GORUCK GR1 26L Ripstop Nylon Review: A Lightweight Take on a Durable Classic

Introduction

GORUCK has the potential to be a really great minimalist travel backpack line, if you can look past the high price and the weight of some of its packs. The usual workaround is to pick one of the simpler models, and the GR1 26L in the lighter aerodynamic ripstop nylon is exactly that kind of pick. With the brand’s frequent 50% off sales, this version becomes a genuine bargain for travelers who want a durable, no-nonsense carry-on.

I have taken this latest GR1 on a few short weekend trips and some longer hikes. This review covers what the ripstop version changes, how much it really holds, and who it makes sense for.

Why the Ripstop GR1 Is Different

GORUCK bags tend to be heavy because they are built to be extremely durable. That is great if you beat up your bags, but it is wasted weight if you do not. The ripstop nylon GR1 addresses that directly. The more familiar GR2 in thousand-denier Cordura weighs about 4.5 lbs, while this ripstop GR1, at the same 26L capacity, comes in at just 2.4 lb or 1.08 kg.

That weight saving is the core reason to choose this version. You keep the simple, sturdy GORUCK design but lose the penalty that usually comes with it.

Capacity and Dimensions

The listed dimensions on the 26L are fairly accurate: about 20 inches long when fully packed, roughly 7 inches deep, and around 12 inches wide at the top, tapering toward the bottom, where it is closer to 13 inches when packed the way I had it.

To test real capacity, I filled the bag with a measured 26 liters of packing peanuts and transferred that amount into a marked container. Interestingly, at the listed 26L the bag was definitely not full. The top was almost empty and the sides still had give, which makes sense given the listed depth of just under 7 inches measured with the bag not popped out at all.

Because this is a soft-sided bag with a large front compartment, it holds noticeably more than the label suggests. Adding another measured 4 liters brought the bag to a fully packed but not overstuffed state at 30 liters, pushed out to about 8 inches deep. You could arguably reach 32 liters if you really pushed it.

The firm back panel frame sheet is what makes this flexibility work. Even when the bag is underpacked at 24 to 26 liters, it holds its shape and does not look floppy. If you need extra capacity, it pops out to 30 or beyond without looking absurd.

Exterior Design and Organization

The reason this bag can be both durable and lightweight is that, at its core, it is a basic bag with a simple design. There are no bells and whistles here. The exterior consists of a large front pocket, a small top pocket, an external laptop compartment, and non-load-lifting backpack straps, and that is about it.

The large front pocket is the signature GORUCK design element and carries most of the small gear organization. There is no further interior organization inside it, but it is decently sized with plenty of its own volume. The top pocket occupies most of the top of the bag but is fairly thin, so it suits smaller items: sunglasses, chargers, lip balm, and cables.

The laptop compartment sits on the back, behind thick back padding, with a zip that runs three-quarters of the way around the top and sides. Inside, you get a simple yet well-padded sleeve, a hard plastic frame sheet for structure and protection, interior padding, and a very large false bottom. It is basic but well designed, with genuinely good laptop protection.

Just do not expect features found on more complicated bags. There are no side water bottle pockets and no side compression straps. Simplicity is the design philosophy, for better or worse.

Carry Comfort and Straps

The carry system follows the same simple yet sturdy theme. The back padding is flat but thickly padded, with small channels for air ventilation. The shoulder straps are basic in design but extremely thick and well padded, using a higher-density foam that carries weight really well.

There is no hip belt, and the bag does not come with a sternum strap. However, there are daisy chain loops on the shoulder straps, and GORUCK sells a sternum strap on its website for an additional $10 if you want to add one.

One detail I really like is the shoulder strap connection. GORUCK uses a thick webbing strap connected to the bag so the padding does not run all the way through. This lets the shoulder strap swivel on your shoulders, which helps you get a really good fit.

Interior Organization

The main compartment is large and easy to pack, with no additional side pockets. There is a stretchy sleeve at the bottom, suitable for another laptop, a tablet, or ruck plates for training, and MOLLE webbing on the back for attaching pouches. On the lid side, there are two more zippered pockets: one large mesh pocket and a smaller fabric one. That is the full interior organization.

Given how open the interior is, packing cubes work really well here. The Peak Design packing cubes are exactly 12 inches wide and long, essentially the same width as the GR1, and the medium and small sizes fit almost perfectly in the main compartment, leaving a little room at the top for a pouch or small toiletry bag.

Other cube sets are less ideal. The Matador cubes are only 10 inches wide, so they sit with a gap along one side. That gap is fine if you want to slide in something tall and skinny, like a water bottle, since there is no external bottle pocket.

Even with cubes filling the main compartment, the lid does not come close to closing tightly. Plenty of volume remains in the inside pockets and the large front pocket. The front pocket is somewhat thin, so I like to use a slim tech pouch such as the Evergoods Cap One, which fits horizontally or slides in vertically. A sling like the Alpaka Flight Sling also fits with plenty of room. The top pocket volume sits low in the bag, so it stays fairly flat unless you fill the inside pocket or add something larger to the main compartment.

Every Day Wear and Final Thoughts on Fit

On my back, fully packed, I would not call this the most comfortable bag I have ever worn. The back padding is a little flat and stiff, and air ventilation is limited. But the shoulder straps are so thick and well padded, and they hold weight so well, that they make up for the lack of comfort elsewhere.

If you can catch one of GORUCK’s 50% off sales, the ripstop GR1 26L becomes one of the smarter buys in the minimalist travel backpack space: light for its durability, simple by design, and surprisingly expandable when you need the extra volume.

Conclusion

The GORUCK GR1 26L in ripstop nylon solves the two biggest complaints about the brand, weight and price, by trimming the fabric weight and rewarding patient buyers who wait for a sale. It holds an honest 26 liters with room to pop out to 30 or so, protects a laptop well, and carries heavy loads better than its flat back panel suggests. If you want one durable, simple bag for weekend trips and longer hikes, this is an easy recommendation.