Category: Links

GORUCK dropped new Made in the USA GR2s today (including the coveted 26L size which sold out in like 15min or something crazy). There are two big changes:

1. These are made out of 500D instead of 1000D. The practical difference here is that they will feel much better on day one, and will thus be nicer to your clothing.
2. 1050D ballastic on the bottom of the bag, which I have on my original GR1 and can tell you that after almost a decade it still looks new. I think the benefit of this is that it will wipe clean better when you set it in something not good.

Overall, these are excellent changes. I just wrote about the GR2 34L and it is still my pick of all three sizes. The 40L is massive and you don’t gain a ton of extra space. Go snag one if you want it, it’s a nice set of changes.

Generally not a fan of Multicam Black, but it does look good on the Rucker. The Multicam was the one I had been waiting for, but I think the Coyote Brown actually looks better. As much as I like Multicam itself, the coyote back panel is a reason it bothers me, as is the potential odd looks I’ll get rucking around the neighborhood. It’s great to see more colors coming out though, here’s hoping for Multicam Alpine.

As I mentioned in my GR1 Slick explainer, this is actually the ideal slick version of the GR1 — I just didn’t know it was about to come out. The new bags are waxed canvas and have no MOLLE on the outside, while retaining the morale patch spot.

They look stellar, come in 21L and 26L. The 26L has a new to the GR1 top hidden pocket which looks very useful. Pricey, but rumor has it that there are not many in stock.

Edge Pro Apex. Enough said, nothing else you need. Done.

GORUCK has released the Rucker 3.0 in the 25L configuration (finally). I picked one up in Coyote Brown right away. There’s a ton new about this bag so the short run down of the 25L:

• New Lumbar Support
• New fabric against your body to be more comfortable
• Two ruck plate pockets to hold up to 65lbs
• Integrated reflective stripe so you don’t get murdered by cars, well at least not without being seen I guess. Anyways.

From what I have heard of the smaller models, this bag is killer. Mine comes next week. I can’t wait.

I have been waiting for GORUCK to release forever now, and I did not expect them to look this good. I snagged a pair, and I have high hopes that these can be worn far more stylishly than any other MACV-1s.

Their deals are live and here are the ones that stand out to me:

1. Rucker Starter Kit Bundle $233.75, you get a Rucker 3.0 and Ruck Plate. You’ll be looking fitter than anyone you know when you head back to seeing people again. Or something.
   1. GR1 Midnight Navy (both sizes) $169, you can’t even buy used GR1s for that price. And if you are wondering about the color, the GORUCK founder seems to have used this color a lot in the last year (from pictures on the website).
   2. GR2 Black (both sizes) $249, it has been a real struggle for me not to pick up another GR2 because of this price. Amazing bag, insane price.
   3. MACV-1 Black $145, not the biggest wow of a deal, but these are the best boots I’ve ever worn.

Just recently GORUCK brought back three awesome organizers. First they brought back their fantastic packing cubes, but added a selection of “flat” models which I assume removes my largest complaint about the folding models from before. I ordered one of each size not test.

Second they brought back Shadow Pockets, which have been missing for years now. These are basically unpadded small Field Pockets that open clamshell style and offer no further organization. They are really handy kit to have, I snagged a couple of those too.

Last, but no least, GORUCK restocked the ever popular Wire Dopp, while also adding the Mini Wire Dopp which has not been around for a long time. I own both, but added another of the larger ones to my stable. The mini is great, but not as handy as the larger one. These are sized well to fit in the GR1.

On now, and more items likely added around 11/22. Some really great deals with stand outs being the midnight blue GR1 which is an absolute bargain and the seemingly ‘oops’ run of the desert sand color for MACV-1s which are among my favorite shoes out there.

I updated this post/guide today to account for my lighting change from a ring light to a large soft light.

GORUCK is having a heck of a Labor Day Sale (that’s an affiliate link as are all links below). Here’s some highlights I recommend:

• Black Ruckers in both sizes are $129. There’s a new Rucker coming out in late October, I have the current model and it’s amazing. Hard to get these at this low a price.
• Black GR2s in both sizes are $229. I have almost bought one several times now. If you want a travel the world for maximum time bag, 40L GR2, call it a day. For shorter trips, the 34L GR2 is right next to my 26L GR1 as one of my favorite bags of all time.
• Midnight Navy 26L GR1 for $199. Not the best deal I’ve ever seen, but a solid color and a solid price. Same deal for the 21L in that color. Also the Black Women’s GR1, designed with curved straps and using 500D is a great option for all genders.

If you’re getting a little bored at home and want to get out and get moving, any of these three are amazing outdoors rucks. The Rucker is the only one that won’t also easily hold a laptop. All three options get my highest praise.

You can just abuse them in the woods, wipe them off and go back to work whenever that is a thing again. Or start Rucking.

A great update to an amazing writing app, as long as you don’t get silly and try to use it with GitHub, but that’s on you. Anyways, the new dashboard thing is aces:

I love that outline feature. It allows you to quickly see the structure of your document and is something I use every week for my member journals. I’ve been testing this update for a bit now, and it’s all just gravy.

Some insane deals as always. GR2s for $229, GR1s for $169, and the 15L Bullet ruck for just $79. You cannot go wrong with any of those and I highly recommend each. Hard not to buy those bags at those prices, but I already own multiples of each.

Also the Simple Pants and the Stealth Polo are on sale, and I recommend both of those. I wear a stealth polo at least twice a week. Simple pants are my workout pants, and my backup pants whenever I travel, they rock.

I’ve been using one for a while and think it’s great. Holds a ton without looking like it. And organizes it well. I use it to limit what I have and use for EDC: it has to fit in this valet. Recommended.

Great sale on the best bags you can get, few stand outs:

• Black GR1, $265
• Black GR2s, $295
• Simple Pants, $115
• Tough Hoodie, $85

I own all of those, actually 4 GR1s, and 2 GR2s, 2 Simple Pants, and just one of the hoodies. I use them all a ton, highly recommend them all. If you don’t snag them now, your next chance to get them at these prices isn’t until July (usually).

Some great deals on bags, including the black GR1 (aka The Best Backpack Money Can Buy) at $265. But I think the stealth win here is the Simple Pants are on sale — I don’t like them at full price, but love them discounted to $115. They are great pants, I would say go with charcoal or coyote depending on your style. I almost want another pair.

See all the deals here.

While the GR1 (even in black) has hit $295, the GR2 is at an insanely low price of $355. I have a 34L already but I took this opportunity to pick up a 40L. Can’t beat that price.

If you have a 26L GR1, get the 40. Otherwise get the 34L, fantastic bag.

This is not cool, and I am a little shocked at Apple’s non-chalant response:

The firm told The Guardian: “A small portion of Siri requests are analyzed to improve Siri and dictation. User requests are not associated with the user’s Apple ID. Siri responses are analyzed in secure facilities and all reviewers are under the obligation to adhere to Apple’s strict confidentiality requirements.”

Look, this is par for the course. In order for these systems to get better, they need to analyze what you say and humans need to hear it. What gets me is the fix for this:

Unfortunately, it is much easier to control the Amazon Echo and Google Home devices. The best way to prevent Siri from listening to and sometimes accidentally recording conversations is to disable it entirely.

You don’t often see that “it is much easier to control” something from Google or Amazon, do you? That’s typically where Apple shines. I would expect a simple toggle in Siri to turn off this transmission even if it were opt-out. That’s what really baffles me. Apple needs to jump on that fix.

I don’t normally write linked list posts like this anymore, except weekly as part of the members journal. You should consider subscribing and seeing what it is all about.

If you run the Mac app, I’d delete it. Zoom is way too calm about this.

GORUCK is holding their annual X-Mas in July sale, and GR1s in many colors are down to $275. That’s used price levels so there is very low risk to buying, and it is the best backpack money can buy. What a deal.

Other stuff is on sale too, but GR1.