Thad Forester

Ep 126 | They Didn’t Know Him But They Showed Up Anyway – 45 Miles for Mark Forester

June 8, 2026 By Thad Forester

What does it mean to sacrifice for someone you’ve never met? In this episode of Patriot to the Core, Thad Forester sits down with his young boys and their friends who completed the Mark Forester JAG 28 Memorial Birthday Walk — a tribute to Senior Airman Mark Forester, who gave his life in Afghanistan on September 29, 2010, earning him the Silver Star.

These kids didn’t grow up knowing Mark. He was killed before they were born. But Thad’s boys have known of their uncle their entire lives — and this year, they laced up their shoes, hit the pavement, and pushed through real physical pain and discomfort to honor his memory. Some walked 25 continuous miles, some 36 miles, and others completed all 45 miles (17 hours) — representing how old Mark would have been this year. In their own words, they share what the JAG 28 Birthday Walk meant to them, how they kept going when it got hard, and what they learned about sacrifice, legacy, and showing up even when it’s tough.

In the second half of the episode, the boys reflect on their recent experience at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day — a place they say every young American should visit.

This is a conversation that will remind you why we remember, why we walk, and why the story of Senior Airman Mark Forester — JAG 28 — lives on, one generation at a time.

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GORUCK Review: What Actually Fits in the Full Panel Water Bottle Pocket

April 12, 2026 By Thad Forester

My biggest question when it comes to water bottle holders/pouches is will they hold my water bottles–like a 32 oz or bigger. I show how multiple sizes of water bottles fit in this pouch – Yeti, Nalgene, Prometheus Design Werx (PDW), and a standard disposable water bottle.

You can watch my video review here:

🔥Read more and get yours here: https://www.thadforester.com/water-bottle-pocket

GORUCK Rucksacks/backpacks shown in this video:

GR1:

GR2:

Mentioned: Basic Rucker:

#goruck #rucking #edcgear #tacticalgear #gearreview #goruckgear #waterbottlepouch #bottleholder #goruckreview #edcsetup #goruckmods review #tested #worthit #gearjunkie #amazonfinds

Ep 125 | From Nuclear Sub Commander to the U.S. Senate: Seth Burton’s Mission

April 3, 2026 By Thad Forester

Seth Burton (@sethburtonforsenate) joins me in the Our Town studios for this episode of Patriot to the Core podcast. We dive into his run for U.S. Senate, unpacking the issues that matter most to Alabama and the nation—from security and leadership to economic growth and nuclear energy. Seth shares how his military background and command experience on nuclear submarines have shaped his approach to leadership, along with personal stories that define his values.

He may have entered the race late, but make no mistake — his background has uniquely prepared him for this moment, and as a Patriot to the Core, he’s running for one reason: to fight for what’s best for Alabama and America.

Learn more about Seth here.

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GORUCK GR3 Review: The Ultimate One-Bag Travel Rucksack

February 8, 2026 By Thad Forester

GORUCK GR3 review in garage — My GR3 35L Cordura pack, next to 21L GR1 and 16L GR0

The GORUCK GR3 is a massive, purpose-built travel ruck designed for people who want one bag that can handle everything from airports to rugged trips without babying their gear.

You can also watch my YouTube review, that will cover some details not listed in this article:

GORUCK GR3 Overview

The GR3 sits at the upper limit of carry-on size, giving you a cavernous main compartment that works perfectly for one-bag travel, extended trips, or hauling bulky gear. It keeps GORUCK’s classic clean, tactical-inspired aesthetic, so it looks just as at home in an airport as it does on a dirt road.

Currently offering 35L and 45L capacity in a rectangular, clamshell layout for efficient packing (mine is the 35L).
Built from 1000D Cordura with heavy-duty zippers and reinforced handles for serious durability.
Internal frame sheet and padded straps to handle heavy loads more comfortably over distance.

Build Quality and Materials

Like other GORUCK packs, the GR3 is built with overkill in mind: thick 1000D Cordura, beefy YKK zippers, and bartack-reinforced stress points that are tested well beyond typical carry weights. The fabric shrugs off abrasion and rough handling, and the structure of the bag stays solid even when fully loaded.

Highly abrasion-resistant Cordura resists scuffs and tearing in harsh environments.
Back side and underneath shoulder straps are 210D HT, which reduces wear on clothing or skin.
Internal frame sheet helps the ruck keep its shape and transfers weight better to your back, and protects your laptop.
Water resistance is solid for light rain and travel, though not fully waterproof. However, the laptop compartment and quick access pocket have AquaGuard zippers.

Organization and Packing Layout

These elastic bands are another option for internal organization

The GR3 is intentionally simple inside: a huge main compartment with minimal built-in organization, designed to work best with packing cubes and pouches. This lets you build your own system depending on whether you’re packing clothes, camera gear, or mission-focused loadouts.

Full clamshell opening makes packing and access straightforward and fast.
Internal MOLLE/Velcro fields and mesh pockets give you anchor points without over-complicating the layout.
External MOLLE on the bottom allows for add-ons and customization (think Tough Bag, sleeping bag, pad, tent and much more)

Comfort and Carry

35L GR3 on 6′ 1″ male

When empty, the GR3 is heavier than many travel packs (my 35L is 4 lbs, but GORUCK lists at 4.3 lbs), but the tradeoff is structure and durability that hold up under serious weight. The padded shoulder straps and sternum strap compatibility help keep the load stable and high on your back, which is important when you’re carrying everything you own for a week or more.

Thick shoulder straps (almost 3″ wide) and a supportive frame sheet reduce pressure points under heavy loads.
Optional padded hip belt is valuable for long walks through airports, across town or in the mountains. (note: not compatible with 35L).
Best suited for users comfortable managing larger, heavier packs; overkill for light minimalist loads.

Who the GORUCK GR3 Is For

The GR3 is ideal if you want a bombproof, one-and-done travel ruck that can take abuse, carry a lot, and still fit in the overhead bin on many airlines. If you prioritize comfort under heavy loads and long-term durability over ultralight weight and built-in organizers, this ruck belongs on your shortlist.

Great for one-bag travelers, missionaries, military/tactical users, and adventure travelers.
Overkill for commuters or those who pack very light and don’t need 35+ liters.
Backed by GORUCK’s SCARS lifetime warranty, making it a long-term investment rather than a disposable pack.

GORUCK GR3 in airport seat — I love traveling with my 35L GR3

Use this GR3 review alongside some of my other reviews on ThadForester.com to decide which GORUCK ruck fits your travel and rucking style best:

My New Purchase: GR1 USA – Lightweight Ripstop ROBIC Backpack | Arctic Camo

GORUCK GR2 Review: 10 Years Later and Still Going Strong

GORUCK GR1, GR2, GR3, Rucker – Are They Worth the Money?

Air travel note: although the GR3 is the largest possible carry-on for most or all american airlines, it takes up a lot of space on smaller planes. I flew on an EMB 145 and the 35L wouldn’t fit under the seat and took up the entire overhead bin. If someone else had wanted to use the bin over our row, one of our bags wouldn’t fit. However, on the A321 that I flew in the next leg, my 35L GR3 fit under the seat no problem. For another reference, I flew an EMB 175 recently and my bag had no problem fitting under the seat.

GORUCK GR0 (formerly GR Echo): Compact Everyday Carry Backpack for Travel and EDC

January 31, 2026 By Thad Forester

The GORUCK GR0 started life as the Echo and is essentially a smaller, 16L version of the GR1 built for smaller frames and lighter, everyday loads. The current X-PAC model uses VX21 fabric and AquaGuard zippers to prioritize light weight and weather resistance over traditional 1000D Cordura.

You can watch my review on YouTube below where I go into detail about what size laptop it will hold and a water test:

Layout, Organization, and Features

The GR0 follows the same basic layout as the GR1, just shrunk down:

Clamshell main compartment that opens flat for easy packing and access.
Internal organization:
- A sleeve at the back of the main compartment that can hold a laptop or tablet.
- Two internal pockets (one solid, one mesh) for organizing smaller items.
- Two rows of internal MOLLE webbing for pouches or accessories.
External features:
- Front slash pocket with AquaGuard zipper.
- Top carry handle with extra padding.
- Compatible with a hydration bladder where you can route the hose through the top.

A practical limitation regarding hydration: there’s no MOLLE on the shoulder straps (specifically for the X-PAC version) for securing the hose, so it will “roam free” unless you improvise with clips or aftermarket keepers. The bottom is padded like GORUCK’s other rucks to protect contents when you set it down.

Fit, Comfort, and Use on the Move

I’m 6’1″ and the 16L GR0 rides high on my back with the bottom well above my waistline. That high‑and‑tight fit is intentional and keeps the bag from digging into your belt or hips, which is especially helpful for shorter users or anyone who dislikes low‑hanging packs.

GORUCK’s 30 lb plate will not fit in the laptop compartment

Non-GORUCK plate takes up entire pack on inside

Non-GORUCK 30 lb plate will not fit in laptop compartment

Compared to the GR1, the GR0’s shoulder straps are noticeably thinner and narrower. For everyday carry loads, those straps are fine, but this pack is not meant for rucking heavy weight plates due to the strap profile and the lack of a dedicated ruck plate pocket. You could ruck with it, but it’s not what I would personally choose it for.

Weather Resistance and X-PAC Performance

The X-PAC VX21 fabric is inherently waterproof, and GORUCK pairs it with YKK AquaGuard zippers on the GR0 to create a very weather‑resistant package. X-PAC was originally developed for high‑performance racing sails, so it’s light, stiff, and designed to resist water and deformation under load.

In my hose‑test at the end of the video, water beads and runs off the X-PAC panels and zippers very easily. After deliberately spraying the zippers and soaking the exterior, I find the main compartment and laptop compartment dry, with just a small amount of water in one area—likely where the two zippers meet—suggesting excellent real‑world water resistance for rain, wet fields, and most travel conditions.

Verdict: A Purpose‑Built Minimalist EDC Pack

The GR0 is “another great minimalist bag” that I currently don’t use much because it doesn’t match my specific needs, but I clearly recognize its strengths for the right user. For someone who wants a tough, compact, highly weather‑resistant backpack with smart organization and doesn’t plan to load it like a ruck, the GR0 X-PAC checks those boxes and then some.

My son traveled with it recently. It was the perfect size and for walking around DC in the rain, it was a life-saver

If you fall into that minimalist EDC and light‑travel category—and your laptop fits—the GORUCK GR0 is easy to recommend as a small, overbuilt pack that will likely outlast most of your other gear.

Related reviews:

GR1 Ripstop Robic: 21 L size

Bullet X-PAC: What is it’s Purpose?