Why We Like The Scepter 35L Backpack
The Scepter 35L is a feature-rich, highly customizable pack that adapts to every alpine pursuit we get after. Our ice axes and rope get secured within the compression system, keeping everything close and tight as we make harsh, technical approaches, while the glove-friendly buckles let us access our gear without needing to remove our fingertips from their cozy home. For increased mobility and functionality as we climb, we remove the hipbelt padding for a more low-profile fit and to expose two ice clipper slots. Snow, ice, rock, or a little of each: The water- and abrasion-resistant material holds up against it all, letting us focus on the summit grab.
Details
- Versatile pack for all your alpine adventures
- 35L capacity for daylong excursions and minimalist pursuits
- Dynamic high-density frame sheet provides stability
- Adjustable back panel offers a customized fit
- Side zipper gives you quick and easy access to main compartment
- Low-profile lid doubles as a rope carry system
- Front wet compartment stashes your avy gear or crampons
- Dual sling loops allow for equalized sled towing
- Item #MYTD01Z
- Material
- 320D phantom ripstop, 840D nylon, carbonite coating, DWR finish
- Volume
- 35L (2140cu in)
- Support/Suspension
- removable high-density closed-cell foam frame sheet (with removable fiberglass flat bar), adjustable back panel
- Shoulder Straps
- padded, adjustable
- Waist Belt
- adjustable, removable padding
- Hydration Compatible
- yes
- Reservoir Included
- no
- Access
- top, front panel (side)
- Pockets
- [external] 1 zippered top (with key clip), 1 avy gear compartment, [internal] 1 zippered mesh
- Gear Loops
- hip belt ice clipper slots, equalizer sling loops (sled towing), exterior lash points
- Ice Axe Carry
- 2, pick covers
- Compression
- dual side, top
- Dimensions
- 23 x 12 x 9in
- Claimed Weight
- 3lb 4.8oz
- Activity
- ice climbing, mountaineering, sport climbing, trad climbing
- Manufacturer Warranty
- lifetime
Reviews
Q&A
Overall Rating
4.5 based on 10 ratings
Review Summary
What do you think about this product?
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageMay 7, 2023
Solid but Not Perfect
After a season of ice with this bag I'll say it's one of my favorite on the market, but there are a few errors and omissions. 1. It would be great if there was more webbing on the front panel and options to attach ice tool handles and crampons that did not require you to fiddle with the compression straps that keep your rope right and tight. I'm planning on modifying mine with some additional webbing. 2. If you had full panel access via the back of the pack like many crag packs, this pack would be waaaay more convenient. The side zipper is a nice idea, but when you have your rope strapped to the bag, the side zipper doesn't do much to help you remove and replace anything softer or less sleek than a hard water bottle. 3. It's picky, but with a rope attached to the lid, the lid tends to sag away from the wearer. It would be great if the buckles attached lower on the bag so that cinching them down would put more tension on the lid.
Originally reviewed on mysteryranch.com
August 3, 2022
Great pack
MR hits another home run. Perfect size, plenty of well placed pockets and well thought out design
Originally reviewed on mysteryranch.com
January 9, 2022
Awesome Climbing Pack
This is a great climbing pack. I've loved it equally for rock and ice. For ice specifically, the way the tools fit on the pack are the best I've ever used. Cinching the tools at the handles with the straps that tighten the pack are so much better than most packs' tiny cinching bungee cords. When you don't have avy gear in the outer pocket, it's a great spot for your belay jacket when you strip it off last minute (with the pack closed - easy access) before starting up the ice. And the rope holder strap on the top is super solid. The buckles are easy to use with gloves. The 35L is perfect for day ice cragging but if I was doing multi day or needed more stuff (food, gear, extra clothes) I'd go with the bigger size. Love this pack so much!
Originally reviewed on mysteryranch.com
January 5, 2021
Great ski and climb pack
By far my favorite pack in my quiver. I find the Scepter to be one of the most modular packs for ski mountaineering while remaining light and simple. Probably have 50 days with it now and still enjoying the design. I use it both as a mid winter touring pack, spring ski mountaineering pack and a climbing/ ice climbing pack. I'd recommend it to any of my friends.
Originally reviewed on mysteryranch.com
September 8, 2020
Great climbing pack
Pros: Top-quality pack. There's not a loose thread on the whole thing. All of the seams are sewn over with nylon tape so they can't fray. The adjustable yoke is awesome for fitting the pack. Carries a heavy load like a much bigger pack. The straps and waistbelt are very comfy. The front-opening lid is ingenious once you get used to it and there's a great pocket in the wet compartment that can be used for keys etc. The side compression straps release so carrying skis A-frame style is easy. Overall it's a solid Ice, rock, and alpine climbing/skiing pack. I love supporting local brands. Things that could be improved: A more waterproof bottom would be great, especially if it's being used for ice climbing. The side compression straps should be able to cinch tight the other direction (away from back instead of towards) so skis don't inadvertently force the cam buckle open when carrying them in an A-frame. Having a buckle buckle and sewn on patch of fabric (like many other climbing packs) to keep ice tools or axes firmly attached to the pack would be better than the current system.
Originally reviewed on mysteryranch.com
July 13, 2020
Solid SAR Pack
Clean and durable (thus far). Goes in and out of trucks and helicopters without any fuss. Stashing a helmet under the top flap is clean and easy. Looking forward to a good duration of use from this pack.
Originally reviewed on mysteryranch.com
June 3, 2020
Good All rounder
have had this pack for quite a few months now, I bought it after a mouse ate a hole in my Eberlestock, and how my Eberlestock sits in my gear pile unused; although repaired I only use it for hunting as a meatpack now. I use the Sceptre 35 for day or short overnight treks. I am a member of Search and Rescue in my County and this pack absolutely kills as a rescue pack. I did have one of the little webbing loops the lid clips sort of fold inside itself once and I couldn't get that side of the lid unlatched for a little bit, but I could still totally access the inside of the pack the entire time and I just poked my trekking pole end through eventually and it was totally fine. Pretty sure thats because I had gotten it wet and then pushed some thick brush, and it got twisted and dried inside out. haven't had any problems since and the lid is awesome if you're wearing gloves or need stuff out really fast, so I can't really complain. I bet simply increasing the webbing thickness on the loops would minimize this issue completely. Elastic strap keepers instead of velcro ones would be nice too, but thats an easy aftermarket fix The frame does have a little flex (it is for ice climbing after all) and it makes moving around really nice, I dont know if I would carry anything heavier than 50lbs for that reason, but thats not really what the 35L is designed for and the movement is really nice for scrambles and such. The ice axe holders work well for trekking poles as well, and you can fit a helmet under the lid pretty easily, or put it in the elastic. load compression is good no matter the load shape or size, especially with how the belt goes right into the bag. Great pack, my Sceptre 35 and I are good friends by now.
Originally reviewed on mysteryranch.com
May 27, 2020
Good lightweight day pack
Just added the Scepter 35 to my collection of over 20 Mystery Ranch packs. Overall, it is an alright pack for long day hikes and climbs. The pack is lightweight and has descent padding for the shoulder and hip belts. This padding may absorb less moisture than the other type of padding on the Scree pack, but I haven't confirmed that yet. This pack actually has a "frame", although it is just two vertical rods, it is much better than the no frame Scree pack. I haven't tried out its weight-bearing abilities yet, but I believe it will perform well. The waist belt buckle on this pack is cheap quality - a buckle like on the Scree pack would be better. This could be a great pack with some improvements. Water bottle pockets, not necessarily for a water bottle, but as a base for anything you want to strap on the sides like a tripod or poles. The top lid needs some some zippered pockets for organization. A couple small zippered pockets inside the pack wouldn't hurt either. A side zip for quick access would be nice. The side compression straps are backwards; they should tighten from the base like on the Glacier pack. The bottom of this pack should be made of a water and abrasion resistant material such as Arc'teryx AC2 material, so you can set the pack down in snow and not have it soak through to get everything in the bottom wet. Need more of a bathtub type base, and that goes for other Mystery Ranch packs as well. I like the deep stash pocket in front that could be used for a shovel or jacket, and the small zippered pocket is good. An idea to consider is to put two torpedo pockets on either side (side compression straps underneath them), which could be used for quick access to a water bottles, food, tools, etc., and have the option to leave the pockets open at the top for longer items that may stick out such as trekking poles. This is a good start to what can be a great pack.
Originally reviewed on mysteryranch.com
November 25, 2019
Great Pack
My 3rd MR pack (Metcalf, Patrol 35). I added the Scepter to the quiver for its light weight, and ice axe attachments. It’s not a ski specific pack, but the compression straps work perfect for an Aframe. I ski with camera gear and 35l is a perfect size for BC gear + full frame DSLR and an extra lens or two. The yolk is still the best I’ve seen. Although the bag isn’t made for load hauling, I feel like I could put 40-50lb in there before things got too uncomfortable. i like the lid design, super simple and easy to operate with gloves. I’m stoked on this pack. Thanks boys, keep up the good work.
Originally reviewed on mysteryranch.com
September 2, 2019
Good flexible
For me a replacement for my old loved and lost(stolen) Dana bomb - wanted one pack that is right sized, rugged and comfy enough to carry everything I’d do in a day ... for a long approach, can ski, can alpine, can do big desert hikes and carry gallons of agua ... it’s really nice all the bits come off to customize and adapt - pluses: solid comfort with biggish loads, simple, good looking, top is nice for rope haul, back pad is thick comfy( if not the most ventilated), quality seems really good ... Looks sweet in red too
Originally reviewed on mysteryranch.com
Need Expert Advice?
Our Gearheads Can Help
November 29, 2023
I don't see any information for ski carry. It looks like an A-Frame carry would work but I am wondering what other's experience with this is like. Is the pack sturdy enough for this usage? I need ice tool/axe carry and ski carry.
December 20, 2022
Howdy, So the key attributes section says that the bag has dual composite stays, while the features sections says that it has a single composite stay. The dual stays is the previous version correct?
March 26, 2022
Would it be possible to fit the forager pockets onto this hip belt?
January 26, 2022
Does this pack have a built in hydration sleeve for a water bladder?
October 21, 2021
You have small, medium and large/extra large part numbers for a 35 liter septer backpack Where do you provide information to select the correct size
March 17, 2020