GORUCK Bullet 15L (USA) Review
It’s been a long time coming, but we finally purchased a bag from the venerable backpack company that is GORUCK. If you’re reading this, you likely need no introduction. However if you’re not a backpack nerd, suffice it to say that GORUCK is known for super durable, overbuilt, versatile bags to use for everyday, travel, and extreme workouts. For awhile they made their bags exclusively in the USA, but that recently changed.
GORUCK has been on our radar since we started this blog, but their premium price tag for their flagship GR1 backpack ($295) was quite steep. During a sale, I jumped on one of the GR’s smaller siblings, and snagged the bright red, Bullet 15L. I guess you could say, I finally “bit the bullet” (don’t you dare roll your eyes).
What’s the verdict on our first GORUCK purchase? Well, lucky for you I “took a bullet” for y’all and tested the bag myself so I could write this review. You’re welcome.
Quick Overview
- 15L volume, clamshell opening
- External front zip pocket
- Two internal zip pockets, one internal slip pocket
- PALS webbing (see article on Anatomy of a Backpack) on front, 2x3 inch Velcro morale patch area
- Top handle, and top Velcro opening for hydration tube
- Beefy, slightly curved shoulder straps with PALS webbing
- 1000D Cordura fabric throughout
Uses
Despite the large number of backpacks I have, there wasn’t one in the <20L range that I thought could be used for both typical everyday work carry, and simple day hikes and outings. I bought the 15L Bullet in the hope that it could fill this need. The Bullet also comes in 10L, but I was worried that it might be too small and unnecessarily limiting.
Sidenote: I also pre-ordered the EVERGOODS CHZ22 thinking it could potentially serve as a crossover bag for work and outings (“crossover equipment” is one of EVERGOODS’ visions), but it ended up not working for me. Geoff’s review on it covers some of the CHZ22 strengths and tradeoffs.
Everyday Office and Commuting
For a small bag, the Bullet 15L packs efficiently. The clamshell opening is nice for lay-flat packing. I can conveniently arrange my work essentials (laptop, mechanical keyboard, books, water bottle, and headphones).
The only external pocket on the front has a wide area but basically no built-in volume. This makes it suitable for flatter items like a notebook, cables, and keycard. I actually clip my keycard along the edge of the zipper opening so it internally stays in place. I also store my Anker battery in this pocket. Even though this pocket could probably fit a lot of small items, I tend not to stuff it because the lack of volume and top-only access make it harder to efficiently store and retrieve items.
The internal organization is consistent with many of GORUCK’s bags — an opaque top pocket, a mesh bottom pocket along the interior of the front panel, and a slip pocket against the back. (Note: this seems to be a common layout for many tactical-style backpacks, in addition to EVERGOODS)
The top internal pocket fits my Macbook charger + cord (minus the thicker extension cord), along with some pens and my small pouch with chapstick and floss. I use the bottom, larger mesh pocket to store less accessed items (dongles/adapters, a notebook, or snacks). If I have more smaller EDC essentials I want to put in the top pocket, then my laptop charger shifts to the bottom mesh pocket. Both internal pockets have a little bit of dimension to them, and they mostly expand into the main compartment. The bottom mesh pocket expands both ways, so it can compress the contents of the exterior front panel pocket, which already has limited volume.
The slip pocket is not raised from the bottom and doesn’t have any padding apart from what’s along the back and base. The slip pocket fits a 13in. Macbook just fine, and should fit slightly thicker 13–14 in. laptops. I can comfortably stack a thin-ish book with my laptop in the sleeve.
In order to compensate for lack of padding/suspension from the bottom, I repurposed some foam from other packaging and stuff it at the bottom of the pocket. This has been pretty effective and I’m more comfortable dropping my laptop in.
Above the slip pocket there is a D-ring. I’ve never used it, but you could attach smaller pouches there to utilize the top space of the bag while still keeping things organized.
All things considered, the Bullet 15L works very well for my typical work EDC. I only start to get constrained with the volume if I need to bring an extra change of clothes. Usually that means I have to sacrifice my Bose headphones, or carry my water bottle separately. If there were side elastic water bottle pockets, this would be much closer to a “perfect” compact EDC bag. If your computing carry demands more space, then perhaps the Rucker 20L would satisfy your needs if you want to avoid the price premium for the GR1, which has the dedicated “bombproof” laptop compartment.
Day Hikes/Outings
I’ve taken the Bullet 15L for a few day hikes and urban outings, and I have no real complaints. In fact, the Bullet was probably designed more for this use case than for office computing.
One thing to note is that the Bullet does NOT come with a sternum strap. I like my hiking bags to have one, so I’ve used one of the removable ones from a Timbuk2 bag and hook it onto the PALS webbing. It doesn’t quite match, but it works all right.
The lack of water bottle pockets is largely compensated for by its compatibility with hydration bladders, provided you have one and are open to using one. Since I’m not bringing a laptop if I’m hiking or sightseeing, the internal slip pocket is the perfect place to store your bladder. There’s a Velcro opening at the top of the pack so the tube has an outlet. The row of PALS webbing on the straps can keep the tube relatively in place. If you insist on using a water bottle for hydration, the Bullet is probably not the pack for you. Of course, you could just store it inside the main compartment, but that’s one more step to get to your water. And since regular hydration is important on the trail, that extra step could make a difference in how often you feel like taking a break to drink.
For me, the 15L is a great size for a day hike. It’s not too big so you don’t look over-prepared, but at the same time it has plenty of space to pack extra layers and snacks. The smaller pockets can stow things like multitools, first aid, and napkins. If you’re strapped for space, you can add MOLLE pouches on the front. I don’t personally own any MOLLE pouches, but I reckon it’s only a matter of time…
Speaking of the PALS webbing, they’re also useful for lashing on a carabiner, sunglasses, or multitool. In photos, you’ll see I’ve used it for less functional purposes and have affixed a Naruto pin. I like this because I don’t have to puncture a hole in the exterior fabric itself. And I have plenty of room for more flair!
I haven’t yet done a trail run with this pack, but I could see myself using it on the rare occasions that I do longer trail runs and need to carry my own hydration. Yes, the bag is not lightweight compared to dedicated running packs, but I think it’s compact enough to work for someone who isn’t trying to run for performance. After all, I bought this bag for its potential versatility.
Construction
GORUCK offers a SCARS lifetime guarantee, which basically means they’ll cover repairs for the lifetime of the bag. It’s meant to be used and abused, so it’s nice that GORUCK offers a good warranty.
The Bullet is made with 1000D Cordura fabric, which is very durable. However, the bag lacks padding on the front/sides. This is also why the bag can pack a substantial amount of stuff, but just be aware that it’s not the most well-protected bag.
As far as I know, there also isn’t any special DWR treatment. The nylon does have some natural water resistance, but parts of the inside don’t have any additional lining, so if water soaks through the shell there’s no additional barrier. Drizzle/light rain for short periods of time will be fine, but anything more and I’d be anxious.
As with most clamshell backpacks, you can zip both zippers down halfway and access it as a top-loader. A nice thing about the 1000D is that the front panel is burly enough to not be so floppy. So if I partially unzip from the top, the panel doesn’t hopelessly start to crumble into a shapeless pile. Another nice consequence of this is that the front retains its shape/silhouette even when empty, without being rigid and bulky. That means I don’t have to stuff the bag with an extra layer just to fill it out and give it some structure.
I also appreciate that the bottom is flat, which enables this bag to be semi free-standing when packed in a balanced manner. Even if it’s not free-standing, it can lean against something without fear of sliding underneath itself like bags that have a more tapered bottom. Don’t get me wrong, I do like the look of some bags that are tapered (it can look more sleek), but the Bullet is small enough where having a flat base doesn’t make it look bulky, so I feel like you get the utility without sacrificing a compact/somewhat sleek aesthetic.
Because there’s no rigid skeleton/structure, it can also compress relatively flat if you need it to. The thick back and strap padding will limit how much you can compress, so I wouldn’t call it “packable,” but if you’re not overstuffing a larger suitcase, this could easily be thrown in to use as a day pack while traveling.
The straps on these, and probably any GORUCK backpack, are beefy. They definitely feel stiff/firm at first, but they’ll wear with time. They’re slightly contoured, which I appreciate. For a pack this size, even with heavier loads, these straps feel overbuilt. Unless you’re putting rucking plates inside, I don’t see how the straps would fail. While they are quite thick and wide, I can’t help but wonder how this bag would feel if it used Zotefoam like the EVERGOODS bags. I love that foam. But that’s not relevant.
One quick wish-list change: the top handle is fine but it’d be really neat if there was a short aluminum stay so that the top area didn’t bow/bend inwards when the bag is held/hung. This is a purely aesthetic benefit for me. Maybe it’s because I’ve grown to appreciate the stays on the CPL24.
Summary
The GORUCK Bullet 15L is a solid, compact backpack that is versatile enough for work EDC and day outings. It’s what I had hoped (perhaps inappropriately) the CHZ22 would do for me, but exceeded it in utility/functionality. I guess you could say, in the end, I didn’t have to “dodge a bullet” with this purchase (that’s the last one, I promise).
Pros:
- Durable materials/construction (Cordura fabric, YKK zippers, thick strap/back padding)
- Compact form factor with lots of usable packing space
- Flexible internal organization for both office EDC and day hikes/outings
- Comes in variety of color variants
Trade-offs:
- Lacks protective padding on the side
- No external water bottle pockets
- Internal pockets have limited volume and and front panel pockets compete for space
Scores:
- Utility: 3 of 5 — Basic backpack in terms of features. No bells/whistles, but high quality.
- Organization: 3 of 5 — Even though there aren’t pen holders or smaller slots, for a pack this size, I’m actually pleased with the organization offered. There’s enough internal organization to play with.
- Construction: 5 of 5 — Build quality is excellent and I don’t think this pack will break or wear out on me.
- Aesthetics: 4 of 5 — I like how the 15L (not the 10L) looks, more than the GR series of bags. To me, the size and silhouette are just the right proportions. Yes, there is a tactical aesthetic because of the PALS, but it’s not ultra tactical. I’ve gotten multiple unsolicited compliments on this bag from co-workers.
- Comfort: 4 of 5 — The overbuilt straps are a little too firm to be that comfortable, but the back panel, despite not having a framesheet, has enough padding to protect but can still conform to the shape of my back.
- Life-Integration: 5 of 5 — Very simple backpack with no learning curve. Easy to use, but extendable with the PALS webbing on the front and D-ring inside.
- X-Factor: 4 of 5 — As mentioned before, GORUCK is pretty much universally respected among pack nerds. Their GR series definitely have a price premium, but the company’s SCARS lifetime warranty gives you peace of mind that your investment is protected. The bags often have good resale value too. While the Bullet series aren’t as ubiquitous as the GR series, it’s still a solid offering and will likely be a goto in this size range.
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