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#1 - GORUCK GR2 - Introduction (REVIEW)


#1 - GORUCK GR2 - INTRODUCTION

This was the inaugural hike using the lovely brand new GORUCK GR2. A yomp (hike) of about 10 miles on a bright, sometimes snowy, blustery, bitterly freezing day.

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GORUCK GR2 PACKED-UP IN THE BOOT ROOM, READY TO GO IN THE MORNING

This post is not intended as a hike guide or a review of the GORUCK GR2. It’s just an introduction by way of a simple collection of pix I took of the bag in what I thought were interesting locations through out the day.


HIKE BRIEF

I started the hike in the village of Corfe and took the very steep steps to the top of east hill and the most excellent view of the ruins of Corfe Castle.

CORFE CASTLE RUINS IN THE BACK GROUND

Idea for the hike was to do a route that I knew very well, I wouldn’t have to think or navigate and I could just concentrate on the bag, how it felt, how it worked and performed as a hiking rucksack during the day. The route was a simple one.

ONE OF THE LARGER STANDING STONES IN OUR LOCAL STONE CIRCLE

SCHOOL REPORTS ALWAYS SAID "NEIL IS A GOOD LAD, IF ONLY HE'D PAY MORE ATTENTION IN CLASS". DAY DREAMING : )

From Corfe Castle to a small local stone circle. Then back over the top to the under-hill path that takes us back to the village of Corfe.

THE UNDER-HILL PATH BACK TO CORFE VILLAGE. HEDGE LAYING HAS STARTED VERY EARLY THIS YEAR

GORUCK LEATHER PATCH BEGINNING TO GET SOME GOOD EARTHY CHARACTER


HOW DID THE GR2 PERFORM?

How did the GORUCK GR2 perform? very well, as simple as that.
I added a waist belt via the side MOLLE and a couple of Grimlocs. I added a sternum strap, nicked from an old Camlebak. Maybe controversially I also added a compression strap. This also attached to the side MOLLE field with a couple of Viper D-rings.

WAIST BELT GRIMLOC ATTACHMENT DETAIL

THE ADDITIONS. NICKED FROM OLD PACKS AND MADE FROM STRAPS AND BUCKLES I HAD LYING AROUND


The original thought was that as my kit was not organised at all inside the pack, the strap would help to stop kit swinging around inside the pack. This worked unbelievably well and seemed to make the pack feel lighter. The compression strap looks like a feature to keep and develop further maybe.

IN CONCLUSION

I loved the GORUCK GR2!

THE COMPRESSION STRAPS WORKED VERY WELL AND MADE THE GORUCK FEEL LIGHTER?

We are warned about the extra weight of the pack due to its no compromise build ethic but I took the kit I usually carry and didn’t really notice any difference and through the 5 hours I was walking, it just felt fine.
Such a relief.
It looks like the GORUCK GR2 as a hiking ruck, is going to be a good idea.

COMING HOME TO A ROARING WOOD STOVE IS GREAT BUT DON'T LEAVE YOUR PACK THERE FOR TOO LONG
THE ROUTE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND BACK AGAIN

WHAT NEXT

I have a good idea of how I want to reconfigure the GR2 to really work for me in side and out. I will post as I reach these stages in the coming months. The stages may change but should look something like this;

#2 - GORUCK EXTERIOR MODS
#3 - GORUCK INTERIOR ORGANISATION
#4 - GORUCK DAY HIKE LOAD OUT

RELATED POSTS:

#1 - GORUCK GR2 - Introduction
#2 - GORUCK GR2 VARIANT - YOMP-ENGINE No1

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