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March 3, 2015 / Comments (0)

Gossamer Gear Rukus Daypack

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Allison is the founder of trailtosummit.com which she began as a way to track and share her first round of the NH 4000 Footers. Now on round 5 (the first round for her dog Ruckus) she has been honored to have taken part of many people’s firsts. She is an experienced trail maintainer, speaker, and passionate member of the outdoor community. In New England, Allison enjoys trekking along the highest peaks, bushwhacking to less traveled areas, and has a fondness for sunrise and sunset trips. Outside of New England Allison has also thru hiked the John Muir Trail and explored mountains in the German and Austrian Alps, Israel, and the Azores. Her goal is to share her passion for hiking and backpacking with others, especially with women, to inspire them to experience the freedom of the trail!
gossamer gear rukus
gossamer gear rukus

PC- The Real Hiking Viking

 

The Rukus is the middle child of the Gossamer Gear backpack family: really underestimated backpack and should get some more love. Gossamer Gear is more known for their Ultralight backpacks suitable for long distance treks. They recently released the Rukus along with the Type 2 Autumn 2014 which is when I began using mine.

The Rukus is a versatile backpack that belongs in a variety of gear closets. Weighing 11.8 oz, it can hold a surprising amount of gear. Like a pig, it can swallow more than you’d think! It has an 1800 Cubic Inch capacity in its main body, but also features a rather large slanted mesh pocket and two side pockets. While it’s a simple design, it does has some nice touches including a small zippered pouch inside the main body for your keys or other loose items as well as a sleeve that holds your sitpad or a laptop. Who says your backpack can’t travel with you?

gossamer gear rukus

Flying to Denver with my carry on luggage!

gossamer gear rukus

PC- The Real Hiking Viking

 

This Rukus does very well as a day pack, but can easily accommodate the gear you’d need for a long weekend on the trail! I was able to easily fit extra clothing, my down quilt, shelter, and other necessary gear. The only restriction would be how often you can resupply for food. If you’re doing a 2-3 day hike, you’ll be fine but an ultralight hiker could squeeze in another day’s worth of food if you pack carefully.

gossamer gear rukus

Fully loaded Rukus. PC- The Real Hiking Viking

 

Living in the Northeast, I need a pack I can use when I need to carry more gear. This may include more layers, microspikes, snowshoes, crampons, and possibly a sled or two!

winter pack

For those going on serious mountaineering trips and winter traverses, the Rukus won’t be the right fit. For this hike up Mount Tecumseh, it was fun bringing along some sleds! It has the capacity to hold a ton of gear and I think it would be a great winter pack for folks that don’t need to carry snowshoes. Without the sleds, the mesh pocket has too much give to hold the snowshoes, but the tough Robic material held up very well with them inside!

rukus backpack

air mesh unisex straps; sternum strap and multiple daisy chains, inner zippered pocket

 

The Rukus is a simple yet well thought out backpack that can be used for day hikes, short overnight trips, and even travel. I like the no fuss attitude of the Rukus and it’s ability to swallow gear so you’re prepared for any kind of adventure!

MSRP: $65.00
11.8 oz  (335 g.) complete
2400 c.i. (39.32 L)

Disclosure: Allison is a Gossamer Gear Trail Ambassador and received a complimentary Rukus backpack. This review is her own opinion.

Last modified: December 13, 2015

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