Mystery Ranch Blackjack Airbag Backpack

Ski Carry

Poor ski carry is a pet peeve of mine on ski packs, but the Blackjack has one of the best I’ve tried. Unlike many packs I’ve used (BCA. ABS, Black Diamond Covert and Anarchist), the upper attachment point for diagonal carry is connected directly to the same portion of the suspension that supports the shoulder harness. That might not seem like a big deal, but it pulls skis against your back no matter what load you’re carrying and feels a lot more secure, especially on sketchy bootpacks or spicy rock sections.

For me, it is markedly more solid than the BD- and BCA-style attachments where the upper ski attachment is hanging off the back of the pack bag itself. This creates inevitable play and slack in the system and often results in skis feeling like they’re constantly pulling you backward. In contrast, the Mystery Ranch system pulls the ski tip toward your body, the weight transfers to the hips, and the skis stay tight.

The strap on the Blackjack is long enough that I can strap on DPS Lotus 138s even with the pack stuffed with overnight gear, and I’ve not had any problems with slippage or buckle failure.

The lower webbing loop is bomber, not adjustable, and also fits the Lotus 138s without trouble. The outer surface fabric of the tool pocket, where ski edges contact the pack, seems indestructible and is the first pack I’ve ever used for a season without edge cuts in that area.

On their website, Mystery Ranch notes that A-frame carrying is possible with the side compression straps. Personally, I rarely carry A-frame, and I don’t think it’s advisable to mount skis like on this pack that if there’s a chance of needing to use the airbag. It seems to me that skis mounted in that position could impede the deployment of the bag.

Pack Access

The Blackjack uses a simple, classic top-loading drawstring closure under the lid pocket. I’m a fan. There is also a good quick-release rope attachment that holds rope securely under the lid. I love packs with back panel zippers because I can throw them down in the snow without getting the back panel snowy and still get to my gear.

The side zipper on the Blackjack is a good alternative to the traditional back panel access. It works around the suspension and the inner workings of the airbag system while still allowing quick access, even if carrying skis.

I’ve had my share of zipper failure on all kinds of packs, though, so tend to shy away from models that rely on zippers to keep the main compartment intact. They can be under a lot pressure when the pack is full, and a failure would make the pack useless. So I initially worried about the zipper on this pack as well, but it is burly and has held up to some tortuous overloads and high-pressure closures without hint of problem.

Snowtool pockets

Simple and well organized, the Blackjack’s snowtool pockets are similar to the Black Diamond Avalung pockets, and fit a probe and shovel (and a saw if you want) securely. Mystery Ranch advertises that the “Massive Avy Tool Pocket” fits “even [the patrol-popular] Chugach Pro.” I prefer smaller shovels most of the time, but I can fit my gigantic BCA B-52 in there.

I have stowed crampons, cornice kit, and a couple of ice screws in there on more than a few occasions as well, along with all kinds of other stuff I want to get to quickly on a given day. It seems pretty impervious to sharp, pointy bits. They call it Superfabric, with ceramic guard plates, and so far it seems pretty super.

Compressibility

One concern with big packs like the Blackjack or the Black Diamond Anarchist is that, while they’re awesome for big tours, multi-days, and ski patrol, they can be a little cumbersome for day tours or sidecountry. But the Blackjack handles this with well-designed compression straps and the ability to remove the lid, if desired, for a sleek, light pack. Without the lid (which houses the airbag system), and with only a shovel, probe, and extra gloves, the Blackjack is slim enough that I can leave it on while riding the chairlift. The pack and its contents also stay tight to my back when banging down refrozen crud.

Durability

I’m hard on packs and have destroyed one Black Diamond Anarchist each season for three years (thank you, REI), with blown zippers, ripped packcloth, and two of them somehow had broken metal frames. Both these and my old Dakine pack had all kinds of ski edge cuts and other tears. I had good luck with a Float 30 for half a season, but its size and design limited how many days I used it.

The Blackjack has been fully abused and is pretty much unscathed except for some grime and sun fading. As mentioned, the tool pocket is tough. The sailcloth pack body seems solid. I have friends with old Wild Things packs made of this stuff that have seen tons of heavy abuse over the years, and they look as good as mine. As mentioned above, the side zip has proven itself. I also have little doubt that Mystery Ranch will make a good repair if anything happens.