I am using this exact one on a 5 week business trip across Europe, UK, India Thailand...my carry bag alongside a checked bag for business clothes, shoes, briefcase and purchases. I carry 7 days of meds and two days of clothes and essential business gear (laptop, aer tech pouch with chargers, etc.) aer dopp kit, extra glasses and travel papers I also miss extra grab handles that I have on my GR2 and will have side handles added overall. it's perfect for cabin travel. long immigration queues, and daily use. truly most practical bag I have
I’m the GR2 Goldilocks; too small, still too small, just right. I’ve had them all, more than once of course but in the last month I’ve had all three sizes in 500D. I’ve finally settled on the 40L as ‘just right’ because at 6’ I can get away with it and it will swallow everything I might need for short trips. It also obviates the need for pouches because it has so many built-in. Unless you’re constantly changing bags pouches make little sense to me. Paying hundreds of dollars for pouches on top of the cost of a bag is illogical to me. (I do own pouches too.) Great video, as always, for a great bag. Goruck has finally accepted reality by adding the 2-26 as regular production.
Man, it's too early for a word like 'obviates' 😂. But I get it, and I totally agree about the pouches. The organization in any GR2 (except the Shooters, and mildly on the Kaidan) is far superior to the others. You live IN the GR2 and don't need to pack all your stuff in pouches. I also agree and I'm happy GORUCK has finally made the GR2 a regular rucksack.
Appreciate the video and the specifics you covered. My current EDC is a TAD Axiom 24 and it's packed nearly full and struggles with comfort and accessing the contents when it's loaded with a heavier payload. I'm in between a GR2 26 and 34 - have one of each coming and thanks to your informative videos am sure one of those will work for me.
Just a note about the Triple Aught Designs Axiom 24. While their website says it has a lifetime warranty, it is in fact not. I have one that is just over four years old, and the plastic zipper teeth started separating from the fabric piece of the zipper that gets sewn into the bag...clearly not my fault and definitely a shoddy zipper. I sent TAD a photo of it and they told me it would cost $160 to replace it, even though the rest of the bag was completely fine and showed no signs of abuse or neglect. Buyer beware.
Great review! New to Goruck and was ready to place an order, but I don't see the multi-cam black available on their site. Bummer ... :( Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching! The colors and inventory go through phases. Since they just released a new back panel design I have to believe this one will get re-released in the next few months.
Awesome video. Thanks for taking the time to throw it together! I’m debating a GR2 26L 500d vs Kaidan for edc with tablet/laptop for school/work + the occasional kid’s gear (because kids ha ha). Also will be my travel bag. I like to one bag and I’m trying to have a hybrid bag to do it all What would be some of the trade offs of x-pac and what applications would I want it over cordura. Is it mainly aesthetics, weight, and waterproof?
To be honest I haven't been overly impressed with the durability of the VX choice they've made for the Kaidan versions. Thin and easy to rip through. Light and waterproof, maybe but I prefer 500D for the feel as well. I've sold all my Kaidan editions. Now if they did one in X50...then we'd be talking!
@@JBOutside1 Thanks for the tip. I read someone else saying that particular xpac was easily torn while hiking but you know how the Internet is haha. When the 26L is packed out more on the full side do you find it too obtrusive? I’m still debating what size. I don’t want the 34L if it’s going to be overkill except for travel. That’s going to be the lesser use by far- more like the occasional use
just some feedback. You ahve the 3 bags and didn't put them on to see the size comparison on a person. It'd be nice to know how they look while wearing, depending on your height and frame. Thanks for the review!
Depends on how you pack and whether you’re in love with your tech pouches. If you’ll work out of the bag then slight edge to Whitley. But GR2 is also great.
@@edwardgomez3633 ok, I misunderstood your question. All the GORUCK gear is built to withstand any event stress. The GR2 is not designed necessarily for an event. Only the Ruckers have plate pockets. You can put plates inside the laptop compartment. That’s how we did it originally when plates first became a thing.
Yes, dude! My black GR2 26L has become my EDC pack for several weeks now. I go have a 26L Dark Oak Heritage out to scars for the side handles and strap webbing... so I'll probably try to use that one when it comes back, but I'm loving the GR2, it may be a tough sell. Love that MCB look!
I don’t have a PD Tech Pouch to test, but based on what I can tell from the website they look about the same size so there’s no way the PD will fit inside an Evergoods CAP2L
Not really a “prefer” situation. More of a “what’s the best tool” situation. For GR1s I normally use the Heritage editions now. Love them. But sometimes I want the organization of the GR2 in the smaller size. That’s where this one comes in.
Note: Tropic Multicam and Coyote Brown do not include Ballistic bottom panel.
Excellent point!! Thanks Daryl!
Oh, and I pinned this comment 👍🏻🙏🏻
I am using this exact one on a 5 week business trip across Europe, UK, India Thailand...my carry bag alongside a checked bag for business clothes, shoes, briefcase and purchases. I carry 7 days of meds and two days of clothes and essential business gear (laptop, aer tech pouch with chargers, etc.) aer dopp kit, extra glasses and travel papers
I also miss extra grab handles that I have on my GR2 and will have side handles added
overall. it's perfect for cabin travel. long immigration queues, and daily use.
truly most practical bag I have
Nice 👊🏻
I’m the GR2 Goldilocks; too small, still too small, just right. I’ve had them all, more than once of course but in the last month I’ve had all three sizes in 500D. I’ve finally settled on the 40L as ‘just right’ because at 6’ I can get away with it and it will swallow everything I might need for short trips.
It also obviates the need for pouches because it has so many built-in. Unless you’re constantly changing bags pouches make little sense to me. Paying hundreds of dollars for pouches on top of the cost of a bag is illogical to me. (I do own pouches too.)
Great video, as always, for a great bag. Goruck has finally accepted reality by adding the 2-26 as regular production.
Man, it's too early for a word like 'obviates' 😂. But I get it, and I totally agree about the pouches. The organization in any GR2 (except the Shooters, and mildly on the Kaidan) is far superior to the others. You live IN the GR2 and don't need to pack all your stuff in pouches. I also agree and I'm happy GORUCK has finally made the GR2 a regular rucksack.
Appreciate the video and the specifics you covered. My current EDC is a TAD Axiom 24 and it's packed nearly full and struggles with comfort and accessing the contents when it's loaded with a heavier payload. I'm in between a GR2 26 and 34 - have one of each coming and thanks to your informative videos am sure one of those will work for me.
Awesome! It’ll be a tough call. Both are great sizes. I have an Axiom in the queue for a review. Ton of features there.
Just a note about the Triple Aught Designs Axiom 24. While their website says it has a lifetime warranty, it is in fact not. I have one that is just over four years old, and the plastic zipper teeth started separating from the fabric piece of the zipper that gets sewn into the bag...clearly not my fault and definitely a shoddy zipper. I sent TAD a photo of it and they told me it would cost $160 to replace it, even though the rest of the bag was completely fine and showed no signs of abuse or neglect. Buyer beware.
Ouch. Thanks for the info!
Nice bucees sticker. Enjoy your content. Good reference when I am looking at a new bag.
😎👊🏼
Great review! New to Goruck and was ready to place an order, but I don't see the multi-cam black available on their site. Bummer ... :( Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching! The colors and inventory go through phases. Since they just released a new back panel design I have to believe this one will get re-released in the next few months.
Awesome video. Thanks for taking the time to throw it together! I’m debating a GR2 26L 500d vs Kaidan for edc with tablet/laptop for school/work + the occasional kid’s gear (because kids ha ha). Also will be my travel bag. I like to one bag and I’m trying to have a hybrid bag to do it all
What would be some of the trade offs of x-pac and what applications would I want it over cordura. Is it mainly aesthetics, weight, and waterproof?
To be honest I haven't been overly impressed with the durability of the VX choice they've made for the Kaidan versions. Thin and easy to rip through. Light and waterproof, maybe but I prefer 500D for the feel as well. I've sold all my Kaidan editions. Now if they did one in X50...then we'd be talking!
@@JBOutside1 Thanks for the tip. I read someone else saying that particular xpac was easily torn while hiking but you know how the Internet is haha.
When the 26L is packed out more on the full side do you find it too obtrusive? I’m still debating what size. I don’t want the 34L if it’s going to be overkill except for travel. That’s going to be the lesser use by far- more like the occasional use
@@justinscarbrough448 a local friend here ripped his Kaidan too easily. I love the 26L size GR2 as an all around bag. Classic.
just some feedback. You ahve the 3 bags and didn't put them on to see the size comparison on a person. It'd be nice to know how they look while wearing, depending on your height and frame. Thanks for the review!
Thanks for the feedback and I should have done that.
Nice HCLS Patch 🤘
Thanks! That patch carries a lot of memories
How did you make the bag stand on its own? I have a same bag (except black color), but it does not stand which drives me crazy. Thanks!
Probably just a heavier cube on the bottom and the front pocket also packed firmly in the bottom. M6 26L GR2s are wide enough to stand in most cases
My gr2 straps are squeaking very loud since i bought it. Do you know remedies to fix it? None of my other bags have that issue.
Sorry, no. Haven’t seen that
The depth on the GR2 26l looks massive, have you measured it once loaded? I believe the website says 8” or so but looks like 10”
Haven’t measured it.
Came here to ask the same question. That won’t be a personal item on frontier if you pack it past 8” deep.
For an EDC bag, from your experiences, if you had to pick one, do you prefer the gr2 26L or the alpha one niner Whitley? Or something else entirely?
Depends on how you pack and whether you’re in love with your tech pouches. If you’ll work out of the bag then slight edge to Whitley. But GR2 is also great.
Man, how do those dirt roads hold up in the rain and snow? I bet in the Spring, it gets really messy and slippery!
It's Georgia so no snow. And yeah, it can get messy in the spring
Hi, did you ever do the 34L Kaidan vs the 34L shooter video?
Not exactly although I do refer to them in my Shooter video and in my Purge series. Ultimately the Shooter is the one for me and I let the Kaidan go
Nice review. Is this bag built to go thru a Challenge?
Absolutely
@@JBOutside1 I didn’t see a dedicated plate(s) compartment.
@@edwardgomez3633 ok, I misunderstood your question. All the GORUCK gear is built to withstand any event stress. The GR2 is not designed necessarily for an event. Only the Ruckers have plate pockets. You can put plates inside the laptop compartment. That’s how we did it originally when plates first became a thing.
@@JBOutside1 ok, so obviously the GR2 is going to be amazing for travel, and it has a Laptop Compartment that will hold a plate.
Thank you.
Great video. Would this bag fit under an airplane seat?
Easy answer: yes. But be careful with how much you pack
Yes, dude! My black GR2 26L has become my EDC pack for several weeks now. I go have a 26L Dark Oak Heritage out to scars for the side handles and strap webbing... so I'll probably try to use that one when it comes back, but I'm loving the GR2, it may be a tough sell. Love that MCB look!
Awesome, yeah these are tough choices for sure. That Heritage will be REAL nice
do you have an affiliate link for the Rucker 4.0 20L multi cam?
I think you found it 🙏🏻
Can you compare if the Peak Design Tech Pouch fits instead of the egg?
I don’t have a PD Tech Pouch to test, but based on what I can tell from the website they look about the same size so there’s no way the PD will fit inside an Evergoods CAP2L
You prefer this over the GR1 21l?
Not really a “prefer” situation. More of a “what’s the best tool” situation. For GR1s I normally use the Heritage editions now. Love them. But sometimes I want the organization of the GR2 in the smaller size. That’s where this one comes in.
enjoy your reviews!!!
Thanks Curtis!
awesome but it is too expensive :(((
Price is an issue but there’s value in the Scars guarantee
OVERK1LLED🤙 overpriced too…
Not cheap, but well built and scars guarantee...so you get what you pay for IMHO