Matador x Carryology Redeye 24

Introducing the Matador x Carryology Redeye 24…

The first-ever collaboration of its kind — for both Matador and Carryology.

Back in 2023, we had the idea to create a video series dedicated to the challenge of making. We’d put the world’s best makers to the test: one mystery box, 24 hours, and a single mission — create a unique prototype from scratch. We’d film the entire process, from the first moments of unboxing to the final, stressful push to cross the finish line as the clock ticked down to zero.

Now, we’re on our fourth episode, with several more on the way.

But something special happened during our third episode. We traveled to Boulder, Colorado, to visit our friends at Matador. Sam Goodhue, Matador’s lead soft goods designer, received his package of Fidlock hardware goodness — and immediately began ideating, refining, patterning, cutting, and sewing.

The episode ran like any other: the race to finish, the high-energy creative flow, and that big, satisfying reveal at the end. Every MMB episode produces something incredible — a testament to the minds behind the work. But this particular one? Sam’s prototype hit differently. It got both us and the Matador team genuinely excited.

So we decided to do something a little wild. We’d bring Sam’s vision to life — officially — through a collaboration launch.

Of course, while the prototype was outstanding, it still needed refinement. After months of in-house adjustments, we realized one final ingredient was missing: you.

We turned to our community and asked what changes would make this pack even better. Dozens of thoughtful ideas poured in, each one discussed and considered across multiple design meetings. With your feedback, more prototyping, and a few final tweaks, the design was ready.

The result: the very first of its kind — a collaboration born from Sam Goodhue’s imagination on our Makers Mystery Box series, refined and perfected by you.

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Update:

Matador x Carryology Redeye 24 Black Colorway available

Early bird pricing (SOLD OUT)

Red colorway (SOLD OUT)

DESIGN BREAKDOWN

24 LITERS

The sweet spot of volume for EDC and even light travel. We adjusted the original sample’s dimensions to make it even more useful, while not getting too large so it would still fit on all size frames.

HYBRID CLAMSHELL

A classic clamshell opening provides plenty of access for all your gear, but the limiter panels on both sides prevent your stuff from spilling out onto the floor. Plus, there’s a divider (with zippered organization) to separate the compartment into two major areas to keep your stuff tidy.

3-WAY CARRY

Sam’s experience and expertise really shined through when he created the first prototype in 24 hours. An innovative strap system allows you to carry the pack in a variety of different methods. 1. Two shoulder straps for backpack mode. 2. Remove one of the backpack shoulder straps and rig the other strap diagonally across the back panel to carry it in sling mode, across your back. 3. Rock it over one shoulder in duffel mode.

MAGNETS

This innovative modular carry system was able to be realized thanks to Fidlock’s incredible hardware offerings. Specifically the ingenious Snap hardware. This lays totally flat when installed, but has an internal “pin” that rises via magnets to securely hold the strap onto its pivot. So it disappears when not in use, but it’s immediately ready for action when you hover the other half of the Fidlock part above it, feeling a bit like magic to be honest.

LAY-FLAT BOTTLE POCKETS

Hidden along the rear backpanel and side seams, two zippered pockets reveal two (one one each side) bottle pockets. Accessible via the technical and clever Systemmag magnetic g-zips, these pockets are constructed from a stretch mesh, these expand and billow out to swallow up your favorite full sized hydration vessels. Super clean and sleep whether filled or empty.

LIMITED EDITION PATCH

Playing on the sleeplessness of 24 hours of the Makers Mystery Box challenge. The art direction was inspired by Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven”. Designed and illustrated by Matador’s Industrial Designer Kevin Wruble. One is all black monochrome with a red eye and the other is all red to match the limited red colorway.

COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

Not only did Matador and Carryology refine Sam’s original prototype over several more samples, we actually asked the community for feedback of ways to improve the concept, tailor making this for you. Started as a Makers Mystery Box challenge, we all loved the result, so much that it unexpectedly shifted into a collaboration, and then had the community provide their expertise to improve it even further? Sounds like a receipt for a win to us.

So the key feedback we took on board was to modify the secondary main zip access to a dedicated swing under pocket and move it to same side as the Fidlock hardware for access in duffel mode, increase the overall height by an inch or two, add a stiffening frame, include a loop panel inside for patch, create a 2nd “chase” colorway in specialty fabric, incorporate some type of camo pattern as a nod to the original design, adding in a simple laptop sleeve, Hypalon details across shoulder straps, and sneak in a hidden AirTag pocket.

ORGANIZATION REFINEMENT

While the original concept was 70% there, we spent a whole lot of time using the bag, making notes, taking measurements, and then repatterining…. on the inside. We experimented with different pocketing and organization layouts to perfect the end user experience. Pockets where you want them, that don’t overlap others and get in the way of your access. This may seem trivial, but all these hidden tweaks really help the real world usability.

YKK ZIPPERS

Attached to all the YKK zipper coils throughout, you’ll spot silicone-dipped zipper pullers which allow for a nice slip-free grip when accessing your stuff. Plus, we color coded the main compartment with the signature red project colorway to make it easily identifiable in dark or tight spaces. You’ll find the same silicone dipped ends on the webbing tabs located on the shoulder strap adjustment buckles too.

CUSTOM CAMO

The community asked for this. While camouflage can be polarizing, we saw several comments asking to include some type of camo for the pack (exterior or interior), but to keep it classy. Well, easier said than done. Too much camo can get pretty intense pretty quickly. So we created our very own camo, with just a dash of red. Of course on the red colorway, added it to the exterior to match its bold aesthetic.

420D OXFORD NYLON

We’re talking about a mid-weight workhorse fabric here. That “420D” refers to denier—the unit measuring fiber thickness. At 420, you’re in the sweet spot: robust enough to handle daily abuse without crossing into truck-tarp territory. The oxford weave (that classic basketweave pattern) gives you a textured surface with enhanced tear resistance compared to plain weaves.

It also has a polyurethane coating. Applied to the fabric’s reverse side, this creates a waterproof barrier. PU coatings are lighter and more flexible than their PVC cousins, keeping your pack supple rather than stiff as cardboard.

On top of that, the nylon also has a washed treatment. It breaks down the fabric’s initial stiffness, giving it a slight vintage aesthetic right out of the gate. The surface gets softer, slightly matte, with subtle texture variations.