GORUCK Echo 2022 First Impressions - The Mini GR1! 

Hahaha I'll never stand next to you at the RU-vidr convention.

Oh man, congrats! Hope you enjoy that thing!

haha, well, this one came out of left field. Wanted to give people a look at it while it was still available to buy. Absolutely promise the next video is about a different brand lol. And thanks on the new space! The wife literally kicked me out of the living room so, the bag closet was the only option :P

haha, I kinda dig the MCT.

Surely you jest!

@@jtinseoul7041 I like it, rotate the background every once in awhile - or patch board

Sure! Simplicity, smooth zippers, nice top handles haha. But the idea for the video is great, I shall put it on the list!

@@jtinseoul7041 Awesome! I am thinking about designing my own bag. Therefore, I am looking for the best features. I'm not a professional when it comes to sewing but I love bags and just want to try to make one myself. Edit: Thank you for taking your time to do a video so fast!

@@pischinger2426 You got it dude!

Haha, appreciate that! My wife would be happy if I sold half of it.

Brothers!

I'd have to really see what you mean to know if it is something I'd notice. Sometimes depending on the pattern the handle will appear to be more to one side especially if looking at it from the side of the laptop compartment. You can email me if you wanna chat about it!

I believe you mean the TBB Standard Issue in stormproof nylon ;)

Sorry that I don't have a Scout :/

@@jtinseoul7041 no worries, thanks for the reply, looking forward for more videos!

OVerlap makes sense. Similar deal for me. I do like it though. And I'll be on AirBnB shortly.

I like it in 1000D, but I guess it really depends. I think it'll be nice broken in but then it'll take the rest of my life to do that ha. The GR1 in the video was 500D. Definitely felt floppier when I was holding them together.

I feel that. At 5'7 it is fine on me. But barely haha.

@@jtinseoul7041it’s such a great looking bag though, if anything

It is. It's really pretty haha.

I have a Topo Daypack that I really like. It's from that era when they were USA built.

@@jtinseoul7041 Yes, the Topo Daypack is really nice too, especially the version with the leather bottom half. So they are not made in Colorado anymore? Also just watched your vid on the GoRuck Bullet, which is even a closer match to the 9L Topo Trip. Why is it I am always looking to replace something I already like? Always trying to find the unicorn. 😢

I believe they have shifted a lot of their manufacturing to Vietnam. Honestly, it doesn't really make a difference quality wise, but if I were American (Canadian) I suppose I'd like the idea of a bag being built there. In my experience in bags in general, in fact, most of the Vietnam made stuff is tighter and tends to have less mistakes than the US stuff. Either way though, my early Topo Stuff (Colorado) were built like tanks! I have the ballistic / leather Daypack and the ballistic OG travel bag. Both great. That said, my favourite Topo is the Vietnam made Core Pack. What an underrated bag! It's so good, I can't believe they stopped making it haha. I would say the Bullet is a lot bigger than the trip unless you mean the 10L Bullet. I can fit nearly the same amount in my 15L Bullet as I can the Topo Daypack.

@@jtinseoul7041 yes, I found the 10L Bullet review, that’s even closer to the Trip Pack. As for made in Asia vs. North America the only concern is the rights of workers in some countries. But indeed the quality of Asian made goods can be excellent too. I’m Canadian and what I like about North American made goods is that it encourages craftsmanship which I think is lacking in our country and the States. It’s always great to see companies making things in their own backyards. I love Japan and it’s a good example of a country with a rich history of craftsmanship, and a current history of revival of craft, for example the ongoing embrace of film cameras. It was cool to find YNOT bags being made in Toronto years ago.

That's awesome! And I agree on the craftsmanship aspect. I would love to try a Ynot bag some day, also being Canadian and having gone to university in Toronto. The shipping to Korea is pretty pricy though. I'm sure I'll have a chance at some point! Maybe via trade or something.

Hmmm, the only custom make I know personally is Filip Raboch and I don't think he makes anything too similar to the Wire-dopp. I guess if a local skilled tailor saw the original they could probably make something similar :)

Watched that whole last minute snipe unfold. The market for that is wild. 😂 I managed to snag one quickly January 29th for $120 as soon as it was up cuz it wasn’t in the market for at least a month.

Rucker is perfect for that. Sizing will depend on your torso for sure.

@@JBOutside1 I’m 5’-6” about 200lbs. I feel like it should be okay.

@@jcpalermo2576 I think either the standard or small will work. I'm 5'9" and used the standard size for many years. I recently stepped up to the 25L and it also fits me well. It's a little long but still works well. The small is just way too small for me carrying weight. Not trying to hijack JT's awesome video but if you checkout my channel at some point I have a video on the rucker that further explains sizing.

Can't go wrong with either of the Ruckers you mentioned. I like the 3, personally, but either way they are fine. And JB is right, I think either the short or the normal 20 would be right for you.

Yes, they definitely do. This particular bag feels like it uses a coated version of the TS. I could be wrong, just the vibe it has. It's more glossy than I'm used to from the TS 1000D.

Haha I originally had planned to try on the bags more but now I'm in the bag closet where I can barely move. I would say the Echo looks prettiest of them but the Radio Ruck is more versatile. The gr1 is of course a favorite but in my arsenal I tend to prefer the 26 in that and then the Radio at 21. The Echo is more a competitor fit the Bullet for me.

@@jtinseoul7041Oy. I knew I shoulda bought the darn Radio Ruck when you said to. I didn’t realize you preferred the GR1 in 26” which is too long for me. I have a new GR1 21L staring at me asking, “Are you keeping me or not?” I bought the GR2 in 26” as your wish was my command…I might not like any Goruck! Who the heck knows. They haven’t left my apartment. Nothing feels great as of late - and I find out too late…P.S. can I borrow your closet.

haha, I should have the closet on AirBnB. The Radio Ruck is definitely my favourite 21L Goruck. It's mostly because of my shortness. I think basically to an average height human the GR1 26L and the 34L GR2 would be a great combination. For someone on the shorter end (me), the Radio Ruck and then the GR2 26L makes more sense. The Radio Ruck is a weird one in that I think it doesn't "look" amazing in videos or pictures but in use it always seems to pack well. The Echo is really pretty, but is hella small in use. Daily carry max, kinda thing, whereas I could easily do a weekend in the Radio Ruck.

It fits me well! There are actually two of them in this video. I like that bag a lot. It needs a frame sheet though. I add one myself.

I don't exactly know but I've heard by summer-ish.

It has become a personal favourite. I have a video on it coming up in a couple of weeks!

@@jtinseoul7041 I will see for sure! I am searching my future 1 bag travel backpack for my trips and this backpack seems like one of the 2 that I prefer (std1 and peak design tb) with one you prefer ?

100% I prefer the ATD1. Not even close.

The Echo is more like a shrunken GR1. The Radio is much deeper with bigger pockets. As far as I've heard, the patterning on the Echo is essentially the same as the GR1 but scaled down. They are all similar, just think they work for different people / use cases.

@@jtinseoul7041 I think the Echo is the scaled down version of the Radio. (24L to 16L) The Echo and the Radio are both “short and wide” in comparison to the 15l bullet and GR1. The Molle on the front of each bags match 2 rows of 6. Also when these bags originally came out (around 2010/2011 ) the 21L GR1/Gr0 didn’t exist it wasn’t released until 2013). The 21l GR1 was the scaled down version of the 26L gr1

Could very well be, I'm by no means an expert. I know the original Radio wasn't a clamshell opening bag at all. Interesting look, those. Anyway, I'll defer to you on this one.

Ah, I do believe the current day Radio is 21L.

@@jtinseoul7041 I think it is too. I have a 2012 Radio and a 2018/19 echo. I’ve used my Radio as a weekender many times. It would be difficult to do that with the new ones.

The new Rucking stuff is definitely quite new. With a lot of new features they'd not worked with before. They do still have SCARS.

I think a lot of the price relates to the warranty. Overpriced, maybe in some cases but I don't think overrated. Luckily though there are options!