Twin boys. Toddler daughter. Hospital Tech Support. Writer. Runner. Gamer. Creating in public again.*

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GoRuck

How To Pack For Destin

Backpack and Duffle

The two bags that were used to pack for this trip are The GoRuck GR1 21L and the GoRuck Kit Bag. Each bag has four main items inside of it (with many other items inside of those). Pouches, bags, and cubes. That’s the secret to packing efficiently. The amount of items that I’m able to seamlessly fit into these pouches makes traveling a breeze.

Inside of the Kit Bag

Hats, boxers, and socks are inside the Transit Packing Cube. Running shoes, flip flops, and Crocs are in the Peak Design Shoe Pouch. A week’s worth of shirts and shorts are in the Tom Bihn Packing Cube. And all of my shower and shaving items are in Gravel’s Toiletry Bag.

Inside of the GR1

All of my tech (iPad mini, Gameboy, Kindle, chargers) is inside of the Civic Access Pouch. I was able to fit my entire coffee setup inside of the GR2 Field Pocket (Aeropress, manual coffee bean grinder, and French vanilla coffee beans). A resistant band for working out is inside of the small Shadow Pocket. And then last, is a Simple Water Bottle.

How to Pack For Rustic Sky

Last year, on Newsletter 64, I wrote How to Pack. This can be considered Part Two. This letter will just be a simple breakdown of how I packed for the trip. I’m a collector of bags and pouches, and I believe that’s the key to packing efficiently. Being able to bring just the right amount is always a fun challenge. This time around, I was intentional about leaving behind more than usual. Here’s a list of everything.

For a weekend trip, I packed very light. One bag. The Goruck GR1 21L. Inside of this bag was three pouches, a classic green Stanley Thermos, and a book.

  1. For my clothes, everything was inside of the Evergoods Transit Packing Cube (8L). Shirts and shorts on one side. Boxers and socks on the other.

  2. For toiletry, I used the Gravel Explorer Mini. Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, cologne, and Gravel’s travel bottle.

  3. For my other gear, I used the discontinued Alpaka Pencil Case Pro. Gameboy, AirPods, phone charger, wallet, Field Notes: Expedition, and Bellroy Micro pen.

Military Backpack (GoRuck GR1 21L)

I just purchased another GoRuck bag, the GR 21L. For over ten years now, it’s been my bag of choice. Different sizes, but basically the same bag.

I now own three GoRucks:

  • GR1 21L: the perfect size for everyday use
  • GR1 26L: too big for daily use, but perfect for traveling
  • GR Echo: a miniature version of all these bags that my wife will now use as a purse/diaper bag

I love GoRucks for being minimal and durable. They have an understated yet tactical look that blends in with whatever life throws at me. Whether it’s conferences, hiking, vacations, or daily use, this bag fits right in.

Here’s its origin story:

In 2008, while I was in Special Forces and Emily was in the CIA, we started GORUCK out of her house in war-torn West Africa. The goal was pretty simple: build a rucksack with life or death quality standards that would thrive in Baghdad and NYC, not to mention Côte d’Ivoire — and show people of all walks of life how to operate smartly and safely in some of the harshest environments in the world (using said rucksack). How to travel, how to train, how to get the most out of a life where adventure calls and tomorrow is never promised.