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Camelbak Sparta 30L Crux Hydration

The Camelbak Sparta 30L makes a great daysack for all conditions [© JG]
The Camelbak Sparta 30L Crux Hydration combination gives a useful 30-litre capacity daysack incorporating a 3-litre (100oz US) hydration bladder/reservoir, writes Mike Gormley.

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The Sparta 30L day pack in MultiCam is packed full of features. There are plenty of places to put ‘stuff’ so you can get life on the move organised and not be hunting around in the bottom of the rucksack for those small items. If appropriate this could be your mobile office too.

As expected from Camelbak there is a 3-litre (100oz in US parlance) hydration bladder, or reservoir in ‘US English’, in this case a Crux Lumbar (not a Lowrider as originally stated) model, which has its own top-zipped compartment and is accessed from the outside to enable refilling without having to go into the main storage space. There is plenty of space in the main compartment but if a bladder is not needed its padded compartment can be used for additional stowage, such as for say an 11” laptop, if needs be. When the bladder is carried its drink tube can be routed left or right side, as well as over or under shoulder to suit every user need with four access holes. Talking of access, there are two top-mounted antenna ports suitably covered and protected to prevent water/sand/snow ingress.

A twin double action zip gives full clamshell opening or alternatively the main compartment can be accessed just from the sides [©MG]

The Sparta is made from a very robust 500D Double-rip Cordura fabric so should not succumb to rough and rugged use. The overall design is ‘clamshell’ so can be unzipped and fully opened to enable ease of access to all items as required. There are dual zips on to enable part opening at the sides if required. The Sparta has adequate fixing points with a laser cut PALS/MOLLE system on outer face, though no pouch attachment slots on the sides. There is also a rudimentary, stowable, waistbelt for those who need it. Dimensions are 500x310x280mm and empty pack weight is a little over 1.75kg.

Opened like a clamshell to reveal main compartment – note mesh valuables pocket behind lid – 3-litre Crux bladder/reservoir fits in a zipped externally accessed pouch behind the padding [©MG]

Adjustable compression straps are provided to keep the whole pack compact according to the load being carried. There are a number of small zipped pockets in the secondary compartment and under the main compartment lid, plus a zipped externally accessed bellows pocket on one side and a map-sized side-accessed pocket on the secondary compartment’s outside face for those small items you need to get to; Munchy Bars spring to mind!

Secondary zipped compartment on the front has zipped mesh pouches and an organiser panel [©MG]

Everything about the Sparta is robust and practical, making it a long-lasting and highly useable day pack. A black version is also produced for those who need a less military appearance.

[images © Mike or Jean Gormley]

The back panel has a side-zipped map-sized compartment – note also laser-cut Pouch Attachment Ladder system [©MG]
There is a handy internal bellows pocket with external zip on one side of the main compartment [©MG]
The all important hydration system – note large screwed cap for ease of filling and cleaning, also the handle to aid such operations – the hose is bayonet fitted so easily removed [©MG]
The hydration tube mouthpiece is well protected against dirt and is fitted with a tap [©MG]
There are protected antenna access points on both sides for those who need to carry military comms [©MG]

Footnote: Our sample was supplied direct from the distributors but our friends at UK Tactical often hold stocks of this one. Check the product code CBAK-1732901000-MC on their website for current availability or an email update.

[images © Mike or Jean Gormley]

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