I've owned a H.A.W.G. for a few years now and love it; tough as nails, excellent layout, and a perfect size as a daypack. But after traveling with it over the years, it has proven to be just a tad too small for one-bag travel while flying. I'm a pretty devout minimalist but I struggle to get a week's worth of clothing plus shoes into it and often had to resort to bringing an additional personal item to make sure I had everything I needed. For reference, it's about 20 liters in size. Enter the Sparta: Same build, similar layout, new reservoir, and 10 more liters capacity. Looked like a winner on paper, so I had to give it a go. 10 liters doesn't sound like much, but it makes a huge difference. It easily swallows a week's worth of clothes, toiletries, shower shoes, a rain jacket, and the usual prerequisite tech and sundries. It could easily handle a quick overnighter with my ultralight camping kit. And it hauls groceries with ease. While it's comfortable, I wouldn't overload it as the included hip belt is unpadded and a little thin, otherwise it performs as it should, taking a little weight off your shoulders and keeping the pack from swaying around. It is permanently attached, but it stows away when not in use. The yoke and shoulder straps are a new design this year and I have no complaints so far. It lacks load lifers, but again I think that this pack isn't large enuff to haul such heavy loads that it requires a complicated suspension system. The zips are large #10 ykk with thin sewn in webbing pulls, I usually prefer paracord, but it's an easy swap. There are four pulls on the main compartment allowing for two points of access, making it easier to get into the pack when it's fully loaded. The main compartment has a full clamshell opening, as well, which aids in loading it up. There are loops inside for securing gear as well. The admin pocket is similar to the H.A.W.G. in that it's a dump pocket style with a few pen/marker pockets, a larger pocket that fits a phone or battery bank and a an even larger zipped pocket tucked in the back. I can fit a small first aid kit, some snacks, gloves, a notebook, pens, and a headlamp in there, probably with room for more. There are two thin stash pockets: one on the side that can fit some ear buds, maybe a camera battery, and on the front behind the PALS panel, which could fit a notebook, a map, a passport, or some such thing. The reservoir compartment (aside from the new crux reservoir) can accommodate my 12" laptop in is own sleeve, or potentially a 14" laptop without a sleeve. The zip pulls in the opposite direction from what I'm used to; i.e. it pulls from the bottom up. I imagine this is because the new lumbar reservoir is shorter and doesn't require a full open to get at it. It was somewhat frustrating at first, but I've adapted to it by now, almost a month later. Overall, if you're okay with the cash outlay, and it's not insignificant, I would recommend this pack. It's large enough to be a one-bag carry-on for a minimalist flyer like me, but it's not so bulky as to be too big to be a daypack or a commuter bag. It's built tough, it doesn't attract attention, and it's comfy, happy customer here.
