If you peruse this relatively new site you will undoubtedly notice that GORUCK dominates the content here thus far. This isn’t intentional and I don’t intend this to be a GORUCK specific site, but the company is producing an incredible number of interesting products right now that are right up my alley, so there’s a lot to talk about at the moment.

In mid-2023 some interesting photos popped up on Facebook from a prototype bag on display at Sandlot Jax, a GORUCK fitness event in Florida, depicting what appeared to be a really nice adaptation of the Bullet. The Bullet is positioned as a light daypack, mostly sold in a 15L 500d configuration with no frame sheet, more recently in a 16L configuration with a frame sheet and laptop compartment, and some more rare 10L versions and I believe a very rare two compartment version from the early days as well. This prototype however appeared to be a GR2 style adaption of the Bullet. It had the laptop compartment like a 16L Bullet, appeared to be 500d cordura, and a full extra front clamshell compartment with a built in field pocket.

In late 2023 the pack became a reality, the 18L Bullet arrived in Robic ripstop nylon (now found in a lot of GORUCK products from the kit bag to the M23 all the way up to the GR1). I ordered one immediately.

This design has becoming very popular in bag nerd circles and for good reason, it’s a terrific blend of all kinds of the best things GORUCK produces in one package, there’s almost nothing but positive things that can be said about this it.

Most Bullet’s are manufactured in Vietnam, which means it’s considerably cheaper than the MiUSA GR1s and GR2s (though still quite expensive), and less prone to manufacturing oddities. The stiff framesheet and lumbar pad appear to be consistent with the Bullet 16L. Straps are very well padded (more so than the 15L classic Bullet) but thinner than the GR1/GR2.

The zippers do not have any rain flap, which means less water protection, but very easy to use especially the front slash pocket, notorious for scraping up your hands on a 1000d GR1/GR2. Another run of the Bullet 18L appeared in black just this week which reportedly features aquaguard zippers, probably a nice upgrade, though they likely won’t open quite as easily. (I haven’t heard complaints though)

The front clamshell compartment adds all kinds of nice organization. The back of the front flap is your standard GORUCK configuration, an opaque pocket, and a vertically oriented mesh one beneath. The other side is a large built in pocket with a lot of depth, and then a horizontally oriented mesh pocket.

Main compartment features some rows of webbing at the top, new to the Bullet line here I believe, and then the opposide side is a very new stretch mesh pocket, almost like a built in packing cube, also the first we’ve seen of something like this.

Laptop compartment is very small, this is a bullet after all, but works great with my 13 MacBook Air, and I suspect you could get away with 14" as well. Just nice to have it there even if you’re carrying a tablet or kindle.

And then the quick access pocket behind the top handle, at the time, this was really rare, only appearing on pretty expensive collab or heritage bags. It’s since started appearing all throughout the GORUCK lineup, but this Bullet 18L got it early. It’s extremely small on this bag, likely half the volume you can now have on a GR1, but still really handy here to stash some small things. In terms of volume, I can either fit a sunglasses case in here, or my wallet keys, but not both. (which would work fine on a GR1 for example)

Add this all up and you’ve got an incredible configuration for a GORUCK for the every day. Ripstop is not really the first choice if you’re going to do GORUCK events and drag it through the sand/mud/ocean, but it’s a great material for a backpack otherwise. You absolutely could ruck with it at moderate weights. Incredible organization, comfortable straps, lifetime warranty, all for a reasonable (by GORUCK standards) price.

There’s not much negative I can say, other than the white spearhead logo on the bottom right of the front panel is a bit out of place. This is fairly unpopular with people as it really stands out, and quite unusual for GORUCK. Many folks are blacking it out with an Edding 4500 textile marker, I probably will at some point as well though it doesn’t bother me massively.

Depth is something to watch with this bag, personally I like slim packs and fully packed, this thing is a bit deep and looks a little strange to me. Lightly packed though, thanks to the Robic nylon, it drapes really nice and looks awesome. Plus then the space is there if you need it.

I think this is one of the greatest designs GORUCK has ever produced, and the bag is a pretty hot commodity right now. The black/grey sold out fairly quickly, tidal blue/tan did not and then they put them on sale for HALF price. Those just recently sold out in the 18L size, though looks like they’re still available in 16L. Last weeks run of 150 in black/grey with the aquaguard zippers is also now gone in just a few days. Used 18L versions in black appear to be selling around what they originally cost, a good sign for the popularity and longevity of the bag.

At the time I’d have said it was my favorite GORUCK bag of all time. Since then though the Robic GR1 has reclaimed that spot. The Robic nylon made the GR1 infinitely more usable for me, slimmer, slightly better straps, and it has the (much larger) quick access pocket which was really the only thing more I needed out of the GR1 personally. The GR1 however is a fair bit more expensive, and doesn’t have as much organization. Thus the Bullet 18L is probably my #2, but undoubtedly an incredible nice design, and it’s so great to see GORUCK leaning into these EDC friendly options.

I can’t recommend the Bullet 18L enough.

DISCLAIMER: Purchased with my own money, no affiliation with GoRuck, I’m just a fan.