Great video! For about 4 years, I traveled extensively using several GR2's in 40L and thought they was incredible.....until I tried the CTB35. I discovered using packing cubes, the CTB35 actually held more than the GR2. While the GR2 (in my case) was a 40L, because of the divider between the "main" large pocket and the "front" large pocket, I found it to hold less. I think if you maxed out the CTB35, then tried to transfer that exact load out to the GR2 34L, you'd find it won't all fit. I now have just one remaining GR2 (of 5) and likely putting it up for sale soon as it just doesn't get use now. The CTB35 carried much more comfortable and the additional external quick access pockets and water bottle pocket make it far superior to me. I was able to travel to Europe for 13 days with just the CTB35 as my one bag travel bag / carry on.
Great video, JB. I’ve owned many GR1’s and always wanted a GR2, but I went with the CTB35 and have been impressed. That front top pocket I like to keep my jacket in. I think the GR will last longer, but the EG beats them on organization with no loss to capacity.
Awesome video JB! Definitely two of the GOATs!! Funnily enough I have a similar video coming out later for the little brothers of these two haha great minds think alike! ;)
In terms of clean classiness, the Goruck Waxed Canvas GR2 + Waxed Field Pocket looks sexy as hell. In terms of feature set and practicality, the Evergoods wins.
Just what I was looking for. Have used the GR34L and contemplating swapping for CTB35. Love the comparison videos and I’m sure you picked these two as they’re often asked for side by side. Size, style, comfort, packing style you seem to cover it all. One thing I might add is to wear both and show the look of the size relative to the body. Great video as always
Glad I could help! And thanks for the feedback...sometimes I get too busy with these videos and I forget the basics...should have done a wearability comparison!
Great video, JB. I’ve owned many GR1’s and always wanted a GR2, but I went with the CTB35 and have been impressed. That front top pocket I like to keep my jacket in. I think the GR will last longer, but the EG beats them on organization with no loss to capacity.
If the Evergoods wasn’t so narrow at the bottom, they’d be my all time favorite. Does anyone else have a ton of bags and if only one thing was different on several, it would be perfect for them?
@christianbearden28 that would be me. I wish I could wear Evergoods. Very much my aesthetic but all their bags dig into my lower back. So Goruck it is.
Did you find the evergoods to be lacking in the strap quality. Want to pull the trigger on some of their gear, but afraid under weight, I will miss the GR straps. For reference I don’t even like bullet rucks because the straps aren’t the standard GR style.
Nice comparison. I have a GR2 40L 500D as my travel pack. When it is loaded out, I'm thankful that I have a sternum strap and can move the hip belt from my rucker to it if I need to lug it around. Evergoods are wizards and that CTB looks awesome. I doubt unless my GR2 falls apart that I'll ever get to try out another travel pack, so comparison videos like this are awesome! Thanks!
I own 45L, 40L, 34L, 26L GoRucks, but I’ve been using my CTB 35L, and I have to travel at least twice a month. My GR 45L did a number on my shirts when I traveled to Italy, but it served its purpose with no problems. I am preferring my GR’s for outdoor/rugged type trips and my CTB’s for hotel living. I really love both brands, but I can’t forget my Triple Aught Design bags as well…they need to reissue the Meridian Transports…it is another favorite of mine, and I think they could sell more of those for people to enjoy. All these bags are bad ass! Let your “situation dictate your mission” loadout…🤩👌
No mention of weight? Both these bags are very heavy and leave very little usable weight on airlines that have carry on weight limits.. CTB claims 4lbs but actual bags delivered to customers come in at 4.5lbs. ismt waxed canvas even heavier?
I didn't get into weights because the build of the GR2 varies too much from waxed canvas to XPAC builds. You're right the waxed canvas build is a bit heavier. I also haven't run into any weight restrictions on carry-ons...only checked bags. Thanks for the input though and I will try to include that next time.
As always great video. This proves how much space I really am loosing in a 33L Long Range Rucker. I think it’s definitely more than 1L. With similar load outs for 4 day 3 night business travel I’m maxing out with my demo gear. I’d be interested to see a video of CTB35 vs Peak Design 45L travel bag. I know there’s 10L of space rating difference but your perspective would be really helpful. Not sure if others are of the same opinion on the comparison.
You need a Zojirushi water bottle. Skinner and slightly taller, vacuum insulated also, holds more water 20oz, single hand use since the top is always connected, mouthpiece doesn't see the outside environment to keep clean. I can see you liking it if you give it a try. I don't work for them I just like their bottles. I think your bottle only is vacuum insulated. Not a neg towards you. Just wanted to show you better attributes for bags since I always see you w water bottle issues w how fat the bottles are. Keep up the great videos!
Still on the fence... I love the style and look of GR3 35L but I think the Evergoods CTB35 would be a better travel bag but I really don't like the way it looks.
How about a video of the Evergoods CTB26 vs CTB35 vs CPL24/28. I love the new material of the CPL 28v3. I like the two CTB bags, but I love the CPL28 for travel.
I love the sharp and sleek look of Evergoods bags. The functionality/features of the CTB35 - especially that front pocket - are great. Very thoughtful design. But darn it, their bags just don't fit me - and Gorucks do. And comfort is key. So Goruck has my back (for now). But It's a heavy bag, especially if you carry the world on your shoulders. I'd love to see a lighter version because it's all about me. I can't help but think there's something even better out there. I'll just have to keep watching (with popcorn). Cheers. Excellent comparison. Excellent video, as usual.
I have the GR2 34L, when fully loaded, it’s not the most confortable, the back panel is very straight and not curve to follow by back otherwise I love this backpack. A sternum strap addition on my Kaidan is missing me as well.
I missed an opportunity to buy the CTB and got the peak design 45L. Comfort wise it was a mistake even I like the durability and organization. If the CTB ever goes on sale again I will 100% get it.
Love the channel and we seem to have very similar tastes in bags and other carry essentials. I do generally use more sling/crossbody bags and only got into back packs fairly recently and I’m also pretty new to the channel but I do really like and appreciate your passion for newer and older bags that have been out on the market for a while or have been released very recently. The comparison videos are extremely useful and are my favorite from your reviews but I do also appreciate your single bag breakdowns and find your channel to be one of if not the most useful for me especially when I am considering investing in a quality pack. I have over 100 premium bags of different sizes and price points and similar to yourself try to keep up with all the new advancements in styles in materials and of course I put a huge value on quality and craftsmanship for obvious reasons. Overall, my two favorite brands I personally find to be extremely good in overall value, quality, and innovation are The Code of Bell and AerSF and I realize that they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea especially COB but over the years I have obtained at least 80% of all bags these two brands ever released and being a huge fan of sling style bags, it may come to no surprise to you that these two brands would be at the top of my list because additionally to having a large inventory of slings both of them utilize my favorite bag material X-Pac, with Vx-21, and Vx-42 (or X-42), and to a lesser extent X-50, being present in most offerings by these two brands. So if I were to suggest when you do make your side by side comparisons maybe discuss a little bit more of technical aspects and price points because I know GR2 heritage is nearly double the price of CTB35, which may be well justified based on materials and place of manufacture but I do feel that most viewers would appreciate knowing these kinds of aspects, especially when you do such a compelling comparison of two excellent products that are as similar they are in case use, they are just as different in aesthetics, overall physical feel, and price. Just a suggestion but overall love your channel and hope you keep up your excellent reviews. Ps: if you aren’t familiar, check out a Japanese brand called Master-Piece, founded in 1994 and is absolutely top notch in many categories with having a wide variety of bags and some other carry essentials…
idk, the Evergoods is $250 cheaper than the GR2 Heritage, and it weighs 1.3 pounds less. Plus I like its features better than the GR2, so it's a no-brainer for me.
Would love to see a dedicated CTB35 video. I tried one briefly but found the shoulder straps were too narrow for the capacity of the bag and the hip belt didn’t really work if you’re a tall guy. Plus had some massive quality issue with 3 of them so just gave up on it
In my experience the 34/35L size is the sweet spot for just about everything. I have a GR3 for bigger trips but I sold my 40L GR2 because I either like the 34L size or just jumped to the GR3. I actually did a video where I packed a 40L and 34L and didn't really gain much with the 40L. @@gmoneycash7456
CAP1 gets more use for sure as I use it for power solutions when traveling. Each time I head out I decide on the camera set-up and then choose the tech pouch. The CAP2 ends up as a strong contender for that but sometimes it’s too big.
