Before going too far with this blog, we need to talk about the benchmarks, starting with the legendary GORUCK GR1. If you’ve found this review, you probably have a lot of questions, first and foremost why is this relatively simple backpack $330 USD? (Wait until you see the cost for the Dyneema/X-Pac/Waxed canvas versions)
There’s a lot more to the GR1 than meets the eye.
Jason McCarthy founded the company in 2008 after transitioning out of special forces in the US Army. The GR1 was the beginning of GORUCK, intended to be a bag that would survive equally well in Baghdad as it would in NYC.
The standard GR1 is made from 1000d Cordura, one of the toughest fabrics available, and not particularly cheap. It’s made in the USA, and has a lifetime guarantee, which they will honour. (Provided the bag hasn’t been eaten by a dog or burned in a fire) The fabric is initially very stiff and abrasive, but usually softens over time. The actual 1000d can vary, I’ve owned two and the newer one the fabric has almost a waxy back coating and thus far, it will not soften up. Works completely fine of course, but the actual material can vary a bit depending on which run of the bag you get.
Over the past 15 years the bag has been made in all kinds of fabrics and special editions, Ultra, Dyneema, X-Pac, waxed canvas, even demin (not kidding). All of these are accompanied by higher price tags, and usually slight variations on the features. For this review I’ll be focused mainly on the standard 1000d version.
It comes in two sizes, 21L and 26L, I’ve owned and used both pretty extensively. The 21L is a nice size for EDC or for shorter people, and the 26L is really nice for taller people, minimal travel, or even larger EDC.
Without question, the GR1 is the most comfortable pack I’ve ever used. They come with wide, extremely padded / overbuilt shoulder straps that are meant to carry serious weight. A big part of GORUCK’s culture is around “rucking”, or just putting weight on your back and going for a walk. These straps need a little breaking in for some but I find them pretty comfortable right out of the gate.
As of 2023 they switched to using a 210d back panel (pictured above), whereas previously it was 1000d all around. This is much less abrasive on clothing and skin, and makes the bag feel a lot better to slide on/off and use. It does however mean the shoulder straps will move around a little more, so a sternum strap (not included) is a good idea.
Organization is where things get interesting. If you listen to McCarthy speak about the origins of the GR1, it’s clear he’s quite opinionated on this topic.
The GR1 has a front slash pocket that runs to the bottom of the bag, covered by a rain flap. It’s not terribly popular for good reason. It’s too deep, things get lost in there, and with limited stretch to 1000d and a rain flap covering it, it’s actually quite abrasive on your hands to use, especially if the bag is packed out. It’s somewhat usable for a tablet or phone, thin pouches, etc. It works a little better on their non-1000d bags and those without the rain flap.
The standard version has molle webbing on the front allowing for some customization and utility. I like to keep gear ties in the pack, and pull them out when needed to run through the molle and lash clothing or a tripod to the outside. Many of the special versions of the bag are “slick”, and do not feature this molle which some like as it makes the bag look a little less tactical and more suited for the office or urban environments.
The main compartment is full clamshell, allowing you to open it completely to get a look at everything inside. It contains an opaque upper pocket and a larger mesh pocket on the inside of the front flap. On the back of the compartment you’ve got more rows of molle for additional customization, or a field pocket (this works quite nicely IMO), and then a sleeve for ruck plates, notebooks, or a tablet/laptop. Clamshell is great for travel but even on the go it’s not bad as you can use it mostly like a top loader or half-zip if you wish.
On the back of the pack behind the straps is GORUCK’s “bombproof” laptop compartment. To access it you need to flip the right strap over and then can unzip around half the perimeter of the bag. This laptop compartment is a mixed bag, mainly for comfort reasons. For a GORUCK pack to be comfortable, it needs to contour over the top of the shoulders a little bit so you can wear it up high. With this harness system, depending on your laptop size, it’s very easy to end up feeling like you now have a board on your back. You then need to drop the pack lower than it should be worn to relieve pressure on the laptop, and the whole thing just doesn’t feel anywhere near as good anymore. I’ve tried travel with a large 17" laptop in the 26L and I couldn’t do it, had to carry the laptop in the main compartment sleeve, which does fix the problem but then it’s very hard to access. My rule of thumb, this laptop compartment works great for 13" laptops in the 21L, and 15" laptops in the 26L. I think an inch more would be tolerable in both, but beyond that it feels really uncomfortable.
The GR1 then has a very nice padded top handle, and on the standard pack there’s a velcro port under it for running a hydration bladder hose through.
At this point, I feel we’re just a pocket short on the GR1. With the poor usability of the front slash pocket, something’s missing for things like keys and wallet or earbuds that you might want to grab on the go. Many people use the interior top pocket, or mount a field pocket inside to add that extra org, but that requires opening the main compartment, which is ok but just not quite hitting the mark for “quick” access.
Enter the much loved quick access pocket, a zipper along the top handle (replacing the hydration port) leading to a small pocket at the top of the bag. This pocket is terrific and much loved, it’s space that’s often not in use. The problem is they’re very stubborn about offering it on the standard 1000d GR1. It comes on virtually all of the above listed special versions, but of course these are often much more expensive and can have weird decisions made about features like removing strap molle (no more sternum strap), or front molle. Many of us are seriously wishing GORUCK would start offering this more readily, or at least make it an affordable customization that could be done by sending the bag to their SCARS department.
In my opinion, the perfect GR1 would be:
- 500d or 420d
- side pockets from the M23 (review coming soon!)
- quick access top pocket
- webbing on the shoulder straps
Despite this, in practice I do often feel like what it offers is actually “enough”, and maybe I don’t need anything more. Perhaps there’s method to GORUCK’s madness, and beauty in keeping things simple.
Despite its flaws, there’s just something about the GR1 for me. It’s a bag that can do pretty much anything. It’s comfortable, slim and unassuming. It looks and functions perfectly fine whether you’re in the city, hiking, or travelling. It feels like something you can own for the rest of your life and it will never let you down.
Buying Advice
The standard 1000d version is a pretty safe bet, and your cheapest option. Go for the newer ones with 210d back panel, it’s worth it.
The waxed canvas bags (Heritage edition) are a little more expensive, but routinely available and restocked, and also very popular with owners. You lose shoulder webbing but could get it added by SCARS. ($$$) These are heavier, and have a very different aesthetic, developing a great patina over time, great for every day or office carry. Never owned one myself but these are a safe bet.
The X-PAC versions are best avoided (at least the first run, a re-release may improve this). They were very expensive, and reportedly came with zippers so hard to use they’re borderline defective. (Also no shoulder webbing for a sternum strap.)
The Dyneema version that released in the last few months is wildly expensive. They do come with shoulder webbing and the quick access pocket, which is great. I don’t know a ton about the material, except that it’s supposedly insanely light and strong, and it’s very crinkly. Were it not for that I’d be tempted because this is close to the perfect GR1. They do seem popular with people who own them, but I haven’t been able to get past the crinkle factor yet. I’m also concerned about how boxy they would be, I like bags that drape a little once the material softens up.
The Ultra version (collaboration with Carryology, no longer available) I actually bought but quickly returned. It felt so stiff and boxy, it just didn’t look and feel like the 1000d variant and I realized I much preferred that one, which is almost half the price. This was a one time run and can’t be found unless you look on the second hand market. It felt more like luggage to me than a pack for the outdoors. If that’s your thing and you can live with the price, this is a good option.
Some other noteworthy GORUCK packs to consider:
- GR2 - Similar to the GR1 but a little deeper, with a whole additional front clamshell compartment adding a ton more organization.
- 16L Laptop Bullet - This is a very GR1 like adaptation of the Bullet line which gains the bombproof laptop compartment, and a little beefier (though narrower) straps. They’re made with a variety of materials as well but usually not 1000d. It’s a fantastic minimal everyday carry option. There’s also a GR2 style 18L Bullet, which is absolutely awesome. (Review coming soon!)