The GORUCK GR0 started life as the Echo and is essentially a smaller, 16L version of the GR1 built for smaller frames and lighter, everyday loads. The current X-PAC model uses VX21 fabric and AquaGuard zippers to prioritize light weight and weather resistance over traditional 1000D Cordura.
You can watch my review on YouTube below where I go into detail about what size laptop it will hold and a water test:
Layout, Organization, and Features
The GR0 follows the same basic layout as the GR1, just shrunk down:
- Clamshell main compartment that opens flat for easy packing and access.
- Internal organization:
- A sleeve at the back of the main compartment that can hold a laptop or tablet.
- Two internal pockets (one solid, one mesh) for organizing smaller items.
- Two rows of internal MOLLE webbing for pouches or accessories.
- External features:
A practical limitation regarding hydration: there’s no MOLLE on the shoulder straps (specifically for the X-PAC version) for securing the hose, so it will “roam free” unless you improvise with clips or aftermarket keepers. The bottom is padded like GORUCK’s other rucks to protect contents when you set it down.
Fit, Comfort, and Use on the Move
I’m 6’1″ and the 16L GR0 rides high on my back with the bottom well above my waistline. That high‑and‑tight fit is intentional and keeps the bag from digging into your belt or hips, which is especially helpful for shorter users or anyone who dislikes low‑hanging packs.
Compared to the GR1, the GR0’s shoulder straps are noticeably thinner and narrower. For everyday carry loads, those straps are fine, but this pack is not meant for rucking heavy weight plates due to the strap profile and the lack of a dedicated ruck plate pocket. You could ruck with it, but it’s not what I would personally choose it for.
Weather Resistance and X-PAC Performance
The X-PAC VX21 fabric is inherently waterproof, and GORUCK pairs it with YKK AquaGuard zippers on the GR0 to create a very weather‑resistant package. X-PAC was originally developed for high‑performance racing sails, so it’s light, stiff, and designed to resist water and deformation under load.
In my hose‑test at the end of the video, water beads and runs off the X-PAC panels and zippers very easily. After deliberately spraying the zippers and soaking the exterior, I find the main compartment and laptop compartment dry, with just a small amount of water in one area—likely where the two zippers meet—suggesting excellent real‑world water resistance for rain, wet fields, and most travel conditions.
Verdict: A Purpose‑Built Minimalist EDC Pack
The GR0 is “another great minimalist bag” that I currently don’t use much because it doesn’t match my specific needs, but I clearly recognize its strengths for the right user. For someone who wants a tough, compact, highly weather‑resistant backpack with smart organization and doesn’t plan to load it like a ruck, the GR0 X-PAC checks those boxes and then some.
If you fall into that minimalist EDC and light‑travel category—and your laptop fits—the GORUCK GR0 is easy to recommend as a small, overbuilt pack that will likely outlast most of your other gear.
Read more or get your GR0 (X-PAC or other materials) here
Related reviews:
Bullet X-PAC: What is it’s Purpose?
