There’s something different about the GoRuck GR1. I own a number of packs made from 1000 Denier Cordura but the GR1 came out of the box feeling stiffer than any of them. Perhaps it has to do with where they source their materials or how the pack is constructed… or both. Regardless, it’s made clear in “GR1 Explained“, GoRuck’s manifesto on it’s flagship product, that the bag indeed has a break-in period. Certainly doing a GoRuck Challenge would jump start the process, but the pain in my right knee (a parting gift from over two decades of contact sports) tells me that isn’t going to happen anytime soon. Someone else suggested I take the GR1 in the shower with me. Necessity is the mother of invention but no thank you. My wife thinks I’m crazy enough.
In the end, I simply decided to take the GoRuck on a short 5-mile hike in the rain. It gave me an excuse to test it’s ability to repel water and keep things dry. Half way into the hike, under a steady light to medium downpour, the pack did pretty well:
GoRuck GR1
Water started to penetrate the zipper under the collar, but everything inside was dry.
At the end, most of the bag except for the back panel, was soaked.
I figured out that the water was collecting on the top of the pack because of it’s squarish shape, which is why water was soaking through a little. You can tell that in this picture where the lower portion of the zipper is dry.
A little moisture did make it through to the admin pouch attached to the main compartment’s PALS webbing but not enough to be of concern. For a pack without actual Aquaguard (water resistant) zippers, the GR1 did reasonably well.
I wasn’t hauling bricks but I was carrying my full daypack kit including a full 3L Source Hydration Reservoir. Overall, the GoRuck GR1 was pretty comfortable. The wide, heavily padded shoulder straps are it’s best feature. I still would have liked a sternum strap to secure them because the pack did move around on me when I picked up the pace – even when I synced the straps up tight. I have a sternum strap on order from a third party source and will post details and pictures once I’ve received it for those that are interested.
Afterward, it does seem that the pack is a touch softer after it dried out, but I certainly think it will take a number of excursions before it truly starts to wear in. I’d compare it to a pair of fine leather shoes that are a little tight at first but loosen up and become really comfortable after a while. But, overall, a good first outing with the GR1.
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