Mystery Ranch Mission Duffle 90L | Review

A tough, soft-sided mobile locker is the best way to describe the behemoth MYSTERY RANCH MISSION DUFFEL 90L. As the name implies, it is MISSION ready. A complete storage system for a large amount of gear. Be it strapped to a mule heading into the backcountry, or riding in the open-air in the back of a truck, or just thrown on the ground at bird camp, this highly weather resistant duffel bag should be everyone’s go-to piece of equipment as you travel to your hunting destination or even family vacation. Nonetheless, the robust duffel bag can negotiate any adventure or leisure trip. The first thing you notice about the Mission Duffel bag is its brutish outer shell. The exterior is made up of recycled ballistic carbonate coated nylon, which feels like it may have been developed at Area 51. I witnessed it being manhandled by airline personnel as I boarded an Alaskan puddle-jumper for a ptarmigan hunt, without even a slight blemish on its tough coated exterior. It also served me well on various wingshooting destinations across the country, and not once did I observe any structural compromise. It’s been dragged across cement, dirt, sand, and debris laden ground, without suffering any damage, minus a scuff mark or two that only added to the bag’s character. On a backroad near the Kansas and Colorado border, I pitched the Mystery Ranch Mission Duffel onto the muddy ground to quickly access my rain jacket to hunt grassland scalies in a light drizzle. That evening at the motel, the mud washed off quite easily, and all my contents were dry and safeguarded from the days elements after being in the truck bed all day. 

The Mission Duffel can be carried in several ways. With adjustable and removable shoulder straps for a backpack carry option, makes it easy to sherpa it through busy airports, or tie it down using the multiple attachment points, as well as reinforced web handles on all for sides for rugged transport. 

Duffel bags are often considered better for travel situations where the need to pack a lot of items, especially bulky ones, as they offer a large capacity, flexible packing space, and can be easily carried or crammed into tight spaces. The Mission 90L excels in this capacity to carry all your necessities. Here is what the Mission Ranch duffle offers:

Pros: Spaciousness – The 26.5"x15.75"x14" dimensions of the 90L allows it to hold significantly more items than most large backpacks and even suitcases. I crammed over a week’s pile of stuff, including my KUIU Upland Field Vest and (2) pairs of boots into the massive 5585 cubic-inches interior. Features include:

• When not in use, this stuffable duffel packs into itself for easy storage. 

• Organization. It’s chock full of internal & external storage compartments.

• Exterior lid pocket for easy access to small necessities.

• Large, zippered horseshoe opening to main compartment offers easy access to gear.

• Interior includes 3 zippered mesh pockets with extra side stash pocket for sorting small items.

• A built-in stuff sack with ample space for toiletries and gear, and (2) large side compartments where I shoved in my clunky, dirty, and wet boots and other footwear to keep them separated from clean clothing. On a pinch, I even placed a handful of desert quail in the side sections until I got back to bird camp. Blood and feathers cleaned out easily.

Cons: My only complaint, or rather disappointment is in the main, top nylon carrying handle. It uses two metal buttons, which are hard to snap and come undone quite easily. I would have swapped the fasteners with a strip of heavy-duty Velcro. Cost: $239

My final assessment of the Mystery Ranch Mission Duffel 90L is that not only is it durably strong and well built, but it can carry volumes of clothing and gear with room to spare…and it looks damn good. I chose the Black color option with its bright orange MR logo and stitching highlights, making it more appropriate travel gear for a biker gang. I have been satisfied in using it across my travels as I chase wild birds in wild places. The Mission Duffel 90L is an excellent choice for the traveling wingshooter and adventure seeker that hauls gear like a fabric-built shipping container.