Top 15 Best GORUCK Backpack Alternatives

1. 5.11 Rush 12 Tactical Backpack

5.11 Rush 12 Vs The GR1 Backpack

The 5.11 Rush 12 is the go to alternative GR1 Rucksack. 5.11 makes some of the best tactical gear on the market. Their Rush series was the backpack they become known for and it makes a wonderful rucksack.

The Rush 12 has all the storage you need for your ruck. The laptop compartment is perfectly for your ruck plate and has a plastic backing to support you so the place does not knock into your back. 

Another great feature of this ruck sack is its integrated hydration system. It contains a strap to suspends the bladder and access holes on either side of the ruck to feed the drinking tube through.

Both ports are covered by a Velcro covering to keep dirt and liquids from dripping in. The bottom of the ruck has drain holes incase your bladder were to suffer a leak or rupture.

This is a great bag for anyone considering buying a dedicated rucksack.

Why Should You Get The 5.11 Rush 12 Over The GORUCK GR1?

2. Condor Frontier Outdoor Backpack

Condor Frontier Outdoor Pack Vs The GR1 Backpack

The Condor Frontier Outdoor Pack is another great alternative to the GORUCK GR1. Condor has been a major brand in military and police tactical gear since the 1980's.

This entry onto this list is slightly smaller than the GR1, but it is also light. This Condor pack has an integrated hydration system and its laptop compartment easily fits a 30 LB ruck plate.

This is a great rucksack that will carry the load through any event. It also has a nice large space to display your moral patches and its molle webbing is positioned perfectly to allow further customization of your load.

Why Should You Get The Condor Frontier Over The GORUCK GR1?

3. Direct Action Dragon Egg Backpack

Direct Action Dragon Egg Backpack Vs The GR1 Backpack

The Direct Action Dragon Egg is an amazing rucksack alternative to the GR1. For us its a tough choice between the Rush 12 and the Dragon Egg. Both rucksacks have more rucker friendly features than the GR1.

The GR1 has a supportive backplate that keeps your ruck plate from bashing into your back, it also has a dedicated hydration bladder compartment with a drain hole in case of leaks.

The 15 inch laptop compartment is able to handle your ruck plates and the main compartment has plenty of room for bricks or books if you are not using a ruck plate. The compression straps keep the load close to your back

The Egg also has plenty of integrated Molle straps and additional storage area's that make this a perfect EDC bag in addition to a Rucksack. The last feature we wish to talk about is the hip strap. The integrated hip straps provides additional support and comfort when rucking.

Why Should You Get The Direct Action Dragon Egg Backpack Over The GORUCK GR1?

4. LA Police Gear Atlas 12

LA Police Gear Atlas 12 Vs The GR1 Backpack

With the LA Police Gear Atlas 12 you will be hard pressed to find a better ruck for the price. This pack has all the features of the it's more expensive competitors at a literal fraction of the price. For less than 60 dollars on average.

Internal hydration compartment? Check. Laptop Compartment? Check. This pack also has a hip strap as well as the ability to attach a LA Police Gear Chest Rig if you need even more storage. This pack even has a removable back plate for extra support.

LAPG is a company that prides itself on affordable gear that doesn't sacrifice quality. Your purchase is protected by a 12 month limited warranty. So if you are in the market for a dedicated rucksack and you do not have much to spend then this is a backpack you should definitely consider.

Why Should You Get The LA Police Gear Atlas 12 Backpack Over The GORUCK GR1?

5. REEBOW GEAR Military Tactical Backpack

REEBOW GEAR Military Tactical Backpack Vs The GR1 Backpack

The REEBOW GEAR Military Tactical Backpack is about as budget friendly as it gets for a rucksack. This pack is routinely found for under 40 dollars and has all the basic features of a GR1. It even features a hip strap. 

With this Reebow you get a hydration compartment that can hold a 2.5 L bladder. There is a laptop compartment for your ruck plates, though no back plate.

This is a pack you should consider as a first rucksack. If you are unsure whether this is an exercise you wish to pursue. At this price point if you decide not to ruck then at least you have a great bag for a crazy price.

Why Should You Get The REEBOW GEAR Military Tactical Backpack Over The GORUCK GR1?

6. 5.11 Rush 24 Backpack

5.11 Rush 24 Backpack Vs The GR2 Backpack

The 5.11 Rush 24 Backpack is the middle child of the Rush family. This pack is made for people that want more room and storage pockets than the Rush 12. It is also a great analog to GORUCK's GR2.

The Rush 24 has all the same features as the GR 2 at more than half the price. 5.11 is one of the most trusted tactical brands on the market. The only thing you miss out here is the Lifetime warranty. But, I have used this pack as my go to ruck for over 5 years and it's still going strong.

What do you gain? More molle straps, additional compartments for organization, and compression straps to hold that load closer to your body. This is a true tactical bag that can function as more than just a weekend rucker.

The best thing about this bag is the shoulder straps. They hug your shoulders and help evenly distribute the load.

This bag is great for camping, hiking, fishing, and hunting. It is a little large for EDC, but great if you are college bound and have to lug around a lot of books.

Why Should You Get The 5.11 Rush 24 Backpack Over The GORUCK GR2?

7. Sandpiper of California Long Range Bugout Backpack

Sandpiper of California Long Range Bugout Backpack Vs The GR2 Backpack

The Sandpiper of California Long Range Bugout Backpack is a big bag. This is the ruck you go with if you want to stuff days worth of supplies into it and get away.

This pack is a great alternative to a GR2 in terms of size and price. The bag is just a little bigger in the right places to make it carry a lot but not take up much more room.

This pack comes with Sandpiper's lifetime manufacturing defect warranty. This backpack has lots of organization options, compressions straps, and many features you will find in common with many packs on this list.

However, the best attribute about this ruck is its hip belt. Yes BELT, not strap. The Long Range Bugout comes with a nice wide and fully padded hip belt. 

The only thing that keeps this pack from greatness is the lack of a plastic back plate. So this is a ruck I would not recommend putting a plate in unless you take some pool noodles and pad the edges.

With this much capacity you wont need a ruck plate you could throw whatever you wanted in as weight. And the pack has internal straps to secure that weight firmly in place. Check out our article on Making Your Own Ruck Weights for more information.

Why Should You Get The Sandpiper of California Long Range Bugout Backpack Over The GORUCK GR2?

8. LA Police Gear Atlas 24

LA Police Gear Atlas 24 Vs The GR2 Backpack

The LA Police Gear Atlas 24 is almost to good to be true. But it is. For less than 60 dollars on average, you can get yourself a true tactical bag that has all the features of the GR2 and the Rush 24. 

LAPG make the list again with the Atlas 24. The Atlas 24 has larger capacity over the GR2, more Molle capability, additional pockets and organization. It has a waist belt which the GR2 does not and features compression straps to keep whatever you carry close to your person.

This bag also has integrated hydration with ports on either shoulder. There are drain holes in the bag in case your bladder ruptures.

This bag is durable and will withstand years of rucking, camping, hunting, or any outdoor activity you wish to engage in.

As with the Atlas 12 earlier on this list, you can attach an optional chest pack to this pack as well. You can not go wrong with LAPG products in terms of price and quality.

Why Should You Get The LA Police Gear Atlas 24 Backpack Over The GORUCK GR2?

9. Condor Orion Multi-Mission Modular Assault Pack

Condor Orion Multi-Mission Modular Assault Pack Vs The GR2 Backpack

The Condor Orion Multi-Mission Modular Assault Pack is a fantastic modular backpack. Or I should say backpacks. You get two in one.

This three day assault pack has a removable sling bag as well as two additional side pouches. The pack also features an integrated rain shield and molle webbing for customizability.

You will be able to carry a 3 liter hydration pack and the Orion has port holes on each shoulder to run your drinking tube through.

What really makes this pack shine is the internal retention straps. You will have no trouble securing your ruck plates or whatever you are using as weight.

The drawback is the laptop compartment. It is located in the smaller bag. I like putting my ruck plates in my bags laptop compartment. However this is offset by the retention straps.

Pad your weight and make sire its as close your back as possible and you are good to go.

Why Should You Get The Condor Orion Multi-Mission Modular Assault Pack Over The GORUCK GR2?

10. CVLIFE Tactical Backpack

CVLIFE Tactical Backpack Vs The GR2 Backpack

The CVLIFE Tactical Backpack is the barebones budget alternative to the GR2. This is the ruck you want to look at if your just starting or just cant afford anything better.

I would suggest springing for the LAPG Atlas (listed above) over this ruck if you can afford it. However, if you are looking for the absolute cheapest passable rucksack, then the CVLIFE Backpack will suffice.

This pack will fit your hydration bladder and the laptop compartment is large enough to hold your ruck plate. There are ports for your drinking tube on either side.

This pack does not have a hip belt, however it does have bottom lashing straps so that you can attach an Aftermarket Hip Belt.

Why Should You Get The CVLIFE Tactical Backpack Over The GORUCK GR2?

11. 5.11 Rush 72 Backpack

5.11 Rush 72 Backpack Vs The GR3 Backpack

The 5.11 Rush 72 Backpack is the largest of the Rush series. You can fit whatever you could possibly need in this bag. The Rush 72 is feature rich.

It has all the features of its little brothers with the edition of a stuffer area on the back with retention straps to hold your gear close.

The GR 3 finally competes here with retention straps and a hip belt. However, the Rush 72 has more compartments, even a purpose built CCW are with the ability to attach your holster on the inside. This is a true EDC bag.

Another thing the Rush 72 has over the GR3 is the back plate. The Rush 72 has a metal rib shaped to provide lumbar support. This bag provides support second only to an external frame backpack.

If you are considering a pack as large as a GR3 then you must plan on carrying more than a ruck plate. Maybe you are going to use this going backpacking, or other non rucking uses.

That is the key point of this bag over the GR3. It is useful for more than rucking and training and better suited to do these tasks. A big bag is nothing without organization and you will be hard pressed to find a better rucksack than the Rush 72 by 5.11.

Why Should You Get The 5.11 Rush 72 Backpack Over The GORUCK GR2?

12. Mt Filbe Full Pack System

Mt Filbe Full Pack System Vs The GR3 Backpack

Why are we listing the Mt Filbe Full Pack System? Not only is this system less than a GR3 but it is also capable of storage that the GR3 simply cant touch. This system is great for hauling over 100lb loads thanks to its external frame.

This pack system is designed to evenly distribute the weight along your body in a way internal packs can not. This pack can carry everything you need to be off the grid for awhile.

Not only do you have hydration compatibility, but you can carry 2 bladders. The system also comes with a full size backpack with shoulder and hip padding. 

More space, more modularity, optional backpack and and external frame. These options are great for ruckers and backpackers. It is still less than a GR3.

This is a true ruck sack so no laptop compartment. This is the type of ruck you use if you are making sand pills or your own ruck weights.

Why Should You Get The Mt Filbe Full Pack System Over The GORUCK GR2?

13. Condor 3 Day Assault Pack

Condor 3 Day Assault Pack Vs The GR3 Backpack

The Condor 3 Day Assault Pack is fantastic. It has more of everything over the GR3. More capacity, more compartments, more molle. This pack has a fully removable and padded hip belt as well.

Do you want hydration? This pack can carry 6L of water. The compartment has room for 2 3L hydration bladders. This is a long haul pack designed to last you 3 days.

There is no laptop compartment, however the internal retention straps can help you keep your weight close to your back. Speaking of straps. The exterior of the 3 day assault pack has multiple handle locations. This is useful for using your ruck in workout routines.

Aside from Condor being a trusted tactical brand among the Armed Forces, this pack is also cheap. You can usually find one of these for under 100 bucks. With the GR3 almost 400 the only advantage here is the lifetime warranty. However, Condor offers a 12 month warranty against defects.

You could buy almost 4 condor packs for the price of 1 GR3.

Why Should You Get The Condor 3 Day Assault Pack Over The GORUCK GR2?

14. 5.11 Tactical AMP 72 Essential Backpack

5.11 Tactical AMP 72 Essential Backpack Vs The GR3 Backpack

The 5.11 Tactical AMP 72 Essential Backpack is a new design. The AMP (All Mission Pack) is designed to be the last bag you will ever need. This backpack takes modularity to the moon.

The pack itself is a standard bag. Large clamshell internal compartment and a Hex Grid molle compatible exterior. You also have a hydration bladder compartment and back plate.

What makes the AMP different is the Gear Sets. Gear sets allow you to customize your pack to your needs. Do you need pouches? Admin Pouch, shove it area for a helmet? Shove it gear set. You can attach these gear sets to the exterior of the pack and the interior.

The interior has the same system as the exterior so you can compartimilze your pack as you see fit.

So. You go rucking. You can take out all the compartments and fill your pack with weight and hydration bladder. Then when you are done, you can take the same bag to the office with out after you put your daily EDC back into it.

This is a bag that can fill any role. Rucking, Hunting, Camping, Hiking, etc. The possibilities are endless.

Yes you have to purchase gear sets separately but given this bag costs 50 percent less and replaces all your bags we think it is a bag you should consider.

Why Should You Get The 5.11 Tactical AMP 72 Essential Backpack Over The GORUCK GR2?

15. Sparklekle Military Tactical Backpack

Sparklekle Military Tactical Backpack Vs The GR3 Backpack

The Sparklekle Military Tactical Backpack is your budget ruck comparable to to GR3. Just like the other budget rucks on this list we would suggest you go with a better bag like the Condor 3 Day listed above.

However if you are looking for the absolute cheapest and functional back pack for rucking then the Sparklekle is a good choice. For under 50 bucks you get a 45L backpack.

This backpack can carry your ruck plate and any supplies you may need during your ruck. It has the compression straps and chest strap like the GR3. But, the hip strap is, just that, a strap. It is not padded.

This pack will do the job till you can buy a better one.

Why Should You Get The Sparklekle Military Tactical Backpack Over The GORUCK GR2?