REVIEW: Mystery Ranch Overload 3zip

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The Mystery Ranch 3Day Assault Pack is highly popular with the US military thanks to its great carrying system and practical Trizip closure. It was only a matter of time before the positive features of the Assault Pack were transferred to larger backpacks. This was followed quite quickly by the Komodo Dragon and later by the Overload 3zip presented here. The Overload 3Zip - available in Germany at HQG.de - was manufactured at the request of the US military, with the requirement of being able to carry heavy weapons such as mortars, .50 caliber sniper rifles, or anti-tank weapons and personal equipment. Of course, a carrying system should be used that can effortlessly handle higher loads, and if possible, the system should also be usable without the weapon.

For the carrying system, as with all larger packs from Mystery Ranch, the NICE Frame™ was used. This is essentially the modern version of the popular Alice Frame. Here, the height-adjustable Futura Harness™ (as can be read HERE) is combined with an external frame. The frame is stabilized by three horizontal and three vertical aluminum struts and is thus suitable for loads of 13 to 54 kg. Those who want to take a look at the details of the carrying system can do so HERE. The carrying system naturally adds weight, without the backpack it weighs a proud 2.1 kg. However, it can be used universally with all Mystery Ranch packs designed for the NICE system. Furthermore, it is compatible with the currently issued USMC FILBE Pack.

The Futura Harness™, as mentioned earlier, features a sophisticated system and is height-adjustable with a carbon insert and Velcro. The shoulder straps are wide and heavily padded. Furthermore, they are anatomically shaped and can be connected with a chest strap. In the shoulder area, there is a Loadlifter Strap on each side to pull the pack towards the back and an elastic loop to guide hydration hoses or cables.

The hip belt of the Futura Harness is completely removable and has 2 rows of Molle with 6 loops on each side. In the middle, there is a large Fastex buckle that is fastened backwards. On the side of the Futura Harness™ are the so-called Bolster (BVS), which secure the backpack when wearing a plate carrier. These can be completely and quickly removed with Fastex buckles if not needed - however, they do not interfere in any way when worn without a plate carrier, they would only be removed for weight savings.

The backpack itself looks almost exactly the same as its smaller brother - the 3Day Assault Pack - at first glance. Upon closer inspection, however, it is quite a bit deeper and slightly taller and wider, which also explains its larger volume of 3000 cu (49 L). Compared to the 60L SATL, you can see the difference of 11 liters mainly in the lid compartment and the two hose pockets of the SATL (not filled in the pictures). All in all, the Overload weighs 3.7 kg, which is quite heavy compared to the 2.2 kg SATL - but it has an external frame for more load and flexibility.

The lid of the 3Zip has a large Velcro area on the outside for ID and on the sides, two loops each for attaching additional equipment. Below the Velcro area, there is a small organizer pocket for quick access. This is divided into a large compartment and two smaller ones for pens, chem lights, etc. Below the organizer pocket is another larger pocket that is closed on the underside with mesh material. The closure and transition to the main compartment is made with a zipper with two sliders, designed as a pass-through for radios, hydration hoses, etc. It can be opened and closed individually through the two sliders.

Furthermore, on the outside of the backpack, on the right and left, there are four rows of MOLLE with five loops each and an elastic pocket for water bottles or similar in the hip area. Two compression straps encircle the entire backpack and also serve as a clamp when carrying weapons in between (more on that later). On the front, MOLLE has been omitted, but vertical loops for attaching additional equipment are sewn on the right and left of the zipper in the middle. At the bottom, the backpack still has straps to attach, for example, a sleeping mat. The Fastex buckles, as usual with Mystery Ranch, have a safety feature that prevents the webbing from slipping through. The webbing itself can be wrapped up and fixed with a piece of Velcro at the end.

The main compartment can be completely opened from the center via the 3Zip zipper (waterproof) to access the entire contents. If necessary, only the lid can be opened, providing a classic top-loading option. In the main compartment, there is a Molle field with 6 rows x 8 loops on the back. On the sides, there are long tubular-shaped pockets for organizing, which could be intended for hydration bladders (however, unlike the Mystery Ranch SATL, these do not have a hydration system holder at the top and are not as long).

The special feature of the Overload is its ability - as the name suggests - to be overloaded. If the volume is not enough or if you want to transport large and bulky weapons, Peli-Cases, or water canisters, you simply detach the NICE Frame™ from the backpack and find underneath a veritable flood of buckles that allow various mounting positions.

At the bottom, there is a connection panel that can be completely folded away if long objects are packed between the backpack and the frame or if it serves as a base for carrying a canister, for example.

For mortars and .50 calibers, small "socks" are also included, in which the end of the respective weapon rests. Since neither mortars nor .50 calibers were available for testing, a regular AR10 rifle is shown here, with the stock placed in one of the two "socks." The pictures clearly show how a short weapon can be carried when the bottom panel is used. The carrying comfort with a weapon is quite good, but if there is a lot of weight in the main compartment, carrying the backpack becomes more cumbersome the further the backpack is away from the back. Furthermore, the system is not designed for quick access like with Eberlestock - drawing a weapon quickly is impossible. However, the backpack is not intended for that purpose. The Overload is primarily designed for heavy support weapons during longer transport.

Here are a few example pictures from Mystery Ranch with anti-tank weapons, .50 calibers, and Peli-Case:

Finally, a few pictures with optional accessories for the Overload:

The Stickit™ Panel, for helmets or jackets…

… and on the actual lid, you can use the lid of the SATL (picture) or the separately available NICE Daypack LID.

CONCLUSION: The Overload is quite heavy for a 50-liter backpack but is packed with tons of features that are all very meaningful. The ability to expand the compact backpack as needed and to clamp objects between the backpack and frame is ingenious. At no point do you feel like you're carrying around any nonsense, and compared to other backpacks, surprisingly, you hardly notice the 3.7 kg weight on your back (at least on shorter distances). The true capabilities of the Nice Frame come into play when the weight reaches 13 kg, then the wearer truly feels how the weight is properly transferred to the hips and everything fits perfectly. The only thing that could be improved is the amount of the perceived 1,000 buckles and straps between the frame and the backpack, and the inside pockets should be designed in the same way as the SATL to better secure the hydration bladders.

The Overload comes in Coyote Brown or Multicam and costs €769 at Lindnerhof Taktik - the general importer of Mystery Ranch in Germany. A hefty sum of money, however, it is important to remember that the Nice Frame™ alone costs €365 and can be universally used for many models ranging from 31 liters to 123 liters.