Goruck Rucker: Ultimate Run Commuter?

The Goruck Rucker is the 20 liter little bro of the Goruck GR1 26 liter bag.  

Please read this review of the GR1 26L first since the bags are really similar....

http://skyrimrunner.blogspot.com/2018/09/goruck-gr1-cadillac-of-run-commuting.html

The Rucker is the brain child of a smiling manic former special forces guy named Jason…

This man is a mild lunatic I think, but he loves his dog…

And his kids and beer...

So he can't be all bad. He is also the founder of Goruck and like most mad geniuses he had a vision, make a super tough, super simple backpack that can survive in literal war zones and still look good on the streets of Manhattan.

Goruck has an almost cult like following and I am starting to see why.  

I am not the normal market for this bag.  I'm not a tactical operator, not police, not EMS, not military.   I'm a schmo run commuter and a nurse. But I like simple and clean designs and I like things that are over built.  For those things Goruck is my market.

Here are some side by side of my Black GR1 26 liter with my new Wolf Grey Rucker (20 liter).

So the GR1 is just a little bigger all the way around.   Taller, wider, and deeper. For the most part the only major differences between the bags is the lack of laptop compartment on the back. And there is some detail differences on the straps.

The black ones look much stronger and more reinforced but I think it's just an overlay anyway.  

Inside is simple and clean.  And it opens flat like a suitcase.  I cannot stress enough how important this is.  It makes packing the bag a breeze. Fold your clothes flat and just lay then inside.  So easy! No more rolling clothes.

The Rucker has a Velcro pouch that is meant to hold rucking weight plates.  I'm running to work over 5 miles as my workout, I don't need an extra 30 pounds.  But is a great pouch to secure any 11.5” by 9” items. So an iPad or small laptop.

The elasticized pouch in front will fit a 3 liter hydration bladder.  Or secure a pretty huge laptop.

The front panel has an open thick mesh storage pouch. With a closed zippered portion on the upper part.  These are the areas that you will be putting all your keys, wallets and other quick access items.

The front outside has a slash zippered pouch that runs all the way to the bottom of the bag.

Speaking of zippers…

Nice heavy duty zippers with a flap that covers the entire ziooer.  

There is a super heavy duty Velcro access port for a hydration bladder hose.

Here is where the magic happens...3 inch wide and over a half inch thick.  The pack stuffed and full feels like you are giving a koala bear a piggy back ride.  

That's why I call my bag koala gray...not wolf grey.  

The bottom has another heavy duty handle

This comes into play for the Goruck events were apparently no one really knows how to use a backpack 😉

No! Pick it up!

Not overhead?!?! Use the straps!

No, no, no, put it on your back!

No!  You put your pack on your back!  Don't put the guy with the pack on your back!

That's probably why Jason the maniac is always smiling watching all these guys use backpacks wrong.

Oh shit! He's not smiling in this photo!  It's freaking out Drax’s little brother on the left as much as it's freaking me out!  But little beard photo bomber in the back thinks it's funny.

So how does this back perform as a run commuter?

With some extra reflectivity, add on chest strap, and a hydration bladder.

I love this bag!  For an everyday bag I think I give the slight edge to the GR1 in basic black but for run commuting the slightly smaller 20L Rucker is perfect for me as my daily driver to and from work. That smaller size makes it feel much lighter and being shorter it doesn't ride down as low on my back.  

The full zip opening makes loading the back simple.  Also as a side effect keeps it cleaner since everytime you open the bag you can get out all of those small little things that fall down to the bottom of your back purse.  

The molle webbing on the front is just a feast for the imagination.  Use bungee cords to strap extra stuff to the outside. Carabiner anything you want to the outside of the bag.  And then there are all the other ready made molle pouches and accessories that you can find.

My only real request that I would reasonably make is for more Velcro attachment on the front...there is only room for one morale patch.

I want the whole front area above the molle to be patch attachable.  

The Rucker is also a little easier on the wallet at $265 but if you are, or know anyone who is, a vet, active duty, cop, teacher, student, firefighter, EMS , or government employee you get a 25% discount which makes the bag a more reasonable $199.  

If you have a laptop that you run with I would recommend the GR1 at 21 liters. My black bag is the GR1 26L.  So the make a GR1 in the Rucker size but it's $395 ($300 with discount).

Here is a link to my review of the GR1 26L again if you missed it the first time or didn't want to read it.

http://skyrimrunner.blogspot.com/2018/09/goruck-gr1-cadillac-of-run-commuting.html

Please read it if you have a chance.  The Rucker and the GR1 are basically the same bag minus the laptop sleeve.  And the size difference for the one that I chose. The GR1 comes in 21L and the Rucker is 20L. The extra liter is the laptop sleeve capacity I think.

Or you can check out the same review and more run commuting tips on the run commuter.

https://theruncommuter.com/review-goruck-gr1-backpack/

Thanks for reading guys but me and the Rucker gotta run….

The 10 Run Commute Commandments

I will attempt to do this in the style of the Notorious B.I.G. "10 Crack Commandments"

First off, lazy will make you crazy, so no slackin,
On the night before's the time to do ya bag packin.

Next verse will protect you from the hearse or lots of scars,
Bling out reflective, be seen, and look both ways for cars.

So there is no fussin and no rushin, in case you run slow,
It's better to leave early than be late you know.

Your bag size tells no lies and it can't grow,
So a little bigger than you need is the way to go.

The rain is a pain so make sure you never forget,
A dry bag in the pack so your clothes ain't wet.

Players always rock layers and so should you,
Cold can get hot real quick in the morning dew.

It's not needy or greedy to over pack,
Leave extra stuff at work in case you get slack.

Check the plan that you ran, and watch your route,
Sometimes the shortest path is not the easiest way out.

There is power in a shower, and in the sink
Spray down, wipe off and then you won't stink.

Last word for the herd as you join the tribe,
Have fun! Be relaxed! And enjoy the vibe....

R.I.P. Big Poppa

Goruck GR1 the Cadillac of Run Commuting

In looking for the best run commuting backpack I stumbled upon Goruck.  Their GR1 is considered by many people to be the ultimate everyday backpack. So can the backpack that can do anything also run commute?  Let's find out…

So Goruck is the brainchild of this former special forces veteran who is smiling like a maniac in every picture…

Seriously the energy on the Goruck site is tangible.  He puts his dog Monster on like half the site! But he is freaking adorable…

If you want to learn how to do web design, just look at www.goruck.com .  The design is brilliant, clean, crisp, it won me over.  If a purse company had a site with this kind of energy I would have bought one and would be trying to use it as a run commuting man bag.  It's the ultimate salesman for Goruck!

These bags are meant for rucking.    Which is basically walking around with a heavy pack.  They sell weights to put in them from 10 lbs to 45lbs (I have a 45lber that I have been playing with).  And if that's not enough they also host Goruck events which are basically SEAL Team/Boot camp events. Think of it as team building events for badasses.

So for run commuting they are overbuilt in almost every way, stress points tested to over 400lbs.  They also come with their “Scars Lifetime Guarantee” basically if the bag breaks while using it they will repair or replace it for free.  Forever bag? Ok I'm listening.

So initial unboxing I was a little underwhelmed...the bag is all 1000D Cordura, it's stiff and boxy.  But just like a brand new pair of Rainbow sandals are stiff flat boards that age into beauty and comfort like this..

I'm told the bag eventually molds to you, the plastic frame sheet conforms to your back and the straps shape to your shoulders. These are the beastly straps.

Thick and almost over padded, but surprisingly comfortable.  The pack feels like you are giving a koala a piggy back ride.  And if that doesn't sound awesome to you then you are insane!

Here is one of the interesting things that is counterintuitive to a running backpack.

The back has zero ventilation.  The koala will get your back a little sweaty.  But because it's 1000D Cordura it doesn't absorb the sweat, it just runs off.  So it's weirdly comfortable. I've run to work several times with it already in the hot, humid, Charleston weather and it's been fine.  All backpacks give me back sweat so it doesn't bother me at all. Also the 1000D is basically rain proof. There are reviewers who do shower tests and the inside stays dry.

The bag opens up like a suitcase fully if you want.  It makes packing it super easy. I can fold my clothes big and flat like they are going in a drawer. In usually roll my clothes to fit in a regular bag. In fact a few days ago I got my free scrubs delivered to me at work and there was still enough room on the run home.  That's my regular junk, my scrubs I wore that day, my towel and toiletries, 5 pair of scrubs and two scrub jackets! It's the TARDIS of backpacks. It says 26 liters but it carries more. Magic!

The inside has zippered compartments.

There is an elasticized pouch on the back of the bag which will hold 3 nalgene bottles side by side perfectly.

There is a section of molle webbing at the top back inside of the bag that can be used for whatever you need.  Look up Molle pouches and you will see how easy it is to customize this bag. There is Molle on the outside front and sides.

The back padding hides their “Bombproof” laptop carrier.

The back also has the removable frame sheet which you can take out to make a floppier bag or replace with a stiffer one. This is what makes it so comfortable. I can throw in soup cans for lunch and run without then smacking me in the kidneys for 5 miles.  It also helps the pack stay flat and flush against your back.

The outside slash pocket is a miss for me.  It's way too deep and if the pack is full then it's a tight squeeze to get things in and out.  And it's deep, all the way down to the bottom.

That's my own patch I put on it.  A runic compass so I don't get lost... in think it's broke.

But it contributes to the bags clean lines so I'm torn.  I would like a Jansport style zippered pouch but I love how flat the bag rides on your back.  The koala hugs you close.

There is a saying in mountain biking “Strong, light, cheap. Pick two”.  So basically if something is strong and light, it's not cheap. If some is cheap and strong, it's not light.  This phrase is attributed to the founder of Trek Bikes who further said that his first concern was that equipment should be strong and durable first.  Then try to make it as light as possible without making it weak. And then cost is the last concern. As a run commuter I get caught up in light gear. But often times light is not durable.

The Goruck GR1 excels at durable. Smash it, bash it, it's 1000D Cordura! It's overbuilt everywhere.

I mean just look at the stitching on the straps and handle.  Oh almost forgot there is a Velcro access for a hydration bladder.

So the GR 1 is a tank, but like a tank it's heavy.  Goruck says it's 3.2 pounds. For comparison the Under Armour Storm backpack here is 1 pound 3 ounces and they will fit about the same amount of stuff

So it strong as shit! But heavy AF.  And here is what could be the deal breaker... the price.  $395...that's not a typo. But they do offer 25% off for firefighters, police, teachers, students, EMS, military, veterans, and government employees.  So basically you can or someone you know will qualify to make the bag $300. Still steep, but I gotta to tell ya, I haven't looked back yet. I'm loving this thing.  It's the Cadillac of backpacks, over built and super comfortable. They have a 21L version called the Rucker that is pretty much the exact same back without the laptop compartment and it's $265 before the discount so basically$199 after discount which is better.  The Rucker has a thicker, stiffer non removable frame sheet and has a little bit of difference inside.

http://news.goruck.com/gear-news/gr1-vs-rucker/

That's an article comparing the two bags.

I really don't know what to say. Goruck’s site pumped me up and all the other reviews I read online convinced me to try it and the bag itself had made me fall in love with it.  It shouldn't make sense. It's not feather light but it makes up for it by being almost indestructible and just molds to your body like a nice pair of leather shoes. It's just a soft comfortable suitcase that you can run with.

They make other smaller bags too so check out their sizing and comparison pages to learn more.  

https://www.goruck.com/rucksacks/compare-rucksacks/

https://www.goruck.com/ruck-sizing-guide/

So please check out their site.  Seriously. It's almost a cult...but I drank some of the Kool Aid… (which is safer since they drank Flavor Aid at Jonestown), and I'm a convert.

I plan on getting a Rucker next.  Thanks for reading grabbing my GR1 cause I'm late for work and I gotta run….