Mission Workshop x Carryology | Mars 2.0 Prime Meridian Exclusive Release

We’ve refilled the boosters with rocket fuel and packed the cargo hull with ULTRA fabric for this year’s intergalactic supply mission. Launching the Mission Workshop x Carryology Mars Project ‘Prime Meridian’ Backpack!

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After the cheers and celebration had subsided at Mission Control following the success of the Mars Project 1.0, our community began receiving their packs, posting photos, and sharing stories of their adventures. And with all those positive vibes we almost left orbit! So much so that a few months later, once the space dust had settled, our friends at Mission Workshop dropped us a line.

We both wanted more of this incredible story—one inspired by the packs NASA commissioned for their Mars mission testing.

Well, Bart and Mark came to us with an idea that would ignite the rockets all over again. They’d been working on a special new project—a first for Mission Workshop—and they wanted our help to develop it.

And take it to Mars.

The question was posed: while the Mars Project 1.0 backpack shared part of its DNA and form factor with the BASALT EVIB packs that NASA had Mission Workshop create for some of the harshest environments on Earth (an effort to simulate the landscapes of Mars)… what if we refocused our telescopes, recalibrated our instruments, and set out to create something best suited for us terrestrial beings here on Planet Earth?

That was the new mission.

So together we created the very first clamshell pack in Mission Workshop’s entire history. That’s right—it’s the very first. When you think of Mission Workshop, you normally think of a rolltop silhouette, as their history is deeply entrenched with bicycle messengers. So while it may seem like a simple undertaking, it’s quite the shake-up. We wanted a more familiar product style and easier access overall, but it couldn’t just be “another clamshell.” It had to be inspired by the Mars Project but also be its own unique execution. So we went into the lab and started patterning.

FORM + ACCESS

As mentioned, this is the first clamshell pack commercially released by Mission Workshop—but it’s the culmination of many years of research. This pack is evolved in both form and utility. It boasts three main compartments: a front admin panel, a main compartment, and a dedicated rear laptop protection zone.

Shaped like a soft-edged tombstone, this pack has a silhouette that blends into a variety of scenarios. Add the booster packs (more on those below), and it takes on a space-age feel—reminiscent of your very own jetpack.

QUICK-DRAW ACCESS POCKETS

On the very front, you’ll see two vertical zippers. Yep, we added not one, but two quick-access pockets here. Both fully overlap each other, offering two different full-sized storage areas. Inside each of these full-length zippered pockets (with 45º Hypalon zipper garages at the top), you’ll find an angled stretch-woven fabric pocket. This lets you neatly store accessories without them falling out and creating chaos when you unzip. Best of all, the angled design allows you to reach in and grab your items with one ergonomic motion.

ADMIN

You’ll find a front admin organizer pocket with four accessory pockets in total, plus a drop-catch pocket via a “90% clamshell termination” at the bottom—so you can simply drop items in and they won’t spill out when unzipped. There’s also a key lanyard with an orange carabiner for your keys or other accessories.

MAIN

Next up: the cavernous main compartment via full clamshell. This rounds the pack out to a sweet-spot size of [update] 26 liters—perfect for everyday carry and light travel. There’s a stretch-woven drop pocket on the interior back wall for bulkier items or thin items like a tablet. You’ll also find a Velcro loop panel at the top of that wall for morale patches or a Velcro-backed accessory pouch.

LAPTOP

The dedicated rear laptop compartment is ultra-protective, thanks to thick padding faced with a luxuriously soft microfiber. There’s an additional sleeve in front for a tablet. And yes, both tech pockets are suspended.

BUILD

Mission Workshop has a long track record of making incredibly tough products—and this one is no different. Trusted by bicycle messengers around the world and by NASA for astronauts outside this world, these guys know how to build for hard use. Like the rest of Mission Workshop’s carry line, this pack is made right here in the USA.

EXTERIOR FABRIC

To match perfectly with the MARS PROJECT 1.0 pack, we used the same super-lightweight and insanely strong Challenge Sailcloth ULTRA X fabric on the exterior—a space-age revelation of a fabric born from science and experience.

The fiber is made from one of the strongest materials on Earth—ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)—which is then woven into a 400-denier fabric. From there, Challenge laminates a Black 45° Ultra CrossPly yarn to the back of the face fabric for bias stability and tear strength. Finally, it’s sealed with a 0.25 mil PET film for a fully waterproof barrier.

This fabric passed (and surpassed) all our tests.

In our humble opinion, there was no other choice for these Mars Project backpacks than the same fabric NASA used for the BASALT EVIB packs. ULTRA 400X is just too damn incredible. If it passes NASA’s rigorous tests for otherworldly exploration, it’ll be light-years ahead of anything else we could dream up. ULTRA 400X it is.

And just like Mars Project 1.0, there will be a White Lightning colorway in limited quantities—for those who prefer to stand out rather than blend in.

LINER

With all the detail going into these packs, the interior fabrics had to match. So, just like version 1.0, we used the waterproof and durable ECOPAK EPX70RS liner:

• Dark Gray ECOPAK EPX70RS for the Black Magic packs
• Bright White ECOPAK EPX70RS for the White Lightning packs

ZIPPERS

We’re using YKK AquaGuard zippers—but not just any AquaGuards. These are the holy grail: the rarely used (and expensive) USA-made variant, most commonly found on high-end Berry-compliant military packs. They have a matte finish and a buttery-smooth glide. And for a little visual pop, we added the same black and orange reflective paracord pullers for extra grip (gloved or not).

SUSPENSION

For comfort and breathability, we chose ventilated foam on the shoulder harness and back panel, wrapped in Ariaprene hexagon mesh (the same used on the Hauser and Speedwell packs). Black packs get orange ventilated foam—striking when off the back, subtle when worn. White Lightning packs get black foam for full monochrome, Stormtrooper vibes.

Each pack includes a sternum strap with eight laser-cut holes for custom fit, plus two Hypalon lash tabs at the top of each strap for additional accessories. And hidden behind the ventilated mesh back panel? A trolley passthrough—perfect for your airport shuttle runs.

EXTERIOR EXPANSION

There are two hidden mounting points on the lower sides of the pack—subtle but powerful. This patent-pending modular attachment system was developed with Landspeeder® Systems and allows for secure, interchangeable add-ons.

Two different rocket booster pouches (thin and regular) are available in ULTRA 400X Black Magic or White Lightning, built to attach seamlessly to this system.

Want to go ultra-minimalist? Just pull the hidden tab to release the Velcro and remove them. They can then be used internally as organizer pouches for your EDC and tech.

HYPALON BRANDING

We like to keep the branding subtle. So we used two small Hypalon labels, laser-engraved with the Mission Workshop and Carryology logos—one centered low on the front face, and another on the shoulder strap.

SHIPPING

Shipping Globally 

Note, orders start shipping June 5th.

No discounts can be applied.

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