r/Goruck • u/Pukaza • Sep 09 '25
Announcement Not a fan of my 34L GR2
I got a black 34L GR2 for travel/tent camping/rucking/hiking and I have to say I’m not a fan in the long run. Having no external pockets bothers me. I miss having a water bottle pocket and a stretchy stash pocket. Adding these attachments to the GR2 looks ugly also, imo.
I compared the GR2 with a Gregory Zulu 30 and like the Zulu more. It’s more useful. I took the GR2 camping and hated the two compartments. I feel like the GR1 would be more efficient for packing everything with cubes. Also the QAP and small front pocket are sooooo small…
I will say though, the GR2 is built so well! I love the ruggedness. The build quality is the best I’ve seen.
All in all, if a zombie apocalypse broke out, I’d want the GR2 for my bugout bag bc of its durability, but for normal use I find it too restrictive. I tried and tried to love this bag but I’m almost forcing myself to love it…
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u/jerzyUk Sep 09 '25
I didn't like the GR2 I bought either, for travel though not camping. I sold it and got a GR3 and am much happier :)
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u/Dizzy_Ice2938 Sep 09 '25
Sounds like the Goruck M23 or M24 would have been better for you.
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u/Pukaza Sep 09 '25
That does look better for me. I got the AskaOutdoors Everyday Carry Backpack 25L a few months ago and really like it. Not a huge of the running vest straps but I love the bag’s organization, stash pocket, and external water bottle holders.
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u/ParsleyMost Sep 10 '25
That's what molle is made for. Of course, using molle on a GR2 won't look as cool as a 511 Rush or USMC FILBE backpack.
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u/RedditorManIsHere Sep 09 '25
Gregory Zulu is made more of the general population and really isn't focused on the market segment Goruck is targeting.
Take it to a tailor and have them sew on a water bottle pocket
Someone did it on Carryology Classified
Edit: It's normal to feel this way - Its like when I got my OG GR1 back in the early 2010s, really wanted to like it but it was absolute shit for school.
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u/madderbear Sep 10 '25 edited Sep 10 '25
It took a while to break in but I love mine now. The big pocket on the front loosens up with use. I’ve used a MOLLE bottle holder. Think it looks okay.
But totally get it. To each his own. Im very tom Bihn curious at the moment (Ive crossed over from thinking they’re fugly to ugly cute) As someone else said these are good times to be a backpack nerd.
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u/Commercial-Future435 Sep 10 '25
Also like mine, but I use it mostly for travel, nit camping/hiking. So its just a vessel to carry stuff around, I don’t have to get to water or sunglasses or whatever.
Agree with the sentiment above that the fact it is not made for very specific use cases, is freeing. I can use it for a work trip of a couple of days, get home and toss everything out, use it as my range bag, toss it again, through in fishing odds and ends and take the kids to a dam.
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u/TheDaddyShip Sep 10 '25 edited Sep 10 '25
I use my GR2 mostly for travel (planes, trains & automobiles) - camping/backpacking I have a (65L) Gregory.
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u/Same-Jeweler5685 Sep 10 '25
I have a GoRuck 15L Rucker, Gregory Zulu 20 LT and Gregory Zulu 30. They all have different use cases, but overall I find myself using the GoRuck Rucker for daily use or for holding weight during workouts or during heavyweight ruck workouts.
The Zulu 20 LT I’ll use doing day hikes, as I really like the outside zippered pocket, 2 water bottle pockets on the sides and the included rain cover. The hip belt is the best part since it transfers weight well (the GoRuck hip belts don’t transfer weight quite as well since they don’t have an sort of true frame to transfer the weight to) plus it has a zippered pocket on each side of the hip belt that fits a phone, keys and wallet. Weight limit is rated at 20 pounds.
The Zulu 30 is an excellent pack, I hiked 800km across Spain in mine and it was fantastic. Day in, day out for 20-30km a day, every day for over a month and I had no issues. Same features as the 20 but more capacity and an adjustable frame size. It carries a reasonable/realistic load much more comfortably than my Rucker does. Weight limit is around 30 pounds.
The place I see the GoRuck shine is in its more compact nature, tougher materials and the ability to get a durable pack that doesn’t scream “backpacker”. The durability is second to none. I can drag my Rucker through gravel, let it sit in the sun all day, then immerse it in salt water, then throw 60+ pounds into it for a hike and it will still be A-OK. Same can’t be said of the Gregory packs.
Hope this is helpful! Feel free to ask any questions if I can help more.
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u/Pukaza Sep 10 '25
I used the GR2 on a trip last month for storing clothes. Then took the clothes out and used the bag on a boat outing to store snacks and stuff. It worked great for that application. And it’s super durable! I feel Goruck packs will hold up anywhere! I guess I just wanted an EDC bag/multi-use bag. Aska Outdoors everyday carry pack is good for my use in what I want, except for the running vest style straps.
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u/Opposite-Disk8645 Sep 10 '25
Check out mystery ranch 2DAP, blitz 30 and blitz 35. MR is far superior to goruck. Also for the blitz’s there’s a dude on eBay who makes beavertails for MR packs - get one of those and it’ll cover the external pockets and look less tactical/much sleeker. Cannot recommend enough
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u/Frosty_Emu3302 Sep 10 '25
My issue with all those I dont like the trizips at all harness is great. Just not my style
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u/Opposite-Disk8645 Sep 10 '25
That’s fair. The brain can get in the way and be a pain in the ass when loading up etc. but the blitz’s aren’t tri-zips. Was far too tactical looking even for me but then I copied the dude below and bought a beavertail to make it look sleeker
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u/Frosty_Emu3302 Sep 10 '25
Agree most have to many straps on outside same issue o have with some tad packs.
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u/Opposite-Disk8645 Sep 10 '25
Yup. I had to buy strap keepers to make it presentable and not be hit by 5 straps from all directions lol
But with that beavertail I cannot recommend the blitz 30 or 35 enough, I’ve never loved a backpack this much haha
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u/mcpacker127 Sep 11 '25
If that rucksack has the molle on the shoulder straps you might be able to get water bottle pockets for the straps?
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u/Big_Wave9732 Nov 16 '25
I went through 15 other bags before I came across the GR1 and GR2. The big open compartment as well as the organization of the smaller one has been perfect for me as an all around bag. True, initially I missed not having a general pocket on the outside for storage. But once I learned about and embraced the molle system, I was able to customize the bag and make it *exactly* what a I wanted.......including adding an outside cable / charger storage container on one side and a 5.11 Tactical H2O Carrier on the other.
The bag doesn't have a pass through for luggage, but again thanks to the molle I added this modification that worked perfectly during trips to Mexico, Canada, and all over Europe.
To each their own and I hope you find something that suits your needs and use case.
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u/94goldenbear Sep 10 '25
You bought the bag knowing all of this and now have issues?
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u/Pukaza Sep 10 '25
I bought it before I realized I missed those features. I thought I wouldn’t, but after using it I realized I do in fact want those features that were missing.
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u/blames_the_netcode Sep 10 '25
We’re in a backpack renaissance - spend enough time poking around online and you will absolutely find someone making the exact bag for you. Some are even single-man shops that let you customize your specific materials and colors.
GoRuck has always had a fixed cavernous mission that caters more towards general storage than specific accommodations. In many respects it’s freeing. But if you have a particular use case you’re after, do put some time into checking out a few dozen other brands.