Customer Reviews Mystery Ranch Wing Man

I bought this for a new backpack, and my DD Wet Rib was just too tired to make the transition to one more pack. The pocket may be smaller than the Wet Rib, but I still don't see how anyone hikes without one of these. I admit that I hiked with a hydration bladder for several years, but give me a water bottle in a Wing Man every time -- it keeps your bottle out of the way, and yet right at hand. I mainly hike the southern half of the AT, so I don't worry about my bottle freezing while I'm walking. The pocket holds a point-and-shoot digital camera (vintage) and some granola bars and a few other small things. If I need a substantial snack, I don't mind stopping every now and then to dig into my pack. This is a great invention. Once it's on your pack, you'll wonder how you got along without it.

Great for storing snacks, water, map, spare hat. All without going into your pack.

Use on my Osprey Aether 65 Backpack. While not as large in size as original, the size of this Wingman suits my needs perfectly. Use "water bottle" portion to keep my bear spray in, since I use a Camelback hydration system directly from pack. Storage compartment is just the right size for personal items I desire up front and readily accessiblelip balm, trail mix, and GPS.

The Wing Man does what it was designed for. To carry a water bottle in front with a small storage pocket, so one does not have to drop your pack every time one wants a drink. The same for the small storage pocket for ease of access. Hikers forget how to travel light in this age of 'I need to bring everything with me'. If one wants a huge pocket up front, just don a small backpack in reverse, lol. Be reasonable, as there are separate camera bags and binoc. holders sold to accommodate ones needs.

Not a bad way to help distribute the load and keep both key essentials and a water bottle within grasp. I have added the Wingman to my Terraframe 3-Zip 50 (see pic).

The pocket is high quality in its materials and constructions. My beef is with the design. The zip pocket is great but the drink pocket is very aquward, so I ended up using rubber band to keep it out of the way. I bought it to hold my small set of binoculars which they do well. I might just end up cutting off the drink holder.

A little small. It's nice for what it is, but could be larger. Especially for us big guys. I'm thinking it would be an excellent choice for a average size individual. Would be great if it was offered in a larger size as well. either way, I'm using it and it carries a water bottle , phone and trail map nicely. Very well made.

Typical MR quality is there, but incredibly weird design choice for the right hand/open pocket side. The left/zippered pouch side hooks on very securely with two clips top & bottom, and MR decided to use single clip with buckle on right side. Buckle makes sense to easily put pack on/take off, but the problem is they attached the buckle side to the center, meaning whatever's in that pocket swings/hangs out away from you (see pics). You can sort of mitigate this but securing elastic loop over sternum strap buckle, but surely this won't last with the weight of a water bottle. The buckle side should terminate near the right side of the open pocket, holding contents closer and preventing it from flopping around. The only reason I'm not returning is what the zippered pocket fits my small Vortex binos perfectly. I may just cut out the useless floppy pocket in the future. I would not buy again as there are far superior chest rigs out there.