Spartanology | Cerberus
KEY ATTRIBUTES
- Fidlock magnetic V-buckles on main closure and chest strap
- Floating padded computer sleeve with tablet sleeve and additional stretchy mesh pockets (built for things like mice and AC bricks)
- The Stowable stick-it has double daisy chains and uses aluminum hooks for upper attachment tucks into zippered pocket in the bottom
- Mystery Ranch x Carryology limited edition moral patch
- Deep-dish lip pocket with additional stretchy mesh pockets.
FEATURES
- Adjustable Futura Yoke
- Zippered Back Pocket
- Stretch woven side water bottle pockets
- Zippered inner side mesh pockets
- Internal stretchy mesh side pockets and loops to hang hydration reservoir
- Dual hydro ports
- Full-length plastic frame sheet
- Velcro on top of lid for additional moral needs
SPECS
- Weight: 1.3 kg
- Volume: 16L
- Dimensions: 48x27x22cm
- Frame System: Futura Frame
- Harnessing Style: Framed
MATERIALS
- VX50 500D CORDURA®️
- YKK® zippers
- Hypalon Zipper Pull
Third Piece to Complete the Triptych
First in the series was the MR x Carryology Assault (codename: Unicorn). Then the MR x Carryology No Escape (codename: Dragon) followed. Both releases were cult packs resurrected from the archives. Both sold out in minutes.
Now, the Spartanology (codename: Cerberus) will be the final piece to complete the triptych.
Redefined for Everyday
The magic of the original Spartan was its size and versatility. Its 16L (1000cu/in) volume attached to the comfortable and adjustable Futura yoke harness system, complete access to the main compartment, and exterior customization options made it a crossover for civilian use, specifically for everyday carry. But it wasn’t perfect for everyday, trade-offs still had to be made… until now.
The two words we circled on the board: ‘clean’ and ‘urban ready’. That would be our goal.
First move, to reduce the exterior PALS, refining the exterior look, making the pack less military and more urban, more street.
Quick-Access, Times Two
To counter, we added two new quick-access pockets to the exterior. A front zippered accessory pocket on the bottom side of the front panel. Perfectly sized for whatever item you don’t want in your hand.
The second, a ‘deep dish’ quick-access pocket lives on the top brain, just behind the loop Velcro morale panel. Within this pocket, we designed in two stretch mesh pockets for organization of your EDC items.
Both of these exterior pockets utilize YKK’s water-resistant AquaGuard zippers in size #5, to keep your small essentials dry and safe.
Cleaner Aesthetics
In keeping with refining the exterior, we moved to webbing interactions. On the sternum strap and main compartment closure we added strap keepers to make the pack cleaner and dangle-free in places that draw the eye.
Diving inside, we built in a suspended 16" laptop sleeve, and admin panel for small notepads and tablets, so your tech stays safe, snug, and organized.
Hidden Stick-It for Exterior Carry
Like the Dragon, the hidden Stick-It beavertail (via zippered pocket at the bottom) had to be included to bump carrying and customization options to the next level.
The Stick-It deploys up and attaches via the Hypalon loops and aerospace aluminum G-hooks made by Trimmers, blacked out, of course. This provides additional storage, for one. But on the exterior of the Stick-It, there’s two columns of ‘daisy chain’ webbing, so the end user can lash accessories (like additional Velcro field) as well.
Magnets, Everywhere
The original Spartan uses a plastic ITW side lock buckle, so you know we had to upgrade. We opted for a 25mm Fidlock V-Buckle with pull tab on both the main closure and sternum strap. Designed by engineers in Germany for one-hand operation, it makes it a breeze for cinching down, expanding, opening, and closing.
Not stopping there, we moved to ‘the mouth’ of the main compartment. The original Spartan uses Velcro to keep the mouth shut, which allows long items (the barrel of a soldier’s rifle, for example), to poke up through, while remaining closed.
Velcro is awesome, don’t get me wrong, but can be noisy and distracting when closing and opening a main closure, so we switched in magnets for a quieter, more technical result.
Bomber and Weatherproof
To make this project special, we looked to the sailcloth master at Dimension Polyant and pulled their X-Pac X50 sailcloth fabric.
It features a DWR-coated Cordura 500D nylon, laminated with a custom 840D polyester X-PLY at 22° and 0.5 mil shiny polyester film backing. This makes the fabric waterproof, strong, durable, allows the pack to maintain its structure, and makes for an aesthetic plus with a killer X-ply grid showcased on the internal panels. X-ply for X-Factor. Win!
Compact and Expandable
The Spartan expands via its unique quick-access main compartment. Two features in one. The front flap cinches down with a buckle on the vertical webbing to tighten things up and if you want to add a few more liters, just loosen the webbing and the “mouth” will stick upright and expand for you.
Easy-to-Grab, No Click Pullers
Like the previous two collaborations, all the exterior zipper pullers are made from paracord with heat shrink wrapped ends. Easy to grab when wet or with gloves or whatever other situations life throws at you. Plus, they’re silent (no jingle jangle) and have a clean, classic look.
Futura Harness
What really makes the OG Spartan unique is the fact that it is Mystery Ranch’s smallest assault pack ever made using the legendarily comfortable and adjustable Futura harness. Some speculated that we’d opt for the fixed harness suspension on this, which is still a great system. But nope. We went with the real deal Futura Yoke. Comfortable all day and every day, and customizable in height to suit many different users, no matter where or what you get up to.
Get Active Hydration
When using this small and nimble daypack, hydration is key for quick missions or day trips. Side water bottle pockets make sense on packs like this, so you don’t steal volume from the interior. So we included two on each Spartanology, both made from a durable and secure stretch nylon. They disappear flat when not in use, but eat up large size bottles (tested with 24oz and 32oz, no problem).
Inside, there’s also two toggles to hang a water bladder with a hydration hose pass through on each side. Laptop-ready everyday pack? Check. Hydration-compatible hiking pack? Check.
All Access, All the Time
Keeping the classic silhouette, the Spartanology nails the same awesome access as its predecessor with complete access to the main compartment via two #8 reverse coil YKK zippers, chosen for smooth gripping and ripping.
Add in the two external quick-access pockets and the Stick-It and your access to your gear is plentiful and awesome.
