Great ideas, ultimately disappointed - Mystery Ranch Scree 32 Backpack

I really really wanted to love this bag. I think the materials are top notch, the Del Mar color is beautiful, and the three zip design is really ideal. However, this bag fails where it matters most: comfort and weight carrying. Some people seem to love this bag, so maybe it just fits them better, or maybe they aren't used to having a bag with proper hip weight transfer. Your mileage may vary, but here were my issues:

1.) The biggest design flaw is that the plastic frame that gives the pack structure in no way connects to the hipbelt. The result is that the hip belt doesn't really take much of the weight. I tried many many adjustments, but no matter what I did, too much weight was on my shoulders, even with a small load in the pack. You can fold the backpack at the hipbelt; that's how little structure there is there.

2.) The padding in the straps (and hipbelt) is very rigid, and caused hotspots on my shoulders. The padding is also barely ventilated, so you'll sweat a lot if it's summer. Those two things are a bad recipe for comfort. Maybe the padding would get more comfortable with use, but who knows?

3.) I do have to acknowledge that I have a tough body to fit. I have a long torso 22" but am otherwise svelte. Regardless, the hipbelt on the L/XL is absolutely monstrous. I think the company could design a belt with a wider range of adjustment. I do think that you can contact Mystery Ranch for a different size hipbelt, but I'm not sure if it costs extra or not.

I think it's great that Mystery Ranch is one of the few day pack makers to have packs that can fit ultra long torsos, but I think they sacrificed good frame construction to meet that design goal. Mystery Ranch, if you're listening, make the frame sheet bigger to make contact with the hipbelt! You could always make it cut to fit, or offer it at different sizes! Also, add mesh to the padding and soften it a bit. If they do that, I would happily buy this otherwise nice bag.