Morgan Scott November 4, 2018 Outdoor & Tactical

7 Affordable Goruck GR1 Alternatives

Morgan Scott November 4, 2018 Outdoor & Tactical

Looking for a good Goruck alternative? We’ve done the research to bring you 7 different affordable options to the popular Goruck GR1 backpack. The GR1 is a quality USA made backpack with tons of great features like a laptop compartment, external molle, and a hydration access port. It comes in 21L or 26L options which are the great sizes for everyday carry.

The backpacks on this list have many similar features as the Goruck GR1 but at a much lower price point. Take a look at our reviews below to explore the unique features each of the backpacks have to offer.

Packs like GORUCK: GR1 Alternatives

One of the main selling points of Goruck bags is the versatility that is embedded into each bag’s design. The Goruck GR1 is the perfect blend of civilian minimalism and tactical functionality. It’s such a good design that other backpack brands were quick to mimic some of its best features. While few bags can offer everything that the GoRuck GR1 offers, a few brands do come close.

Below are our the best bags like Goruck for anyone looking for a good GR1 alternative at a cheaper price point.

Recycled Firefighter - GoRuck alternative backpacks like GR1

Recycled Firefighter The Battalion 24HR

Recycled Firefighter

Recycled Firefighter offers a cheaper GoRuck backpack alternative that rivals the GR1 in design and function with the Battalion 24HR. At a 18 liter capacity the Battalion 24HR runs a little smaller than the GR1 but what it lakes in size it makes up in construction, functionality and price. Made out of a tough 1000D Cordura, the Recycled Firefighter 24HR is built to survive everything from weekend rucks to daily carry.

For those looking for an American made bag, you’ll be pleased to know that every Recycled Firefighter backpack is made in the USA yet is available at a much cheaper price point for a lot of the same features you would find in the GR1. If a minimalist design, a clamshell opening and a hydration compartment is what you are looking for, then the Recycled Firefighter Battalion 24HR is the best GoRuck alternative on the market right now.

Volume: 18L
Made in USA in small batches
Clamshell access to main compartment
Made of 1000D Cordura with Mil-Spec YKK zippers
15” laptop compartment

Mystery Ranch Urban Assault 24

Mystery Ranch

The Mystery Ranch Urban Assault is easily one of the best Goruck GR1 alternatives available today thanks to its tough Cordura nylon and robust YKK zipper construction. Although not a clamshell backpack, the Urban Assault instead uses a unique 3-zip zipper design to give you customized access to the main compartment depending on how you open it. Pockets line the inside of the main compartment for convenient organization.

The Urban Assault comes in three sizes. The largest is a 24 liter version that includes a separate laptop compartment. The smaller 18 liter and 21 liter versions have the laptop compartment inside the main compartment and are great for any one who needs a tough ruck pack with a small footprint.

Volume: 24L
Made of 500D Cordura nylon with YKK zippers
Special 3-zip access to main compartment
Padded laptop compartment

Db The Ramverk urban backpack - Goruck Alternative - Learn more at backpackies.com

Db The Ramverk Backpack

Db Jounrey

Let’s start out by saying that the Db Ramverk isn’t built to be a rucksack or a tactical backpack. Instead what we have is an urban backpack that has enough innovative features to make it a great Goruck alternative for daily carry.

A sample of these features include an open flat main compartment with internal mesh pockets, separate padded laptop compartment, aluminum hardware, external webbing for attachments and two adjustable straps for securing oversized gear to the exterior of the bag.

What makes the Db Ramverk so special is its patented ABS rib cage construction that replaces traditional foam panels. This construction allows the Ramverk to be incredibly lightweight while still providing great protection to your gear inside.

Volume: 21L
Also available in the larger Ramverk 26L
15” Laptop Compartment
Open flat main compartment

5.11 Rapid Origin Pack

Shop on 5.11

5.11 Tactical offers a cheaper GoRuck backpack alternative that rivals the GR1 in design with their Rapid Origin Pack. At a 25 liter capacity the Rapid Origin Pack sits at a comfortable middle ground between Goruck’s 21L and 26L GR1 options. Made out of a tough 600D polyester, the 5.11 Rapid Origin Pack is built to withstand everything from rucking to everyday carry.

For those looking for an American made bag, you’ll be disappointed to find that 5.11 manufacturers their bags overseas. But the tradeoff is a much cheaper price point for a lot of the same features you will find in the more expensive GR1. If you are looking for a rugged clamshell backpack with MOLLE attachments then the 5.11 Rapid Origin Pack is a best GoRuck alternative on the market right now.

Volume: 25L
Padded laptop sleeve
Hydration back compartment
Made of 600D Polyester

Camelbak H.A.W.G. backpack - Goruck GR1 alternative - Learn more at backpackies.com

Camelbak H.A.W.G Mil Spec Crux Backpack

Buy on Amazon

The Camelbak H.A.W.G is a quality made backpack tough enough for hikes and rucks. It’s main feature is the included Mil-Spec Antidote Reservoir water delivery system that includes a 3 liter water bladder and Quick Link Hydrolock Bite Valve Adapter for easy refilling and use.

The backpack itself features 2 full length main compartments to keep your items secure and organized. The 500D Rip-Stop Cordura is water resistant and MOLLE on the front panel allows for attachment of extra gear. At 23L capacity, the Camelbak H.A.W.G is large enough for your essentials while remaining compact enough to take on a day hike or to use as a daily urban backpack. We highly recommend the Camelbak H.A.W.G to anyone looking for a cheaper quality Goruck backpack alternative for adventuring.

Volume: 23L
Made of 500D Rip-Stop Cordura
Two full length compartments
Includes a Mil Spec reservoir water bladder and exit port with tube.

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5.11 Rush 12 Tactical Backpack - GoRuck GR1 Alternative - Learn more at backpackies.com

5.11 Rush 12 Backpack

Buy on Amazon

The 5.11 Rush 12 backpack is a compact tactical backpack made for everyday functionality. The backpack can be broken down into 3 compartments: A roomy main compartment, a smaller bottom front compartment with organizational pockets, and the 1.5 liter hydration pocket for your water bladder. In total, the Rush 12 backpack features 16 different compartments for a variety of items and uses. This includes the fleece-lined pocket for your sunglasses and internal organizer for pens, notepads and other small items. There is no dedicated laptop compartment but a laptop up to 14 inches can easily fit in the main compartment.

The outside of the backpack features an adjustable height sternum strap as well as a contoured yoke shoulder strap system that is adjustable for a comfortable fit. You can also find MOLLE attachments along the front and sides of the exterior of the backpack for the ability to add additional items to your load.The water-resistant 1050D Nylon makes this a great backpack for commuters and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

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Volume: 24L
MOLLE attachments on both front and sides.
Made of water resistant 1050D Nylon
1.5 liter hydration pocket

3V Gear Subrosa Urban Tech Backpack

Shop 3V Gear

3V Gear Subrosa Urban Tech backpack is a great Goruck GR1 alternative for those who want a similar minimalist design but need a backpack for more urban settings. A great feature of the Subrosa is its clamshell admin compartment that is filled with pockets for keeping your daily gear organized. Two padded laptop sleeves give you access to your tech either from the main compartment or from a separate back pocket.

Volume: 30L
Materials: 500D Nylon, YKK Zippers
Internal and external laptop sleeves are hydration and CCW compatible
Clamshell admin compartment makes packing and organizing items easy

14er Tactical Backpack

Buy on Amazon

The 14er Tactical Backpack is a budget-friendly option for those looking for a backpack like Goruck on Amazon at a cheaper price point. The bag includes tons of pocket for daily carry such as a padded laptop sleeve, zippered internal organization and compression straps for days you want to keep it light.

Although the 14er Tactical Backpack runs larger than the GR1 it’s still a great option thanks to its clamshell main compartment and robust MOLLE attachments that allow you to add on gear as you need it. The 14er Tactical Backpack also makes a great CCW backpack thanks to its hook & loop rear pocket that gives you dual access to what you carry inside.

Volume: 35L
Clamshell access to main compartment
MOLLE attachments throughout body
Hydration bladder compatible

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Other Brands Like GoRuck

The following brands are for anyone who loves the features of the Goruck GR1 and GR2 but are still curious about the competition. Getting to know your options before a big purchase is a must and luckily there are a few brands that rival Goruck in both quality and design.

Like Goruck, these 3 brands offer American made backpacks with a focus on innovative design and craftsmanship. For those who value build integrity, you are going to love what the following brands have to offer.

Mystery Ranch

Based in Montana, Mystery Ranch makes all of their packs in the USA. The brand has a special relationship with supplying bags for the military which started when the Mystery Branch was approached to make special packs for the Navy SEALS in 2004. Since the brand’s beginning, Mystery Ranch has been known for their dedication to quality, durability and function.

One of our favorite bags is the Mystery Ranch ASAP pack which is the most compact version of their 3-zip series assault packs. The backpack features a unique Y zipper design that allows you to open the backpack from the top like a rucksack and down the middle so that the entire main compartment is easily accessible.

The Brown Buffalo

The Brown Buffalo is an up and coming brand that focuses on design-driven packs, backpacks and travel accessories. The brand does a great job of striking a balance between style and function.

Those who love the minimalism of Goruck bags will be impressed by The Brown Buffalo Conceal Backpack. The are two versions of the Conceal backpack; an American made version made of ballistic nylon Cordura and a slightly cheaper Water-resistant 420D Nylon version made overseas. These bags are perfect for anyone who wants a more urban backpack for everyday carry but doesn’t want to compromise on the craftsmanship and attention to detail that many tactical bag brands like Goruck provide.

Triple Aught Design

Expertly designed. Tough as nails. Made in USA. Triple Aught Design offers some of the most thoughtfully designed American made tactical and urban carry backpacks. Their FAST Collection of backpacks offers some great options for those looking for smaller rucksacks with must-have features such as room for a hydration bladder, hip belt and plenty of MOLLE attachments. We recommend the FAST Pack Litespeed for anyone looking for a medium size rucksack at around 22L capacity.

Although more tactical than the minimalist GoRuck GR1 and GR2, Triple Aught Design’s commitment to quality makes their bags worth a closer look even if you are just looking for a casual everyday backpack with tactical features.

Criteria used for evaluation

Here is a quick rundown on how we chose the backpacks on our list. We made it a point to judge each backpack by how they compared to the Goruck GR1 in style, function and build quality.

Design

The first thing you notice when shopping for a bag is it’s style and design. Goruck has a very specific tactical minimalist style that combines the functionality of a tactical rucksack with a more toned down design. What you get is a military grade pack that can be worn just about anywhere.

Minimalist Style

While it can be tough to nail down Goruck’s minimal look, the backpacks on our list do a good job at keeping things simple. Each bag, with the exception of the Timbuk2 Q laptop backpack, include the typical tactical offerings of MOLLE attachments and sternum or waist straps without going overboard with too many bells and whistles that distract from their overall design.

Bags like the Propper U.C. backpack and the Grey Ghost Gear Griff Pack are great examples of this simplicity in play. Both bags look like regular backpacks with the exception of front facing MOLLE webbing or in the case of the Grey Ghost Gear Griff pack, some tastefully placed velcro for morale patches on the front pocket.

Opens Flat Design

One of the most popular design features of Goruck backpacks is their clamshell design that allows for the main compartment to open flat. Every backpack on our Goruck GR1 Alternative list shares this clamshell design with the exception of the Camelbak H.A.W.G. and Timbuk2 Q laptop backpack.

Small Form Factor

When it comes to rucking backpacks, the GoRuck GR1 pack is on the smaller side at only 21L and 26L respectively. All of our top picks follow in the same footsteps with the largest backpack being the Grey Ghost Gear Griff Pack at almost 30L capacity. If you are looking for a Goruck GR1 alternative on the smaller side then we recommend the Cannae Legion Day Pack that offers a 21L capacity just like the smaller Goruck GR1.

Function

Along with great design, we took a close look at the functionality each bag had to offer and how it compared to the Goruck GR1. What we found was that many backpacks had some if not all of the same functionality of the Goruck GR1 but at a cheaper price point.

MOLLE Attachments

The Goruck GR1 backpack features 3 rows of MOLLE webbing on the front, side and inside of the pack and additional MOLLE webbing on the shoulder straps. This allows the pack to be loaded up with additional storage and gear attachments.

Unlike other tactical bag designs, the simple MOLLE placement on Goruck packs is a popular selling point. Goruck keeps the MOLLE attachments to a minimum while still providing plenty of options for adding gear as needed. We think that the Propper U.C. backpack and Camelbak H.A.W.G. are excellent example of bags like Goruck that keep their MOLLE webbing design simple. But if lots of MOLLE webbing is your thing, we recommend going with the 5.11 Rush 12 backpack which is fully loaded with MOLLE webbing on the front, sides and shoulder straps.

Hydration Bladder

Goruck includes an exit port for a hydration tube in each one of their GR bags. We made sure to look for similar backpacks that support hydration bladders. If you are looking for a backpack similar to the Goruck GR1 with hydration bladder support our favorites are the Camelbak H.A.W.G. which supports a 3L water bladder and the Cannae Legion Day Pack which supports a 2L hydration bladder.

Ruck Plate Capability

Goruck makes the rucking backpack with the GR1 pack and we made sure to look for similar bags that can hold up to the rigorous needs of a ruck event. One main feature we looked out for is each backpack’s ability to hold ruck plates. The best we have found is the Condor Frontier Outdoor pack, a smaller backpack that has a robust laptop compartment that can hold one or two plates as well as a separate water bladder compartment that can double as a ruck plate compartment. Other backpacks that can also comfortably hold ruck plates in their laptop compartments is the 5.11 Origin Pack, 5.11 Rush 12 and the Cannae Legion Day Pack.

Everyday Capability

Each of the backpacks were handpicked with everyday carry in mind. Whether you are in law enforcement or a student, the bags on this list should have the ability to carry daily items such as laptops and extra clothes. Since each backpack has some sort of MOLLE webbing or velcro attachment, those looking for a Goruck camera bag will be able to attach a camera field pocket for easy storage of camera bodies and lenses.

Some people simply want something like a Goruck laptop bag without too many of the tactical features. In this case we recommend the Timbuk2 Q laptop backpack for the most urban carry features such as room for your laptop accessories, books, water bottles, etc.

Build and Quality

Build quality is what separates Goruck bags from other similar tactical backpacks. Goruck proudly claims their bags are “bomb proof”. This is achieved by building a bag from the ground up with the very best materials and extensive testing to make sure the bag holds up to heavy use. We chose bags that can compete with the Goruck GR1 in terms of quality but at a cheaper price point.

Material Durability

Goruck GR1 backpacks are made of 1000D Cordura, YKK zippers and ultra tough stitching that is strength tested at over 400lbs. Although few brands come close to Goruck’s material durability we did find some solid competitors. Both the Propper U.C. backpack and 5.11 Rush 12 are made of ultra tough 1000D and 1050D Cordura respectively. While brands like Mystery Ranch, Triple Aught Design and The Brown Buffalo all offer meticulously designed backpacks that compete with Goruck in terms of American made build quality and materials used.

Warranty

Very few brands can beat Goruck’s Scars lifetime guarantee. The guarantee covers defect in workmanship and materials on any Goruck product for life. But we did find some brands that offer impressive warranties with their backpacks. Timbuk2 and Camelbak both offer a lifetime warranty on all of their bags and backpacks. Cannae offers a 1 year warranty with each of their bags.

Availability

Lastly, a big factor in which backpacks to include in this Goruck backpack alternative list was whether or not each bag was easily available in stores or online. Goruck backpacks are not currently available on Amazon, but we made sure to include Amazon available bags. If Amazon isn’t your thing than you’ll be pleased to know that these bags are also available on each manufacturer’s website respectively. We made sure not to include any special edition backpacks that had limited runs and instead focused on staple designs from each brand we featured.

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