In many ways I wish my Goruck was a Tom Bihn bag. Especally when it comes to organization, but also in choice of materials and general aesthetics. It’s only that the Goruck is the most comfortable backpack I’ve ever owned. I can fill it up with all kinds of crap, walk for hours, and not even think twice about it. I forget it, even. Plus, living overseas, I can’t justify splurging on another expensive backpack that I haven’t tried on.
So I’m going to stick with it. But that won’t stop me from trying to turn the Goruck into a Tom Bihn bag in any useful way I can. So here’s what I’ve done so far:
I bought a Mars Red Side Effect, and it came with extra zipper pulls, so I immediately replaced the Goruck originals. I like these much better; they seem easier to get hold of, and require a less tight grip. I changed all of them, on the inside as well.
I discovered how handy O-rings were when I got the SE with a small OP, and I loved that way of organizing things, so I got some plastic rings on ebay and had a cobbler help me improve my bag. Apparently, where I live anyway, only cobblers have sewing machines that are heavy-duty enough to deal with 1000D cordura. I gave her the O-rings, the strap from the SE (I’ll never use it anyway, and I wanted my alteration to be as close to TB as possible), plus some photos of what they look like in the originals. She really did an excellent job, it looks like they came with the bag. She put the first one in the outer slash pocket. I was worried that it might get in the way of the zipper, but it has worked out fine, and given this pocket added usefullness.
I have two straps attached to this ring, one for the house key and one to a mini OP carrying loose change and some notes.
Inside the bag I wanted more organization, so I finally came up with this solution. Someone had a post online about using a Freudian Slip in the Goruck, so I got one of those and it solved a lot of my needs. A spot for sunglasses, pens, etc etc. But I thought it took up too much room in the main compartment, and I found out that by stuffing it in down the back pocket everything seemed much more compartmentalized, and the main space became much easier to use for other stuff.
The cobbler also put in two O-rings for me at the inside top of the pack. Again, excellent workmanship. I guess I could have just used a carabiner or something on the molle for these straps, but that just seems messy to me. These O-rings make me happy.
The left one is attached to an Eagle Creek packing sack where I keep empty plastic ziplock bags for various uses. This used to be a halcyon DOP, but the Eagle Creek was easier to get in and out.
The other key strap is attached to the SE. I just pull it, and up it comes.
I use two small OP’s inside the SE to keep it organized. It is filled with chargers, first aid stuff, medicine, a pocket knife, cutlery, and a bunch of other stuff I may or may not need. It is amazing what this bag holds. The SE is the favorite Tom Bihn product I own. I’ve sat with it while watching TV for no other reason than to feel it in my hands. It is a combination of the workmanship and the 500D ballistic I think, and the sense that someone really cared when they designed and made it. This is the fabric I wish the entire Goruck was made of. With halcyon interior.
I also keep a water bottle down that back pocket. It stays put, and is surprisingly easy to get to.
The Brain Bag version of the FS does not have any zippered pockets unfortunately. I miss that, so I had the cobbler attach a Double Organizer pouch to the back for a more permanent solution. She just put two seams along the top..You can’t tell from this side. It is a nice spot for odds and ends (snacks, if I’m honest)
Here are the seams:
That’s it. I hope I did not bore you to death.
I’ve spent a good while figuring out this constellation, but I welcome all and any suggestions for further organization - especially if they involve purchasing more Tom Bihn stuff. I am looking for any excuse. Any. Excuse.
So I’m going to stick with it. But that won’t stop me from trying to turn the Goruck into a Tom Bihn bag in any useful way I can. So here’s what I’ve done so far:
I bought a Mars Red Side Effect, and it came with extra zipper pulls, so I immediately replaced the Goruck originals. I like these much better; they seem easier to get hold of, and require a less tight grip. I changed all of them, on the inside as well.
I discovered how handy O-rings were when I got the SE with a small OP, and I loved that way of organizing things, so I got some plastic rings on ebay and had a cobbler help me improve my bag. Apparently, where I live anyway, only cobblers have sewing machines that are heavy-duty enough to deal with 1000D cordura. I gave her the O-rings, the strap from the SE (I’ll never use it anyway, and I wanted my alteration to be as close to TB as possible), plus some photos of what they look like in the originals. She really did an excellent job, it looks like they came with the bag. She put the first one in the outer slash pocket. I was worried that it might get in the way of the zipper, but it has worked out fine, and given this pocket added usefullness.
I have two straps attached to this ring, one for the house key and one to a mini OP carrying loose change and some notes.
Inside the bag I wanted more organization, so I finally came up with this solution. Someone had a post online about using a Freudian Slip in the Goruck, so I got one of those and it solved a lot of my needs. A spot for sunglasses, pens, etc etc. But I thought it took up too much room in the main compartment, and I found out that by stuffing it in down the back pocket everything seemed much more compartmentalized, and the main space became much easier to use for other stuff.
The cobbler also put in two O-rings for me at the inside top of the pack. Again, excellent workmanship. I guess I could have just used a carabiner or something on the molle for these straps, but that just seems messy to me. These O-rings make me happy.
The left one is attached to an Eagle Creek packing sack where I keep empty plastic ziplock bags for various uses. This used to be a halcyon DOP, but the Eagle Creek was easier to get in and out.
The other key strap is attached to the SE. I just pull it, and up it comes.
I use two small OP’s inside the SE to keep it organized. It is filled with chargers, first aid stuff, medicine, a pocket knife, cutlery, and a bunch of other stuff I may or may not need. It is amazing what this bag holds. The SE is the favorite Tom Bihn product I own. I’ve sat with it while watching TV for no other reason than to feel it in my hands. It is a combination of the workmanship and the 500D ballistic I think, and the sense that someone really cared when they designed and made it. This is the fabric I wish the entire Goruck was made of. With halcyon interior.
I also keep a water bottle down that back pocket. It stays put, and is surprisingly easy to get to.
The Brain Bag version of the FS does not have any zippered pockets unfortunately. I miss that, so I had the cobbler attach a Double Organizer pouch to the back for a more permanent solution. She just put two seams along the top..You can’t tell from this side. It is a nice spot for odds and ends (snacks, if I’m honest)
Here are the seams:
That’s it. I hope I did not bore you to death.
I’ve spent a good while figuring out this constellation, but I welcome all and any suggestions for further organization - especially if they involve purchasing more Tom Bihn stuff. I am looking for any excuse. Any. Excuse.
好的朋友
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