HURU H1: REVIEW
FOREWORD
HURU is a relatively unknown brand based in Kyiv, Ukraine. I was quite excited to try out their products because not every day do I come across a local brand that is competing in a very crowded soft goods market and offering something unique.
The bag that I was most excited about was also the first one introduced by HURU back in September 2017 as part of the Kickstarter campaign - H1. Backed by 245 people, HURU’s first Kickstarter campaign was quite a success, raising over $50 000 (with the original goal of just $15 000) and paved the way for other products in the HURU portfolio.
Finally, after nearly 4 years after its announcement I have a chance to experience the bag myself, try it out and answer the questions that stuck with me from the moment I first laid my eyes on the H1 - can it differentiate itself from the myriad of great bags out there? Is it style over substance? And ultimately, can be it the first bag made in Ukraine I can actually recommend?
Read on to find out.
WHO IT SUITS
Those who practice minimal travel and need a carry-on compatible bag.
Anyone looking for an expandable bag that works well as an EDC
Those who appreciate the thoughtful built-in organization
Fans of the Mission Workshop Rambler who wanted more from their bags
WHO IT DOESN’T
If you are looking for the simplest possible bag the feature-packed H1 might not be the optimal solution for you
Those who need to shave off any weight from their bags might find H1’s 1.95 kg a bit much
ABOUT THE BAG
PRICE: $264
WEIGHT (bag only): 1.95kg
DIMENSIONS: W 35 cm, H 53 cm
CAPACITY: 24L (expandable to 40L)
DESIGN & FEATURES
The H1 has a clean and modern design, with rounded corners, blacked-out zippers, and a very cool custom aluminum buckle (some might like it even more than the industry-leading AustriAlpin Pro Style Cobra buckle!).
The unique selling proposition of H1, or its “killer feature” is of course the expandability. The rolltop design and the expandable flap allow turning H1 from your everyday bag to a trusty travel companion with little to no effort, this feature alone sets the bag apart from the competition and narrows down the list of alternatives (more on that later).
I am a big fan of Mission Workshop and undoubtedly the front of H1 is very much reminiscent of Rambler/Vandal backpacks introduced over a decade ago. But upon closer inspection, it is apparent that HURU made every possible improvement to ensure that H1 can satisfy even the most demanding users. I had the Vandal (29L-65L expansion) for a while and right off the bat can point the features that HURU introduced in H1 to make it not just different but I dare say better, more useful. Some of the key features that differentiate H1 from the Rambler/Vandal:
Full clamshell opening for easier packing and access to your gear
Side access to the laptop compartment - a godsend when you just want to grab your laptop without going through the contents of the bag. Fits up to 15’
Quick-access side pocket which is also heat insulating ensuring that your beverage retains its temperature
Quick-access top pocket
Internal zippered pockets to keep your content neat and tidy
Quick-access zippered pockets on the straps - perfect for a key-card of a pair of headphones
A concealed rain flap that can be quickly deployed for further protection from the harsh weather. This is mostly for peace of mind since both the fabric and the YKK Aquaguard used on H1 offer supreme weather protection out of the box.
COMFORT
More often than not the comfort comes down to 2 factors - the straps and the back panel. The straps are wide and thin yet feature dense padding that feels fine considering the size of the bag. The back panel does not have air channels for ventilation, but I did not find any issues with it during my 6 weeks of testing. During hot summer days, your back will sweat, there are no miracles here :)
After wearing the bag in both EDC and fully expanded configurations I found the harness and overall comfort to be good and not once had a need for a waist strap (though some might prefer it for increased stability).
The load lifters on the straps were also handy, even though I was not a fan of the metal adjusters used on H1, but it did the job.
MATERIALS & ORGANIZATION
The main fabric is tried and true 500d Cordura that has been used in so many products over the years and has proven to be an incredibly versatile, durable, and water-resistant fabric.
The zippers are all YKK with outside zippers being Aquaguard for enhanced weather protection. The outside zippers all feature black paracord zipper pulls that make operating the zippers a breeze. I would prefer to differentiate the zippers by different colored pulls since at first glance it’s not always obvious which one opens the clamshell, which expands the bag, etc. But this is an easy mod that anyone can do in minutes by simply replacing the zipper pulls.
The inner liner in black nylon is easy to clean and overall proven to be durable. Personally, I like high visibility liner to better navigate the cavernous space of the backpack but in no way the lack of the bright liner was a deal-breaker on the H1.
The custom aluminum buckle and metal g-hooks, strap adjusters are all high quality but do add to the weight of the bag. Coupled with the Cordura and harness the bag comes at almost 2 kg which is more than I would prefer for a daily carry bag.
As for organization, in two words - it’s awesome.
Externally there are:
Quick-access top pocket great for headphones, spare face mask, a book, small tablet, etc.
Quick-access side pocket - perfect for 0.5 water bottle, especially since the pocket is insulated and retains the temperature well
2 front pockets that share the same volume - this is super handy if you need to throw a jacket inside.
The laptop compartment accessed from the side
2 concealed flat pockets on the straps - conveniently placed for quick access to a key-card, credit card, or a pair of headphones.
Internally things are quite simple - when opening the clamshell the front flap has 3 zippered pockets for small bits&pieces like cables, chargers, dongles, etc.
A strong emphasis on built-in organization means you can neatly store your things without needing pouches or organizers. I do recommend packing cubes when using the H1 for travel since the cavernous main compartment can definitely become messy without the packing cubes.
ALTERNATIVES TO CONSIDER
Mission Workshop Rambler. The Rambler is a hauler bag which little to no organization and a huge main cavity to dump things in. Slightly heavier and roughly $100 more expensive Rambler is great if you don’t need any organization nor planning to carry a laptop. At first glance, the Rambler and the H1 look very similar but H1 has much more useful organization, external access to the laptop compartment, and a more useful clamshell opening for effortless packing.
Attitude Supply ATD1 . ATD1 is in a league of its own. Offering the expansion from 20 to 65L there is simply nothing like it on the market. Clamshell opening, quick access side pocket with admin panel, water bottle pockets on the outside - this pack does so many things brilliantly. The superb expandability does come at a cost - both literally (priced at 299 EUR and potentially increased to 399 EUR soon) and figuratively (to manage this expansion there are a ton of straps all over the bag). If you plan to utilize the 65L capacity on a regular basis ATD1 is the way to go. But if 40L is the most you need I’d argue HURU is a better pack if you don’t mind the technical look and a bit of extra weight.
Black Ember Forge is an interesting alternative if you are looking for a bag with multiple carry modes (backpack, briefcase, shoulder) and don’t need more than 30L capacity. Similar to the H1, the Forge is an unmistakably urban technical bag and might not work for those who need something more formal.
Wayks One can be considered if you need to carry camera gear. Wayks One has a dedicated camera cube that can be attached to the bottom of the pack while leaving the rest of the backpack capacity available for your clothes. Also, it has a very distinct look with a bit of a heritage vibe compared to the technical look of the H1.
WHAT’S HOT
24L to 40L expandability is awesome
The thoughtful built-in organization is great, especially considering that most of the pockets are on the outside which allows getting your stuff without the need to go inside the bag
Badass custom buckle that looks great and fun to use
Durable materials and comfortable to carry - the winning combination
WHAT’S NOT
As an EDC bag, it is on a heavier side weighing nearly 2 kg. Respectable for the travel bag this weight might not work for everyone who uses the bag daily
Not a serious issue by any means, but I would personally prefer a bright inner liner to navigate the contents of the bag
VERDICT
I had high hopes for HURU H1 and it did not disappoint. Built from great materials, comfortable to carry, and fun to use - the bag has brightened many of my days. Sure, there are lighter, more comfortable bags out there, but when it comes to expandable bags the H1 stands out as one of the best options for the urban dweller. Even the alternatives I listed above don’t overshadow the H1. If you need an expandable bag in the range of 22-40L, dig the technical look&feel of the H1 and don’t mind a bit of extra weight that comes with durable materials and custom metal hardware - consider the H1 as your trusty companion in the city and on the road.
