Geigerrig Rig 1600 Tactical Hydration Backpack Review
Anyone who loves the outdoors needs to have a go-to hydration pack. Whether it be for hiking, biking, trail running, hunting, or just plain adventure the right hydration pack will help get you further and keep going. I have had my fair share of hydration packs over the year varying from Camelback to Osprey however, it always felt like something was missing. I loved having access to water straight from the hose without having to take the pack off, especially for mountain biking. That was never the problem, it was always the actual pack that felt off. Both previous hydration packs I had did not have enough organization to grant using it even with the water bladder.
Enter the Geigerrig Rig 1600
When it comes to a complete package for a quick day-trip adventure pack, the Rig cannot be beaten. We will start with the specs of the Rig first. The whole pack is built from 500D Multicam Cordura, which if you have followed RMK at all you know this is hands down my favorite fabric - mixing in all the best attributes, weight, abrasion resistance, tear strength, and feel. Truthfully if you are making packs without Cordura right now you are doing something wrong.
The Rig comes in at 1600 Cubic inches, hence the name which equals a 26L volume. I did notice during my testing this pack did not feel like a 26L pack when I had it on riding or hiking. The Goruck GR1 26L also comes in at the same size and feels much more bulky than the Rig.
To start off, on the very front of the pack you have your typical Military style Mollee webbing to give multiple attachment points as well as connect to any mollee backed pouches you may have. Above the mollee webbing sits the front admin pocket. Upon opening this pocket, you are greeted with a decent sized pocket with plenty of organization up top to keep all of your smaller items secure and ready when you need them. On the very top, there is a section separate from the pocket that lays down. This flap has two small zippered compartments and a place for cards, pens, and pencils. In the top most zipper I kept my keys on the key strap and right below is where I would store my wallet and whatever other small items like chapstick or gum.
Underneath the top zippered organization pockets you have two larger mesh pockets for any other items you want to keep in the front pocket.
On either side of the Rig, there are two heavy duty compression straps the help keep the load close to your back or make the pack very slim when not holding a ton of gear. At first I did not think I needed compression straps on a smaller hydration pack however when I took the Rig on my mountain bike ride packed with a full bladder, my DSLR, GoPro, gorilla pod, med kit, and a few other items I was loving the straps. They do a great job at staying out of the way and not flapping all over the place but are right where they need to be when you have to strap up. When strapped they also can act as a second closer system if you need to have the zipper open to carry taller items. At one point I was able to carry my DSLR on the Gorilla pod and have it held in by the buckles for quick access while the pack stayed on my back.
Below the compression straps on either side of the pack sits a small but great side pocket. The side pocket can not hold a ton but does a great job at storing small quick grab items like spare camera batteries, a fire kit, gloves, etc. On my bike ride and hikes I loaded one pocket out with my spare camera batteries and the other with my work gloves. This is a great feature of the Rig.
The main compartment of the Rig is exactly how it should be. Large and simple. The main pocket is just one large empty pocket perfect for the larger items in your loadout. While testing this pack I was able to fit my DSLR, Gorilla pod, GoPro and its Gorilla pod, my Med kit EDC pouch, an extra layer, and still had some room. When the water bladder is loaded fully it can push into the main compartment somewhat but that is to be expected. I love the emptiness of the pocket so I can easily slide in and out my camera without catching them on pockets, hooks and whatever else doesn't need to be there. One thing I would like to see added to the main comparment is some light padding on the bottom for some extra peace of mind when carrying Camera or other expensive eletronics.
Another feature that separates the Rig from other hydration packs is the included, removable, padded hip belt. Not many packs this size offer a fully featured hip belt and I am not sure why because after using the Rig's I am in love. The hip belt is perfectly padded, not too much that it is uncomfortable while riding my bike but enough to support a 30lb Goruck Ruck weight. The hip belt also has a small pocket on either side that was large enough to store my iPhone 6s and would work great for keys and other small items. The belt can be removed effortlessly as it is attached with some heavy duty velcro at the base of the pack. This is one of my favorite features of the Rig.
The back panel on the Rig is also more than expected from a typical hydration pack. The panel is home to three large separate padded mesh islands to help with not only padding but ventilation. When riding my bike with the pack my back did get sweaty but that is fairly hard to avoid while mountain biking. When just hiking the pack did a great job at venting. At the bottom of the back panel, there is a large lumbar mesh pad which houses the velcro for the hip belt.
Right behind the padded back panel runs a zipper which reveals the water bladder compartment. The Rig comes with an included 3L bladder which is not your average bladder. The Geigerrig bladder does not only hold water and give you a hydration hose but has a separate "pressure hose" which the user can pump full and give the water hose pressure. At first, I really thought this was just a marketing technique however upon using I doubt I will ever be happy with another bladder. Pumping air into the bladder allowed me to pinch the outlet and use the hydration hose as more than a hydration outlet, I was able to spray my face to cool down with water, fill up my pup's water bowl and spray off my boots at the end of the hike. On the right shoulder strap, the Insulated water bladder hose runs down and connects to the plastic hold. The left strap houses the pump hose in a small pocket which can be pumped while zipped shut. The addition of the Insulated hydration hose really helped to not blasted with a stream of warm water on the first gulp after a while.
The shoulder straps on the Rig are lightly padded and backed with the same mesh material used on the hip belt and back panel of the pack. The Rig comes with an included sternum strap and plenty of attachment points. Each hose runs down the straps and stays low profile due to the loops and clips holding the hoses down.
The Rig 1600 Tactical Hydration Pack by Geigerrig is not only my favorite hydration packs I've used but one of my favorite day hiking/adventure packs. The attention to detail is very apparent from the stitching to the small mesh parts in high contact areas. The pressurized water bladder is an awesome feature and the removable padded hip belt brings it all together to make a monster day pack. The pack comes in at $210 which is not cheap but completely justifiable with the Cordura construction and top-tier features. The Rig also comes in the Mulitcam verison I have, Black, and Coyote Tan. I look forward to seeing what other great packs come from the guys over at Geigerrig.
+
- 500D Cordura
- Padded Removable Hip-Belt
- Compression Straps
- Padded Back Panel
- Great attention to detail
- Pressurized Water Bladder
- Great Organization for a Hydration Pack
- Mollee Webbing
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- No padding on bottom
- No Velcro patch on Front for Morale Patches
Camelbak Quantico Backpack Review
Who it suits - The tactical style bag lover who wants a great way to carry all of their EDC items plus tech in a way that stands out from the normal backpack.
Who it doesn't - Anyone who needs a large EDC backpack or anyone who plans on using this back on long hikes.
Camelbak recently released a new urban EDC line with a tactical look. The larger of the two being the Quantico (23L) which I purchased and the smaller being the Coronado. The Olive and Stone colors are both made with T30D X T600D polyester while the Black multicam option is made with 500D Cordura.
I originally found these packs on Carryology's coverage post of the Outdoor retailer Summer 2015 and ever since I have been checking in with Camelbak to keep up with their release. I purchased my Quantico from Amazon sold by Camelbak. After opening the package and inspecting the pack, I could feel the quality that I have come to expect from Camelbak. I have had many hydration packs throughout the years from Camelbak but never a dedicated backpack until now. I feel that I am partially drawn toward this pack because it resembles a Goruck GR1, which is not a bad pack to share looks with. When purchasing this product I was under the impression that all of the color options were made of 500D Cordura however, that is not the case. The stone color is made from T30D and T600D Polyester. Upon learning this, I was very disappointed as all of the bags in my lineup are either made of 500D Cordura or 1000D Cordura. Seeing that Amazon has a great return policy I may be exchanging for the Multicam version of the pack.
“Mollee webbing for external attachments”
Other then the lack of the Cordura this backpack is a serious new contender in the quick growing military style EDC backpack market. As mentioned above the Quantico takes queue’s from Goruck’s GR1 lineup. On the front of the backpack, there is a full panel of Mollee webbing for attaching compatible pouches and accessories. Behind this Mollee panel, there is a front stash pocket that has no way of closing. However, I found this pocket to be extremely useful for grabbing items quickly while on the go.
Above the open stash ocket, there is a fleece line tech or sunglass pocket that is large enough to fit my iPhone, keys, and wallet.
" A pocket for every piece of your kit"
On the bottom of the backpack, there is a smaller pocket that holds my Esee 4 and a rain cover. Upon carrying this bag over the past few weeks, I have noticed that there is a dedicated pocket for everything you could think of, which is a nice feature compared to Gorucks line of products or other similar style bags.
If you open the next zippered pocket before the main cargo space you will be greeted with a highly organized panel. This pocket has room for all of your pens/pencils along with slots for business cards and a large zippered pocket that runs across the bag. This pocket is great for chargers, external hard drives, and other tech. There is also room at the bottom to store any other items.
Next is the main compartment of the Quantico. This room is where I keep my DSLR in a GR2 field pocket, a journal, and other large items like a jacket, or gloves and a hat. This pocket can easily fit everything needed for a full day at school or the office. There is one smaller zippered mesh pocket that can house smaller items you don't want getting lost inside. On the back panel of the ag, there is a sleeve for documents or binders.
“One of the best laptop sleeves in a tactical style backpack”
The Quantico has a fully padded laptop sleeve that will allow storage of a 15-inch laptop and an Ipad. I recently bought a Tom Bihn Synapse 25 that I have been using for about a month now and absolutely love. It has turned into my EDC bag in every aspect. However, it does lack a fully padded laptop sleeve and therefore when I do carry my Macbook pro in it I can't help but think twice. The laptop sleeve is really where the Quantico shines and separates itself from the tactical bag norm. I can confidently say you will have no worries when carrying a laptop and an iPad in this sleeve.
The shoulder straps are nothing short of perfect. They have just the right amount of padding and form to make carrying the bag a breeze. The back panel is also padded and made with mesh to help with breathability. The shoulder straps come with a sternum strap to help with heavier loads.
On the right side of the pack, there is a deployable water bottle sleeve that can hold a Nalgene. The sleeve does a great job at staying low profile when not in use. On the opposite side of the Quantico, there is a smaller water bottle slot that can store smaller items as well.
The bottom of the backpack is very padded and pairs well with the thick grab handle at the top of the bag. The Quantico does a good job at holdings its form even when not loaded out and even more so when fully packed up. I have had 25lbs in the pack and the shoulder straps and back panel did a great job.
+
- Very reasonable price tag
- Padded laptop sleeve
- Molle webbing for attachments
- Great organization
- Padded shoulder straps and back panel
- Plenty of pockets for all your gear
- Camelbak Got your back Guarantee
-
- Stone and Olive should be made with 500D Cordura
- Hard time standing up alone due to slanted bottom
- Zippers are on the smaller side
Verdict
The Camelbak Quantico is great EDC or school bag that excels in carrying your laptop or Ipad in a Military/Tactical form. It comes in at a very reasonable price of $160 with a lifetime guarantee.
Madden Equipment Dan's Pack Review
The Madden Dan’s pack is made by Madden Equipment in Boulder Colorado. The pack comes in at 20L with one main storage pocket and one front slash zippered pocket. The bag is made out of 1000D Cordura and a 420D Nylon inner. It is also accompanied by all YKK zippers. Madden Equipment is a smaller company that makes high-quality handmade gear right in Boulder. All Madden Equipment gear comes with a lifetime guarantee. Madden was the first US outdoor company to introduce Cordura to the European marketplace back in the late ‘70s. It’s been part of the Madden brand identity the past 40 years.
This is the first pack by Madden that I have had. The Dan’s pack is their smallest and cheapest backpack coming in at $100 even. The backpack has excelled at a quick day trip bag or a small EDC bag with how streamlined yet functional it is.
The bag has one main storage compartment like most bags with two slots for documents or a laptop against the back. There is minimal padding on this bag and especially in and around the main pocket so if you are going to be carrying a laptop I suggest a separate laptop sleeve.
On the front, there is a horizontal slash pocket that is gusseted and can really hold more than one would think. This pocket is expected on a bag like this or any backpack really, however, the addition of the gusset completely transforms the pocket and makes it more functional. Most other bags with a front slash pocket are very hard to access when the core of the bag is stuffed full. Even when I had this pack full this pocket allowed me to pull out my easy access items effortlessly.
With carrying this bag there was one thing I noticed time and time again. Without the addition of any harness or suspension the bag really hugged my back. If I were using this bag for hiking, rucking, biking etc. I would have hated this as my back would get extremely sweaty fast. Since I was using this pack as intended for my EDC this feature was great. There is nothing more awkward then a pack that is stiff and will not bend with you, especially on a crowed bus or through the town. Most of my EDC or school bags do not have any kind of suspension just for this reason alone, my Tom Bihn Synapse 25 being a great example.
The shoulder straps on this bag are fairly normal. There is enough padding to help out if you decide to carry a heavier load for the day but not to the point that when you only have a few items in the bag they will look out of place.
The back of the bag is also slightly padded and made with the same 1000D cordura, so no mesh or anything to help breathe. I would have liked to see some kind of mesh backing here just to help a bit with the breathability although, at $100 I didn’t except this pack to be full of features.
The bag is simple and I love that about it. There are a couple very neat pieces sewn on throughout the bag like the 100% Bison leather patch on the front upper corner or the bag. The small and subtle Madden Equipment logo on the bottom right. If you take a look at the back of the bag there is even a small Colorado state flag attached. Lastly, on the inside there is a tag showing who hand made your bag along with a U.S.A flag. I love seeing these type of tags on bags validate their authenticity and heritage.
+
- Very affordable
- Military grade materials
- Handmade Colorado features
- Streamlined, simple
- Front gusseted pocket
-
- Not very breathable
- Not much padding
Who this pack suits
- Someone looking for a daypack built in the USA with a lifetime guarantee
- Someone who wants a small streamlined day pack
- Someone who wants high-grade materials and features at a great price
Who it doesn't
- Someone looking for a backpack that excels at carrying a laptop
- Someone who will be in very hot weather and needs a pack that can breathe
- Anyone looking for a hiking or overnight backpack
GoRuck GR0 Review and Highlights
The search for the perfect EDC, Range, Hiking, Biking, do it all backpack is thought to be an impossible one. Up until about a month ago I was also a non-believer in the myth of a perfect all-around backpack. The collection of backpacks I have acquired throughout the years ranges from Osprey, Ogio, Camelback, 5.11, Nike, and many others. I've had a pack for everything that I enjoy doing. I had my various Camelbaks and Osprey packs for my biking/hiking and camping adventures. My 5.11 and more tactical bags were my companions when I went to the range or needed a quick "EDC" bag. And finally my Nike bags traveled with me when I decided to go to the gym. If you are reading this then you already know that having this many bags can put a major dent in your wallet. On the other hand, you also know the almost addicting nature certain types of well made bags can have on you.
PURCHASE THE GR1 HERE
A little over a month ago I was in the market for a new bag I could take hiking as my Osprey backpack which was already on its last leg, decided to tear in the bottom of the main compartment. The Osprey was a great backpack for what I had used it for over the years. Mostly hiking, biking, camping, and a few day carries. Even though the Osprey was a great and reliable pack it was always missing something. Missing that grit and toughness I was longing for that would make carrying the pack not only practical but admirable. Having said this I was always keeping my eye open for the perfect backpack. Through my various searches on google and popular you-tubers I stumbled across the seemingly overpriced GoRuck GR0.
Enter the Goruck GR0
I’m sure if you are reading this post you are already familiar with the GR0 and the GoRuck company but if for some reason you aren't yet here is the quick overview. - GoRuck was founded in January of 2008 by ex Green Beret Jason McCarthy. GoRucks mission statement is “Challenge Excellence and Do Right By People.” There are no other better words to describe GoRuck as a company. The company strives for excellence wether it is through their GoRuck events, superior products, or the people they hire for their company. GoRuck hands down provides the best. The company started out by trying to “bridge” the relationship between the military and civilian worlds and it started with the production of their first ruck the GR1. Shortly after Goruck’s initial product Jason wanted someway to “test” the product before sending it overseas to friends and customers. He came up the Goruck events just to do so. This also became the key focus of Goruck as a company. In their words, “People became our focus, rucking together became our focus, building better americans became our focus.” Not only does Goruck produce great gear, hold hundreds of amazing events nationwide, but they also employ combat Veterans of Special Operations. These “Cadres” run their Goruck events and by doing so make it a very unique experience and help America by “Building Better Americans.”
Now that I have properly introduced you to GoGuck as a company I will really bring in the GR0. The GR0 is Goruck’s smaller brother to their best selling and most versatile product the GR1. The main intention of this product was initially to create a versatile “rucksack” capable of almost anything under the horizon, and they came pretty close. With Goruck’s ever-expanding customer base they needed to expand as a company. This evolution sparked the making of the proportionally smaller GR0. The GR0 sits at 11.5”W x 18.0”H x 5.5”D and holds 21L.
The ruck from head to toe feels amazingly well built. At the top of the ruck there is a a handle, like most backpacks. The difference between Goruck’s handle and those of any other brand is the reinforced stitching. This feature is not only home to the handle of the ruck but the every contact point of the backpack itself.
The handle of the backpack is rated up to 400 pounds, Ill let that speak for itself.
Moving down the ruck to the shoulder straps. Everyone who has owned a backpack knows how uncomfortable thin/narrow straps can be with any kind of substantial weight in the pack. Not only do the extra padded and double stitched should straps on the backpack last forever and add extra padding but they also help disperse the weight and make the ruck feel lighter then it really is. I have had other similar styled backpacks like the 5.11 Rush 12 where the shoulder straps are also very padded and wide. Unlike the 5.11 Rush 12 the straps on the GR0 without weight in the pack feel normal and not overkill. No matter the weight in my ruck the straps stay true to form and function as intended. The straps also connect in a unique way which lets the user flip them over to the front of the pack and access the laptop/hydration bladder compartment.
The GR0 has 21L of space which is exactly 5L less then the 26L GR1 although, with the amount of storage and pockets I found to be more then enough room for my EDC gear or a day to the range. On the back of the pack there is a padded “bombproof” laptop or hydration bladder compartment. I found this compartment to hold my 13 inch Macbook pro comfortably and with room to spare. When I loaded the pack up for a bike ride or hike and used the hydration bladder I felt the say way. There was plenty of room to not make the bladder feel “squished” to my back like I have had happen in countless other packs. The bottom of the ruck also has some padding for those less polite set-downs with the laptop in the pocket.
I found the pocket configuration on the GR0 to be perfect. There were not too many pockets that I had absolutely no clue what to put in them and force myself to overpack, but just enough to hold all of my smaller items without hassle and keep the ruck streamlined. The main large compartment is where I store my 6 bricks and yoga brick while rucking or using to workout with. If I am using for EDC/School I keep my binder, calculator, notepad, a few books and my iPad neatly tucked in. For a day at the range I keep my pistol case, a few hundred 9mm rounds, earphones, field notepad and my gun cleaning kit.
On the inside of the front flap you will find two pockets, the upper one solid 1000d and the bottom mesh. In the upper one while on a normal day I can usually fit all of my chargers/wallet, keys and other smaller accessories. The larger lower mesh compartment holds about 2x more then the one above. I normally throw in extra layers or larger light items.
On the outside of the front flap there is another larger pocket. When I have the ruck packed completely full this pocket can be a slight struggle to reach into. I find this pocket day after day to be my “go to” pocket. On a normal day this is where you will find my headphones, Copenhagen, and few pens, meds etc. This pocket actually is much larger then the picture shows and reaches to almost the whole length of the pack itself.
Goruck has included Molle webbing on the sides/front and inside the ruck which adds a more tactical look without screaming military or guns. I found this feature to be extremely important as I wanted this backpack for multiple loadouts.
The Molle webbing can be used to attach many things ranging from carabineers to a mountain bike helmet. Goruck also sells additional “Field Pockets” correlating to the size of the ruck you own. These can be attached either externally of internally depending on your preference or situation. Having wanted to use this pack not only for EDC and school but also for hunting and range days I found this feature to be a huge selling point.
Like every GoRuck product the GR0 is built with a 2x3 hook and loop spot on the front. Personally this is my favorite feature of the pack which really adds a simple and customizable option to the GR0. GoRuck sells various 2x3 patches on their site including the one you saw earlier with their reverse flag logo. Not only does GoRuck sell patches but they also give them as a one time reward for completing one of their challenges. Now, not only does completing one of their challenges give you a sense of accomplishment and “badassattiude” but distinguishes you from others while welcoming you to the Goruck family.
Lastly but certain not least, a feature that is overlooked by countless major backpack retailers is the zippers that GoRuck stamped onto the GR0. These zippers are “YKK” zippers are known to be some of the best zippers in the world and are self healing. Which means if for some reason your zipper does fail to close you can rip it back and go over it again to seal the gap. Truthfully very few people should ever get this pumped up about zippers but when you use a backpack for rucking, hunter, lifting, hiking, camping they are a crucial part of the system. Not only do these zipper kick ass but they are “glove friendly with heat shrinked paracord.” You will be using these a lot like every other pack. The difference is you will never have to worry about them, or hear them.
The GoRuck GR0 and GR1 currently come in Wolf Grey, Coyote, and Black. They have a price tag of $295 for the GR1 and $265 for the GR0. Now I know many of you despite my above review will probably think that is completely overpriced for a backpack. I argue otherwise, not only does the GR0 have everything that I pointed out and showed above but GoRuck also backs their rucks with the “Scars” lifetime guarantee. This guarantee pretty much covers anything short of bullet holes, and burns. I know for a fact that I have spent well over $1,000 on backpacks and gym/range bags over the last few years, most of these bags I use the shit out of and end up failing somewhere along the line. Leading me to buy a new and usually, more expensive bag.
I have no doubt that this ruck will last me for no less then the next 10 years. Everything GoRuck produces is of the highest standards and not only do I back their products but I back their company as a whole. Ruck On!