Well, the guys at Spartan Carton surprised me again. They sent me a second box to review. If you read my first article you’ll know that originally I wasn’t a fan of carton clubs because I felt they were gimmicky however the Spartan Carton appears to actually include items that are useful whether you are a full time athlete or not. You’ve seen them all over Instagram: Spartan Carton, BattlBox, Crate Club et al. I enjoyed using the contents from the first shipment. So, what was in the second?

This particular box is called the Battle XVIII and includes a lot of the tasty treats that you might enjoy. There are protein bars, proteins cookies, and usually some good caffeine products. If you like energy supplements or hydration related goodies you’ll find those too.

Spartan Carton works on the same premise that other carton clubs do. The thinking behind these subscriptions clubs is the subscriber is given items carefully selected by a subject matter expert. In the case of Spartan Carton their selection of goods includes supplements, fitness gear, and snacks of various assortments. How does Spartan Carton work? You pick your box option, wait for the item to ship as the next billing cycle begins, and then you receive the handpicked items. They deliver the goods right to your door.

Let’s get a recap. They offer 2 options: The Citizen Box and the Warrior Box. The Citizen Box includes at least 3 supplements, 3 snacks and outdoor/workout gear for a $25.00 a month subscription. The Warrior Box is $99.00 a month and includes higher end fitness and outdoor gear. Some of those items may be resistance bands, suspension straps, Everyday Carry Items (EDC) etc. The Warrior Box is something I believe most fitness minded subscribers would be interested in purchasing.

What did my box include? Energy Gel that provides quick energy to athletes while racing and training. I got some Angry Mills Chocolate Chaos Spread Packet- Caffeinated that was incredible and was a good blend of whey protein isolate with almonds, and some other cool treats. The Bite Fuel cookies uses 18g of Protein per bar and it’s a Hormone Free Whey Protein, Non GMO, Gluten Free, with No Preservatives, No Trans Fat and Low Cholesterol. It also had some Goviter caffeinated energy mints. I did not try those out yet.

While I enjoyed the treats I thoroughly enjoyed using the SKLZ weighted vest. The vest fits anyone very well. It can be adjusted to your shape regardless of how tall or wide you are in most cases and it remains comfortable and won’t slide around. The weights are inserted into fabric sleeves and once the sleeve top and bottom is pulled over the weights none of it will jostle.

It includes (20) 0.5 lb flexible weights. It would have been great to have something that was closer to the 20 lb range but for the $90.00 value this is a good purchase. The weighted vest will enhance any workout. It is easy to clean and I’m pleased that it came in a muted color. If you can, wear a jacket or sweatshirt with this at work, and it will remain unnoticeable. It will stick out from the chest if you are solely using a t-shirt.

• Reinforced nylon and mesh design for maximum breathability
• Soft bound edges for extra comfort
• Velcro belt adjusts to fit most athletes
• Stretch pockets allow for quick removal/addition of weights
• Includes (20) 0.5 lb flexible weights- 10 lbs total

The Bastion Bottle Opener was an interesting inclusion. Great item for my wife, son or even myself. You deploy this Every Day Carry (EDC) item quickly by simply inserting your finger into the hole of the product and clasping it into your fist. This item will break glass, and likely someone’s face. The packaging was very cool. Would I use it? Probably not. I would find a rock or belt buckle but I can definitely see the benefits of having something handy like this seated on my belt. Time will tell!

• SUS304 Body
• Sits comfortably on a belt
• Glass breaker carbide tip
• Built-in bottle opener
• Brushed finish
• Comes in a gift box

The box also includes information cards. On the front side of a card you’ll see a What’s In the Box Description card and it lists the items. The rear of the card has recipes for the month. One of the cards depicted the gear in photographs and listed a hyperlink where you can find complete training and instructional videos on how to use them. You are also provided a workout routine. You too get a coupon card with a promo code. Not bad!

Here’s my final opinion: I’ve looked further into their line-up of boxes and I’ve come away with a change of mind. I’ve been doing physical training for 40 years and I’ve seen lots of products come and go. I also PT 5 to 6 days a week and I like brands that help athletes exercise and recover. Good concept and good execution. Every item is something that is useful in one capacity or another. Give em a try. Nice variety of products.

• Cost 5/5 About expected for this concept
• Comfort 5/5
• Durability 5/5 Good quality gear
• Functionality 5/5
• Weight 4/5 Would have liked a heavier vest.
• Overall Rating 24/25

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Material Disclosure

I received this product as a courtesy from the manufacturer via Spotter Up so I could test it and give my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give this product a good review. All opinions are my own and are based off my personal experience with the product.

*The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Spotter Up Magazine, the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.

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