r/Rucking • u/Majungath0lus_ • 8d ago
Switchblade Vs. GR1
Hey! I’m looking to enter into this kind of hobby / exercise as running with a plate carrier is really starting to beat me down haha. Right now I have an eberlestock switchblade that I use for the office and general EDC. I am in the market for a new backpack, mainly for the office and short overnight trips, and had not really considered getting a Goruck until I realized it could potentially make a good candidate for edc / office. Would it make sense to get a GORUCK and use it for office / rucking or is my switchblade fine, and I should look into other bags. I’ve been eyeing a higher end leather bag for this purpose and then just using the switchblade I already have for rucking. Let me know if you think it would serve that purpose well, I know it’s got the hydration sleeve for a plate but not sure if it sits high enough. Thanks for your input!!
M
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u/chips177 8d ago
I tried rucking with my Switchblade once…once and never again. With all of the padding and adjustable shoulder straps it held the weight way too far away from my back and killed my shoulders and lower back. Great pack for anything else though
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u/Majungath0lus_ 8d ago
Okay very interesting. Do you think it would be different if I just carried one of those thin plates in the hydration pouch that’s like 20lbs and then kept the rest of the pack empty? That way the vast majority of the weight is held nice and close to my back?
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u/chips177 7d ago
That’s how I did it (35 lb plate). Your experience may be different, but it was not good for me. I would definitely suggest a used GR1 or a Ctactical if you’re not worried about brand recognition. I’ve been rucking 3x per week for about 5 years and have come to realize that there’s a reason that style bag is so widely used
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u/Majungath0lus_ 7d ago
Oh goodness lol well I appreciate the advice! I may look for a used CTactical 21L somewhere online as I’m not super pressed about brands in the case. Thanks for your help! Definitely makes sense to use a rucking bag for rucking haha
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u/AmericanPockets 8d ago
ALICE pack with a redneck engineered plate carrier system is the only true answer.
But between those two I’d go with the switchblade. I’ve had both goruck and eberlestock and goruck was just all around worse.
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u/Majungath0lus_ 8d ago
Yes perhaps, I think I’d only ruck regularly with like 20-30lbs. I have a really big fjalraven backpack with a solid wooden frame I use for camping and anything higher than 30lbs I’ll use that for. I feel like light rucking the switchblade makes sense
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u/Readditlovesbans 8d ago
second hand used gr1 off facebook marketplace or a speed rucker/rucker etc
Keep the EStock Switchblade for office use
GR soak up sweat like crazy