Skate Backpack vs Everyday Ruck: Grindstone or Charter?
By Volcom® | Skate, Surf & Swimwear, Snowboarding Clothes ... | Published: 2026-11-03
Category: Buying Guides
Compare the Grindstone Skate Backpack and Charter Ruck Backpack for skating and daily carry. Learn which 20L or 23L pack fits your board, laptop, and routine.
Quick answer
Choose the Grindstone Skate Backpack if you need to carry a skateboard and want 23L of organized storage; choose the Charter Ruck Backpack if you prefer a durable cotton-canvas everyday pack with a separate padded laptop compartment and a 20L layout. Both are Volcom packs at close price points, so the decision comes down to board straps versus canvas style.
Why deck straps change your daily routine
The Grindstone’s dual adjustable straps let you lock down a deck without holding it, which matters when you skate to a spot and then need both hands free. The Charter Ruck has no board-carrying straps, so it suits days when the skateboard stays home or you don’t mind carrying it separately.
If your commute mixes skating and public transit, the Grindstone’s straps keep your board secure and leave your hands for a phone or coffee. If you mostly drive or walk to work, the Charter Ruck’s cleaner canvas profile may be all you need.
Laptop protection: dedicated compartment vs padded sleeve
The Charter Ruck includes a separate padded laptop compartment, which makes it easier to slide a laptop in and out without unpacking the main bag. The Grindstone uses a padded laptop sleeve inside its 23L main storage, so your laptop is protected but shares space with other gear.
For anyone who carries a laptop daily and wants quick access, the Charter Ruck’s separate compartment is a practical advantage. For skaters who carry a laptop occasionally and prioritize board straps, the Grindstone’s sleeve is sufficient.
Capacity and organization: 23L vs 20L
The Grindstone offers 23L across a padded laptop sleeve, organizer pocket with key clip, soft-lined top stash, and stretch side pockets. That extra 3L and the organizer pocket help keep small items sorted when you’re on the move.
The Charter Ruck’s 20L four-compartment layout includes a tricot-lined pocket and elastic side pockets, which is plenty for a workday or class schedule. If you tend to carry more than a laptop, charger, and water bottle, the Grindstone’s extra space and key clip may reduce digging.
Materials and weather trade-offs
The Charter Ruck is made from durable cotton canvas with PU accents on the base and top. Cotton canvas has a classic look but is not naturally water-resistant, so it’s a better fit for dry climates or short commutes. The Grindstone’s material is not specified in the catalog, so we can’t claim water resistance; if you often skate in rain, consider a pack cover regardless of model.
Decision rules: which pack fits your day
- You skate to your destination: Pick the Grindstone Skate Backpack. Its dual adjustable straps secure a deck so you can ride and then carry the board hands-free. Check that your board’s width fits the straps before you commit.
- You carry a laptop every day: Pick the Charter Ruck Backpack. The separate padded laptop compartment lets you access your computer without unpacking the main bag. Measure your laptop against the compartment; the catalog does not list a maximum size.
- You need maximum organization for small items: Pick the Grindstone. The organizer pocket with key clip and soft-lined top stash keep keys, cards, and sunglasses sorted in 23L.
- You prefer a classic canvas look for work: Pick the Charter Ruck. Its cotton canvas and PU accents read more like a everyday ruck than a skate pack. Cotton canvas is not water-resistant; plan for rain cover if you commute in wet weather.
Product facts at a glance
- Men's Grindstone Skate Backpack: Dual adjustable straps lock down a deck; 23L storage includes a padded laptop sleeve, organizer pocket with key clip, soft-lined top stash, and stretch side pockets. You get hands-free board carry and enough organized space for a skate session plus daily essentials.
Men's Grindstone Skate Backpack - Men's Charter Ruck Backpack: Durable cotton canvas with PU accents, 20L four-compartment layout, tricot-lined pocket, elastic side pockets, and a separate padded laptop compartment. The canvas build and dedicated laptop section suit a work or school routine where style and quick access matter more than board straps.
Men's Charter Ruck Backpack
Who should choose which
Best for
- Skaters who want to carry a board hands-free and need 23L of organized storage
- Daily commuters who carry a laptop and small gear but don’t need a separate laptop compartment
Not for
- Anyone who wants a dedicated, quick-access laptop compartment and prefers a canvas look
- Skaters who need board straps and extra capacity for sessions
