![GoRuck GR3 Durable Best Travel Backpacks: GoRuck GR3 - Gear Hacker](https://gearhacker.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/GoRuck-GR3-Durable.jpg)
Table Of Contents
GoRuck GR3 Review: Best One Bag Travel Backpack for Hiking 2021
Best One Bag Travel Backpack for Hiking 2021
- Organization 70%
- Comfort 80%
- Security 80%
- Laptop Protection 90%
- Weight 70%
Price: $375
Weight: 5.15lbs (2.34kg)
Dimensions: 22x14x9”
Capacity: 45l
Laptop Size: 15”
What We Like: Made for travel and outdoor adventures.
What We Don’t: Limited organization, boxy.
Talk about a beefy backpack. The GoRuck GR3 is as military-inspired as they come with MOLLE straps and velcro everywhere. GoRuck certainly had a demographic in mind, but I think that the GR3 is compatible with many kinds of travelers. The laptop space is “bombproof,” as mentioned by GoRuck, and with a large amount of internal storage plus the added internal pockets, there is space for everything. The main difference is that the harness system is comfortable and they have made the pack compatible with a hydration bladder, something you don’t see very often in the travel packs world. For those reasons, the GoRuck GR3 is the Best One Bag Travel Backpack for Hiking in 2021.
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See Our Best Travel Backpack Review 2021
Buy now at Tortugabackpacks.com
- Organization 100%
- Comfort 90%
- Security 80%
- Laptop Protection 90%
- Weight 70%
Pros
Laptop and Electronic Storage Pocket
Harness System
Cons
Boxy shape
Material Aesthetic
Weight: 5.1lbs (1.7kg)
Dimensions: 22x14x9”
Capacity: 45l
Laptop Size: 17”
Buy now at Tortugabackpacks.com
- Organization 80%
- Comfort 80%
- Security 90%
- Laptop Protection 90%
- Weight 80%
Pros
Slim Design
Can Accommodate a 17” Laptop.
Cons
Looks Like a Suitcase with Backpack Straps.
Weight: 3.9lbs (2.4kg)
Dimensions: 22x14x9”
Capacity: 45l
Laptop Size: 17”
Buy now at Amazon.com
- Organization 70%
- Comfort 80%
- Security 100%
- Laptop Protection 90%
- Weight 90%
Pros
Zipper Security Systems
Price
Cons
Top Loading
Weight: 2.6lbs (1.17kg)
Dimensions: 21x14x8.25”
Capacity: 40l
Laptop Size: 17”
Buy now at Backcountry.com
- Organization 80%
- Comfort 100%
- Security 70%
- Laptop Protection 60%
- Weight 80%
Pros
Great Harness System
Internal Storage
Cons
Laptop Sleeve Location
Weight: 3.17lbs (1.44kg)
Dimensions: 21x14x9”
Capacity: 40l
Laptop Size: 15”
Buy now at Backcountry.com
- Organization 80%
- Comfort 60%
- Security 80%
- Laptop Protection 90%
- Weight 80%
Pros
Multiple Access Points
Stow Away Harness System
Cons
Price
Weight: 3.42lbs (1.55kg)
Dimensions: 21x14x9”
Capacity: 40l
Laptop Size: 15”
Buy now at Goruck.com
- Organization 70%
- Comfort 80%
- Security 80%
- Laptop Protection 90%
- Weight 70%
Pros
Made for Travel and Outdoor Adventures
Cons
Limited Organization
Boxy
Weight: 5.15lbs (2.34kg)
Dimensions: 22x14x9”
Capacity: 45l
Laptop Size: 15”
Buy now at Backcountry.com
- Organization 90%
- Comfort 70%
- Security 60%
- Laptop Protection 70%
- Weight 80%
Pros
Internal Organization
Durable Material
Cons
No Frame
Awkward Straps
Weight: 3.4lbs (1.5kg)
Dimensions: 22.75x18x6.75”
Capacity: 45l
Laptop Size: 17”
Buy now at Backcountry.com
- Organization 100%
- Comfort 70%
- Security 80%
- Laptop Protection 80%
- Weight 70%
Pros
Adjustable Hipbelt
Good Company Values
Cons
Thin Harness System
Weight: 3.5lbs (1.6kg)
Dimensions: 20x12x8”
Capacity: 35l
Laptop Size: 15”
Buy now at Huckberry.com
- Organization 70%
- Comfort 70%
- Security 80%
- Laptop Protection 80%
- Weight 90%
Pros
Shoe Compartment
Slim Design
Cons
Small Size
Hipbelt Sold Separately
Weight: 3.7lbs (1.69kg)
Dimensions: 21.5x13.5x8.5”
Capacity: 33l
Laptop Size: 15”
Buy now at Nomatic.com
- Organization 70%
- Comfort 70%
- Security 80%
- Laptop Protection 70%
- Weight 90%
Pros
Waterproof
Water Bottle Pocket
Cons
Odd External Material Set Up
Weight: 4.5lbs (2.05kg)
Dimensions: 21x13x6.5” (expands to 7.5”)
Capacity: 45l
Laptop Size: 17”
Buy now at Minaal.com
- Organization 90%
- Comfort 80%
- Security 80%
- Laptop Protection 80%
- Weight 80%
Pros
Included Rain Cover
Laptop Suspension System
Cons
Harness Stowing System
Weight: 3.12lbs (1.415kg)
Dimensions: 21.6x13.7x7.87”
Capacity: 35l
Laptop Size: 16”
Buy now at Missionworkshop.com
- Organization 70%
- Comfort 80%
- Security 70%
- Laptop Protection 80%
- Weight 80%
Pros
Looks Great
Waterproof Material
Cons
Hard to Organize
Limited Pockets
Weight: 3.3lbs (1.5kg)
Dimensions: 20x15x8”
Capacity: 40l
Laptop Size: 15”
Founded by a Green Beret (American Special Forces), it is easy to notice the military design that is flowing through the GR3’s veins. With exterior MOLLE gear attachment points and a velcro patch area, this pack is built to tackle the mountains of Rockies but is equally comfortable on city streets. With hydration compatibility, extra padded shoulder straps, and a solid hipbelt, we named the GR3 our best One Bag Travel Backpack for Hiking.
![GoRuck GR3 Front Best Travel Backpacks: GoRuck GR3 - Gear Hacker](https://gearhacker.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/GoRuck-GR3-Front.jpg)
Storage
At 45l, this is the largest possible carry-on you could find. The main compartment opens flat for easy access to everything in your pack. Internally there are three pockets, two large mesh zippered pockets, and one small go-to zippered pocket. On the exterior of the pack, there is a zippered slant pocket for quick access to small items, such as your passport.
![GoRuck GR3 Open Pack Best Travel Backpacks: GoRuck GR3 - Gear Hacker](https://gearhacker.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/GoRuck-GR3-Open-Pack.jpg)
The MOLLE gear attachments around the exterior and bottom of the pack also allow for equipment to be clipped on, from sleeping bags to camera tripods. There is even an interior D-ring that a hydration bladder could be attached to, turning the GR3 from a commuter pack to a hiking pack.
Laptop Sleeve
The laptop sleeve is close to the body, and as stated on GoRuck’s website, it’s “bombproof.” Now, I’m not going to try and test that, so I’ll just take their word for it. The reinforcement on the backpanel is noticeable, and I felt like my laptop would live comfortably in that pocket all day. The pocket can easily house a 17” laptop.
![GoRuck GR3 Laptop Storage Best Travel Backpacks: GoRuck GR3 - Gear Hacker](https://gearhacker.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/GoRuck-GR3-Laptop-Storage.jpg)
Comfort and Harness System
The GoRuck shoulder straps are well padded for carrying comfort under a heavy load. The integrated and removable hipbelt is also very comfortable and helps to support a heavier load. Along the side of the pack are compression straps to keep your cargo secure and reduce weight shifting while moving.
![GoRuck GR3 Harness Best Travel Backpacks: GoRuck GR3 - Gear Hacker](https://gearhacker.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/GoRuck-GR3-Harness.jpg)
Under a fully loaded pack with a week’s worth of clothing and a stocked electronics pocket, the Outbreaker is extremely comfortable. It is able to direct weight to your waist and will make for a very good companion while hiking uphill to your next hostel in Cusco, Peru. The backpack also has load lifters and a sternum strap to help with cargo management.
Security and Material
The GR3 is made with 1000D Cordura, a highly durable weave of nylon. This durability does impact the weight, as the GR3 weighs in at a beefy 5.15lbs. With the comfortable shoulder straps and hipbelt, most of the weight will go unnoticed, but it is something to be aware of.
![GoRuck GR3 Durable Best Travel Backpacks: GoRuck GR3 - Gear Hacker](https://gearhacker.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/GoRuck-GR3-Durable.jpg)
The Bottom Line
While the backpack is missing some standard backpack features like a side water bottle pocket, it will still handle itself very well in the backcountry. The few pockets and large open main compartment make quickly packing or organizing very painless. The “bombproof” laptop pocket is great, especially as it protects the most expensive item in the bag (for me at least).
The main drawback is the price. At $395, you could buy 3 Eagle Creek Wayfinders. I want to love it, but the price and the fact that it is missing some classic features, like a water bottle pocket and a small valuables pocket, is too bad. I think if you can look past the price, the backpack is set up nicely for transitioning from airport carry-on to alpine daypack. For this reason, we named it the Best One Bag Travel Backpack for Hiking.
![GoRuck GR3 Person Hiking Best Travel Backpacks: GoRuck GR3 - Gear Hacker](https://gearhacker.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/GoRuck-GR3-Person-Hiking.jpg)
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