Go Bag

This post was commissioned by a longtime friend (and reader) of mine, David. We had been discussing the contents of the ruck (backpack) I carry. I had told him that it was a kind of "Go" bag; a bag you have packed in case the end of the world starts and you need to grab a bag and go.

Now, that's not entirely true. My bag isn't really packed like the doomsday lists you can find on the internet. It's really just packed with everything I might need if I had to live out of it for a day or two without any other supplies. David suggested to me that I should detail the contents of my bag on this blog. So here goes.

Small Flat Black Pouch (top left):

This pouch was sold as a first aid pouch,  but it's perfect for all the stuff I've put in it. It's a about as big as the palm of your hand.

• Pencil
• Sharpies
• Pen Flashlight
• Safety Pins
• Fire Starter
• Small scissors
• Tweezers
• Paracord
• Band-aids
• Q-tips
• Glow Sticks
• Note Cards
• Moleskin

Small Glasses Bag (bottom left):

• iPhone earbuds
• iPhone charger

Hard Glasses Case (bottom left):

• Sunglasses

Pelican Waterproof Case (Yellow bottom center):

This is a truly waterproof case. I keep other stuff in it that doesn't need to be waterproof while I'm carrying it around in order to save space.

• Spare headlamp
• Monocular with case
• Magnifying Glass for map reading
• Small Roll of Heavy Duty Fabric Tape
• Compass
• Gerber Tool and belt case
• Ear plugs
• Paracord
• Spare batteries for headlamp

GoRuck Field Pocket (large black bag unfolded in center right in picture): This is a bag sold to be almost like a toiletry kit.

• Airborne tablets to ward off sickness
• Folding toothbrush
• Kidney Stone medicine
• Ibuprofen
• Lip Balm
• Nail Clippers (infant size are best)
• Folding Scissors
• Mouthwash
• Dental Floss
• Deodorant
• Sinus Medicine (Single Tablet because I've run out)
• Unbreakable Plastic Spoon
• Shaving Cream
• Razor
• Container of Gatorade Powder
• Lint Brush
• Chlorox Bleach Pen
• Cotton Balls
• Q-Tips
• Spare Ziploc Bags
• Butt Wipes
• Disinfecting Wipes
• Plastic Mirror for Shaving or Signaling

Various Pockets of My Ruck:

• Hand Sanitizer
• Toothpicks (in the prescription bottle)
• Allergy Medicine
• Spare Underwear, Socks, and Shirt
• Headlamp (a decent one that cost a bit is more than worth the expense)

So, there it is. And it all fits in my GoRuck GR1 bag with room to spare for other stuff. 

A picture from the GoRuck website to show the size of the GR1.

The Sales Pitch

I hadn't planned on making a sales pitch here, but I started thinking about all of the bags I have from GoRuck, and I realized that I'm a living sales pitch. As a matter of fact, on July 31st after getting an email from them that their July sale was ending, I immediately called two friends to tell them about a bargain on the site, and they both bought bags before the day was over. I should be getting a commission or something.

Anyway, GoRuck bags are made to military specifications for durability, and come with a lifetime guarantee against everything but bullet holes and fire (seriously.) And the GoRuck Challenge I did? That event was actually developed by GoRuck as a proving ground to demonstrate how tough the bags are. It and the other events it spawned have grown into their own entity for GoRuck, but since I'm officially retired from Challenges, I'm relegated to buying the gear and posing. And I really like the gear.

To date, I have a complete GoRuck "luggage set." It wasn't anything I did intentionally, but the bags feed my love of design for function. When something is designed so well and with purpose, I have a hard time resisting.

Back Row: Civvy Kit Bag 57 Liter, GR2 40 Liter, GR2 34 Liter, GR1 26 Liter. Front Row: Bullet Ruck 10L, Tough Bag
Note: I didn't realize the flags were upside down on the two GR2s that I just got. They came that way when they were shipped, and I didn't see it until I was looking at the picture on my computer.

So, it's pretty obvious I have an addiction, but in my defense, the purchase of one of those bags was an accident. And while I don't really think anyone is still reading this very long post, in case anyone is, I'll say a few words about each bag.

Kit Bag Civvy 57L - This is basically a large duffel bag, except of course for it's military durability, and the fact that it fits very well in the carry on sizing bin before you get on the plane. I use this one a lot of the time instead of a suitcase.

GR2 40L and 34L - This is GoRuck's largest ruck. The two sizes are for people with different size frames; basically the 40 Liter is for those over 6 feet tall, and the 34 Liter is for the rest of us. Even though I'm not over 6ft tall (and getting shorter if the woman that did my health insurance screening is right) I ended up with a 40 Liter bag, which I don't think is too big for me.

The GR2 is designed for use in their Selection event, which is the toughest event they offer; a 48+ hours endurance event that covers more than 80 miles with a pass rate of less than 5% of those who attempt it. This ruck has a lot of storage space as you can see by the amount of stuff packed in it in the picture above. I only just received this bag, and I'm in love. Seriously.

GR1 26L - This is the first ruck they made and still my favorite. It's a great size and the perfect bag for carrying around; even if you want to carry around an extra 30lbs of bricks or chain just for giggles. If you've seen me in the last three years, there's a good chance I had this with me. It's also the bag that all of the stuff I listed above fits in, with some room left for other stuff. And that caption they have on that photo about the bag opening flat? That's a seriously awesome feature once you realize it.

Bullet 10L - This is their hydration bag; basically their version of a camelback. Except it has room for stuff other than just the hydration bladder. A good all around hiking bag, but not really one that you can carry a lot of weight in. It was the bag that I think is pretty good for kids, but GoRuck apparently is now offering kids' size bags. Whenever I hike the Cherokee Trail, I hike with one of these with 20 lbs of chain in it.

Tough Bag - Formerly known as the brick bag, this is a stuff sack. As in, you stuff things into it and cram as much in as possible. What I found out about this bag is that it's perfect for the beach. I can get a beach towel, sunscreen, book, etc. into it, and the roll down top keeps the sand out from all of that.

Now, a friend of mine whom we'll call "Helen," was asking about the flag patches, so it might be prudent to explain for anyone that is confused.

The GoRuck logo is single color version of the American flag "backwards." The reason for that is that our military wears the American flag on the right shoulder of their uniforms. And since the stars of the flag are always to be forward when in motion, a patch with the stars on the left would imply that our soldiers were backing up or retreating. And that won't do.

It's not a sign of distress. That's an upside down flag, and like I mentioned in the caption of the picture of all of my bags, I didn't realize the patches were upside down when I unpacked my new bags.

In the picture of my bag, some of them have a spearhead with the number 279 on them. In case you were wondering those were patches we had made after completing our first GoRuck Challenge. We were their first all firefighter class; Class 279. That experience for me was really eye opening, and I wrote about it a few years ago. Maybe I'll post that here soon.

Well, I don't know how to end this post, so I'll end it with a picture from their website. They posted it to show their bags in action, but I really love the picture because of all of the other things it is saying.

I'm not sure what event this photo took place during, but these guys have obviously been at it for a while. The bags on their backs hang low with the 30+ lbs of weight inside. But what really strikes me about this photo is what's going on between these two; the guy on the left appears to be sharing his hydration with the guy on the right for whatever reason. That's the spirit of the challenges. It's all about making sure the guy or gal next to you finishes. And how about that guy on the right? He's got some mileage on him, but he's hanging in there. I hope I'm that tough when I have a few more miles on me.