Fast Fire Gear · Mystery Ranch Fire Line
Hotshots / Handcrew Packs
Framed line gear and add-ons for crews who dig, cut and fire all season long. Every Mystery Ranch hand-crew pack is UL certified to NFPA 1977, and each pack comes in a CAL FIRE Spec version. You can get help with sizing and agency quotes from a Southern California fire supplier.
8 items
4 line packs, plus a lid, saw kit, firing bag and reload
NFPA 1977
UL certified, as listed by Mystery Ranch
Spec 1728
CAL FIRE Spec models approved by the CAL FIRE PPE Working Group
XS–XL
Men’s/unisex S–XL · Women’s XS–L
Jump to:
Shop by: Men’s/Unisex · Women’s · CAL FIRE Spec · Accessories. All in Black. List prices from $42 to $445.
The lineup
8 products for hand crews
Shown in the same order as Mystery Ranch’s Hotshots / Handcrew category. The prices are Mystery Ranch list prices. For crew and agency pricing, contact us.
New
Hotshot CF
$395 · CAL FIRE Spec $445
The newest hand-crew pack. It loads from the top under a drawcord shroud and has a full zip into the main compartment.
New
Women’s Hotshot CF
$395 · CAL FIRE Spec $445
The same CF pack, with a harness sized for women in XS to L.
The Brain
$59
A 4.5 L lid with an admin pocket. It’s the stock lid on both Hotshot packs and a quick add-on for Hot Speed and Shift packs.
New
Hotshot
$395 · CAL FIRE Spec $445
The classic panel-loading line pack. A zip-front main compartment opens wide, so you can see everything at a glance.
New
Women’s Hotshot
$395 · CAL FIRE Spec $445
The panel-loading Hotshot, with women’s sizing and a harness curved to ease rubbing.
Saw Kit 2.0
$99
A portable saw shop for sawyers. It mounts on your pack or works on its own.
Go Deep Sling
$140
A firing bag that holds 150 flares, with a shoulder strap that doubles as a bandolier.
Reload
$42
A 100-flare resupply bag that drops into the Go Deep Sling.
Which pack for which job
Match the gear to the assignment
Hotshot & hand crews
Long line days
Hotshot CF. It holds the most and has the newest way in: a top shroud plus a full zip. It’s built to carry heavy line loads day after day.
Prefer panel loading
A proven layout
Hotshot. The zip-front main compartment opens like a suitcase, and it’s a little lighter (6.2 lb listed).
Women’s fit
Sized for women
Women’s Hotshot CF or Women’s Hotshot. The same packs in XS to L, with women’s-specific yoke and belt sizing.
CAL FIRE & contract crews
Spec compliance
The CAL FIRE Spec version of any Hotshot pack. These are approved to CAL FIRE Spec 1728, and the listing says the reservoir is included. They list at $445.
Sawyers & swampers
Saw support
Saw Kit 2.0 plus The Brain. Chains, files and spare parts ride on the lid of your pack, or you can hang the kit up as a stand-alone saw shop.
Firing bosses & lighters
Firing ops
Go Deep Sling plus Reload. Carry 150 flares in the sling and 100 more in each Reload for fast resupply.
Running an engine or IA module instead? Ask us about Mystery Ranch’s lighter Engine / IA packs.
New · Hotshots / Handcrew
Hotshot CF & Women’s Hotshot CF
$395 Base · $445 CAL FIRE Spec · Men’s S–XL · Women’s XS–L
The CF version keeps the Hotshot’s framing but changes how you get into the pack. You can load it from the top under a drawcord shroud, or unzip it fully to reach something at the bottom without unpacking.
- Telescoping Futura yoke with a pre-curved 7075 aluminum stay, plus an HDPE sheet and fiberglass rod frame
- Hot Shelter Case MOLLE included. It can be set up for left- or right-hand deployment and angles away from the body to stop shelter slap
- The Brain lid included
- Low-cut wing pockets for 3 fuel bottles, 3 FSS canteens, or 40–64 oz bottles
- Three hydration sleeves, plus zippered fusee sleeves (3 per side) for helicopter-flight compliance
- Laser-cut PALS front panel, an external detail pocket, and sliplocks for a saw pad and Talk Box
- Listed: 22.5 L (1,375 cu in) · 7.1 lb · 20 × 19.25 × 10 in
New · Hotshots / Handcrew
Hotshot & Women’s Hotshot
$395 Base · $445 CAL FIRE Spec · Men’s S–XL · Women’s XS–L
This is the panel-loading Hotshot. A zip-front main compartment opens wide so you can see your whole load, and you get the same fire-specific frame and belt as the CF.
- Framed: Futura yoke, aluminum stay, and an HDPE and fiberglass body panel feeding into a structured Fire Belt
- Hot Shelter Case MOLLE included, ambidextrous
- Comes with a lid. The current listing names The Brain
- Wing pockets for fuel, canteens or big bottles. External detail pocket for headlamp, flagging and batteries
- Internal hydration sleeve with a hose port
- Fire Belt with 2-inch redirect webbing and PALS
- Listed: 20.8 L Base / 21 L CAL FIRE Spec · 6.2 lb · 19.5 × 12 × 11 in
Lids, saw and firing gear
Build out the system
$59
The Brain
The 4.5 L lid that ships on both Hotshots. It holds batteries, a headlamp, flagging and snacks, with an admin pocket for maps and IAPs. Quick Attach buckles let it clip onto Hot Speed and Shift packs, and it can also serve as a small med kit.
0.5 lb · 5.25 × 8.5 × 8.25 in
$99
Saw Kit 2.0
A tri-fold saw shop made of double-layer 1000D CORDURA®. It has eight pleated tool sleeves, two chain pockets and pockets for spare parts. Ride it on your lid, or hang it from its own strap.
Listed at 2.5 L
$140 · Reload $42
Go Deep Sling + Reload
A dedicated firing bag that carries 150 flares. The removable strap works as a bandolier for 20 more, and one Reload is included. Add extra Reloads (100 flares each) so lighters can resupply in seconds.
Sling: 12.5 L · 1.7 lb · Reload: 6.3 L · 0.4 lb
Compare specs
Side-by-side
| Item | Best for | Volume | Weight | Size (in) | Sizes | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotshot CF | Hand-crew line gear, top and zip access | 22.5 L | 7.1 lb | 20 × 19.25 × 10 | S–XL | $395 / $445 CAL |
| Women’s Hotshot CF | Same, women’s fit | 22.5 L | 7.1 lb | 20 × 19.25 × 10 | XS–L | $395 / $445 CAL |
| The Brain | Lid, admin and small kit | 4.5 L | 0.5 lb | 5.25 × 8.5 × 8.25 | One size | $59 |
| Hotshot | Hand-crew line gear, panel zip | 20.8 L / 21 L CAL | 6.2 lb | 19.5 × 12 × 11 | S–XL | $395 / $445 CAL |
| Women’s Hotshot | Same, women’s fit | 20.8 L / 21 L CAL | 6.2 lb | 19.5 × 12 × 11 | XS–L | $395 / $445 CAL |
| Saw Kit 2.0 | Sawyers and swampers | 2.5 L | See note | See note | One size | $99 |
| Go Deep Sling | Firing operations | 12.5 L | 1.7 lb | 14 × 9.25 × 9 | One size | $140 |
| Reload | Flare resupply | 6.3 L | 0.4 lb | 10.5 × 5 × 6.5 | One size | $42 |
Fit and sizing
Two measurements pick your size
Measure waist circumference just above the top of your hip bones, and torso length from the bony bump at the base of your neck (C7) down to the point on your spine level with your belly button. Have a crewmate do the torso measurement.
Men’s / Unisex
| Size | Torso | Waist |
|---|---|---|
| S | 15–20 in | 26–32 in |
| M | 15–20 in | 31–36 in |
| L | 17–24 in | 35–40 in |
| XL | 17–24 in | 39+ in |
Women’s
| Size | Torso | Waist |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 13–18 in | 26–32 in |
| S | 13–18 in | 31–36 in |
| M | 16–22 in | 35–40 in |
| L | 16–22 in | 39+ in |
From Mystery Ranch’s fitting chart. Between belt sizes? Size down, because the belt has to cinch tight for the hips to carry the load. Pack volume stays the same across sizes. Only the yoke and belt change.
Set the yoke
Dial in torso length in five minutes
01
Belt first
Loosen the shoulder straps. Set the waist belt on your hip bones and cinch it snug.
02
Free the yoke
Pull the web loops on the upper yoke and slide out the adjuster. Use it to break the hook-and-loop bond between the yoke and the pack.
03
Slide to fit
Telescope the yoke until the seam where the shoulder strap meets the yoke sits at the top of your shoulder blade.
04
Lock it in
Put the adjuster back. It’s part of the frame and carries weight to your hips. Then snug up the shoulder straps.
Care and repair
Keep it running season after season
After hard use
- Empty every pocket, turn the pack over and shake out the debris
- Blow out zippers and sliders with compressed air if you have it
- Unstrap the web keepers and clear grit out of the yoke sleeve
Deep clean
- Remove the yoke and loosen or remove the belt
- Use warm water and a soft brush. Mild gear wash such as Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarWash helps on really dirty packs
- Never use a washing machine or dryer. Use hydrogen peroxide on blood stains
- Hang to dry in shade with good airflow, never in direct sun. Re-proof with Nikwax SolarProof
Warranty and repair
- Mystery Ranch covers defects in materials and workmanship for the practical lifetime of the pack
- Wear and tear can be repaired for a fee
- Clean packs before shipping. Dirty packs incur a $25 fee
- Send crew packs after the season. In-shop repairs are currently quoted at several months, so plan ahead
Crew and agency orders
Outfitting a crew or module?
Send us your headcount, size mix and whether you need Base or CAL FIRE Spec. We’ll quote packs, lids, saw kits and firing gear together.
- Call: 424-388-0493
- Email: JonGustafson@FastFireNetwork.com
- Pickup: Local pickup in Thousand Oaks by appointment — contact us to schedule
FAQ
Questions from crew bosses and sawyers
What’s the difference between the Hotshot and the Hotshot CF?
Both are framed hand-crew packs with the same yoke, belt and shelter case. The Hotshot loads through a zip-front panel. The CF adds a drawcord top-load shroud plus a full zip, more hydration sleeves and zippered fusee sleeves, and lists about 1.5 L larger and 0.9 lb heavier.
What does “CAL FIRE Spec” add?
Mystery Ranch lists CAL FIRE Spec models as approved by the CAL FIRE PPE Working Group to CAL FIRE Spec 1728, and the listing says the hydration reservoir is included. They list at $445, compared with $395 for the Base model.
Are these packs NFPA certified?
Mystery Ranch lists the Hotshot packs as UL certified to NFPA 1977. Confirm what your agency or contract requires before you order.
Does a fire shelter come with the pack?
The packs include the Hot Shelter Case MOLLE, which can be set up for either hand. The listings describe the case, not a shelter.
I’m between sizes. Which do I pick?
Size down on the belt. A belt that can’t cinch tight won’t move weight to your hips. If you fall outside the chart, call us and we’ll help you work out the options.
Can I add a saw kit or a med lid?
Yes. The Saw Kit 2.0 mounts on the pack or alongside any Mystery Ranch fire lid, and The Brain clips onto Hot Speed and Shift packs as well as the Hotshots.
How does warranty work?
Mystery Ranch covers defects in materials and workmanship for the practical lifetime of the pack, and repairs damage from wear for a fee. Clean the pack before sending it in.
Do you offer crew, agency or volume pricing?
Yes. Send your quantities and size mix through the contact page, call 424-388-0493 or email JonGustafson@FastFireNetwork.com.
Gear up for the season
Mystery Ranch hand-crew packs, fitted and quoted by a local fire supplier.
Also see: Sundström respiratory guide
Specs and list prices come from Mystery Ranch and may change. Mystery Ranch®, CORDURA® and other marks belong to their owners.