This is GORUCK’s Most Unique Pack and My Favorite! The GROUCK M23

[@sg2664]

Fantastic video. Keep up the great work and best of luck with your channel!

[@UnPackD]

@@sg2664 thanks for the kind words and for checking out the video! 🙏🏽

[@johng89]

I would love to get one of those fidlock sternum straps!

[@UnPackD]

Shoot me an email and I can get the info for you. It’s really cool and having the dock is nice so the strap isn’t swinging when not in use. [e-mail]

[@CeeMKE]

Great video, thanks for sharing. I just purchased the Dyneema 21L M23 on sale for $99 ($117 with shipping and tax) yesterday and delivery is next week. Can’t wait to get it. I love the internal hidden water bottle pocket. I hate exterior water bottle pockets. Don’t like the look either and I also just put my bottles inside without a problem. I have a cordura 21L GR1 I use for EDC. I’m going to use this M23 for trips mostly.

[@UnPackD]

@@CeeMKE wooooo! That’s was a deal of the year right there, glad you snagged one before the price jumped up to $175 ( which is still great). I think you’ll enjoy it, it’s such a unique gem in GR’s line up

[@GenXer358]

I just grabbed one as well today for the same price.

[@UnPackD]

@@GenXer358 👏🏽🙌🏽

[@houserhythm]

I love this bag! Got it in olive waxed canvas and it feels amazing. 3 Things I would change - a zipper at the top to access the lid pocket from the outside too, w/o undoing the fidlocks and make the laptop compartment identical to the GR1, cause that fits my 16", while the M23 doesn't, had to get the 26L in order to fit my laptop. 3rd one is just a nitpick concerning the waxed canvas - would like a leather bottom for it. Sadly the M24 is already out and they F'd it up big time - no more quick access pockets on the sides, no more elastic sleeve on the inside... Edit: I'm 40 myself, but you don't look a day over 25

[@UnPackD]

@@houserhythm 100% agree with you, they ruined the bag with the M24 updates. Should’ve done one external WBP and kept the 2 side access pockets. A top pocket on the outside of the brain instead of the inside would’ve been clutch, just like the Trakke Bannoch Pro. I love this bag, I’m thinking of grabbing the 26L. Just saw one pop up for $150 used, I’m trying to have some restraint 🤣.

[@houserhythm]

@@UnPackD I got the 26L waxed canvas for $195 brand new, on sale on Gurck's site.

[@UnPackD]

@@houserhythm appreciate the compliment, my first grey hair came in this week, it’s all down hill from here 🤣

[@JonCross]

Great review makes me want to give this one a try didn’t realize it had those extra features.

[@UnPackD]

Thanks, Jon! It’s a really neat bag, especially for GROUCK given how different it is in shape and design from their other offerings.

[@Ally1177]

Really enjoy your videos. Nice work.

[@UnPackD]

Thank you! 🙏🏽

[@kennethaucoin2272]

I have the 26l and was able to pack my clothes and a smaller 10l edc backpack inside for a multiday business trip. Worked great!

[@UnPackD]

I think I want to upgrade to the 26l. The consensus seems to be that it’s a great travel bag. Question is which material 🤔. Absolutely love the Robic but waxed canvas has really grown on me after getting the Bannoch Pro.

[@platinumtoofaim]

Hey man, really enjoying the channel. Keep up the good work.

[@UnPackD]

Appreciate the kind words! thanks for coming by.

[@NATO-SOCOM]

Good review man, I basically have the same edc items so it was really helpful to see how this bag would handle everything. After having cheaper made bags and even some that were supposedly “brand name” bags that broke and everything else, I’ve learned it’s better in the long run to spend a little more for a bag made with premium materials that will last a lot longer. Thanks for the review

[@UnPackD]

@@NATO-SOCOM yes! I’ve adopted the “buy once, cry once” philosophy after wasting money by buying cheaper gear. Thanks for stopping by and sharing some kinds words, brother 🤝

[@danmarly5173]

cool !

[@UnPackD]

Thanks for watching!

[@ferkilized]

Thanks for the amazing reviews you make! Very informative. I’m torn between this Goruck in waxed canvas and the beautiful Trakke Bannoch Pro. Both look amazing. Which would you prefer for edc and work purpose?

[@UnPackD]

@@ferkilized thanks for the kind words! That’s a tough decision, the Bannoch pro is definitely bigger but I used it just fine for EDC to work. Things to consider, do you need a sternum strap? The M23 has an option for an adjustable and removable strap, the BP has option for a fixed position strap. Water bottle pockets, how important are those? You get 2 external on the BP vs 1 internal of the M23. For fit and comfort, I prefer the goruck harness but I’d go with the Bannoch Pro simply because it’s looks and feels more premium than the GR, it has to WBP’s, it’s a dry wax which I prefer over the wet wax of the GR. You could alway try and return the GR because of free returns so that’s an option to get it in hand and see how you like it.

[@ferkilized]

Great helpful answer, thanks!! Leaning towards BP now :) “feels more premium and a little bigger, and external WBP’s” and i was in love with the looks since the first time i saw it on your video :). Thanks again!

[@Philipanko]

John. . . Please let me know where you purchased that diamond patterned Fidlock buckle? In addition, where did you get, what appears to be, that Fidlock Strap Keeper that is hanging on your right should strap? I've been searching for something like that for some of my Goruck bags. Thanks!

[@UnPackD]

@@Philipanko Hey! Shoot me a email and I can get you all the details for the buckle, strap and Fidlock dock. [e-mail]

[@Steelergeek69]

Nice job! I just got the M23 in cordura with orange inside, amazing color How or where u get the fidlock for straps ?

[@UnPackD]

Hi! This one I had the strap and dock made for me. I did the laser engraving on the buckle. You can find Fidlock straps on Amazon but the quality isn’t the best. I can put you in contact with the guy who made mine if you’d like. Shoot me a email and I’ll get you that info. unpackdwithjohn @ gmail

[@HumaninWM]

thanks for sharing. I'm not sure if my 16inch macbook pro fits with the bag tho (I don't think it would fit...) but anyway, I got this bag just now with discount coupon + shipping + tax at $104.40 !

[@UnPackD]

@@HumaninWM I can confirm a 16” MBP will NOT fit. Sadly it’s at least 2 inches to big. Still a killer deal on a great bag!

[@BiggDeli]

Would you use the M23 21L for minimal travel at all? The 26L apparently holds more up to 40L-ish, which I'm thinking may be too massive for 4-5 days of travel.

[@UnPackD]

@@BiggDeli depends on your travel and packing style but for me I can absolutely fit 4 days worth of gear in it without even having to expand it. You can easily add 5-7 liters by expanding the lid. In my Dragonfly video I packed it out for 4 days of travel, I can fit all that in my M23 also.

[@BiggDeli]

@@UnPackD Appreciate the response! I just watched your Dragonfly video and we more or less pack the same for short trips. Thinking a shoe pouch can take place of the CAP2 in my case, and if that all fits in the M23 for you, should do the trick for me!

[@UnPackD]

@@BiggDeli I think you’ll be good to go! And if you’re buying straight from Goruck you’ll have the free return option if it doesn’t fit your load out. I have seen some good deals on the second hand market. Tidal blue ones you can find for $130 and blacks ones I’ve seen as low as $160. Thanks for checking my videos, i appreciate you 🙏🏽

[@sneakergearz]

Love your presentation and channel man. But have to strongly disagree. This bag has more quick access than anything this side of a Tom Bihn maybe. Front zip has tons of room and easy to get to. Side Quick access is just that with perfectly placed organization. Has a side interior zip to get access to the inside without opening it up fully. Then the water bottle pocket is maybe slower than a typical sleeve style but wouldn’t say slow. Then, once you open it with 2 awesome fidlocks. You’re greeted with a quick top zip lid. Another top zippered compartment ready to grab what you need. And with all that, you still then have your carnivorous interior. I love mine as well. I have the 26L and again, it’s just a joy because everything has its place and is easily accessible.

[@UnPackD]

I agree with you! People shy away from top loaders because they feel it’s inconvenient and slower to grab things but to your point it’s absolutely accessible. The consensus I got online was 2 Fidlocks was too much work for most people 🤣🤣. This bag is well laid out and a joy to use. I think I want to upgrade to the 26L. Thanks for your feedback, it’s much appreciated and thanks for stopping by! Much love.

[@Lion-qi8ej]

One concern and please refute this, if on the typical economy flight, there is no top access pocket. Reaching down with a seat back in your face will be rough without a top pocket. Just my opinion. Hard to get to stuff needed on a flight from what I can see.

[@UnPackD]

Absolutely agree, definitely very difficult to maneuver this bag around once it’s already down and tucked away.

[@Lion-qi8ej]

@@UnPackD do you have the GR1? I know it has that top pocket which seems small but still functional while on a flight. I’m torn as I love to look and price of the waxed M23 but the GR1 might be more functional on a flight. I guess I could add a small sling for frequently accessed stuff but hate carrying more bags. Tough decision.

[@UnPackD]

@@Lion-qi8ej I do have a GR1! The 26L is currently my daily driver. The QAP is the perfect size imo, fits the essentials like phone, wallet, keys, chapstick no problem. It’s not too big so the pocket doesn’t eat away at the internal capacity too much. If you wanna give me a list of items you carry, I could probably make a quick KZbin short video showing you how it all fits into the QAP. Help you decide better

[@adamw6343]

Please do a DOES IT FIT short for this bag! Also, how does the M23 21 L compare to the Evergoods CTB 26 as far as load out for one bag travel? The dimensions of these two bags suggest they are closer in capacity than their stated literage. I do not carry a laptop or tablet, so I’m thinking the large tech section of the CTB would be wasted on my use case. I guess I could shove a jacket in there. If I overstuff the main compartment, would it press into the unused laptop space? Both bags look like great options, but which one has more (real world) capacity, and which is a more comfortable carry? Thanks!!

[@UnPackD]

@@adamw6343 I will film a “does it fit” this coming week! It’s on my to do list along with the Bannoch pro. So I’ve actually stuff clothes into the laptop compartment of the CTB26 lol. That holds a ton. I would probably like 28L and the m23 is probably closer to 26L. Of course that’s just based off feeling. The CTB26 offers tons of pockets and places for things, that’s not really my style of carry anymore, hence why I’ve moved on. Love the bag though. Both would be great for a one bag option. Of If I had to chose, I’d go M23 for its ease of packing, and ability to expand. I use my own cubes and pouches so I don’t need all the pockets. While the EG harness is plenty good, gorucks just fit me like a glove.

[@Lillither]

Thanks for the review - great stuff ! How do you find it to carry with the laptop in? Do you have a 14” laptop to hand to test? On a few reviews I have read the compartment is smaller than the GR1 and can be quite uncomfortable when loaded.

[@UnPackD]

I have a 13” MBP and it fits with plenty of room to spare. It’s supposed to accommodate up to a 16” MBP. When I carry it with a laptop, you can tell it’s in there but it doesn’t bother me or change the comfort whatsoever. The back padding and 210D material make it really comfortable imo. I really enjoy the overall design, comfort and material of this robic version. I buy and sell lots of bags to be able to test and experience different bags but this one has graduated to my very short “will never sell” list.

[@asdf17969]

There are 16 oz in a pound, so 2.8 pounds would be about 2 lb 13 oz.

[@stubskututstuy]

For reference, what is your height?

[@UnPackD]

@@stubskututstuy 5’10 195lbs. This 21L is 19” tall the 26L jumps up to 21.5” tall