I am in the forest, in light rain, looking for some spiky branches to run on. This is not my typical weekend activity, but I am currently encouraged by the impressively tough new Yeti backpack that I test. Born from the acquisition of Tactical Gear Maker by the company Mystery ranch in 2024, the new Ranchero -Backpack (Available in both 22-liter and 27-liter models) offers super-heavy build quality and a smart zipper that makes easy access to acceleration during the path. Yes, it comes with the typical Yeti prize card, but it is also built with the trademark zeal of the company for making ultra-burly equipment that is still aesthetic.
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Pros
- 700D Cordura Body is extremely sustainable
- With the base -coated base, it can stand on its own, even on wet soil
- The smart design with three bags offers excellent access to equipment inside
- Water bottle bags actually fit on my water bottle
- Comfortable with solid breathable capacity
- Included zippers and heavy stitching – The entire package feels very durable
- Looks great
Disadvantage
- People craving tons can be disappointed
- I miss a side handle for fast grabs
- Weighs almost four pounds when it is empty (27L model)
The verdict: This heavy backpack is great for walking and traveling if you don’t mind the weight and price tag. The smart zipper design offers quick access to equipment that is much better than digging through a bag of the upper drawers. I also really like the way it looks.
The Build
The first thing everyone notices about this bag is the zipper setting. There are actually three zippers on the face of the bag that cross to form a Y form. By pulling the vertical zipper down and lifting the top of the bag to open the horizontal zippers, this bag offers direct access to just about everything inside. If you have ever spent time trying to dig A Clifbar From your bag from under the rest of your equipment, then you know why that is such a smart idea.
This design comes directly from the Mystery Ranch bag that existed earlier, and I am happy that it has not changed. I brought a camera to the forest and put it under my jacket in the bag for protection. When I wanted to get the camera out, I could just unpack the bag, grab the bottom and give it back when I finished photographing.
Storage and bags
In the main compartment you will find only a few stretchable bags. The smaller pockets with zipper on every flap are good for things such as multi -tools or memory cards. Another stretch bag at the back of the main compartment has more room for things like Notebooks.
The stretchable bags on the outside are flexible enough to include A full-sized hydro flaskWhat was surprising because they were so flat. They look a bit stupid to fit from a thick bottle, but they hold on nice and tight.
A laptop bag in another high compartment was easily substantiated my 14-inch MacBook Pro together with an iPad and a few charging cables when I used this for non-trail trips.
Finally, a bag of zipper in the headgear of the compartment is useful for things such as keys, portfolios and earplugs.
It is a very solid amount of bags that are not stuck with detailed compartments for things like pens. They often feel a waste for me, but this bag is very efficient in its layout.
If you want to wear extra equipment that is tied to the outside of the bag (something that I often do with a tripod on my camera bags), the ranchero is supplied with extra belts for this. They move in the top bag and attach to sturdy nylon loops on the sides of the bag. I love the flexibility they offer, but I also hate the idea that I could lose them because I tend to lose everything.
Feel
In recent weeks I have brought the Ranchero to the wilderness, on a few photo shoots and on my normal routine. I am 6 feet long and I love large bags, so the 3.8 pound weight of the 27L model is not really a problem for me. The belts are wide and stable and the chest strap offers excellent support. I was a bit worried that the clip would rub the luggage passage during the wear against my back, but the curved pocket shape left room that encouraged and rubbed the ventilation. Once in bubbled, it is an extremely comfortable package.
There is a handle to grab the bag on top of the bag, but I would have appreciated one for wearing as a plunge bag. The 27L model is long and can drag on the floor if I keep it in a natural position at the top with my arm.
Toughness and sustainability
This is a Yeti product and you expect it to be rebuilt. It does not disappoint. The 700D Cordura Body is very difficult. I threw it in some branches and deliberately scraped it against some rocks (as much as it hurts me to do this during every review). The Ranchero picked up most of the abuse without problems.
When it comes to water resistance, this is not a completely waterproof bag such as a roll top or other packages. It is great in light rain, but it is not meant for heavy rain showers, and you Certainly Shouldn’t immerse it. That said, the zippers are recorded and the outside material is very resilient, so I pushed it past where Yeti suggests in terms of moisture, and everything inside still remained nice and dry.
The bottom of the bag has a thick TPU coating that Yeti calls the ground control base, which is actually waterproof and helps the bag to stand in itself. It is a smooth surface and does great job that repels water. I wish the basis came up a little higher in case I had to put the bag in a small lake, but it does what it promises.
The conclusion
The Ranchero -backpack was born of a very strong origin and his predecessor reads. On real Yeti fashion, some aspects of this bag are exaggerated (including the price), but it looks fantastic and delivers everything it promises. It is great as a walking bag or as a daily carrier bag. If you are a larger person like me, I definitely recommend the 27-liter model for the extra room inside. It has a great organizational system and the removable belts add flexibility. And if you like to run through a couple of pointed sticks for some reason, it will be fine on the other side. Believe me.
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