Patrik Orcutt 11.19.25
When YETI announced the Ranchero 22 L Backpack earlier this year, I was immediately intrigued. As someone who’s long appreciated the bombproof build and no-nonsense design of YETI’s coolers and drinkware and who also spent plenty of time using Mystery Ranch packs like the Urban Assault 24, I couldn’t wait to see what happened when these two worlds collided. YETI’s 2024 acquisition of Mystery Ranch had hinted that something special was coming, and after months of daily use, travel, and outdoor testing, I can say the YETI Ranchero 22L lives up to that promise. It’s not perfect, but it’s one of the most impressively executed everyday carry packs I’ve used to date.
Backpack Coverage on AllOutdoor
The YETI Ranchero 22L Backpack was provided by YETI for this review, and while I am allowed to keep this pack after the conclusion of this review, it will not affect my current or future opinions of any of YETI’s products. YETI has not been allowed to preview this article prior to its publication.
Design – Mystery Ranch Heritage Meets YETI’s Industrial Toughness
The Ranchero immediately reminds me of the Mystery Ranch UA24, most notably because of its Y-shaped RipZip (or Tri-Zip) opening. It’s a design that never gets old. Unzip just the top to grab a notebook, or pull all three zippers down to fully expose the main compartment. For someone like me—constantly shuffling between airports, hotel lobbies, and camera shoots, I love versatility in my gear. With this design I can reach my charger or headphones buried at the bottom of the pack without dumping everything out on the floor.
The RipZip mechanism on the Ranchero feels a little stiffer than the Mystery Ranch original, but that’s a trade-off that makes sense. YETI added PU-coated weather-resistant zippers, which keep moisture at bay when caught in rain or snow. The extra resistance also gives the zippers a reassuring, sealed feel. It’s clear YETI wanted this bag to survive real-world abuse, not just look the part, in my opinion.
Where the Ranchero separates itself is in material choice and structure. The pack’s TuffSkin™ 700D Nylon exterior and 840D nylon base are both coated for water resistance, and they feel almost overbuilt and stiffer and more structured than the UA24’s 500D Cordura. That extra rigidity helps the bag maintain its shape and stand upright on its own, thanks to YETI’s GroundControl™ Base. It’s a seemingly small detail that makes a huge difference when I’m setting it down beside me at an airport or while shooting photos outdoors. No more collapsing packs and I love that!
The aesthetic lands squarely between outdoor utility and urban minimalism, and I love that! It’s not flashy, it’s practical, with clean lines and subtle branding. YETI resisted the urge to slap giant logos everywhere (well, almost), and the result is a backpack that looks as natural at a client meeting as it does on a trailhead.
Durability and Weather Resistance – YETI Ranchero 22L Backpack
I’ve tossed this thing everywhere from wet sidewalks, river trips, and lots of dusty trails and truck beds, and it keeps looking new. The TPU-coated bottom panel is particularly impressive. Unlike many packs that soak up grime, the Ranchero wipes clean with a damp cloth. On one rainy day hike, I used it without a cover, and everything inside stayed bone dry. It doesn’t claim to be waterproof, but it’s about as close as you’ll get in an everyday-carry design.
The seams and stitching are tight, and the hardware (buckles, pulls, and webbing) feels over-spec’d in the best way. If anything, the materials might be too rigid at first; the pack took a couple of weeks to soften up enough to feel fully broken in.
Organization – YETI Ranchero 22L Backpack
Inside, the Ranchero 22L borrows Mystery Ranch’s minimalist layout. There’s a padded laptop sleeve that fits my 15-inch MacBook perfectly, two small mesh pockets, and a larger zippered compartment for accessories. It’s not overloaded with pockets like on some more tech-focused bags, which I appreciate. I don’t want to memorize where 20 compartments are. I want a logical, usable space, and you get that here.
That said, YETI did tweak the formula. The Ranchero adds more internal pockets than the UA24, which can be a mixed blessing. On days when I pack light—just my laptop, camera, and a jacket—the internal dividers help keep everything sorted. But when the bag is fully loaded, the added fabric layers can make the interior feel tighter than expected. It’s one of the few places where simplicity might’ve been better.
The stretch-woven side pockets are classic Mystery Ranch, perfect for water bottles or tripods. I appreciate that YETI sized them generously they hold my 36-oz Rambler without a fight. There’s also a luggage pass-through strap on the back panel, a brilliant addition that Mystery Ranch never included. For someone who travels often, being able to slide the Ranchero over a rolling suitcase handle saves serious hassle in crowded terminals.
Comfort and Carry Experience – YETI Ranchero 22L Backpack
The Ranchero’s ergonomic shoulder straps immediately stood out. They’re thickly padded, slightly curved, and wide enough to distribute weight evenly across my shoulders. The padding is dense rather than spongy, which helps during long carries. I’ve loaded the pack with about 30 pounds of camera gear, laptop, chargers, and a change of clothes, and it still felt pretty comfortable.
The back panel features a debossed YETI logo and moderate airflow channels. It’s less breathable than the mesh-covered panels found on hiking packs, but for an everyday backpack, it’s fine. If you’re trekking in tropical heat, you’ll notice a lot of back sweat, but that’s true of almost every pack in this category.
The pack’s 22-liter capacity hits a sweet spot for daily use. It’s big enough for work essentials and a gym outfit, yet compact enough to fit under an airplane seat. YETI clearly designed this for people who live on the move, like commuters, travelers, photographers, or anyone who wants one bag that can handle almost everything pretty well.
Performance in Daily Life – YETI Ranchero 22L Backpack
Over months of use, the Ranchero 22 L has proven itself versatile. It’s my go-to for day trips and short flights, but I’ve also used it on weekend hikes and photography shoots. The self-standing design makes packing easier, and the Tri-Zip opening remains one of the most practical access systems I’ve ever used. No matter how full it is, I can always find what I need quickly.
A Note on Value – YETI Ranchero 22L Backpack
At around $250, the Ranchero 22 L sits in premium territory, competing with brands like Peak Design, Bellroy, and even Mystery Ranch itself. Yet it justifies that price through its build quality and hybrid design philosophy. You’re essentially getting the best of two respected brands: YETI’s indestructible construction and Mystery Ranch’s proven ergonomics. Considering the longevity of YETI products I already own, I have no doubt this backpack will outlast most others on the market.
Final Thoughts – YETI Ranchero 22L Backpack
The YETI Ranchero 22 L Backpack is more than just another everyday carry bag; it’s a statement of what YETI can do with the Mystery Ranch Brand. It takes the accessibility and field-tested DNA of Mystery Ranch and wraps it in YETI’s overbuilt, weather-resistant shell. The result is a pack that surprised me. It’s not without flaws, the zippers can be stiff, and the organization slightly over-designed—but those quirks are easy to forgive when you consider how well it performs day after day. I’ve come to trust it completely, whether I’m racing through a terminal or dropping it on a wet campsite bench. It’s that rare backpack that feels tough enough for adventure yet refined enough for everyday life. If YETI’s goal was to prove it could take the Mystery Ranch Brand and use it appropriately, I think this is a shining example of that proof.
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