A 2-Year Goruck GR1 Review (and Why the Huckberry Collab Is Better)

This may look like a backpack, and it is in fact a backpack, but it’s also a sneaky fitness tool that just might change the way you work out.

For us civilians, the idea of carrying around extra weight in our daily lives might sound a bit odd, but like many other things that have started out in the military and gradually made their way into the mainstream (shoutout to the internet, microwaves, and duct tape), the activity called “rucking” has a long list of benefits.

Read on to discover whether the Goruck X Huckberry GR1 lives up to its marketing claims, how it compares with the original GR1, why I used this bag so much for travel, and what its main downside is.

What Is Rucking?

Why are guys running errands while carrying iron in a backpack? Well, I’ve been doing it with this backpack and a 20-pound plate for over a year because it’s the only workout you can do in a pair of boots. (Except maybe barbell squats, which I explored in this piece with a pro powerlifter.)

In the words of fitness writer Michael Easter, who popularized the practice with his book The Comfort Crisis,

I like to describe it as cardio for people who hate running and lifting for people who hate the gym.

The idea is to just put on the backpack and then do… anything. No sets, reps, or rest periods to keep track of. Just take a walk, do chores, run errands — doing any kind of activity with a weight on your back will improve your strength and fitness.

I started with a 20-pound plate and initially had trouble carrying the GR1 around for more than 30 minutes at that weight, I’ve improved to the point that I just leveled up to a 30-pound plate to wear around New York.

(The general advice is to not carry loads over 50 pounds.)

You might be surprised that it’s just that simple: you don’t need a weighted vest or extra straps or a stopwatch. You do want to get one of the official plates, though: I first tried loading the GR1 with one of my kettlebells, but its shape and weight distribution were off and it hurt my back.

That said, some folks weight their GR1 with sand, if you happen to have access to leakproof bags that can store it.

The Benefits of Rucking

This is more of a review of the backpack than the activity itself, but the benefits of rucking are legion:

• Combines cardio and resistance training
• Builds strength and endurance (especially back and core strength)
• Has a low risk of injury
• Improves balance
• It’s better than doing the same thing with a weighted vest because it’s easier to move and breathe and take off
• Less fatiguing than short, intense workouts
• Above all, it’s easy to fit into daily life and not look weird

Goruck’s GR1 vs Huckberry’s Collaboration

That last bullet point is the main reason I recommend my Huckberry collab over the original GR1, which is covered in webbing and simply looks out of place on the city streets. That’s the only difference, except Huckberry also added a hidden pocket under the carry handle.

Is Goruck a Travel Backpack?

The reason I got this size is that 21 liters is a good size for daily use; you don’t want to look like you’re trekking when you’re running errands in New York.

They also make a 26L and 40L version if you want more room, but I was really pleased with my 21-liter “Slick” GR1 and I traveled with it a ton. It’s just the right size and shape to stuff under airline seats, especially because the front pocket is recessed.

Another travel-friendly benefit is that the recessed front pocket is really hard to get into when the bag is full. Now, that’s annoying if you want to get in there quickly, but it also makes it very resistant to pickpockets. I don’t feel vulnerable if my wallet’s in there, because it’s just impossible to sneak a hand inside. 

In general, I think this bag has just about the right amount of pockets; I’ve really enjoyed the zip-closure webbed pocket for storing dirty laundry. The main compartment has a clamshell opening that makes it easy to quickly access anything inside, there are multiple sleeves for storing a laptop, and the compartment for the weight plate is separate from the rest of the bag — and it’s backed with a protective layer to eliminate the chance of a metal corner jutting into your back.

I think the only pocket you might miss is a water bottle holder. Many backpacks give you an external slip pocket so you can easily grab your water when you’re on the go, but you don’t get that here.

Is Goruck Comfortable?

Sort of. The shoulder pads are pretty darn meaty. They are not light and flexible, they’re built for carrying over 50 pounds at a time, and they take getting used to.

You feel these straps at all times, and you notice it the most when you’re taking it off and on. It’s not exactly uncomfortable, but it’s not what you’re accustomed to. But there’s definitely no way to make a backpack for rucking without ultra heavy duty shoulder pads.

Believe me, I used to work out with a weighted backpack in college — until the strap tore and I almost broke my foot.

Goruck’s Materials

The GR1 is made from nylon. That’s a synthetic material derived from petroleum, but if you prefer a more natural bag they also sell a waxed canvas version.

Synthetics get associated with poor longevity and it’s true that thin, cheap nylon wears out fast. But this is 1,000 denier Cordura nylon. This is the density of nylon used in military-grade backpacks, and it’s also the density used in Filson’s (discontinued) Dryden bags.

What’s a denier? It’s a weird way to measure nylon’s thickness: one denier technically measures the mass in grams per 9,000 meters, so if you happened to have a single strand of nylon that’s 9,000 meters long, it’d be 1 denier. The Goruck backpack would have 9,000 fibers per 9,000 meters. The higher the denier, the thicker, sturdier, and more abrasion-resistant the fabric is. 

In addition to this material having a high tenacity like a seatbelt, Cordura nylon is also designed to resist tears and scuffs, so you can drag this over cement and it shouldn’t get a hole or a scuff in it.

Personally, I prefer canvas backpacks because of how they age, but I’m not about to say this nylon is inferior for durability. Just note that it’s water resistant, not waterproof. There is no waterproof lining like Gore-Tex, but a light rain won’t ruin your electronics. You can see a splash of water sitting on the exterior of my bag in the picture above.

Why is Goruck so Expensive?

The price is about 335 bucks. It is expensive, but there are three good reasons besides the durability:

• It is made in America
• 1 percent of profits go to charities supporting veterans and first responders and their spouses
• You get a lifetime warranty against any damage.

As someone who has used Filson bags for many years, it is nice to have a warranty for you bag. When something breaks, you can just send it back to them and they mend it for you. It’s more sustainable, of course, but it’s also just a level of comfort and security with your purchase that lets you say that this is the last backpack you’ll need to buy.

Goruck GR1 Pros and Cons

Too long didn’t read? Here is our basic rundown.

Pros:

• Lifetime warranty
• Extreme toughness and durability.
• Made in the USA.
• Offers an intro into rucking and a wide range of health benefits.
• Great size and design for travel.
• Stylish and minimalist design in the Huckberry collaboration.
• Charitable contributions: 1 percent of profits go to charities supporting veterans and first responders and their spouses.

Cons:

• Beefy shoulder straps: 100% necessary for the bag’s durability, but they can feel bulky and restrict comfort.
• Front pocket zipper: Hard to get in when the bag’s full.
• No external water bottle holders.
• Price is a bit of an investment.

Wrapping Up: Is The Goruck Worth It?

It’s expensive, but it’s the most durable backpack I’ve ever tried. The GR1 occupies a unique niche, in that you can use it to exercise when you’re busy but it is useful as a regular pack as well.

I never would have tried rucking if Huckberry hadn’t released their own version of the GR1, which is more minimalist and less militaristic. The design in this space is unmatched: you won’t look like you’re heading into combat or out on a trek when you’re stealthily building your fitness by carrying this pack around.

And the thing is, you don’t have much of an alternative if you want to try rucking: you need to pay for the extra durable build and you want to get a bag from the brand that is best known for making effective rucking packs. I certainly don’t want a cheap knockoff of a product that’s loading my spine.

Your options, then, are the Goruck GR1 or the Huckberry collab, and I think Huckberry’s design easily wins out.