GORUCK X-Pac Review: Better for Travel Than Cordura?

In this review, Scott Drake puts GORUCK’s X-PAC GR2 and X-PAC GR3 backpacks to the test, comparing X-PAC fabric against traditional Cordura for water resistance, travel performance, and everyday use. If you’re looking for the best waterproof travel backpack for adventure travel in wet conditions, read on.

Scott’s History with GORUCK backpacks

I bought my GORUCK GR2 backpack in 2018 for two reasons. First, after 28 years in the U.S. Air Force, I figured I had earned it as a retirement gift to myself. Second, I wanted to get the best pack possible to take on our six-month post-retirement trip to Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Because we were planning a pretty loose itinerary, I needed a bag that would protect my gear no matter where we ended up; from the Andes to the Amazon.

It did great in all those situations, except once. On the Nangaritza river in Eastern Ecuador, we were literally dead in the water in a heavy rain storm for hours when the outboard motor of our boat wouldn’t start. By the time the rain let up, everything not in a dry bag was soaked through, including my pack. All of our important stuff was in dry bags, so there was no major damage. But all the less important packed stuff needed 24 hours to dry and I learned an important lesson; Cordura really is only water resistant.

Ever since then, I’ve had my eye out for packs with great organization and better water resistance. Nothing met my criteria, so I kept using the Cordura GR2 with an eye for the weather and a large trash bag as an emergency cover.

When GORUCK came out with the X-PAC version of the GR2, I paid close attention and weighed my options. But I didn’t convince myself that a new pack could replace my tried and tested Cordura GR2.
So, imagine my surprise when the great team at GORUCK offered to send me not only the X-PAC GR2 to test but the GR1 and GR3 versions as well! To say I was excited to try them out is an understatement.

The GORUCK X-PAC collection

The GR1 was the first GORUCK back in the day. The X-PAC version kept the same size and organization as the original version. Unfortunately, the colors that we could use were backordered so I wasn’t able to try it out. Bummer!

The GR2 X-PAC

The GR2 is the model ruck I’ve traveled with since 2018. The X-PAC GR2 is a 34L version which is 1.5 inches shorter and a full 1.5 lbs lighter than my 40L version in Cordura.

The material is stiffer than my other X-PAC bag and a bit noisy, although that has lessened as I’ve used the pack.

The pack was manufactured in Vietnam and they did a great job. Tight stitching, no fraying anywhere, the zippers were well installed and all the sewing seams were straight. I could see no difference in manufacturing quality from my US-made GR2.

One of the things that convinced me to buy my GR2 in 2018 was its organization. The floating laptop sleeve, inner and outer compartment split and the “open flat” design just made sense to me then and now. I’m happy to see that all these things are still a part of this version of the GR2.

All the pockets I’ve come to love in my GR2 are here, with the addition of a “stash” pocket at the top of the bag between the grab handle and the straps. It’s not huge, but there is space for a glasses case, playing cards, or other small items. The orange material on the inside is a nice touch and makes it easier to see inside. The pocket is a nice addition to the original GR2 design.

One thing I hadn’t considered was how the 1.5 inch difference in height would impact the pockets. It turns out six of the seven pockets are smaller (the external slant pocket is the same). That didn’t make a difference to me until I tried to load up the outer compartment field pocket and some stuff didn’t fit. The inch less in pocket height made a real difference. I was able to overcome the issue, so the overall impact was minor. It was just a surprise I didn’t expect.

The GR3 X-PAC

The GR3 was completely new to me. Given its 35-liter capacity and appearance, I assumed it would be like the GR2 but with compression straps to snug up smaller loads and a side grab handle.

Well, when I handled the pack for the first time, I found that wasn’t correct.

Unlike the GR2, the GR3 is a single compartment pack. I really like the organizational options the double compartment gives, so that was a negative for me. But if you’re a packing cube using traveler, this will be right up your alley. It’s organized very much like a roller bag without the wheels.

The load compression straps on the side are a very positive change for managing less than a full load or a collection of smaller items that tend to move around in the pack. The straps also allow you to reduce the depth of the bag which makes it easier to fit in vehicles.

This pack was also manufactured in Vietnam. I found the same high level of workmanship and attention to detail as I did with the GR2.

How did they travel?

I used the GR2 for airline, car, and public transit trips. I really like the way it traveled. The little bit smaller and lighter made more of a positive difference than I would have imagined. My typical load was easier to manage in each situation and I didn’t feel like I was going to knock anyone over on the Metro.

The X-PAC is a bit stiffer than Cordura but that turned out to be a positive for maintaining the packs’ shape and ability to set it on the ground without it falling over.

I only used the GR3 for car trips. The way I typically travel, I had to bag up the stuff that normally goes in the various GR2 pockets. It worked just fine.

One area the ruck excelled in was moving odd shaped bulky items like a spotting scope, tripod, binoculars and camera gear. Loading and unloading the gear was much easier than in the dual compartment GR2 and the compression straps kept everything inside from moving around.

The laptop compartment in both packs are great. Secure, floating off the ground, just like it should.

Did the Water Resistance Measure Up?

As I mentioned above, the primary reason I wanted to use the X-PAC backpacks was the water resistance of the fabric versus my Cordura GR2. So, being in the Pacific Northwest, I just put the two X-PAC bags outside on a rainy day to let them soak for a couple of hours.

To identify any water penetration, I filled them with light colored pants and paper towel rolls.

The X-PAC material did well. The water beaded up and neither pack wetted out.

The GR2 had a couple of quarter sized spots of leakage along the main compartment zipper. Other than that, the inside remained dry.

The GR3 was more of a mixed result. A good bit of water came up thru the bottom of the pack. It looked like the thread of the seam on the bottom had soaked thru and acted like a wick. It was enough to fully soak a paper towel roll and make the pants quite wet.

I think the difference between the two packs’ performance came down to the extra layer of material on the GR2 that connects the front compartment with the main compartment. Since the GR3 doesn’t have a second compartment and the extra material, the stitches were exposed to the wet ground. I think a coat of seam sealer on those threads would go a long way to fixing this.

Bottom-line: even with the GR3 issue, both bags kept out water better and dried faster than my Cordura GR2. I think the X-PAC is a winner.

So, what about those zippers?

If you’ve read any comments or reviews of the X-PAC GR2 or 3, you’ve probably seen comments about how hard the zippers are to use.

Well, I can confirm they are kind of a pain.

The stiffness of the X-PAC and the lack of space between the zipper and the flap doesn’t allow for easy passage. This was especially true at the corners of the packs. But I did find a workaround; fold back the flap covering the zipper and they work a lot better. Here’s what I mean:

That worked on both packs.

I also noticed the zipper started to work easier as I continued to use the packs, so there may be a “break in” period for the flap material as well.

Is X-PAC a better material than Cordura for a travel ruck?

At the end of the day, I’m torn on how to answer this question. Both materials have a lot going for them.

I’ve been really impressed with the durability of the Cordura GR2 over the years and miles I’ve put on it. But the lighter weight and better water resistance of the X-PAC are strong arguments for it being the better material. Right now, I’m favoring the Cordura model as my go-to in most cases.

But I’m probably going to take the X-PAC version when we go to Ecuador this fall because it’s the rainy season and we’re going on a river trip.

So the answer is up to you. You have to look at where you’re going and what you’re doing when you decide which material is best for you. And, really, you’re not going to go wrong with you buy any GORUCK ruck.

Bottom-lines for GORUCK’s X-PAC GR2 and GR3

X-PAC GR2 – Recommended
Best for people who want great internal organization

Purchase directly from GORUCK.

X-PAC GR3 – Recommended
Best for people who prefer to customize their pack organization or who carry odd shaped gear

Trying these X-PAC rucks confirmed to me that GORUCK still makes some of the best packs in the business. The materials and workmanship make either one well worth the price. If you decide to take the plunge, you’ll have a ruck for the long haul.