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« on: April 28, 2013, 04:30:53 PM »
I think I posted this before, so apologies for repetition, but I use my GR1 more or less every week for a one or two night work stay. Here's my usual two night load out:
Clothes: Two dress shirts, two t-shirts, underwear, very occasionally a spare pair of trousers or a lightweight jumper.
Gadgets: ipad in a Portenzo case, notebooks (typically Midori Traveler's Notebook & large Moleskine), Kindle and sometimes a laptop (currently a Thinkpad X230).
Other things: Wash bag, power leads, pens, a book etc.
For one night I halve the clothes. It's almost perfect for two nights, perhaps a bit big for one, but fine. It's fantastically well made, highly recommended, but I'd mention just a few irritations, as follows:
1. The laptop compartment at the back is a very narrow fit. It's optimised for thin laptops, particulalry Macbooks, and last week (two night stay) I had to carry back a few extra things and couldn't fit my laptop in the the compartment. The bag was too tightly packed. I managed to get it in the main compartment in the sleeve in the back, and left my wash bag and a lightweight waterproof in the office. As I mentioned, I'm currently using the Thinkpad X230 12.5" laptop, not exactly a monster, but it's slightly protruding 6 cell battery was just too much. Even on a less over stuffed bag day, it's not an ideal fit.
2. The front pocket is not much use, except for little bits and bobs like train tickets, keys, perhaps a kindle if you haven't got a full bag. It's entirely limited on how full the main compartment is, as to how much give there is, so don't expect to get much in there.
3. The rucksack straps are very comfy, but not very long. I'm roughty a 48" chest, and there's not much give in the straps. Personally I like a bit more length so I can adjust as I want, especially over bulky clothes. I this case it's fine, but I wouldn't be wanting them any smaller.
Overall, if you want a daypack, or an overnight bag for essentials, the Radio Ruck is probably fine. If you're looking for something a bit bigger, to do two or three night trips, or even longer, the GR1 is perfect. I think it's a bit big for a daypack, personally, but it depends on how much you want to carry.
I'll try and remember to take some pictures this week while I'm away (one night).
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