be a little hard to fill when the vertical straps are tightened. I don't like putting my phone in a pants pocket (too much interference with my quadriceps), and hip belt pouches rarely accommodate a larger modern phone, so the chest pouches were a blessing. One minor quibble - for my iPhone 14 Pro, I found the pouch was actually too big. I'm planning make a few quick stitches to close off the bottom of one pouch so the phone will stay higher in the pouch (I can always remove them later). Another quibble for the chest pouches is that tightening the draw cords requires both hands, which can be a pain with gloved hands in trekking pole straps. I plan to see if I can figure out a better one-handed solution (like the one on some glove gauntlets). I like my hydration bladder, and I was able to shoehorn a full 3L CamelBak into the hydration pouch without too much trouble, and the Big Bite valve w/cover just manages to pass through the port. The hydration pouch is higher in this pack than many, so the hydration tube ends up with a lot of length on the chest, which made drinking easy. I tucked it under the lower chest strap to keep it from bouncing and getting in my way. One quibble - the hydration hook is not high enough in the pack body (I suspect the low placement is to avoid interfering with a Zoid). I plan to sew a second one in at the top of the frame. To recap, the trade-offs between the Bridger 35 and the Scree 32 are: * Weight - the Bridger 35 is almost a pound heavier, but since I don't need to add a Wingman to it, that cuts the weight difference to half a pound. * The shoulder strap pouches are a significant improvement over a Wingman - much better air flow on the chest, don't bounce like the Wingman, easier to strap in, etc. * Top pouch is better on the Scree 32, but I think I can work around this. * Pack shape - Scree 32 is easier to toss a big mess of stuff in, but the Bridger 35 carries the load closer to the back for more efficiency. * Significantly better hip belt for heavier loads. My son loves the Scree 32, and I love the Bridger 35! Vive la difference!
Originally reviewed on mysteryranch.com
August 13, 2023
Great day pack
I was looking for a good day pack, found it. Good technical pack. Thought I would miss outside storage pockets on the back but I don’t. Used a few times and it’s great. I keep it loaded in my truck so I can grab and go.
Originally reviewed on mysteryranch.com
July 25, 2023
READ THIS REVIEW
I used this pack for a 2 month backpacking trip across Europe. The first 30 or so days I walked 500 miles and stayed in a different hostel or hotel every night. While the second half of my trip were week long stays. TL:DR The pack is built amazing with lots of cool features but the harness system is kind of meh Here are my thoughts: Pros: Its roomy, I carried all my gear plus camera gear and never had to hang anything on the outside of my pack The build quality is superb, zippers and seams are as tough as they come and were always reliable no matter how full the pack got The design, the straps that connect to the lid are adjustable making it super easy to secure your pack even when its full How it opens up, being able to open one side and go deep in there to pull something out or just opening the bag wide open and dumping everything out, both those things were amazing The cup holders, they are strong and durable and easily carried my tall 1.5l water bottle. Hip belt is beefy with usable pockets It felt very secure and stable when hiking and the buckles were easy to clip on and off Cons: It's a heavy pack, with camera gear (7lbs) I was carrying about 25lbs and I felt it. The straps are novel but left feeling a bit disappointed. The cup holder works great but once you take off the pack and try to put it back on if a bottle is in there it gets twisted up pretty easy I don't need 2 cup holders, one is fine, and I would really appreciate the other to have some way to connect my peak design camera clip The 2 sternum straps was great some days, on others I had to adjust it because of bloating or stomach pain and it would go up too high and started choking me. A way to adjust the height of those would definitely improve my expierence The color, Black was sold out and I need a pack so I settled for orange and although it looks cool online it was kind of lackluster when I saw it in person The price, its pricey and the build quality can justify it but not everyone needs this pack
Originally reviewed on mysteryranch.com
June 6, 2023
Great features, extremely comfortable
I purchased the pack approx. 1 month ago and find it to be one of the best day packs I have ever owned. Weight distribution is spot on and the many features make it an ideal pack!!!!
Originally reviewed on mysteryranch.com
May 22, 2023
Gets it all done.
I purchased this pack as a multipurpose tool for a variety of longer, more demanding day hikes. In my case that means long distance day hikes, where more food/water/supplies are needed, longer hikes to snowfields for summer skiing, and single day glacier travel mountaineering trips. In each case it means carrying more weight and gear than a simple day hike, and this pack is the perfect answer. The more usual fare for daypacks these days are lightweights that would be miserable to carry with the loads required, and would quickly get shredded. This pack is no lightweight, and it is a dream to use when you are serious about your intentions. The narrow, vertically oriented shape is great in brush and off trail. The features make it a Swiss Army knife of a pack: I can haul skis in A frame configuration, strap on an ice ax and crampons, load it up with extra clothing and food- all at the same time! I’m thinking that it may even work for a warmer weather overnight. I’m looking forward to spending a lot of time with it.
Originally reviewed on mysteryranch.com
Need Expert Advice?
Our Gearheads Can Help
February 19, 2024
Waterproof or water resistant?
February 14, 2024
Can I use it as a carryon, does it fit under the seat of most common airlines? I want to use it on my business trips overseas. But also to be able to go explore during those trips. Thanks!
February 12, 2024
Is the waistbelt removable? I have a 22" torso but 30" waist so most L size packs fit in the torso but cant cinche the waist belt tight enough to carry the load effectively. This can be remediated if I simply could swap out for a small size waistbelt.
November 16, 2023
Is this pack compatible with the attaching the wingman multi-pocket?
October 24, 2023
Can those pockets on the shoulder straps on the Bridger 35 be removed or are they permanently attached?
August 6, 2023
Where is the hydration tube routing on the Bridger 35? Will it pass a Camelbak Big Bite w/ valve cover? (I had to modify a Scree 32 to pass the bigger valve through)
August 6, 2023
Can the chest pouches on a Bridger 35 fit an iPhone 14 Pro w/ slimish case (Gripmunk)? 6.0" x 3.0" x 0.5" Also, will the drawstring secure the phone against bouncing out?
July 23, 2023
Can the hip belt be removed on both the 35L and 45L versions? Thank you.
June 11, 2023
What is the weight rating for Bridger 35 vs Bridger 45?
May 30, 2023