This is still true, but I could have taken it further. Because that undersells this bag. What I Liked Second Time Around

Mystery Ranch Urban Assault 21 - Daypack - Alpinetrek

Pro Tip: Get a carabiner to keep your water bottle easily accessible! Fit and Adjustability – 4 Stars It would also be great to have a hydration hose pass through on this bag, making it even more versatile. The external laptop access, if done correctly, could double as this as well. But this wold then make the bag a gimme for EDC and Day Hikes. More questions? Here’s Task & Purpose’s additional brief. Q. How much does the Mystery Ranch Urban Assault cost? This is the unique part of the Urban Assault. The 3-ZIP design means you can open just the top or zip down the whole bag like a duffel.Going hiking? Just use the laptop sleeve for a hydration bladder(without the laptop of course). Just feed the hose out through the zippered opening on the top of the bag. Bonus: The Hidden Stash One addition that you don’t see on the UA24 is the line of PALS webbing located on the bottom of the UA21. You can clip carabiners here or attach other MOLLE accessories if desired. And like we mentioned earlier, those nylon loop zipper tabs do have an opening in the middle if you want to clip anything through those. Pulling on the top cinch straps allows you to adjust the height and fit of the harness system. Sternum strap

Review: Mystery Ranch Urban Assault 21 (in comments) Review: Mystery Ranch Urban Assault 21 (in comments)

I am not 100% sure if this is an intentional design feature (Mystery Ranch does not mention it anywhere), but it certainly is a useful one. The ability to attach a water bottle to the shoulder strap and always have easy access to it suddenly makes this a great option for hiking. Does anyone have experience with these bags? Did you consider the same alternatives? If so, why did you choose the one you did? Have you been happy with that choice and/or would you choose one of the other models? With over four decades of design and manufacturing experience – coupled with simultaneous in-the-field testing and real-world hammering – we've learned a thing or two about load transfer, active framing and the importance of using only the most top-shelf materials. Generally: this bag does enough right to make it good, without going so far overboard that the bag forces itself to a niche user base. What I Don’t LoveCordura” is a nylon fabric brand originally developed by Dupont and widely respected as an industry-standard in ultra-durable nylon fabrics ( source).

Mystery Ranch Urban Assault 21L Review | Tested by GearLab

I undervalued it before, but never again. This is an excellent bag, and if you are left wanting in other bags like the GR1, take a look at this one — it will likely fill the void for you. It’s finding its way to my office more and more these days.You can use the laptop sleeve for a hydration bladder, but there’s not a dedicated hole for the tube to go through.

Mystery Ranch Urban Assault 21 after - Reddit I picked up a Mystery Ranch Urban Assault 21 after - Reddit

The top pouch of the Urban Assault holds small, easy-to-access items. It’s protected by a watertight zipper, as you can see here. That’s coupled with the crazy durable 500D Cordura fabric. The size makes it easy to store lots of items, but then it’s hard to sort through those items well. The zipper is also quite hard to open with a single hand. And it is also removable– a good option to have if you don’t actually like sternum straps. You’re okay without it if you’re going to school or work. The Urban Assault 24 makes a light and nimble “go bag.” It sits high and snug and there is no need for a hip belt. We’ve taken this bag all around Michigan and Minnesota throughout our testing cycle. Head down below to read about our experience! Materials & Aesthetic

Value

The laptop area is improved on the latest models with a velcro strap to help keep the laptop in place when moving fast, or if the bag were to be tipped upside down. But overall the laptop area offers solid protection without being too bulky.