GORUCK GR2 (40L) – Our Review

Before we get started, check out our definitive guide to GORUCK backpacks, bags, and vests. If the GR2 turns out not to be the bag for you, maybe one of the other 9 in our review will work out for you!

Also, if you’re interested in GORUCK footwear offerings, check out our definitive guides on the GORUCK boots and GORUCK shoe lines!

How does the self-proclaimed “rucking company” follow up the bag (the GORUCK GR1) they have christened as “the greatest (bag) of all time”?

If you answered “…with a bigger version of the same bag…?” you’d actually be right.

Well, mostly right.

Instead of being relegated to the parts of the world that the GR1 “excels” in (New York and Baghdad, to be specific), the GORUCK GR2 is “…built to travel outside the airport…(excelling in) cities, mountains, jungles, and deserts worldwide, facing the most difficult challenges known to man.”

I don’t know about you, but I personally don’t have any upcoming jungle or desert travel plans…but it’s nice to know that I’ll be good to go if I do decide to do some Indiana Jones-style adventuring.

Additionally, the GR2 has the cool addition of a built-in field pocket, which, if you had the gall to purchase separately from GORUCK, would run you a rather pretty penny…

All of this being said, the question is “is it ‘worth’ opting for a GR2 over a (insert other GORUCK bag here)?”

Everyone’s preferences are different and if you have big plans (preferably involving jungles and deserts, of course) for GORUCK’s “flagship travel ruck”, the answer to the above question is almost certainly a resounding “yes!”

…but does it hold up during, ya know, all of the other things you’d want your ruck to do for you? Let’s find out!

Sizing (not scored)

I want to provide a few special pictures of the GR2 to give an idea of sizing. For reference, I’m ~5’8″ and Mel is ~5’2″:

Rucking

Despite being a smaller guy and despite the GORUCK GR2 being a relatively larger bag, I have been pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoy rucking in it.

I have generally stuck to (and preferred) smaller, more compact bags for my “traditional” rucking activities so when I first started resting and rucking with my GR2, I actually had some pre-conceived notions on how it was going to feel.

“Too big”; “Too bulky”; “Swallows up my smaller frame”‘; “Superfluous size”…the list went on.

While some of this has indeed proven to be true, I have found some of these aspects to actually be advantageous.

Probably the biggest advantage I have experienced is the overall lack of movement, jostling, etc. when rucking with a ruck plate. Even in heavily padded and secured ruck plate pocket (like those found in the Rucker series of bags), I experience slight movement from time to time. In the GR2, I don’t feel anything.

It’s like the plate fell into some black hole in the bag and just remained there.

I mean, I can (of course) feel the weight of the plate, but not the actual plate itself. This can’t even be explained away by the frame sheet since, at this point, most GORUCK bags have one (if you’re serious about rucking always go for one of these options!) and I think it comes down to a mixture of the bags overall size, sheet, and internal pocket location.

Related to this point is the decidedly different overall feeling involved with rucking in a bigger and longer bag. Instead of the ruck ending somewhere in the middle of my back, the GR2 extends all the way to midway down the small of my back. This is something that it actually less bothersome to me than I had originally anticipated and is probably a personal preference type of thing (some people will like this more than others).

Like just about all of the bags in GORUCK’s current lineup, the GR2 sports heavily padded straps which, in conjunction with the super-sized frame plate, create an “extra-padded” kind of overall feel when the bag is loaded up and sitting on my shoulders.

Due to the bag’s greater overall length, if you do little to adjust the bag (I try to test all of mine from their “base” positions, at least at first), your ruck plate is going to sit a bit lower than it usually does. This is because, naturally, the interior pocket (where just about everyone will stick their plate) is, as in most bags, at the bottom of the bag.

I wouldn’t say that having the plate sit this low is “bad”…it’s just different.

One last thing I’ll note is that the sternum strap fits a little awkward for me on the GR2. It seems like no matter how I adjust it, it either cuts into my ribcage or effectively doesn’t really do much of anything (it snaps closed, but doesn’t really tighten the bag). I may just have an odd upper body shape that is just too small (or too big) for it to work for me.

The GR2 rucking experience has created a bit of nostalgia in me. One of the first bags I regularly rucked with was the Rucker – Long Range and the respective sizes and structures of the bags are somewhat similar. However, I have grown to prefer smaller more compact bags so, despite its unique attributes, I likely won’t use it to hit the pavement all that often.

Rucking: 85

“Dynamic” Rucking

Like all of the company’s “travel rucks”, the GORUCK GR2 is not exactly marketed as a ruck to throw on your back and knock out pull-ups in, to swing around, or to perform get-ups with.

With that being said, there is a rather curious graphic placed in the GR2’s description, showing the evolution of the Cordura material (which we’ll discuss in much further detail in the “Materials” section) in the Rucker series of bags…linking this evolution to the GR series.

As you can see, images from the CrossFit Games as well as from GORUCK Selection are featured here…events that have included rather “dynamic” activity…to include dynamic rucking.

It’s safe to say that there is an expectation that the GR2 might be incorporated into this kind of activity…despite arguably being the company’s worst ruck for this kind of work.

Something that becomes very obvious very quickly is that it’s simply harder to perform common dynamic rucking movements in larger rucks. Most people’s limiting factor for exercises like weighted pull-ups or weighted dips isn’t going to be a lack of space in their bag or dip belt to hold their weight…it’s going to be the weight itself. As such the extra load capacity won’t help most people, while the overall bulk of the bag just makes things more awkward.

In contrast, depending on the type of weight/resistance you use, weighted push-ups can actually be a bit easier to perform than in other rucks. Distributing the weight over a larger area takes less pressure off of the upper back/shoulder area (where weight is generally more consolidated in other rucks). Granted, I don’t want to get stuck with more weight on my lower back, but this general arrangement is slightly more…tolerable for me.

Another point for the GR2 is again related to its overall length. When performing movements like ruck thrusters or front squats with smaller bags, particularly like the Bullet or GR0, I have to hold my arms much closer together than I would like in order to maintain a symmetrical grip on the bag. I like this for strict pressing…not so much for other movements.

While I don’t have my arms “wide” on the GR2, they are definitely wider and closer to where I would place them on a barbell (keyword here is “closer“…heh), putting me in a better anatomical position for these exercises.

From here, things pretty much go downhill as, once again, the larger size of the GR2 makes things like ruck swings incredibly awkward. Not only do I have to stand a bit wider, but when using a ruck plate for resistance, there is a bit more “unevenness” to the movement, mainly due to the bag being less compact.

I don’t do nearly as much carrying with my bags in training, but only having a top handle, especially on a taller bag, makes things like suitcase or farmers carries much less comfortable. The bag comes much closer to brushing the ground than other bags do.

Finally, if you’re into official GORUCK Events and need a bag that will hold up and drain out quickly once it gets wet…well…the GR2 isn’t really designed for this type of activity. You’re more likely to be left with an even heavier, waterlogged bag than something that quick drains like the Rucker 4.0.

Overall, the GORUCK GR2 certainly isn’t close to being the worst bag for dynamic rucking activity. However, if this is your main focus, just about any other GORUCK ruck works just as well, if not a lot better.

Dynamic Rucking: 75

Load Capacity

I could get really annoying here, discussing the variance in load capacities of each of the GORUCK GR2 variants, but it probably makes the most sense to simply “go big” here. Only $20 separates the 26-liter and 40-liter GR2 bags so we may as well talk about the big one.

With a 40-liter load capacity, the GR2 isn’t in the league of some of the really big rucks. Truth be told, these are bags are often designed with European backpackers or Army Rangers in mind moreso than your more “casual” (but not too casual!) rucker in mind. However, if overall capacity is what you’re going for, you can certainly do “better”.

The biggest GR2 sits a couple of levels below the largest of these bags…and squarely in the running for the largest of the GORUCK “travel rucksacks”, only losing out to the larger GR3 variant by 5 liters.

Some might gripe that the two interior storage compartments split up the total “effective” capacity, reducing the ability to handle larger objects. However, from an “absolute” standpoint, the GR2 holds up pretty well in this area.

Load Capacity: 90

Everyday Carry/Travel

Normally, this category would pretty much only be devoted to EDC while in some select cases, we have replaced a different category (usually “Dynamic Rucking”) with “Travel”. Since all are relevant, but for most people, “travel” happens the least often, we’re combining two here.

…because the GR2 is (literally) a mixed bag!

I get that people have different types of jobs and/or different types of everyday carry needs. However, for the vast majority of people, I’m pretty sure that bags getting in the 35-plus liter range are a bit excessive.

I mean, I don’t think that anyone is really arguing against extra space (which is always nice), but more so with the sheer size associated with bags of this size. It’s kind of hard to look like the “cool” guy who still wears his backpack to the office when your bag is so big that you look more like the “giant backpack kid” from late elementary and/or middle school (you know the kid!)

With that being said, there are definitely a number of EDC features I do appreciate with the GR2 (I just wish they were in a smaller bag).

The previously mentioned built-in field pocket is, next to heavily-padded and velcroed ruck plate pockets (like the kinds found in the Rucker 4.0), is probably the most functional internal feature/inclusion in any GORUCK ruck. I feel much better about stashing smaller items (normally electronics) in it than I do in the much more common mesh pockets.

The more standard laptop sleeve/compartment sits nicely between the frame sheet and the main storage compartment, benefitting from protective padding on either side. Also, the top exterior pocket is a nice addition…assuming you’re in a high-trust society.

So…pretty good on the EDC components…pretty good…

Now where I think most people will be the most pleased with the GR2 is with its travel “capabilities”. It’s pretty much the big (but not so big that you’ll run into trouble) carry-on bag that you’ve always wanted, but couldn’t find.

Besides the aforementioned size and EDC inclusions (which obviously apply to travel considerations, as well) I appreciate the GR2’s dual interior storage areas. Each of these is large enough to fit a lot of stuff (especially if, unlike me, you can be bothered to properly arrange, fold, etc. your clothes) but the separation helps me to much better organize my things.

Also, the whole “giant backpack kid” thing…I don’t really care about when I’m travelling (the bag isn’t big enough nor Euro enough for me to look like a hippie backpacker so at least I got those people beat on travel day!) If it saves me from having to cart around an extra bag, I’m down.

Overall, I’d say that the GORUCK M23 might have something to say about the whole “flagship travel ruck” moniker, but the GR2 definitely makes a strong argument for this title and I think it is undoubtedly the bag’s strongest quality.

Everyday Carry/Travel: 85/95

Materials

If you’re familiar with (just about all) rucks today, you’re familiar with Cordura.

If you’re familiar with GORUCK’s rucks, you’re really familiar with Cordura.

If you’re not familiar with any of these things, a brief primer on Cordura…the lifeblood of the GORUCK GR2…and every other GORUCK bag.

Straight up, Cordura (particularly the 1000D variety found in the GR2) is part heavy duty, resilient fabric, part flexible (although less so of the latter than the lighter ripstop material common in GORUCK variants). As such, it is uniquely suited for holding up under a lot of packed gear or ruck plates and, at the same time, being pliable enough to move with you and your stash.

Back in the early days of GORUCK’s relationship with CrossFit, the company realized that the thicker variation of Cordura was a bit too abrasive on the skin (Hayley Adams can tell you all about it!) They quickly made adjustments, switching out the much less abrasive 210D Cordura in the areas where their bags, to include the GR2, are most likely to come into contact with exposed skin.

I’m not a big shirtless rucker, but I can assure you that this material feels much nicer against my upper arms when I’m rocking a tank top.

Besides this engineering improvement, the interior mesh, while not really being anything special or to write home about, does its job. I don’t often stick stuff in these areas or pockets, but have never gotten the impression that pockets were going to tear or rip when I did.

As mentioned in the previous section, unlike many of the smaller bags in GORUCK’s lineup, the GR2 has an additional interior compartment/”storage” area. As such, there is an extra large exterior zipper.

Where many see this as a bonus, others are at least slightly dubious; an extra zipper is an extra zipper that can bust.

Most higher-quality rucks of this kind have YKK zippers which, combined with surprisingly resilient pulls, are about as good as you can ask for when it comes to “zipper longevity”.

Finally, the frame sheet plastic is likely nothing more than a piece of hard plastic, perfectly adhered to where it needs to go. It’s simple (and probably not overly expensive to produce), but its more than good enough for me.

Materials: 95

Price

If you know anything about GORUCK, you know that their stuff ain’t cheap.

The GR2…is no exception to that rule.

Even if you make apples to apples size comparisons between the GR2 and bags like the GR1 (comparison both bags’ 26-liter price tags), the GR2 is going to set you back a bit more.

To a degree this is expected, mainly due to some of the additional features you can find in the GR2. The actual value you derive from it may actually place it higher than other bags of size. However, in terms of absolute price, it’s not hard to find a lot of similarly-sized bags for, in some cases, a lot less than the GR2.

One thing to note is that depending on the size you have your eye on, you’ll probably feel a lot better…or a lot worse…about your purchase.

For example, the 26-liter “base model” GR2 currently goes for $375 while the 40-liter model only goes for $20 more (for all of you non-math majors, that’s $395). That’s a much bigger bag with a lot more cargo space for only ~5 percent more.

If you really want to feel better about this category, do yourself a favor and go for that 40-liter version!

Price: 80

Customer Reviews

We mentioned in the last section that if you’re familiar with GORUCK, you’re probably familiar with how much their bags cost.

Well, if you’re familiar with the company’s website, you’re also probably familiar with the how highly each item’s, whether training shoe, ruck, or sandbag, review score is.

While this doesn’t always translate to (the relatively few) reviews on third-party sites like Rogue or Amazon, it’s hard to argue with the sheer number of 4 and (especially) 5-star reviews.

The GR2 is no exception to this trend and currently sports an astounding 1177 reviews with a cumulative score of a 4.8 out of 5.

Unfortunately, at this point, it’s impossible to find reviews for the GR2 on even the aforementioned, major retail websites. As such, the reviews found on the official company website are all we have to go on.

Thankfully, I have generally found these reviews to be pretty reliable. Also, the sheer number of them generally leads me to believe that there is enough info there to help anyone come to an informed decision about GORUCK products. As it is, I’ll bid the GR2 “congratulations” as it is one of the company’s highest-rated items (based on customer review scores, that is!)

Customer Reviews: 94

Customer Service

Dealing with GORUCK isn’t like dealing with most companies.

To be honest, I don’t ever really get the impression that they have, like, “policies” in place that they are obliged to adhere to or “uphold” or whatever. In my different dealings with them, they have actually gone against the “black letter” of these policies on multiple occasions.

The good news is, on each of these occasions, they went against the grain…in ways that were favorable to me.

(Not to go into long stories or to get overly specific, but both occasions involved refunds in rather obscure circumstances (I’m not that guy, I promise!) that the GORUCK personnel graciously bucked policy to award me!)

On the flipside, I have experienced some minor errors with the ordering process that seemed like they could have been handled in a more simple and straightforward manner. These have been rather rare and actually took place quite a long time ago at this point (over a year).

I could see if you’re more of an ultra-strait-laced type that this approach might be seem slightly…non-traditional, but I appreciate it. Overly “corporate” organizations (who end up missing their SLAs most of the time, anyways) don’t really do it for me.

Customer Service: 95

Who is the GORUCK GR2 really for?

Anytime I come up with these “profiles” of ideal gear users, I feel like I’m about to reveal something interesting (or at least unexpected). At this point, I’m willing to bet you have a pretty good idea of what to expect…

Travelers who ruck

GORUCK’s “flagship travel ruck” is actually the “personal favorite” of GORUCK founder, Jason McCarthy.

That being said, the GR2 is a legit travel bag while also being a bag to haul yourself around whatever city you’re visiting for hours on end. Embrace the (yuge) carry-on!

“Complete stability” ruckers

There is nothing I find more annoying the feeling of getting smacked in the back by a hard, steel ruck plate with every step. Feeling the constant prodding from a stable, but oddly-placed ruck plate doesn’t feel so great either.

In the GR2, I feel myself enveloped by a large, hard, plastic frame sheet at all teams…but I don’t feel that ruck plate…at…all.

For those who want to feel like one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles probably feel (I always think of the GR2 as a giant shell) with a completely stable ruck on their back, this one is tough to beat.

Not for dynamic ruckers

Between the lack of typical features facilitating dynamic rucking activities (ex. side and bottom handles, drainage holes) and the GR2’s larger size, it’s not a bag that should be anyone’s first choice if they plan on participating in a lot of “non-traditional rucking” activities.

If this is you, I’d strongly suggest opting for something like the Rucker 4.0 (in the largest 25-liter size, if load capacity is a priority for you).

How we reviewed the GORUCK GR2

I was pretty sure that the GR2 wasn’t going to become one of my “everyday” rucks…bags that I have laying around near my front door, plate nearby, ready to pack and go. With this in mind, my testing had to be a bit more intentional.

As exciting as this sounds (heh…) what this amounted to was doing some experimenting with different packing arrangements (to see how well I liked it for hypothetical travel and EDC) and doing some more “real world” kinds of stuff like rucking my usual route and (attempting, at least) to put it through the motions of my usual dynamic rucking/training routine.

To that final point, this generally involves keeping my ruck on to perform push-ups, pull-ups, squats, dips, and burpees and taking it off to try out swings, presses, thrusters, front squats, and suitcase carries.

GORUCK GR2 Alternatives

While the GR2 may not be the bag for you, the good news is that you have a lot of other options. Depending on what exactly you’re looking for, I’m pretty confident that if the GR2 ain’t the bag, one of these three is:

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s take a few minutes to answer your final questions about the GR2.

The GORUCK GR2…just a big GR1…?

Despite the love it gets on the GORUCK main page and in reddit discussions, I don’t think I’ll ever be the biggest GR2 fan. I just like a more compact bag when I’m rucking.

However, the GR2 has exceeded my expectations, particularly in regard to its “pure” rucking capabilities which, lucky for me, are what I most look for in a bag.

For ruckers who aren’t really interested in the whole “use your bag as your gym”, bit and are more likely to lug their ruck around on an international vacation, the GR2 could be a very attractive option, especially the larger variants.

If EDC and dynamic rucking are more of your thing, I think the GR2 might be a bit too big to be as effective as other bags are, particularly those like the GR1, the Bullet, or even the GR0.

I’m still of the mind that the GR2 is more or less just a big GR1 (with that built-in field pocket!) which for many is probably pretty awesome, but for me is just not exactly what I’m looking for.

As we finish things up, I encourage you to check out our definitive guide to GORUCK backpacks, bags, and vests. If the GR2 turns out not to be the bag for you, maybe one of the other 9 in our review will work out for you!

Also, if you’re interested in GORUCK footwear offerings, check out our definitive guides on the GORUCK boots and GORUCK shoe lines!