One of the Most Influential Backpacks of the Last Two Decades Is on Sale

Now is the ideal time to buy the backpack that helped build an entire brand and worldwide fitness movement.

A detailed shot of the upper portion of the GoRuck GR1 in black. The bag is shown against a speckled light tan colored background.

Published January 31, 2025

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Updated January 31, 2025

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It’s hard to overstate the GORUCK GR1’s impact not only on the backpack market but also on the culture of fitness and tactical gear at large.

The bag’s minimal, blacked-out look helped modernize and broaden the appeal of military-inspired gear for a new generation of urban consumers.

It also helped transform rucking— most generally understood as moving with weight on your back and a core aspect of the U.S. Army’s Special Forces training regime—into a booming civilian fitness movement, spearheaded today by over 500 independent GORUCK clubs scattered worldwide.

Currently, Huckberry is selling the 21L and 26L version of the iconic backpack for a rare 20% discount. Better yet, you can score one of the remaining limited-edition versions we designed with the brand directly from GORUCK for even less.

The GORUCK GR1 Origin Story

A man wearing a GoRuck GR1 is shown from behind. The man is wearing a denim shirt, black pants, and a black baseball hat. The GR1 is shown on his back. A handheld camera is also attached to the bag and hanging on the right- button-up shirt back in black. hand side. He appears to be walking on hilly terrain with blurred building appearing in distance.

We’ve long viewed the GR1 as one of the best everyday carry backpacks to cross our desks.

In case you’re unfamiliar, the daypack was the first of what would eventually become an extensive line of rugged, versatile bags and clothes developed by GORUCK’s founder, Jason McCarthy, and his wife, Emily.

The tragic events of 9/11 inspired Jason to enlist in the US Army, where he served as a member of the 10th Special Forces Group from 2006-2008. Emily McCarthy served in the CIA.

A black GORUCK GR1 is shown resting inside an airline carry-on bag with a metallic frame. The bag is on its side. — The GR1 is perfectly sized for commuting or carrying-on a plane.

Together, they had the idea to create a bag that could survive the grueling standards of combat zones while also serving admirably in every other form of adventure – including the more mundane parts of everyday life.

The result was a minimalist bag that merged key features from modern laptop backpacks with the durability and heavy weight-bearing capabilities of a core piece of training equipment for U.S. Army Special Forces—a.k.a. rucksacks.

Why GORUCK’s GR1 Stands Out

A black GoRuck GR1 shown leaning against a metal swiveling desk chair. A person is sitting in the chair with their legs flat on the floor. — Despite its military and fitness origins, the GoRuck GR1 is designed for civilian needs and features a dedicated pocket that fits most 15-inch laptops.

We’ve had team members spend a full year reviewing an early iteration back in 2011 and take its bigger sibling, the GR2, on a trek through Cuba back in 2013.

We’ve even had the privilege of developing a custom version of the bag directly with GORUCK.

The GoRuck GR1 x Gear Patrol collaborative edition shown fully open laying on a bed to reveal the bag's filled interior pockets and main compartment. — We’ve had the privilege of developing a custom version of the GR1 with GORUCK made in an exclusive elephant camo print.

This direct hands-on experience has given us plenty of insight into what makes the GR1 so special.

It starts with the bag’s combination of materials. Most of the bag is made of 1000D Cordura, which is incredibly tough and water resistant—though not fully waterproof. 210D Cordura is selectively used on the straps and back panel for a softer touch on sensitive areas directly touching skin.

The back of the GoRuck GR1 is shown with a silver laptop peeking out from the side of the bag's rear laptop pocket. The bag is shown against a plain black background. — A hard plastic frame sheet provides extra support for the laptop. The sheet can also be easily removed though to create slightly more packing space inside the bag if desired.

The bag also offers just the right amount of internal organization while still leaving a large main compartment for storing bigger items. The 21L version has a dedicated pocket big enough for most 15-inch laptops. The pocket is supported by a hard plastic frame sheet that can easily be removed if you don’t need to haul a computer and are looking for more space.

It’s also fully TSA-compliant and sized to fit under airplane seats.

A look at the interior panel of the GoRuck GR1 showing the bags integrated zipper pockets. — The GORUCK GR1 offers the right perfect amount of integrated pockets for organizing smaller items.

Three other internal pockets offer convenient storage for tech accessories, socks, etc. There’s also a quick-access zipper pocket under the top handle and a slant pocket on the front for stashing glasses, a power brick, a charging cable, and more.

A closeup showing the quick access pocket of the GoRuck GR1 unzipped to reveal a bright orange internal bag lining. — A quick access pocket right under the handle is the best place to stash smaller items like sunglasses.

Beyond the helpful pockets, the backpack’s central pocket is also designed to open up flat – like a clamshell, making it easy to pack and access items.

Three rows of MOLLE webbing also make the bag compatible with additional GORUCK external pockets and provide attachment points for hanging other items.

GORUCK Also Offers a Class-Leading Warranty

A man shown kneeling in front of a GoRuck GR1 with his hands on the top of the bag looking to open it. The Man's torso is shown wearing a denim shirt with black pants.

The GR1 also holds another distinct advantage over similar-looking bags. It’s backed by GORUCK’s SCARS Lifetime Guarantee warranty, which covers any defects and repairs on normal wear and tear outside of a few extreme exceptions. Buyers also don’t need to keep a receipt or prove a date of purchase to take advantage of it.