M26 PREORDER // Q4 2026 ETA
Overall rating: 4.812709 / 5 from 299 reviews.
The M26 PREORDER is a highly praised backpack inspired by WWII-era designs, featuring a new Quick Access Pocket, side zip volume pockets, and a main compartment with extended zipper access. Customers appreciate its solid construction, high-quality materials, and durability, though opinions on the look vary.
Review topics: ["fit","size","straps","issues","weight","bag","quality","pockets","fabric","material","shipping","function","color","design","feel","look","durability","construction","style","value","replacement","equipment","sleeves","pack","top","build","back","price","benefit","shape"].
"I was looking for a fun vacation ruck that would be fun in an amusement park or on trail. I don’t need another pack with MOLLE or some other tacticool vibe. The M24 has some very cool magnetic enhanced Fidlock Buckles make a classic design new and exciting again."
"This review is for the M24 21L Heritage slate variety. I use it for all outdoor activity, mostly hikinh and hunting. Serves the purpose well. The 21L size definitely holds a lot more gear than my 21L Rucker. I’d even say more gear than my 26L GR1. * The fold over top flap seems to expand as you stack more gear inside. The interior cinch top can be rolled inward when the bag is less full and the top flap compresses the bag snug, then expands when you fill it up. The top flap zipper pocket keeps essentials handy without opening up the cinch top. The latches are secure and took a bit of getting used to. Some people hate em, I don't mind now that I’m used to them they are secure and simply detach with the pull of the tab. * Interior compartment space is large. There is another zip pouch inside the cinch top within the interior compartment. Handy to store less frequently used items- fire starter, water pure tabs, etc. This keeps things dry and contained but not buried. The exterior zip along the side lets you access stuff like rain gear or snacks without opening the top flap and cinch. Easy quick access to the interior. * Exterior side bottle storage or essentials storage is ideal when you need quick access. a 32 oz bottle fits snug but can easily be pulled out. * “Laptop compartment”. I use my Rucker for my laptop. This is my outdoor bag so I put flat items that wont poke in here. Extra socks, t shirt, etc. Its secure and soft items add some padding against your back, not that you need it. Straps are the same as most other goruck products, adjustable, secure and padded for comfort. Ive carried this bag loaded up all day and while a little soar from strenuous hiking, I was still comfortable carrying the pack. It comes with the sternum strap which is a plus since all my other go rucks did not come with a sternum. I hang a knife on the strap in the vertical pull down and it remains secure, the straps do not shift (good grip). Plenty of adjustment. So far I am very satisfied with my M24. A few upgrades I would like but am not sending it back to scars; Some external molle along the front and perhaps the bottom in order to attach sleeping bag or roll up. A hard weatherproof bottom to keep shape and stand up in wet/mud conditions perhaps. Side handles."
"I have the M23 21 l waxed canvas for over a year. I absolutely love it! I use it as my EDC backpack. When I am shopping groceries, I put all the heaviest items in the backpack. It sits perfectly, good weight distribution, never had issues with the straps loosening up, the strap that horizontally connects the vertical straps is really important. It’s pretty big and has good organization with the pockets. I can easily use it for a three day trip, or even a week if I can wash things. During ~5 flights, never had a problem with it as a personal item on board, it fits under the seat, and the adjustable lid allows for a smaller an overall smaller size illusion. (Ryanair, wizzair, Norwegian). If necessary can overpack, which does not look good or neat, but it’s still possible. I am 5’11 with pretty short torso. It fits me perfectly. I tried the 26l, but it looked too big. In that category of size, I would look for an ‘Carry-on’ standard backpack for trips on plane. This could do it, but I was looking for a personal item / EDC size, so for carry-on options, I made no research. Minor drawback, if the the backpack is half empty (as in the pictures) it does not hold the form very well."
"After owning this bag for over 6 months and traveling internationally with it, weekend trips, and daily to the office, I feel like I can finally review it. This has, hands down, been the nicest bag I have ever used. Is it perfect? No. But it is AMAZING. I wish it stood out more and that I had personally gotten it in a better colorway, but the price dictated what I got. It takes a little bit for it to be broken in. I personally loaded a ton of weight in it and hung it on a chair to break in the padding and straps a little, but that should tell you the quality. The chest strap I have personally detached as I felt it is too stiff and mostly unnecessary even when carrying over 20lbs. It is great because of the expandability as i have used it for 2 person travel over a weekend and when i traeled internationally i carried all my daily necessities and then i also packed spare clothes for my kids just in case luggage was lost. great addition is the Hero clip as it keeps this thing close at hand everywhere we go and is really nice to hang from the passenger seat when you are driving. All in all, great bag, and I hope to see this version make a comeback as I prefer it over the newer M24 variant. I don't need external water bottle pockets, and this holds umbrellas and things easier for myself personally."
"Solid pack, built with high quality— and stores a full load of everyday gear. Fits comfortably and adjusts easily. And the sleeve for laptops is both useful and protective."
"Solid work. I bought this as a treat to myself, and as a bag to lug all my stuff to work. It's a better option than the actively disentegrating Patagonia cross body bag that I'm using now. That one lasted more than a decade. Here's to hoping this piece will give it a run for its money. Build quality is, as always, exceptional, and it's a beautiful thing to behold. The laptop pocket is a little too small to fit my laptop in it's current bubble case, but if I get something more minimal it'll probably do just fine."
"I love my new ruck. I’m still new to rucking, but honorably served in the US Army from 1988-1996 so I’m familiar with wearing a ruck sack to hike. I love the ease of adding a weight plate to it. It’s a great feature. It also helps me to stay organized. The quality of the ruck is great. The organization of the ruck is great too."
"I love the bag, always know what to expect with GoRuck and they never disappoint."
"This bag is beautifully designed and would be perfect but a model like a conventional backpack with waist straps would make it actually work for me."
"I love it. Bottle holders also fit gci chairs for hiking breaks. I like the single pocket, more like my ruck in the military, one big pocket with multiple access points. Great hiking pack. A little expensive but great military discount! I'm 6'3 and the 26L was perfect"
As an American business with Special Forces roots, we are proud to donate 1% of our annual top line revenue to non-profit partners who support those who serve.
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