Three years ago, we built some Japanese Denim rucksacks, and they did quite well. But we ran into one problem: a small number of these were built with the wrong kind of leather on the bottom panel. Instead of the full-grain leather we intended, they were made with top-grain leather.
They’ve been sitting with us for years now. We didn’t want to throw them away, and we didn’t want to try to redo the bottoms, though both options were proposed. After going through a lot of ideas, we took one of them and performed a full, extensive quality control check on it—something we take pride in doing well. We ripped everything out to make sure the overall quality is up to par.
If you scrape this leather with your fingernail, it behaves differently than our usual GR1 Heritage leather. On a Heritage pack, you can easily buff those marks right out. With these top-grain panels, a scratch will show, and you'd need to use a product like Kiwi to buff it back out. This leather is also a bit shinier and won't develop the same type of patina over time. It is still real leather—not pleather, and it won't flake off white underneath—but it’s just not the leather we originally planned for this build, and it doesn't complement the Japanese denim quite as perfectly.
Because of this, we are calling these "Seconds." If you don't mind the difference in the leather, you can pick one up at a nice price break. It’s a heavy, beautiful rucksack, and we didn't want to see them go to waste. If you decide to grab one, enjoy it.
Features
Built with a completely custom technical fabric: JPXDP 17oz Black Samurai Sashiko. A collaboration between Japan Blue Co. Ltd. and Dimension Polyant. Custom-made 15.5oz black x black sashiko denim, made in Japan, and laminated by Dimension Polyant for waterproofness and durability.
Patch handmade by Tatsuhito Imamura-san of Kyoto Armor in Japan
Samurai artwork designed by Jiro Yaguchi of Onizuka Tattoo in Los Angeles
Black leather base on top handle and on shoulder strap details
Quick access pocket under top handle
Redesigned rainflap for ease of use – denim will break in to be ultra smooth.
Custom Auxikko geometric pattern printed internally on hi-vis red 500D Cordura nylon
PALS webbing on extra-padded shoulder straps
Opens Flat making it easier to pack and organize
Extra Padded Shoulder straps and top handle to carry heavier loads more comfortably
YKK zippers with glove-friendly Japanese braided silk rope zipper pulls
Bombproof Laptop Compartment next to your back is extra reinforced and has a false bottom so that when you set your ruck down, your laptop won't even notice
A removable, hard plastic frame sheet stabilizes the laptop compartment and allows you to carry more weight comfortably.
Multiple Pockets: 3 internal pockets: 1 large elastic pocket, 1 large mesh zippered pocket, and 1 small go-to pocket.
External Slant Pocket: 1 external slant pocket for quick access to keys snacks, and other small items.
Rainproof: Our rucks are highly water resistant aka rainproof.
Perfect Travel Size: TSA Compliant and fits under the seat in front of you.
Proudly overbuilt in the USA with USA and Japanese materials
Scars Lifetime Guarantee
Specs and Materials
Primary material: JPXDP 17oz Black Samurai Sashiko
Back panel: 500D Cordura
Inner shoulder straps: 500D Cordura
Internal liner material: 500D Cordura Nylon
21L Dimensions: 11.5"W x 18"H x 5.5"D / 21L Weight: 3.05 LBS
26L Dimensions: 12"W x 20"H x 6.75"D / 26L Weight: 3.4 LBS
Laptop Protection: Up to 16"
Hidden Top Handle Pocket: 9"W x 4.5"D
External Slant Pocket: 21L: 11"W x 10"H / 26L: 11.5"W x 12.5"H
Internal Elastic Pocket: 21L: 11"W x 10"H / 26L: 11.5"W x 11"H
Internal Mesh Pocket: 21L: 11"W x 10"H / 26L: 11.5"W x 12.5"H
Internal Stash Pocket: 21L: 11"W x 6"H / 26L: 11.5"W x 6"H
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The GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai is a black backpack made from Japanese cotton, featuring a red patch and a small U.S. flag in the upper left corner, shown upright.
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A person in a red beanie and backpack, possibly the GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai, walks by a white brick wall with a red door.
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A person in a red beanie and gray shirt holds the strap of the GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai, made with premium Japanese cotton, over their shoulder.
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A person opens a GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai backpack with a bold red interior, revealing a laptop inside, while wearing black sneakers.
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Close-up of the GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai backpack, featuring padded straps and a red Japanese cotton fabric inner lining.
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Close-up of a black textured Japanese cotton fabric bag with two black zipper pulls and part of a red label visible, from the exclusive GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai collection.
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Close-up of a black Japanese cotton fabric bag featuring a stitched handle and small orange thread detail, part of the GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai collection.
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Close-up of a black GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai backpack strap, crafted from Japanese cotton, with a small red flower on top against a black background.
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The GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai is a black backpack made from durable Japanese cotton, featuring a red patch with a samurai wielding two swords.
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The GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai, a black backpack with padded shoulder straps made from premium Japanese cotton fabric, is displayed from the back against a dark background.
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A GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai backpack in black, featuring a red patch with a seated figure and made from premium Japanese cotton, set against a dark background.
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Close-up of the GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai backpack’s red and black patterned Japanese cotton interior with black horizontal straps—part of the exclusive collaboration.
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The GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai is a black backpack with a red interior, unzipped and upright against a dark background, crafted from Japanese cotton—highlighting the signature detail of this exclusive collaboration.
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The GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai features a red Japanese cotton fabric pouch with black zippers, geometric patterns, and a small logo patch on the inner lining.
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Black backpack shown from the back, featuring padded shoulder straps and quilted stitching, crafted with premium Japanese cotton fabric from the GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai collection.
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Side view of the GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai black backpack, made from Japanese cotton fabric with a textured grid pattern, against a white background.
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The GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai is a black backpack with a red patch and an American flag in the top left corner, made from premium Japanese cotton for outstanding durability.
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A man in a red beanie and green jacket carries his GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai backpack through the city.
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A hand opens the GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai backpack, revealing a red Japanese cotton fabric interior and a laptop inside its padded compartment.
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Close-up of black zippers on a textured Japanese cotton fabric bag with a red patch, part of the GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai collaboration.
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Close-up of the black GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai bag, crafted from Japanese cotton with a textured finish and an orange tassel detail at the bottom right corner.
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Close-up of the GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai backpack, crafted with Japanese cotton, featuring a small red flower tucked under one shoulder strap against a black background.
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The GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai is a black backpack with a red patch showing a black samurai silhouette holding two swords, crafted from premium Japanese cotton fabric.
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The GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai backpack stands upright, shown from the back with padded straps and a small red detail—crafted in collaboration using premium Japanese cotton fabric.
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The GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai backpack, made from Japanese cotton, stands upright on a dark surface against a black background, displayed in profile.
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Open GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai backpack in black with a red interior, showing mesh and textured compartments made from premium Japanese cotton, set against a black background.
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Close-up of an open backpack pocket lined with red patterned Japanese cotton fabric, featuring the GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai label.
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Close-up of the GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai bag’s red patterned Japanese cotton interior and black mesh straps forming horizontal loops.
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Close-up of the GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai bag, showing its red patterned Japanese cotton fabric lining through the partially unzipped black exterior.
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A black GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai backpack made from Japanese cotton, featuring a red patch with a black abstract design. Part of the exclusive Samurai GR1 collection.
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GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai backpack shown from the back, featuring padded shoulder straps, Japanese cotton fabric accents, and a small red detail on the top right.
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Side view of the black GR1 USA x Carryology - GRXC2 Samurai backpack with a zipper and minimal design, made from premium Japanese cotton, standing upright on a white background.
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