Mystery Ranch Metcalf 50 Review: First Hike & A Broken Buckle

I bought the Mystery Ranch Metcalf 50 for our upcoming Montana elk hunt—but how does it actually feel with weight in it? In this first-impressions review, I unbox the Metcalf 50, walk through its main hunting features, load it with approximately 25 pounds, adjust the fit, and take it on the trail for my first weighted training hike. The Metcalf 50 is designed to work as a compressed day-hunting pack while still giving hunters the load-hauling capability needed to pack out meat. I take a closer look at the redesigned frame, overload meat shelf, removable lid, hydration compatibility, full-length zipper, compression straps, exterior pockets, and attachment points. Once I got the torso length, shoulder straps, and hip belt dialed in, the pack felt incredibly comfortable. But there was one disappointing surprise: a shoulder-strap buckle broke during only my second outing. I’ve contacted Mystery Ranch and will share an update about the replacement and customer-service experience. This is not the final review. We’ll be taking the Metcalf 50 into the mountains of Montana this October, where it will receive a legitimate elk-hunting test. Subscribe to follow our training, preparation, gear testing, and the complete Montana elk-hunting adventure. Let us know in the comments: Have you used the Mystery Ranch Metcalf 50? Have you experienced an issue with this buckle? What weight should I carry on the next training hike? Watch Adam’s Mystery Ranch Sawtooth 45 video here:    • Mystery Ranch Sawtooth 45 First Impression...   K good talk. See you out there.