Mystery Ranch

Street Zen 25L Backpack

I searched far and wide for a pack like this!

I looked at every single pack from 8 different manufacturers to find one with an outer pocket big enough for a clipboard. As an environmental educator I need a reliable pack with quick and easy access to teaching materials. In the outer pocket I can fit a clipboard, whiteboard and notebook, as well as multiple whiteboard markers and other supplies nicely organized in the built-in compartments. While I appreciate how sleek the pack looks, I do wish it had water bottle storage on the outside. As far as I understand, all of the Mystery Ranch water bottle attachments require molle straps and are therefore incompatible with this pack. Regardless, my 46oz yeti bottle fits inside the pack with tons of room left over. Two other small areas for improvement: 1. The super useful key leash in the outer pocket is already all fuzzy after one week of use, from getting caught in the Velcro. 2. The vertical zipper access to the outer pocket constantly unzips when I put things into the pocket. Not a dealbreaker tho, I just clipped the buckle through the zipper pull to keep it from opening and it works fine. Overall I am very pleased with the quality and features of this pack. I specifically love the heavy duty fabric, zippers, buckles and velcro, and the fact that it will never get dirty.

outstanding size and shape

Heard about this pack and it is better than I thought. very solid construction!

Good Enough

This pack is a good bag for an overnight bag to go spend the night somewhere but due to limited pockets for misc gear, I found it hard to travel with. It has one main compartment inside and a small organizational section up front. If you travel like I do with a DSLR, one or two lenses, an iPad, a change of clothes, sunglasses and some misc stuff, it all ends up piled up into one compartment and it's hard to access without dumping the entire pack.

Needs Revised...

missing the sewing thread cutter to install the water tube port.

Great daily bag

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

Carries well and looks good whether it's stuffed to the gills or just carrying a laptop. Fits a surprising amount of stuff for a 25L bag. Laptop, change of clothes, extra shoes, helmet, hip pack, water bottle: everything I need for a workday + an activity.

Top loop is a pain

Great pack except if you don’t have it completely stuffed the top loop bounces with your step and sits arched up.

Nice pack

I purchased a Street Zen in October '19 to replace my ancient and bedraggled Timbuk2. I like to use stuff for awhile before remarking upon it. It's a good pack, I dig it. Well constructed and sturdy. It fits well and is comfortable. Keeps all the randomness I drag around daily dry and secure on my sometimes unpleasant commute by motorcycle. Plenty of room for travel, although I suppose I travel pretty light as a rule. If there was one very minor peccadillo in my opinion, it would be the top buckle closure. Maybe some sort of velcro hold down or another means to secure its would be nice, it tends to flop around a bit at highway speeds. Not a big deal though. All that to say, I am pleased with my purchase.

Great Design

This pack is awesome! I picked up the Street Zen in the new Wood color (which looks AMAZING) a few weeks ago for a business trip, and was very pleased with the performance of this pack. This pack offers great organization, and, of course, the comfort that Mystery Ranch has perfected. Overall I am very pleased with this pack, and would definitely recommend!

Fantastic

The Street Zen is fantastic. Better than I expected. I bought this as a commuter/briefcase/gym/travel bag. The positioning of the lap top sleeve means it carries really well and didnt feel heavy even when loaded with an old heavy lap top, i pad, several notebooks a water bottle and gym clothes. The Frame sheet also makes sure that heavy loads dont feel heavy and makes the bag hold it's shape when carrying anything less than a full load. I would absolutely buy another one!

Great pak

Well made and does the job I need it to do. It was a little pricey, but again it's well made.