GORUCK GR2 review

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GORUCK GR2 review

30 August 2011 | Comments | 16 notes | ⇀

Back when I placed my order for a GORUCK Echo, I placed a simultaneous order for a GORUCK GR2. I travel quite a lot, especially at weekends, and the thing I hate about it most is living from a rucksack. Trouble is, you can’t argue with the practicality of one when moving from one location to the next. Holdalls and trolley style travel bags are a real pain to move around, especially in confined spaces (such as a ship).

When I saw the GORUCK GR2 with it’s completely open flat design, rugged (indestructible?) build quality and minimalist good looks, I couldn’t resist. Add to that the fact that this bag has loads of zipped compartments for organising your gear as well as a separate section to hold a laptop. Perfect.

Space

The GR2 is actually much bigger than I initially realised (47 litres!). It’s hard to get a feeling of how big it actually is without seeing someone wear it. Perhaps I had gotten used to the (comparatively tiny) size of the Echo, but the GR2 looks like a monster sitting next to it. Ignore the actual monster sitting next to it in the shot below.

Suffice it to say, the GR2 has more than enough space for a long weekend, or, depending on how light you pack, even longer. I struggle with living out of a rucksack because, eventually, no matter how disciplined I am, everything gets jumbled up and you end up having to empty the entire bag to find what you’re looking for. The multiple compartments in the GR2, combined with the fact that you can lay it flat and open it completely out, make it easy to keep organised. If you are so inclined, the Echo even fits neatly inside.

Build quality

The bag is made from the same sturdy 1000D cordura as the rest of the GORUCK range – this stuff is super durable and water repellant. When you get it, the material is stiff, rigid and, quite honestly, not very comfortable to carry. After a few uses though it begins to soften up and conform better to your shoulders. The upside is that this bag is designed to be abused and to last. I can’t see any airline being able to break this bag if you decide to check it in; the GR2 is just the right size to take as carry on with most airlines.

The zips are all high quality, YKK branded ones with colour coded paracord instead of metal pulls. The exterior has black pulls, the front compartment’s are sand-coloured and the main compartment has olive green ones.

The shoulder straps are at least twice as thick as the Echo and just as padded. Once you’ve worn the bag with a fairly heavy load a few times, they become much more comfortable. Some might complain at the lack of a waist strap, however I normally find that they just get in the way so for me, this is a bonus. There’s also a big carry handle on the top just like the Echo and the original GORUCK bag, the GR1.

Features

If you’re looking for a bag crammed with features, bells and whistles, you should probably stop reading here (maybe just look at the rest of the pictures). However, if you appreciate functionality and minimalism, this could be just the bag for you.

The bag is split into three compartments. There’s a front section which is quite slim but can still accommodate clothes, a first aid kit or other non-bulky items. I use this section for items I might want to grab without disturbing my carefully packed main compartment, like a waterproof jacket (essential in the UK). The front flap of this compartment has two zipped compartments and there’s a built-in pouch at the top which is great for keeping items you want easy access to, such as an MP3 player, camera or travel documents.

The main compartment is deceptively large. Again, the front side has two zipped, mesh fronted pockets. The rear has several rows of MOLLE webbing which can be used to attach pouches, organisers or, coming soon, GORUCK’s own branded pouch.

The final compartment for a laptop or hydration pouch and it will easily swallow a 17-inch laptop. The only downside of carrying a laptop is that makes the bag a bit less comfortable to carry as it doesn’t conform to the shape of your back as well.

The front of the GR2 has four more rows of MOLLE webbing, along with a further two on each side of the bag. These could be used to attach a water bottle carrier if needed. I like that the bag is as minimal as possible while still offering the ability to customise it if needed. Also on the front is a diagonal zipped pocket for small items or paperwork and the usual GORUCK velcro patch. I haven’t found a patch that I want to put on either my Echo or my GR2, but I’m sure I’ll find one eventually. There are also two compression straps on the sides of the bag. I haven’t had to carry enough gear in my GR2 to need them yet, however I’m sure that day will come.

The GR2 is designed to sit high on the back with the straps pulled in tight. In practice, I find that I wear it a little lower with the straps let out a bit. For me, this is more comfortable, but when wearing it for long periods of time, I’m sure that tightening the straps up would definitely make things easier. Either way, it’s great in confined spaces due to the slim design. Much better than a shorter but fatter and bulkier bag. However, it does present the illusion that you are carrying a larger bag than you really are.

Conclusion

Overall, the GORUCK GR2 is a great way to carry your gear for weekend (or longer) length trips, especially if they involve carrying a laptop and you don’t want the hassle of a second bag. While I find the GORUCK range of bags to be extremely tough, hardwearing and practical, they also look quite smart to me and are therefore suitable for business as well as personal use, unlike some more ‘technical’, often brightly coloured packs you can buy. The ability to lay it flat for packing and use is a great advantage as well. The only downside is getting it shipped to the UK. Mine took a good few weeks to arrive and was accompanied with a hefty set of UK Customs charges. That said, the GORUCK guys were great and kept in constant contact while it was in transit, and they also picked up the shipping costs (not sure if that’s their policy or if I was just lucky – either way, thanks guys!).

I have no reservations in heartily recommending the GR2 if you are in the market for a decent sized, if somewhat expensive, bag that you want to last and last and last.