GORUCK GR2 26L Review (Better than the GR1??)

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00:28 - Intro
0:29 - Gist of the Pack
3:11 - Front of the Pack
8:25 - Middle of the Pack
12:17 - Back of the Pack
16:15 - Pros and Cons
16:55 - Alternatives

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Goruck is known for 1- their cult-like following and 2- their bad ass looking made in America bags! And the GR2 is as bad ass as it comes. But if you don't end up liking it or something happens to it, Goruck offers one of the best lifetime warranties on the market right now!

This bag comes in 3 size options, this one is the 26L. Ideal for everyday carry or weekend travel, and it has great capacity in the main compartment along with some quick access pockets, and most importantly DURABLE materials....I'm talkin extremely durable.

Now this bag does have a hefty price tag, but like I said, Goruck has a cult like following because these bags are made very well and are going to last for a long long time.

To learn more about our honest thoughts about the Goruck GR2 26L, watch our video for an in-depth review!

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Get the Goruck GR2 26L if…

✅ You are looking for a well built long lasting pack

✅ You like how it offers an amazing lifetime warranty

✅ You love its organization and pockets

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DO NOT get the Goruck GR2 26L if…

❌ You want a similar pack with that tactical look and style but need more features. Below's another alternative... 👇🏼

🎒 Mission Workshop Rhake
✍🏼 This pack has a very similar look but offers a bit of a different aesthetic with a roll top and more weather resistant materials.

❌ You are in love with the military tactical style pack but are looking for a less expensive option. Check below for another great option… 👇🏼

🎒 King Kong Core
✍🏼 This is another pack that has the badass tactical style with great organization and features, but comes in with a much lower price tag!

❌ You love Goruck but want a smaller more minimalist option . This is another recommended option for you… 👇🏼

🎒 Goruck GR1
✍🏼 This is a great bag to get if you want to try out a different Goruck bag, especially if you're looking for a less feature heavy bag.

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Specs/Features/Summary

• Capacity: 26L
• Color: Black
• 3 size options
• Quick access pocket
• Removable patch
• Durable materials/comfort
• $400 USD

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Affiliate Disclosure: We hope you enjoyed our Goruck GR2 26L review! To support our channel, we use affiliate links in our content. Clicking on these links and making a purchase helps us keep creating great videos (at no extra cost to you!)

Free Gear Disclosure: We often receive free gear for our reviews, but this does not influence our opinions. We always provide honest reviews—if a product isn't up to par, we'll tell you.

[AmesAndGeo]

*sigh* as someone who carries 73 grenades at all times, I wish they hadn't been stingy with the lash points...

[ChrisCarries_EDC]

Ok, after a little bit of use the zippers being stiff/difficult isn't an issue any more. The material softens up and the zippers and corners get a lot easier.

Two things that you might learn after using the bag for some time, is that the zipper pulls on the sewn-in field pocket in the secondary main compartment often get caught in the zipper track when closing the main zippers. You can swap them out for smaller ones which has solved the issue for me. Secondly, the zipper pull on the laptop compartment for any GR backpack can dig into your back if it has swung around into the wrong position. Again, an easy fix - just use some gutted paracord without any heat shrink tubing.

Also you didn't show the bag fully packed - there was a ton more room in there. When FULLY packed it really sticks out on the back. Some people prefer the slimmer look of the 26l GR1. In my use cases it's been great having that separate front compartment as it can be a dedicated "EDC" or quicker access area when travelling, or it can take a smaller packing cube if necessary. It's also shorter than the GR1 so more likely to comply with airline restrictions. I have been able to easily fit a full Peak Design medium packing cube along with a full Evergoods TPC8 in the primary main compartment, with no impingement on the secondary main compartment.

[ParkerBinion]

Thanks for reviewing these GoRuck bags over the last six months or so.

[pineapple]

Yo Aaron!

Loved this review! I own the GR1 26L and you are spot on when you say its the ideal weekend and over night bag. I even eeked out 5 days in Vegas with it in April for a wedding! Not the exact same bag, but with packing cubes and some intentional packing it'll get the job done- and it's a no brainer for 1-3 day leaves. Stuff it and forget it. No concerns on durability from my POV, either! Goruck is the real deal, if you can stomach the price for it...

I do WISH they had a water bottle holder, especially in this price bracket. i had to go and get a Molle water bottle holder for mine.


Im a traveling technician for work and have a large van where I keep a bag for emergencies (change of clothes, portable batteries, water etc) that might scratch the itch of for in this genre of bag- The 511 Rush 12. $100, 24L, tacticool and tough! Might be something for you to look into for review?

Love your continued reviews, and hope all is well dude!

[neyspeaking]

Long time viewer, first time commenter. I own a GR2 26l in 500D (black), and a Rucker 20l (I think it's 1st gen, multicam but I dyed it granite to make it more subdued). I travel a lot for work, mostly in work settings where I don't have to wear formal clothes and no one would notice these bags. At first I was worried that I'd look too tacticool, but in most urban places I've been, I've seen more complex/technical bags than these simple looking Gorucks (can't remember how many Mystery Ranch, Able Carry bags I saw in a single MTR trip in HK or SG). The dangle never bothered me at all, and I'm a short guy so there's plenty of excess straps. I bought them because I need bags that can handle a beating (shoved under airline front seats multiple times a day, several flights a week every month), with comfy straps to be worn on my back for long walks both at home and in my destinations. Right amount of size and footprint, not too bulky as to hit anyone's face in HK MTR, or Singapore/Jakarta's MRT). Based on my needs, they make sense. 

I also have a 2nd gen Wandrd Prvke 21l (bought in Suburban HK, actually), and although I love this bag (not a photographer, use it for EDC and travel), I hate that after two years of light usage the water resistant zipper started to peel off and looks ugly. I'm also seeing some stitching on the Wandrd shoulder straps started to fray, ripped a bit. Not a good thing for someone who relies on his bag thousands of kilometers from home in the middle of nowhere. 

The Goruck bags, well, they just work. My other bags (North Face, Timbuk2, Fjallraven, etc) couldn't compete based on my needs. I heard Mystery Ranch make equally comfortable straps, and I'm eager to get one of their bags. Goruck bags are pricey, but I can justify purchasing them because they are so well made. You can also buy them second hand (like I did for my Rucker). I think they're made for multiple owners (and maybe lifetimes too).

[arthuslim]

Not a fan of bags over 21L, but this man's energy kept me watching to the end. Guilty of owning a BS Errant (22L) cos of his video too.

[embreys]

I recently got the GR2 26L in robic nylon. Absolutely love it! I usually carry a beefy 15" gaming laptop with a heavy power brick, steam deck & other daily essentials. Needless to say, my bag is *heavy*! The thick padded straps of Goruck so nice - and have converted me to a Goruck fan. I'm not into the "tatic-cool" look, so none of my Gorucks have the external Molle webbing. I'm learning to live without bottle pockets. Nomands Nation patch when?! I do enjoy customizing my bags with patches. If I could have the organization/layout of a CTB26 with Goruck straps - that would be my perfect bag for sure.

[CeeMKE]

The zippers get easier over time. I bought a 21L GR1 last December and the zippers got really easy after a month of almost daily use. I was expecting 2-3 months but it happened much faster. Definitely impressed. It wasn’t a big issue with me anyway (it’s a beast bag for goodness sakes) but I was pleasantly surprised by the quick wear in.

[ericspence]

GR2 26L daily carrier here. I have it in Dyneema #teamcrunchy with a QAP. It's a fantastic size for me at 6'2". The zippers break in with use, as with all zippers. The organization is great in the front compartment. I had to take a quick 2 day trip to Qatar recently and threw in a small Peak packing cube in the middle compartment with a small dopp kit and was still able to fit souvenirs for my 5 year old.

[Mattzerfyer]

Another great video! I'm eager to see your review of the GORUCK M23

[henkersjourneys]

If posible please do conparison between Goruk and 5.11 as tactical bag category. Myself is a 5.11 fan and all their products are super durable.

[RemFreeman]

Really like this review, but would love to see a deep dive on the GR2 Ripstop Robic they offer, especially in the 34 liter size. To my uneducated eyes, it seems like it could a very well made, lightweight backpack that's great for packing for a longer trip and bringing on a flight. Keep up the great work!

[FranciscoAfricano]

My ideal patch would be Link holding the triforce. Thanks for the review Looks like a sweet bag; I've always been intrigued

[jonuiuc]

I like the idea of the two layer panel loader theoretically, but the 2nd layer of this seems to be all admin focused, and kind of shallow, so it adds weight with sort of prescribed volume. I like the Recycled Firefighter 24hr+ take on a double stack panel loader bag, more usable space for me. 3.8lbs is pretty heavy for the volume fore me. I'm probably more of a GR1/GR3 type person.

[fabianvazquez]

The 34l gr2 is absolutely my favorite bag

[nvparikh]

Hey Aaron you got any other recommendations for bags with multiple compartments in a 26ish L or more size? I noticed most bags these days have one big main compartment, but I actually like the idea of having some separation for certain things say for a light jacket, shoes, my dopp kit etc

[AmesAndGeo]

in all seriousness, could you imagine the "jangle dangle" if you did attach a carabiner to each lash point 😆

[Proton-my]

The lash points aren’t just for gear, they’re to put external bags and accessories on lol. GORUCK offers a water bottle accessory you can get. Even small pouches for the front

[matthewberry]

Take out the frame sheet. Cuts 280 grams (10 ounces) from the weight, and makes the thing more comfortable to wear. Other than a little extra laptop protection, it does literally nothing in the absence of a hip belt. The back panel itself is well padded and quite stiff, and the bag doesn't 'barrel' if you remove it.

[trousermouse]

Perfect for my Urban Missions (e.g., going to the shop for protein shakes)

Also please do abrasion tests on it using a controlled explosion