“A combination of the old tried and true with modern technology – a reflection of SOTECH.”

Respecting the calls for us to reintroduce our h-harnesses and belts, we recognized a trend to go back to the battle tested designs of the past. In doing so, we wanted to honor our beginnings by doing a reboot of an ALICE Pack predecessor – the ARVN Ranger Pack, a favorite of MACV-SOG and other SOF units.

At a base level, this is a hat tip to our early days modifying ALICE packs, but it’s much more significant than that. SOTECH started in a time when we were issued the same tired designs that barely evolved from World War Two through Korea and Vietnam and into the Cold War of the 80’s.

There was a creativity born from lessons from the field, and a handful of innovators started companies to modify and then create alternatives. In this vein, we took the day pack version of what would become the ALICE and modernized and modified the design with Tegris and improved cuts (the pack was designed for small-framed Vietnamese soldiers). The result is an EDC pack that takes you back to your days in BDUs every time you cinch that ribbed web through those metal tabler buckles.

The ARVN pack meticulously recreated, every small detail accounted for. Original steel hardware upcycled from original issued kit.

Updates from the original:

-Updated 420D Nylon vs canvas. Same nylon as the Medium and Large ALICE packs
-Snap closure front 2 pockets for easier and faster access
-Hidden HDPE insert with foam backer for extra comfort
-Updated frame, from steel to modern laser cut Tegris
-Repositioned bottom shoulder strap ring to the side for extra comfort

Packs go live on sotechtactical.commain page on 4/29 at 12pm PST.

The next pack in the Mystery Ranch Special Blend series is the ASAP. These limited releases couple classic designs with special colorways and features.

This 18 liter pack features MR’s signature tri-zip opening. A smaller version of the classic 3-Day Assault Pack, the ASAP shares many of its features like PALS webbing, internal bottle pockets, a zippered pocket in the top flap and a Futura yoke and HDPE frame sheet. They’ve added a padded laptop sleeve.

Offered in Black w/MultiCam webbing and binding and Raven Lining, Black w/Black webbing and binding and Raven lining, and Navy w/Black webbing and binding and Raven lining.

www.mysteryranch.com

Mystery Ranch has been teasing the first of three drops called BZN Special Blend. I present the first, the BZN Special Blend 001 Summit 26 – Black & Orange which is based on a classic Kletterwerks design with a touch of the Ranch thrown in for good measure.

The name itself is pretty cool. About 15 years ago Mystery Ranch created a pack for Navy SEALs called “Dana’s Special Blend.” These fully featured expedition packs are still sought after by military personnel and hikers alike, demanding top dollar. The BZN in the name obviously refers to Bozeman, the town Dana Gleason chose to set down roots as he wandered across country, working his way west from Massachusetts in various outdoor stores. It’s also where these packs are made; right at home in the mothership.

The pack lives up to the name in its basic coolness. It goes way beyond the fact that there are only going to be 250 of these on the street.

The 26 Liter Summit 26 is perfect for running around town. It features a large zippered panel loading pocket with an internal padded laptop sleeve. For those of you who are a bit more adventurous, there’s an internal toggle to hang your hydration reservoir. There’s also a Velcro pile field on the inside of the panel flap to attach your favorite accessories.

There are a couple of rows of low profile PALS webbing at each side of the bag along with bar tacked webbing down the front of the panel flap, to strap extras on. There’s also a vertically zippered pocket on the panel flap for those items you need to access quickly and it’s furnished with dual webbing haul handles at the top. It’s very well set up for travel and commuting.

A final note…the zippers. These aren’t just any old zippers. These are YKK IR-compliant zippers. I’d expect nothing less from Mystery Ranch, the entire pack is well made and from the highest quality materials.

Launching 1 March, 2022.

Keep checking www.mysteryranch.com/BZNBuilt which should go live soon with additional info.