It took a little longer than expected but our package has arrived and we’ve got our GORUCK Rucker 2.0! This first look post contains a ton of pictures and highlights some of the differences between the new GORUCK Rucker 2.0 and the previous GORUCK Rucker.
Looking down at the pack the Rucker 2.0 is clearly a pack made by GORUCK. You’ve got the 3 rows (with 6 columns) of webbing, the slant pocket, and the 3″ x 2″ Velcro patch area.
Starting off with branding on the outside of the pack you’ll notice there is an embroidered spearhead on the lower-right of the webbing. The logo is embroidered in black thread on black webbing and blends in nicely. If there was ever a spot to put a logo on a GORUCK bag this would definitely be my second choice.
My first choice would be to embroider it in the Velcro 3″ x 2″ patch area on top but that semi-reverse flag outline stitching has become synonymous with GORUCK already.
Seeing the zippers wrap to the bottom of the pack is a thing of beauty. After using GORUCK packs (and their clam-shell design) I’m not sure I can go back to packs that don’t have it.
The zipper pulls throughout have the bag all have the heat-shrink tubing that have come standard on GORUCK packs since forever.
The slant pocket opens the full width of the pack…
… and runs to the very bottom of the pack. This wasn’t standard in the original GORUCK packs but it’s how the newer GR1s and the Ruckers have been built so I’d say it’s standard now.
Here’s another picture of the zipper going to the absolute bottom of the pack which is what enables the clam-shell opening.
The sides of the pack feature 3 rows (with 2 columns) of webbing which is perfect for attaching a side pocket (review) or a padded hip belt.
Moving around to the back of the pack you’ll notice the same standard layout found on other GORUCK packs. Panels of 1000d Cordura which will definitely heat up your back a bit.
The “bat wings” as GORUCK calls them are present on this version of the Rucker as well.
If you have a pet then this sight is probably all too familiar to you. This pack hasn’t even been in the house a day and there’s already some Watson hair stuck on it!
The shoulder straps are incredibly padded and surprisingly stiff… and I say that having owned at least a dozen GORUCK packs in my life. I haven’t bought a new Rucker in years but these straps feel stiffer than I remember the straps being on my original Rucker. I’m very excited to see how they break in.
Both shoulder straps are sewn directly into the GORUCK bag which is very similar (if not identical) to how it’s done on the original Rucker.
For those who don’t want to head over to our previous Rucker Review the above is how the shoulder straps are attached on that.
Here’s a picture of how much room is given on the right shoulder strap sewn into the backpack.
Then here’s a picture of how much room is given on the left shoulder strap where it’s sewn into the pack. It looks like there’s a little extra spacing on the left than the right… you can tell where it starts to thin in on the left a little.
The port that the hydration hose exists from the pack is identical in the new Rucker as it is in previous GORUCK packs.
Separate the Velcro and you’ve got a small hole that reaches into the main compartment of the pack.
The padded handle on the Rucker is the same GORUCK style we all love… tons of padding and easy to grab.
The handles are over-sewn into the pack and it’s not ripping out.
The bottom of the pack is made of the same 1000d Cordura that the rest of the pack is built out of.
Getting into the pack here’s the spot where the hydration hose leaves the backpack.
Open up the pack and if you’re familiar with GORUCK bags then this will be a sight you’ve seen many times. There’s the one internal label and both the top and bottom pockets.
The bottom pocket is mesh which is the same as the GR1 and original Rucker.
The top pocket is one of my favorite… big enough to hold keys, food, or other items you need quickly and small enough that gear won’t get lost in there.
Here’s a final shot of the internal label on the GORUCK Rucker.
There’s a little tag in the bottom of the bag that has a big “M” on it. Here’s to hoping that means Medium and there’s an “L” out there that’s 25L coming soon :)
Here’s where the massive changes occurred on the GORUCK Rucker.
You’ll see what looks like the traditional folder pocket on the GR1 then right behind that is the Ruck Plate Pocket. This pocket is sewn into the back of the Rucker and elevates the ruck plate so it will neither slam into your head or smash against your lower back.
Right above the Ruck Plate Pouch is a D ring sewn into the top of the pack. This is very similar to the D ring sewn into the top of the GR3 and it’s a lot more versatile than the bladder holder that’s featured on the original Rucker.
Here’s a look into the folder area which is sized to hold every Ruck Plate that GORUCK makes. You can also see where the Ruck Plate Pocket attaches and closes in the pack.
You can see just how much Velcro there is holding the flap down on the Ruck Plate Pocket. As you can imagine it’s VERY noisy to open so keep that in mind if you’re packing for a ruck and your kids are sleeping…
Here you can see that Ruck Plate Pocket open and ready for business. Just slide a 20 lb Expert plate or 30 lb Expert plate in there and start rucking!
So in the above picture I pressed against the bottom of the Ruck Plate Pouch to expose where it ends in the pack. You can see just how far out of the bottom it raises that ruck plate for you.
Here’s the crease without my hand/arm in it. Again, that ruck plate gets some nice elevation.
And that’s the ins and outs of the GORUCK Rucker 2.0! We haven’t had much time to play around with it yet but we’re going to get some time under ruck with it and will have a review together as soon as possible. In addition, we’ll be putting together a GORUCK Rucker 1.0 vs GORUCK Rucker 2.0 post that will hopefully answer even more questions you might have.
Got any questions about the GORUCK Rucker 2.0? Post them in the comments and we’ll do our best to answer them! The Rucker 2.0 is available now from GORUCK for $215.