Two years ago, Yeti acquired Mystery Ranch, utilizing the latter’s expertise to create their own line of everyday backpacks. This time around, they’re looking to get in with the outdoor crowd in the form of a new hiking pack called the Yeti Skala.
If you’re familiar with Mystery Ranch, then you probably know about their signature RipZip, a three-way zipper that enables easy access to the main compartment so you never have to spend time digging through a pile of gear. Well, that makes its way into this backpack, allowing you to easily pack and unpack any item inside, even those lodged at the bottom of the main compartment.
The Yeti Skala is a hiking backpack that features the Ripzip opening out front, allowing you much faster access to your gear compared to traditional backpack closures. It’s the second Yeti bag to include the design, coming in the heels of the Ranchero bag from last year. The pack comes with a lightweight aluminum frame, providing the necessary structural support to handle the weight of all the gear you plan on taking to the backcountry while helping maintan its shape the entire time, along with load lifters to help hold up the straps for those moments you need an extra boost to carry it comfortably.
The shell is cut in Guardcore Nylon, a durable and weather-resistant material that should hold up to the rugged requirements of the trail. Around the back, it gets a vented mesh back panel so air can pass through between the pack and your back, while contoured straps allow you to carry all that weight without straining your shoulders. The pack’s sternum strap allows for micro-adjustments to accommodate different torso sizes, ensuring it wears comfortably for tall, short, wide, and narrow bodies alike. According to the outfit, dialing in these tiny adjustments will ensure a balanced fit while passing through the most uneven terrains.
The Yeti Skala also comes with a hip belt for even more stabilization options when things get really heavy, as well as numerous internal and external pockets for organizing any tech gadgets or small outdoor gear you’re bringing along. There’s also a yoke adjuster that lets you move it up or down to align the seam perfectly to your shoulder blades for a custom-feeling fit. If you haven’t done it before, adjusting the yoke can be tricky, although they do provide step-by-step instructions on the product page. From what we remember, Mystery Ranch also has videos about yoke adjustment on their YouTube, which should be useful, since Yeti is, basically, using the same adjustment options as the MR bags of old.
The backpack comes in four size: 32L, 40L, 50L, and 60L. According to the outfit, the 32L and 40L should be ideal for day trips and short excursions, while the larger ones should be the ones to get if you plan on doing multi-day and multi-week hikes. Each one, by the way, has different fits for men and women, should make sure to check the different options to ensure you get the most suitable design.
The Yeti Skala is currently available in a few select colorways. Price starts at $300.
