I know I had found the perfect (for me) shoulder bag when I got the Belstaff Colonial 556. Now I think I have found the perfect backpack… or at least the one I am going to keep for the next decade or so. It’s the Goruck GR1.
What I love is the clean minimalist look and military inspired design. Years of owning North Face type bags… I was just tired of all the straps most of which I never used. I’ve also tried out a few Maxpedition bags and although very nice, I have to say this one is better built. The clamshell opening is a great trick to access everything and pack. It’s a page out of roller luggage. It holds the perfect amount of stuff either clothes for a weekend away or my travel photo gear. It can also hold my 15” Macbook Pro. Combined with lens pouches (either Lowepro or lighter Newswear), this is the only camera backpack I have been happy with. Most Lowepro and Tamrac backpacks are just so bulky even when not loaded out just because of the inherent non-removable foam padding. And the intangible that is hard to tell from the pictures is how well the bag is made. 1000D Cordura… so thick and plush. It’s a little stiff now but should break in nicely. And MADE IN THE USA.
And the fit! This is the best part. It’s amazing to carry. It sits higher up on my back and feels like I can carry it forever. It literally feels like it’s part of my back. I love that the strap has a bit of space between the bag and the where the padding starts. This seems to give it just enough separation from shoulder. Some people have complained about the lack of sternum and waist straps. But honestly, I never used the sternum strap on my other bags. This bag also fits more snug than any other backpack I have ever carried. It sits high enough on your back that a waist belt wouldn’t work any way. Kudos to the fit. It reminds me of the first time I used a Timbuk2 messenger bag… which I consider still the most comfortable messenger bags.
But it’s not perfect. The one thing that is slightly annoying is the bag bottom is at a slant to the front. So when you set the bag down, it tends to lean forward… and tip over. Not sure if this was a planned design… but it’s a bit odd. I have noticed my other backpacks that are soft have no bottoms either so it’s not an unusual problem… mainly my Marmot Garmsal. And at $295, it’s pricey. But honestly, compared to other photo backpacks… it’s right in range.
They also make larger GR2 and a smaller Echo. And check out the super cool Goruck Tough Mudder Challenge.
Official Description: (http://www.goruck.com)
GR1 is the original GORUCK product and represents GORUCK’s highest standards of functionality, durability, and a unique style. Built in the USA of 100% military grade materials and tough enough for Special Forces, GR1 thrives as a daypack in any environment imaginable
- Two compartments: one main, one hydration/laptop next to wearer’s back
- Main compartment opens flat, internal layout allows for optimal organization
- 17” tall hydration bladder compartment extra reinforced to securely take a laptop into combat
- External slant pocket provides quick access on the go
- 2”x3” Velcro on front allows you to customize GR1 with the patch of your choice
- Scars Lifetime guarantee
PRIMARY MATERIAL:1000D CORDURA
SIZE: 10.5”W X 20”H X 6.75”D
LAPTOP: PROTECTS UP TO A 17″ MACBOOK
VOLUME: 25.6 LITERS
WEIGHT: 3.2 LBS
stop making me want more gear man! you always find the coolest stuff and make me obsess about it until i buy it.
hello,
first off great blog!
i am also really interested in the goruck pack and i really appreciated your review.
what is the pouch you use to carry your camera (the one at the bottom of the bag)?
thanks!
merry Christmas and happy new years!
Hi this is fortalitia54. I found your pics of your GORUCK GR1.
They are absolutely good. I use GR1 too and I think it is one of greatest bag of the world.
I’ve post about my GR1 on my blog http://fortalitia-54.blogspot.com/
If you have time, please check it.
Could I introduce your blog on my blog?
Thank you.
@Alex Vidal
Hey Alex,
Thanks for the kind words! The pouch is made by Voodoo and I found it at a local surplus store: http://www.majorsurplus.com/Multi-Use-Padded-Bag-P15318C2230.aspx
It’s pretty good and fits the camera and a lens with a padded insert stuck in between. Good size… stiff… if that’s a good thing.
aaron
@fortalitia54
Hey… great picts on Flickr! Yes of course feel free to link.
Can I ask what the pouch is that you have your cables in? Looks very handy.
@Kevin
The green pouch is a TAD Gear OP1 pouch.. it’s great. But I did end up getting the Kifaru Organizer pouch to leave in this bag… partially cause it didn’t open up all the way so I could just throw things in it and also because it was a better fit.
The TAD Gear OP1 is fantastic though… I carry it in my work laptop bag and it holds all the essentials. Unfortunately, I don’t see it on their website anymore! Not sure if it’s discontinued but I emailed them to check. http://www.tripleaughtdesign.com/
Kifaru Organizer: http://www.kifaru.net/organizer.html (and no it does not take 4-6 weeks to make… I called them and got it in a couple days).
@aaronlam
Any word on whether the OP1 is discontinued? Haven’t heard back from TAD yet. Cheers.
@Adam Young
They said they were just out of stock and they will be getting more in soon!
How comfortable is the backpack when you have the laptop in it. There seems to be some conflicting reports on the net.
@Adrian
I find it really comfortable… barely can tell it’s there. I did remove the hard plastic piece that’s in the bag between the laptop compartment and the main compartment.
But as far as laptop backpacks go, this is one of the most comfortable I have carried… similar to an InCase backpack I would say.
May I ask what the pouches are in the GR1 next to the Burton Bootle? Thanks
They are NewsWear pouches: http://newswear.com/
@Brian heller
Hi Aaron, I found your site via Packlite and I love the review. You convinced me to get one.
I also plan to buy two newswear pouches, but I have two questions. First, do the pouches have velcro straps on the back so I could attach them to the internal webbing of the GR1? Second, which newswear pouches do you have and do you think they could fit a full size sensor body like a D700(w/o grip)? I guess that’s 3 questions. Haha. Thanks in advance, and thanks again for the awesome review. 🙂
Nice post, Aaron, thank you. I’m waiting for my GR1 to arrive and am trying to get it outfitted with internal organization. I had thought of attaching a number of Maxped pouches until I came across your rig. Couple of questions:
– The Kifaru has 6 molle loops, the GR1 has 5. How well does it fit? Does it have much play? Does it scrunch anywhere?
– One thing I’d like to do is keep a water bottle attached to the internal molle, for which I have been looking at the Maxped Roly Poly mini. Is there any area left over with the Kifaru installed to place a small holder like that, or does the Kifaru effectively take up the whole width?
Any other advice on using the molle would be great. Thanks a ton!
One other question: how does the Kifaru effect access to the mesh pocket that’s beneath it? Does the overlap make it harder to get things in and out?
@Luis Godinez
Hi Luis,
1. No, the straps on the back of the Newswear Pouches are non-removable… they are made to be looped through a belt. So you could rig something with molle straps and/or carabiners but it wouldn’t be the best fit… your mileage might vary.
2. I have a couple of the small press pouch (http://newswear.com/smallpdetail.htm) which are big enough to hold any prime (even the Canon 85mm f/1.2) and most wide/standard zooms (16-35 f/2.8 & 24-70 f/2.8). I also have the large press pouch which houses a 70-200 f/2.8 and the 24-70 f/2.8 with hood mounted in shooting position (http://newswear.com/largepdetail.htm)
3. I have the body pouch (http://newswear.com/bosypdetail.htm) that can house a Canon 1D type body no problem so should be fine for the D700 with or without grip. Wouldn’t be able to get it in there with a lens attached though… even if it’s a tiny 50mm.
Good luck!
aaron
@Grandin
The fit is really good. I have it cheated to the side and added a Maxpedition Rollypolly for a water bottle, exactly like you want to do.
I used the Maxpedition fabric straps to attach the molle system and a Maxpedition Grim-loc for the Roly-Poly. I like the fabric straps better as they seem easier to put on and remove.
The Kifaru covers up the mesh pocket a bit but still accessible by lifting it up. It’s not as accessible but I usually only put things I don’t need regular access to back there.
Side by side with Rollypolly.
Overlap
Attaching molle system
Hello and thank`s for good review and great pic`s of GR1, i was looking for a new pack to use for edc/travel/photo gear hauling. In EDC forum i run into GORUCK witch was totally new brand to me even i keep “looking” pack`s quite often.
GR1 really pleased my eye and after using it two week`s now, i think we gonna go long way together. I, like you, added Kifaru organiser and i also tried Kifaru 2 quart pouch inside but wasnt completely happy with them, gonna find out if Zulu nylon gear mega admin would work ?
Small change in the pack was that pocket under the inside pals is solid material now instead of mesh. I liked those newswear pouches in your pack too so i ordered a couple
Once again thank`s and all the best.
I savor, result in I discovered just what I was having a look for. You have ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
@Kruggerand
I switched the Kifaru pouch to a Skinth Sheath. Much more organized and smaller.
http://www.aaronlam.com/blog/2012/05/07/skinth-sheath/
Hi Aaron
With the OP1 attached in the GR1 were you able to access the webbed pocket below the molle? Would you say it was manageable for access or just completely blocked it?
@Steve
Hi Steve,
The OP1 covers up the web pocket a little but still perfectly accessible. I have the generation 1 pocket that’s mesh and not the new pocket so not sure how it would work on that one.
Thanks Aaron!
I love canon, I still get so much use out of my 1d classic