The Goruck Backpack a 8 year review of the GR1

The Goruck GR1 is a simple backpack designed to take on the world. How has it held up over the past 8 years of use? Is it worth the large price tag? Should you buy one today? All these questions are answered in my Gr1 review.

[@timspring817]

Next summer will be 10 years since I bought my GR1. That thing has been on deployments, hiking, camping, kayaking, rucking, the beach, the office and everywhere in between. It is a tank, and the only thing I had to replace was the zipper pulls since the rubber on the string dry rotted. It may be expensive at the front end, but I've seen other guys I know on their 3rd or 4th pack over that timeframe because the $300 was "too much." It was worth it so much I bought my son one as part of his HS graduation present to carry his new laptop. Awesome bag, and it's not even an argument.

[@Denali_Rebel]

I went through three backpacks that were around $100 that all lasted me one year before they were trash. I bought a GR1 and I’m going on 5 years and the thing is dirty but still looks brand new. I’ve thrown it everywhere, deployed with it, traveled with it. I’ve accidentally thrown it down a handful of times with my laptop in it and my laptop is fine. Well worth the investment.

[@rayrenz3599]

Just wanted to say that your video helped me pull the trigger on a Goruck Bullet 15L. It’s made in Vietnam but it feels like a tank! I walk my dog every morning and evening for 30 min to an hour and your video inspired me to walk with a weight plate in my bullet. Even though it’s a casual walk I still feel a good workout. Thanks for this video and I hope all is well!

[@danieldumas4518]

That awesome. You won’t regret the purchase and you definitely won’t regret getting outside with your dog. There are a bunch of study’s about the huge benefits of walking with weight. Keep it up.

[@ivanstephen9486]

Have a GR1 since 2013, dragging it from London through SE Asia cities, from CEO rooms to street hawkers and ships engine rooms, without any complaint whatsoever...

[@kenshiassasin]

Got it on sale + student discount for sub 250. Had it for 5 years and it’s still awesome. But I used it mostly as a college and carry on bag. Ended up getting a gr2 as well for the range and for longer trips

[@danieldumas4518]

How do you like the GR2? I have been thinking f getting one as a carry on.

[@kenshiassasin]

@@danieldumas4518 I do really enjoy my gr2 for cross-country or intl flights. Its also my go to bag for lots of ammo. If you wanna fly and have a lot of room get the big gr2. If you want a harder time flying but a more well thought out layout get a gr3. The only complaint about the gr2 is that the extra organizational compartment trey added is too shallow.

[@Mordant.Melodys]

Thanks for the video bro. I am training for the CPAT right now. I’m not in bad shape, but my strength is a bit off. Just finished EMT school, and am in the process of being hired on a department as well, so just gotta train for the stair stepper and I’m good. Your recommendation got me to buy the Rucker 3.0 with a 45 pound plate and a 20 pound weighted vest. Should be able to crush the CPAT nos

[@danieldumas4518]

let me know how the CPAT goes

[@wellsbibo6175]

I bought a multicam GR2 40L about a month ago with the intent of carrying it every day. It's a bit too large for that application (I'm 5'11" about 245 LBS), and I'm second guessing the multicam for an every day bag. That said, I'm amazed by the quality and craftsmanship so I'm going to keep it for a "go" bag buildout. And now that I've been bitten by the GORUCK bug (such a cool brand), I'm going to buy a 26L GR1 in black to be my EDC. Will probably invest in the full set of Sand bags over time as well for the impromptu home workout. 👍

[@danieldumas4518]

Have you tried an event yet?

[@readyme]

I’m also 5’11” and found the 40L too tall/long for my torso. It kept hitting and riding on the top edge of my belt. I got the 34L and it is perfect (same height and width as the 26L GR1.

[@mattvalade2609]

What’s up with the lightning bolts Also I’ve owned 2 gr1 1 Bullet and 1 gr2 Love them 100 percent worth the money

[@danieldumas4518]

For a brief period of time, Goruck would do 4 events in one weekend it was the Heavy, Challenge, Light and scavenger. I think they only did it 5 times where they offered scavenger at the end. Each bolt represents one of the events.

[@jaredweiman2987]

Is it worth it? I've got a few of them, so I'd personally say so. The simplicity of JanSport with the build of Rich Piana.

[@danieldumas4518]

I agree. I am thinking of getting a larger ruck. Maybe the long-range Rucker.

[@iggycygnus7430]

@@danieldumas4518I have one. LR 39L. Use it for work and carrying my laptops.

[@GalaxyGoose6]

I have a few questions. One is how did you get the red zipper pulls you should do a video or diy on that cause it’s pretty awesome and two is the 21 better than the 26 for a 17 year old wanting to get into EDC and not minding breaking a piggie bank if the gear is going to be good and last a lifetime. Also is it all REALLY made in the USA or is that a marketing con because that may change things a little.

[@danieldumas4518]

TO do the zipper pulls I just bought some paracord tied a girth hitch and then put heat shrink tubing on it. As far as size goes if you are going to spend the majority of your time only packing for the day the 21 is fine. If you think the majority of the time you will use it is going to be traveling for more than 2 days I would think bigger is better. As far as made in the USA I don't know what Goruck is currently doing. When I bought mine almost 9 years ago everything was made in the US or at least assembled. I don't know where the actual material is manufactured but the bag itself was assembled here. I hope that helps.

[@samuelseda9834]

what are the four bolts?

[@Frisco_Schills]

I’ve had a Rucker for about a year and half. The Rucker has a dedicated pocket where you can stick your weights so they are sitting high on your back. I usually go for a ruck at least three days a week and the pack still looks brand new. I plan on buying a 40L GR2 for two to three day trips. Having to pay extra for water bottle pouches, a sternum strap is mentally annoying but not really that big of deal.

[@viethaimac7822]

Hi Daniel, What is your opinion on the abrasive 1000D cordura that comes with the goruck? Do you have any issues with your clothes?

[@danieldumas4518]

No, I have never really had any issues, that being said I am not usually wearing it with "nice clothes" I am a jeans and a t-shirt guy for the most part or if I am working out I wear under armor type shirts and don't notice any damage.

[@congdao3042]

Did you end up buying it? I have the same concern lol.

[@viethaimac7822]

@@congdao3042 Yep, I got the GR1 1000D Slick 26L from huckberry. If you want to ensure you can get the 500D version from huckberry or get the GR2 26l from goruck. But I'm happy with my GR1 1000D =]]

[@congdao3042]

@@viethaimac7822 is yours abrasive?

[@viethaimac7822]

@@congdao3042 Due to covid-19, I don't have many times to get it outside. But I don't think the abrasive will be a problem with me because I'm a jeans and a t-shirt guy.

[@leftyjedi1970]

If you’re ok a with a blue GR1 it is down to $169. Just snapped one up.

[@danieldumas4518]

Thats a great deal, I think my next goruck purchase is going to be a plate carrier.

[@elliottmichael8644]

I appreciate this review as I think much in the same way about purchasing something and value. I do have a question for you. Why do you keep saying rucking is like going on a hike with a purpose? Hikes without weight on your back can be very purposeful. You’re just assuming what everyone’s purpose is. I go on hikes to study insects and plants which is very beneficial and full of purpose.

[@danieldumas4518]

I guess I should have said the purpose of rucking "for me" is fitness. I hike as well which has a different purpose for me.

[@marklandesco7437]

Bought my GR1 in 2012 and still going strong, only 1 trip to SCARS and that was for some doggie damage 🤙🏻

[@danieldumas4518]

Yeah, I get worried when I keep my lunch in there when my dog comes sniffing.

[@sup_orthobro]

21l?

[@MichaelLeopold1]

Informative

[@calebyoung2348]

Were are you getting your ruck plates?

[@danieldumas4518]

I had a friend make a big batch of plates and powder coat them several years ago before GORUCK started making their own.

[@Nocturnal_Lumberjack]

Crazy thing is you can sell your OG GR1 for almost the same price you paid for 😳

[@danieldumas4518]

It is crazy to think you could own something like a backpack for this long and not have it lose any of its value

[@michaelward4313]

What size is this gr1?

[@danieldumas4518]

I believe its the 21l but when I bought this GR1 they didn't have any other sizes the just had the GR1 in black so I am not 100% for sure.

[@joeb1n]

It would be a 26L because during that time they had the GR0. For some reason GR decided to absorb the 21L GR0 into the GR1 name.

[@noctilucent7396]

Gr1 is the Landcruiser of backpacks.

[@RuckDocBen]

HTB BOLTS!!!

[@Burritosarebetterthantacos]

Cool bag, their marketing is questionable. As in not made in USA.

[@danieldumas4518]

When I bought my bag everything was made in the US. It seems like they are going through some growing pains figuring out how to make their brand affordable to a larger demographic.