This is a Mystery Ranch Ruck 15. I have carried this bag every day for the past several years. I’ve taken it to Europe, Asia, South America, and am about to take it to Africa. Design-wise, this is one of the best bags I’ve had. This bag was not designed to carry cameras, but I added a small camera insert to the bottom. On a typical day, the bag contains my Nikon Zf or Fuji X100VI, two filters, and a small hard drive for my iPhone filming needs, an eyeglass case, AirPods, a knife, chapstick, a wallet, a book or Kindle, a journal, three pens, a backup journal, gum, and a range of other things. On a travel day, the bag also contains my laptop, an enormous Apple charging brick, and a water bottle of some sort, although the side pocket is too small and too short for anything of size. (Works great for my phone, however.)
This bag is small, but it holds all of these items with ease, and because the laptop sleeve is hidden so well, most people don’t know there is a computer inside.
Fully loaded, the bag is still easy to carry. But every protagonist has a tragic flaw, and this bag is no exception. Whatever fabric this is holds moisture unlike anything I’ve ever seen. As you can see, this bag looks wet. It looks like I placed the bag in a puddle of water, or that I was out in the rain, but neither of these is true. The fabric collects and holds humidity to the point it saturates the fabric.
I’m on Long Island. The days fluctuate between cool and dry and hot and humid. I head to Maine after this, and over the two months, this bag will never dry out. Looking at the external pocket, you can see the moisture creeping up like a water stain. The straps, the front panel, the sides, all wet to the touch. Once it’s wet, it also attracts dirt and debris. Why am I writing this? Several reasons with the first being I love this bag. Again, size to weight ratio, design, usability, all super solid, but this fabric thing is a real issue, so my other reason for writing is that someone sees this and either says, “Oh, so and so makes the same bag but in a better fabric,” or by some miracle, Mystery Ranch/Yeti sees this and says “We’ve heard similar feedback and are working on a new version.”
I’m a photographer, which means I’m also a bag guy. I have many. I have waterproof backpacks, camera backpacks for both Fuji and Nikon systems, motorcycle high-vis backpacks, daily carry packs, and a host of other options. I think I have five Tenba bags alone. I recently posted about this bag too. I also have a GoRuck backpack I can no longer wear because my neck and back are wrecked. (Not from the pack.)
You ever go for a run, then take a conference call before you have a chance to change clothes? You sit there in your swampy clothing, waiting for the rot to set in. Your mind returns to commercials for powders and creams that alleviate itches and rashes and other nefarious things that love your undercarriage. This feels a bit like that. Even when left in the sun, if it’s humid, there is no drying this damn thing out. Even left in a cool, dry basement with a dehumidifier running, this thing continues to soak up moisture, like a lizard in the Sahara.
I’m not sure what your protocol is, but my bag goes with me EVERYWHERE. Day or night, it’s there. Fancy, not fancy. Important, not important. Work, not work. Bag, bag, bag. I’m not a “phone + wallet” guy. I carry all the things I listed above everywhere I go, whether the bag is over a swimsuit, tux, or bright blue, Blurb, front-zip jumpsuit. As you can tell, I LOVE bags. Finding the right one for the right things is one of life’s great joys. Finding one that lasts for years is even better. I just need to find one that stays dry when things get damp.
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Based on your mentioning this bag in an article WAY back I nought the same one and love it. Unlike you, I haven’t had a moisture issue. This is because I don’t take my back out with me as much as you do and certainly not in the same environments. I’ll be interested in reading a future post from you where you showcase another bag that meets your strict requirements. 🙂
Author
It’s bizarre. None of my other bags do this. It’s semi-impressive in a weird way, like I could live off the water if need be. I kept thinking, “Did I place the bag in a puddle?”
Before the search for the perfect camera bag, there came the search for the perfect purse. I have spent more time and anguish searching for a new purse than searching for our house. The camera bag I have right now is small and light enough to qualify as a “personal item”. I have cut down the amount of gear I take with me- I’m not recording or needing 2 cameras, or flying a drone, or taking my laptop with me. Mine is a camera bag, and is nicely waterproof, and blowing, wet giant chunks of melting snow-proof. The waterproof element is important here in the land of rain and puddles, as our my favourite Vessi boots, which are comfy like wearing slippers.
Have you tried putting your bag in the dryer? Lots of Gore-Tex type waterproof fabric needs to go in the dryer on a regular basis. Phone the manufacturer and ask if it is dryer-safe, or look and see if there is a tag on it with laundry symbols.
Author
What be that brand Lisa? I don’t know Vessi either, but will have a look. I haven’t put this in the dryer yet. New Mexico is one huge dryer, so normally I’m all good. It’s just those times when I’m out in the wet world that things get a bit sticky.
I went to the Helmut Newton Foundation in Berlin the other week and saw his old bags displayed there. Old Tenba. even older Domke. Both looked old and worn like the face of a typicl mediterranean fisherman on a small greek island. A strange beauty not by perfection but stories and stories hidden inside the pockets, the mesh, the straps.
Author
I went there earlier this year. Cool place. I wish there was another Helmet on the way, but I fear he was a one-off. I just saw a super cool Tenba waterproof sling, that’s supposed to be used as a cover for one of their bags, but it looks great on its own.
I have this bag too and I use it a lot – great bag – but when it is going to be wet or I am unsure I usually grab the Domke F803 wax version – but alas it is small so choices need to be made. I do have the F-2 wax one (x2) but I have to admit it hurts my back to carry it full… Nothing is perfect or maybe I just have not found it yet haha – the search continues.
Author
Same. I can’t carry a shoulder bag any longer. My neck and back are toast.
Maybe put it through a wash with some Nikwax TX or whatever the US equivalent wash-in waterproofer is? Works well with coats and hats.
Author
I might try a spray when I get home. Good idea.
Have you tried waterproofing it ? You « fill » it with a product that prevents water from entering, there are a lot of these for shoes. Should do the trick.
Author
Not yet, but I’ll try when I get home. I’ve got a good spray back at the casa.
The things that work great about it outweigh the problems. I just parted with my favourite pair of light hikers, but it took there being literal holes through both soles, and even still I really had to force myself. I believe they originated the term “fits like an old shoe”. Packs are the same way….we get sentimental about them. The waterproof coating always fails eventually, after which baggies and dry bags become part of the load. But part with it? Never. It’s been with me everywhere. If packs could talk….
Author
I’ve only completetely worn out one pack in recent years. But in its defense, it was only built as a super light daypack, so I abused it. One day it sighed and stopped breathing.
Osprey Parsec – here’s why. Water-resistant. I hesitate to call it waterproof because the zippers aren’t waterproof. Plenty of capacity (26L) but will still fit under an airline seat. Plenty of pockets. Plenty of room for a decent sized camera insert, laptop, jacket, and other doodads. Real, big water bottle pockets that are stretchy and have a cinch strap. Good harness with sternum strap and removable waist webbing. But in addition to all that – two killer features. An actual mesh suspended back panel, like a commuter-ized version of what’s on their hiking packs. No more back sweat and nothing poking you in the back. And a downsized internal frame called the “kickstand” that allows the bag to always stand upright. No intervention needed – you don’t really even know it’s in there. It’s just magic – you plop the bag down and it doesn’t fall over. Supremely comfortable. Lifetime warranty. Can’t recommend it highly enough.
Author
This sound great. I’m wondering if there is a smaller version…
Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 250 AW
https://www.lowepro.com/ca-en/flipside-trek-bp-250-aw-lp37014-pww/
I like it because I can spin it around to change lenses from the back compartment, without having to set it down in the muck. Two things to think about: the first time I used it while wearing a sleeveless t-shirt, I got a rash on my chest near my armpits from the mesh on the inside of the shoulder straps rubbing against my skin like a cheese grater. Wearing a t-shirt solved that issue. One of the reasons I picked this small, lightweight backpack is that it has a small waist strap, which supports the weight of the pack, rather than my back and neck. I wish the waist strap (1″ wide) was a little wider, like the next size up of this pack, but it performs the function of not aggravating the muscle spasm I get in my neck from an old whiplash injury. I loved my old sling bag, but when it was full, I would start every holiday with a horrible headache from the muscle spasm. This size fits within the measurements for a “personal item” on the plane, so I can still bring a carry-on bag, and check a suitcase for longer trips. The straps on the sides are good for all sorts of things. For going on the plane, I roll up my purse and strap it to the side of the backpack, and then take it out and put all my purse items back in the purse before the plane lands. The army green colour looks more like a regular backpack and less like a photo bag, which is good. It’s got a waterproof cover which is easy to pull out of the bottom of the pack if it starts pouring rain. The side pockets will not fit anything other than a disposable or otherwise skinny water bottle. If there is some sort of loop on the water bottle, you can attach it using the side straps. There are also 2 front straps which are good for carrying stuff, and would work with a small travel tripod.
Author
That looks pretty good!
I must say, you just cost me some money. After multiple and helpful emails from Allan at Atlas, I have ordered an Athlete bundle! I like the idea of a bag that can be as small as 20L or larger, if needed. I too love the looks of shoulder bags, but after a small amount of time, my back and neck hurt. This means with a typical rollie or larger backpack, I end up packing a small day pack for when I arrive of my destination.
Author
Cool. Alan is a machine. Love that guy. And his packs work well.
I’m a late to the discussion, but this a strange set of circumstances. I use a Ruck 24 on a daily basis, and I’m a huge Mystery Ranch fan. I haven’t experienced this, nor have I seen it happen before. Whatever the issue may be, I hope Mystery Ranch is able to fix it. Fantastic packs!
Author
They probably don’t care. My guess. I stopped using it here in Maine. Went to my Matador waterproof. Lighter, doesn’t have the same pockets and won’t take a laptop, but much better in this environment.