Earlier this month I offered up some hiking tips for beginners to help get all you budding adventurers out the door. One of the things I highlighted was the importance of a dependable day pack that can handle a solid range of trails and conditions. The type that has had my back lately is the Coulee series by Mystery Ranch. Here is my backpack review for the Mystery Ranch Coulee 20L and 30L Day Packs.
Coulee 20L & 30L Backpacks are for Day Hiking
There is a 20 liter and a 30 liter option, either of which can be perfect for a day hike of any kind, depending on how you like to pack for your favorite activities. These packs are perhaps a little hardcore for true beginners, but they will give you something to grow into.
Experienced hikers and more rough and tumble folks will certainly be stoked with what Coulees offer. The other day I went out on a Montana backcountry/bear-country solo mission with nothing but my fully stocked Coulee 20 and a tripod. Here's what I can tell you about how it feels and how it performs.
Mystery Ranch Coulee 20 Specs
Price: $179 (USD)
Capacity: 20 L / 1220 cu-ins
Weight: 2.6 LBS / 1.2 KG
Harnessing Style: Framed
Now, I'll admit that the Mystery Ranch Coulee 20 is at the upper end of the price range for a day hiking backpack. But if you're a weekend warrior, or love escaping the office early to set off into the woods, then it is so worth it to treat yourself to a stellar turtle shell. Aside from footwear, a day pack might be the most important purchase for most hikers. Let's delve into why $179 (USD) is a good investment for the Coulee 20.
You may have heard of Mystery Ranch's Coulee backpack before, but the one I'm talking about today is the updated, redesigned model of this old favorite. The first thing that jumped out at me is that Mystery Ranch was able to use recycled nylon for the new series. This shows how they've upped both their manufacturing and sustainability game. As an avid outdoorsman, I love hearing about the eco-friendly approaches that the top brands are taking.
The next thing that caught my eye about the Coulee backpack, more so from a performance/fit perspective, is that it has a fully adjustable yoke. Not too many day packs have the ability to adjust the torso length. Being able to tailor a pack to your frame is crucial for maintaining comfort across a long day – especially if you're fully loaded.
Granted, some folks might look at the robust yoke system on the Coulee and deem it overkill for such a low-capacity pack. And yes, if you're looking to shave ounces, then that isn't generally where Mystery Ranch puts their focus. Instead, they excel at making extremely comfortable packs.
Comfort is Key for Day Hiking Packs
Throughout my experiences with the Bridger, TerraFrame, and Coulee backpacks, the substantial adjustable yoke has been the shining feature that contributes to comfort. And hey, even though 20 liters pales in comparison to a full-on trekking bag, any weight tends to feel heavier towards the end of a long day if the pack isn't up to the challenge.
If you want to learn more about Mystery Ranch's yoke system, check out my Terraframe 65L Backpack Review.
Another amazing feature of the Coulee 20 is its unique 3-Zip, Y-shaped opening. I love how it lets you easily flay the front open, and access any item without disrupting the entire packing flow. You can even just grab the top and pull it wide open.
You don't even need to mess around with the zippers if you don't want to (we all know what it's like to get a little impatient on the trail and start manhandling the pack). It has to be the easiest complete-access opening I've used on any backpack.
Other Handy Features on the Mystery Ranch Coulee
The Coulee 20 has a generous, Nalgene-sized side mesh pocket, cell-phone-sized hip belt pockets, load lifter straps to dial in your exact carrying preferences (depending on the person and the load that day).
It accommodates a hydration bladder, and there are various gear loops and attachment points for additional gadgets, such as my bear spray holder. When in the Montana wilderness, I also carried ice axes, carabiners, trekking poles, a satellite communicator, etc.
20 Liter Day Pack Sweet Spot
For most hikers most of the time, a 20 liter backpack offers enough capacity to carry all the essentials. I do a lot of filming while out on the trails. I'll lean into that 30+ liter range from time to time.
Climbers would be another demographic that would do well with the extra volume. For casual day hikes, the Mystery Ranch Coulee will accommodate the essential list. Bring plenty of extra layers for sudden weather changes, food for the day, water, first aid kit, bear spray, and any other necessary add ons to fuel your adventure.
Minor Gripes with the Coulee 20 Day Pack
One thing that I don't particularly care for is the angle of the side securing straps. They're part of the hidden wing pockets. I haven't really seen before and are definitely a cool feature. It leaves my trekking poles and tripod flapping in the breeze more than I would like. Maybe in the next version they could bring that strap position up a little bit, which would better secure longer pieces of stowed gear.
Awesome Mystery Ranch Yoke System
I think the yoke system could be dialed back a touch in order to lighten the pack and improve air flow. Even though the Coulee is a very comfortable and versatile day pack. My back does get a little warm hiking with this guy because of the many points of contact. This won't be an issue in cooler climates. If you're used to sweaty summer hikes, then this would be something worth noting.
And finally, this is more of a trade off than a gripe, but because of the decision to make that front 3-zip opening, the middle zipper creates two smaller external pockets, rather than one meaty chamber. I do like having that big mesh pocket, like on the Bridger 55, but I also love this zipper system. So I guess I can't have it both ways!
Who is the Mystery Ranch Coulee 20 for?
For the greenest of day hikers, the Coulee 20 might be a bit overkill. Given the price point and robust nature of this day pack, I think it is better suited for people who like to hike a little harder, go a little deeper into the wilderness, and anyone who likes to spice up their adventures with photography, climbing, or anything that requires a bit more gear than a standard stroll entails.
Whoever chooses this backpack will likely never need to buy another day bag again. Mystery Ranch always delivers durable packs – a testament to their history working with firefighters, hunters, and the military. The Coulee 20 review was similar to the other Mystery Ranch backpack reviews,
Mystery Ranch Coulee 30 Review
Price: $189 (USD)
Capacity: 30 L / 1770 cu-ins
Weight: 2.7 LBS / 1,2 KG
Harnessing Style: Framed
Since much of the design is the same as the Coulee 20, my earlier comments will largely overlap with this “older brother” day pack, the Mystery Ranch Coulee 30. I had a chance to use this one extensively while hiking with the mountain gorillas of Rwanda. Just like with the 20, the Coulee 30 is in that sweet spot for day hiking, particularly for those who like to get after it, and bring more specialized tools.
On the Coulee 20, I mentioned that the adjustable yoke system might be a little overkill, but on the Coulee 30 day pack, it really starts to shine. Those 10 extra liters create enough weight on the shoulders to where this high-comfort approach comes right into play.
More Mystery Ranch Reviews
I hope this review filled your brain with juicy knowledge and visions of clicking off miles on wooded trails. Even though I have a working relationship with Mystery Ranch, I always do my best to give my honest feedback (hence the constructive criticisms thrown in for good measure).
But given that they make my all time favorite backpack, the Bridger series, I'm always going to be pumped about their latest updates. For more reviews, tips, and hiking-based inspiration, check out BackpackingTV. And to dive even deeper into Mystery Ranch's backpacks, check out these various reviews from both Kristi and I.
Bridger 45 Backpack Review: An Overnight Pack
Women's Bridger 55L Backpack Review
For more tips, gear suggestions, and bucket-list trails, check out BackpackingTV.
Gear used in this review includes:
Backpacks: Mystery Ranch Coulee 20, Mystery Ranch Coulee 30
Top: Cotopaxi Do Good T-shirt
Jacket: Cotopaxi Cielo Rain Jacket
