When it comes to enjoying a day out in the woods, having the right daypack can make all the difference. Out on the Eno River’s Eagle Trail, a hidden gem along North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail, you can feel how underrated some hikes can be. While massive mountain treks get all the glory, there’s something special about weekday afternoons spent exploring your own backyard trails. I used this hike to review the Mystery Ranch Rip Ruck 24.
The Eno River’s Eagle Trail winds through lush North Carolina scenery, alternating between dense woodlands and open areas where you can take a minute to play around in the creek, if you feel so inclined.
Testing the Mystery Ranch Rip Ruck 24L Hiking Backpack
On this particular adventure, the pack of choice was the Mystery Ranch Rip Ruck 24L. One thing I like about MR is the build quality of their bags. Everything they make stands out as EXTREMELY rugged and resilient. Mystery Ranch started by creating packs for military use, and that durability still shows in their hiking line today.
The Rip Ruck features a unique “rip-open” front panel for quick access, ideal for grabbing gear on the go. Inside, it has a laptop sleeve, pencil pockets, and dual front compartments that open just as easily. For day hikers and photographers, these compartments work perfectly for camera lenses or small essentials.
The straps are thick and memory-foam padded, giving it that “turtle shell” look that stays put while moving. There are only a couple drawbacks with this one – being that there's no water bottle pocket—but tossing one inside works just fine. The other is that this pack may be overbuilt based on your individual needs. The extra weight doesn't bother me – and the backpack is still very comfortable. It’s versatile enough to take from the woods, to the office, and even to the gym, which makes it one of the best hiking backpacks for everyday use too. I use this one for pretty much everything.
Finding Joy in Local Adventures
The day wrapped up with a solid sighting of a great blue heron, a perfect moment that reminded us why we hike in the first place. I'm always trying to get good shots of these things.
You don’t always need epic mountaintop views or faraway destinations to reconnect with nature. Sometimes, the best adventures are close to home.
So next time you see an ordinary trail near your town, grab your hiking backpack, pack the essentials (here are my top must-haves for any hike), and head out. Whether it’s a quick afternoon escape or a full-day hike, you’ll find that being out there—anywhere—is what really matters.
