Field Testing the Huckberry x GORUCK GR1 Slick

Few things in your everyday carry (EDC) kit are as important as the bag that holds it all together. Huckberry and GORUCK are both known for their quality craftsmanship and robust product designs capable of withstanding a lifetime of use. Their collaboration on the GR1 Slick backpack brings together GORUCK’s mission-ready form factor with Huckberry’s aesthetic aptitude. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or someone who just values durable, functional gear, the Huckberry x GORUCK GR1 Slick is a game-changer in the world of EDC.

The Huckberry x GORUCK GR1 Slick comes in both a 21L and 26L option. For this review, I went hands-on with the 21L in ranger green, though both options are also offered in black and coyote colorways. I had familiarity with GORUCK and its reputation within the military community before receiving this bag, and was curious to see if my experience with it lived up to the hype. GORUCK founder Jason McCarthy, a former Green Beret, wanted to create a product that could take a beating and continue performing under extreme conditions. The GR1 was originally designed as a bag that could withstand the intense demands of special forces operations. 

I am not a veteran myself, but I’m fortunate to have a close circle of veteran friends, one of whom kindly lent me his well-loved GORUCK GR2 for comparison. Though his backpack is 40L, nearly twice the capacity of mine, it was helpful to have something older with which to compare the Huckberry x GORUCK GR1 Slick. My bag arrived brand new from Huckberry, and I was reassured to see first-hand that the build quality stands up to the test of time. My friend’s GR2 is over ten years old and faring exceptionally well. It’s clear that GORUCK makes sturdy bags for tough folks, and their gear is well suited to tasks in harsh environments.

GORUCK is known for their American-made, rugged design cues that are favored highly amongst the military community and Huckberry’s products are designed for both work and play. The GR1 collaboration is a thoughtful melding of the strengths of both of these brands. The most noticeable difference in this backpack when compared to a traditional GR1, comes in the form of the “slick” moniker. Original GORUCKs are known for their tactical-forward construction, with a series of PALS webbing on the exterior pocket and down the length of the shoulder straps. The Huckberry GR1 Slick collab does away with that option, instead, prioritizing a fully smooth exterior design. Even the patch logo has been moved from the outside of the bag to the interior pocket. The result is fully sleek and a little… unidentifiable? Those familiar with GORUCK would likely still be able to recognize one of their own, but the slick design adds an “if you know, you know” air to this fan favorite.

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The GR1 lineup has gone through various iterations of materials since its debut – a testament to GORUCK’s commitment to innovation. The base part of the pack is 1000D Cordura. The back panel and straps are 210D Cordura, which keeps the straps from snagging on clothes or irritating skin should someone choose to use this pack for rucking. YKK 550 paracord zipper pulls ensure a smooth – and nearly silent – fastening experience. Two external front pockets are great for storing accessible essentials while the three internal pockets keep items secure during travel. The “bombproof” laptop panel in the back means you can access your tech without needing to unzip the bag’s main compartment and can fit up to a 17 inch device.

Huckberry includes a “quick and dirty” sizing guide for this backpack on their site. Their general suggestion, which I can confirm was accurate for me, is for those under six feet tall to select the 21L option while those over six feet opt for the 26L. I’m tall – 5’11, to be exact – and felt that I was pushing the limit of what looked right for this pack. The bag looks nearly identical between the two options, but the larger one has an extra two panels on the back laptop sleeve which lengthens the look a bit to fit those more vertically endowed.

I was able to use my bag for a few different purposes over the past month to assess how well it performed in each environment. My typical excursions while reviewing products for Worn & Wound don’t often have me subjected to explosives. I therefore couldn’t test the bombproof laptop panel personally. However, I did bring the GR1 Slick with me while exploring an ice castle in the mountains and frequently tossed it in snow banks and frozen caves to get some photos. The unknown laptop compartment stowaway? My iPad Pro. I had forgotten I’d placed it there the previous week to gauge the panel’s dimensions and it accidentally took a chilly ride. I can’t confirm the bag will survive IEDs, but can testify it’ll be okay with ICEs (iPad Cold Exposures).

I also used it as a weekend bag while away from home overnight and think, with packing cubes, it’s definitely possible to use it for one bag travel. The zippers pull all the way down and allow the top of the backpack to sit open flat. This makes packing and unpacking relatively easy and allows for someone to fully arrange the contents of the bag before zipping it up. Would I recommend choosing a 21L backpack if the intention is to use it as a weekender? Probably not. I think you’re better off opting for a GR2 or something with another pocket. But this GR1 Slick is a top contender for a bag within its lane: a day-trip or commuter pack that can carry all of your essentials and doesn’t include any empty space or unnecessary weight.

I brought it with me to a self-defense class at a local police station and carried along a first-aid kit secured by a carabiner as a MOLLE attachment, a scratch pad in the mesh interior pocket, and used the PALS webbing to hold a few pens so I could take notes. The bag fit comfortably on the back of a chair, and would be a good contender for those in the market for a backpack to wear to the office. I also found the water resistance to be impressive during a snowy walk to a coffee shop. Unlike its more tactical-looking siblings in the GR1 and GR2 lines, this bag fits in equally well in both rugged and domestic terrain.

My number one qualm with the GR1 isn’t unique but still warrants mentioning. There are no water bottle holders to be found on either side of this bag. On a standard “non-slick” GORUCK, this problem is slightly mitigated by the fact that one can use the external webbing on the back or straps to secure a water bottle as an external attachment. However, with this less tactically-inspired update, the wearer doesn’t have that option. For that reason alone, I don’t know if this backpack would be my first choice for rucking or hiking, though the ruck plate panel in the interior encourages its use for that purpose.

Another area I made note of was the overall zipper performance. Zippers can be a major fail point for many bags, and I see the vision of Huckberry and GORUCK in using robust YKK paracord pulls on this bag – it’ll last a long time and remain reliable throughout years of use. That said, they’re tough to break in. Though, given my experience comparing this bag with my friend’s decade-old GR2, I think this issue would be increasingly mitigated as the pack ages.

At $335, this 21L backpack can be viewed as a bit of an investment. Many EDC’ers subscribe to a “buy once, cry once” mentality, meaning that they view a steeper upfront cost to be worth it for a piece of gear that should last a lifetime. Fortunately, GORUCK’s SCARS Lifetime Guarantee means you won’t need to buy a new pack, pretty much ever. They provide free repairs on normal wear and tear, and this promise travels with the bag, not the owner (a possible explanation for why even second-hand GORUCKs retain their value so well).

Overall, the Huckberry x GORUCK GR1 Slick is a credit to both of its namesakes. This pack combines the strengths of each brand and gives wearers a city-ready spin on a tough and functional design. With GORUCK’s reputation for military-grade durability and Huckberry’s skill in stylish, everyday practicality, the GR1 Slick offers the best of both worlds. It’s tough enough to handle outdoor adventures and travel but refined enough for the office or urban destinations. Whether you’re heading to work or seeking a little adventure, this bag holds its own in both form and function, making it a worthy addition to any EDC collection. GORUCK

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Meg is a Colorado-based collector navigating the watch world as a Zillennial twentysomething. Though she appreciates anything quirky or practical, she has a particular love of field watches and chronographs. When she’s not posting #wristchecks you can find her reading about military history, training as a competitive Irish dancer, and exploring the remarkable state she calls home.
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