Jul 10
20
GoLite Unisex Rush Pack
GoLite Rush Backpack
By Karenna Awtry
Trail runners, mountain bikers and day hikers alike will find a refreshing blend of function and comfort in the unisex GoLite Rush Pack.
This featherweight little number is amazingly stable when you’re hitting your stride on a good, long run. At a strikingly light 1 lb., 2 oz. average weight, the Rush’s UL design (that’s ultralight if you’re new to fastpacking) is phenomenal. You can depend on this backpack’s durable fabrics as you’re focusing on your race. Cooling meshes on the back panel, hipbelt and shoulder harness are a welcome detail when a potential buildup of sweat could stand in the way of your enjoyment. Finally, though being so light you’ll hardly notice it’s there, the GoLite Rush backpack promises a customized fit thanks to the angle-adjustable belt. You’ll be comfortable, and then some.
Even if you don’t need a lot of gear for a day hike, trail run or bike ride, the GoLite Rush pack has you covered. What’s most important on a hike? Hydration. Pack your own bladder into the internal stretch sleeve, which offers right and left
GoLite Rush Backpack
hose guides so you can really drink as you prefer. Go ahead and tote extra water in the two side stretch bottle pockets. Stash gel packs, lip balm, sunscreen and other small gear in the quick-to-get-to zippered stretch pockets featured on the hipbelt. Or, if you’d rather save space, do away with the belt altogether and shave off 140 grams.
Feel free to waterlog your Rush pack using all its hydration compatibility. It’ll still offer ample storage space. A thin border in the hydration sleeve lets you store gear with your water reservoir or you can use the large center mesh pocket. Bigger items, like a jacket, fit nicely in the center pocket, especially when you use the bungee straps to tighten it down.
Other features include a tow loop with blinking light clip for adventure racing; all-over reflective fabric to help keep you in sight of your team; bottom drain holes that get rid of moisture quickly; and a whistle on the adjustable sternum strap.
Not a lot of frills on this pack, but that’s exactly how GoLite intended it. GoLite’s philosophy is to offer gear that’s of great quality and so nicely simplified that you’ll be more inclined to get out and go rather than get bogged down trying to make sense of the endless features offered on other packs.
GoLite prides itself on a key factor of its products — versatility. It’s in this spirit that the GoLite Rush pack promises a great product whether you need a day hiking backpack, gear storage for an adventure race, a secure trail-running pack or mountain biking hydration. Or hey — maybe you’d like to try them all. The unisex Rush pack offers a ridiculous amount of flexibility when it comes to your ultralight backpacking needs.
Strengths of the GoLite Rush include its versatility, capacity, light weight, comfort and gender-specific models that, in addition to the unisex version, include both a men’s and women’s.
Users experience virtually no drawbacks to the Rush backpack, though one trail runner did find that gear stored in the side pockets would brush the elbows if you have a narrow arm carriage. If you plan to use this pack for trail running, be sure to test it out with the pockets in use and see whether this will be an issue for you.
Go now and check out the GoLite unisex Rush Pack.
