I realized that it’s been almost a full nine years of rucking as my primary workout, and wow. It’s been a while since I wrote about it, so I thought I would take a moment to talk about the gear I use.
I previously wrote about rucking gear in 2017, rucking and gear in 2020, and rucking clothing in 2021.
I ruck about 2.5 miles, six times per week — in all weather from snow and ice, to 100°F. Let’s dive into it.
The Gear
Before I dive too far into gear, I do want to mention that you should start pretty simple. I am fortunate that through this website and my general obsessive-must-find-the-best personality I have tried a lot of gear for rucking. But it’s also something I do most days, and for almost a decade now — it’s well worth it to me. If you want to try rucking, you can likely do so with nearly any backpack and weights you own and you don’t need any of the special stuff below.
This list is for those looking for the better items, because rucking is something you spend a lot of time doing.
Backpack and Weight
The best I have found here is GORUCK’s Rucker line (I use the 4.0 25L). That backpack keeps things really simple, quick, and not over bearing to use. I find it extremely comfortable as well. I pair that with GORUCK’s Ruck Plates to complete the setup, which gives you the benefit of really secure weight in the backpack.
Most backpacks are not designed to carry weight above about 20lbs. Even really large hiking backpacks often top out around 45lbs. Which might be more than you are carrying, but unlikely to last for years at that load level. I’ve had my current Rucker for a couple of years already — they hold up well.
A couple of other brands I might check if you want something different (which I am thinking about): Kifaru; Hill People Gear; or Wild Gym. (Even a lot of Mystery Ranch packs are not rated for this level of weight, but the ASAP and 3 Day Assault CL both work well enough if you are at, or under, 30lbs.) The biggest issue if you move outside GORUCK or Wild Gym will be figuring out how to secure the weight inside the bag. The only direction I can point you there is Shaddox Tactical’s Plate Pocket.
Clothing
I only want to talk through the clothing items I think are exceptional, and the pros/cons for them. So this isn’t what I use everyday (I kept the less than ideal and wear it out), but this is more a “if I had unlimited funds, this is the stuff I would wear/use”.
Bottoms:
– Abisko Winter Stretch Trousers: these are my go to for seriously cold weather. They are not overall warm on their own, thus they still breathe well. I love the cut on these, and they are very comfortable. When paired with the wool leggings, I can comfortably ruck in single digit temps.
– Abisko Hybrid Trail Trousers: light, and comfortable, these are good for the warm but not hot times of the year.
– KUIU Training Shorts (discontinued): my go to for years now for hot weather rucking. I like the material, and the pockets work well for me, and they have an extra slot inside the pocket to hold my iPhone so it doesn’t turn weird at the bottom of my pocket.
– Minus33 Merino Leggings: I have no idea if these are the best because I have not tried anything else, as these have not bothered me enough to force me looking around. Price is nice too.
– Vardag Trouser: really good pants for cooler but not cold weather, these are a heavier jogger style pant. Only insulation you get here is blocking some wind/breeze. I wear these a ton.
Tops:
– Himali Eclipse Sun Hoodie: this is my go to for hot weather, and it really feels breezier than anything else I have tried. If I could, I would only own these.
– KUIU Gila: this is tremendous for a sun shirt and something a touch warmer than the RC. It also has good odor resistance, better than anything I have which isn’t wool and is cut really well.
– Triple Aught Design Atlas Hoodie: nice alternative for warm-ish weather, and not really a polyester feeling on this if that’s something you dislike, but you don’t want full merino. Instead of the entire thing being very thin, it has some mesh areas. This wears about the same as the Gila, but looks better.
– KUIU ULTRA Merino: I generally wear this as a layer under something, and it’s very comfortbale and a great weight. The sleeves are also nice and long, while the arms are trim.
– Triple Aught Design Alchemy Half Zip: this is another great layer which I like to wear under or by itself depending on the temps. Sleeves are a touch short for me, but if that’s never a concern for you, then this is supremely nice. It can stand on its own, but excels as a base layer.
Outerwear / Layers:
– Triple Aught Design Astral VR Shell: if it’s rainy or snowy, this is what I wear. It’s super light in weight, and I’ve been in a lot of rain with this and have yet to have it leak. Breathes about as well as one could hope also.
– Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoodie: they don’t make this anymore, which is a shame. I’ve been rucking in this for 7 years now, still going strong. The mix of Alpha on the inside, and a slight wind shell on the outside is perfection. If someone knows of something similar (please look at the images in that link first) let me know, would love to see what’s out there.
– Haven Ascent Zip Neck: I love the height on this collar, so when it’s cold but not windy, this is a go to. Helps to keep the sweat from building up overall, while keeping me warm enough.
– The North Face FutureFleece: I still hold that this is the most underrated mid-layer/fleece on the market today. It weighs nothing, looks good, and performs amazingly well. I would ruck in this more, but I tend to wear it a lot and don’t want to have it stinky for non-rucking wear.
– The North Face Higher Run Wind Jacket: a recent pickup to replace an all black wind breaker I had, where I wanted something very bright. I am a big fan of this though, as the material is silent to wear, while it does a fantastic job cutting the wind in an overall light package. I would like it to breathe better, but that’s asking a lot for a wind jacket, ya know? Either way, I tend to toss this over other layers to increase overall warmth, while keeping bulk down.
Shoes:
– Nike Wild Horse: probably the best value buy for an actually good rucking shoe. Trail Runners offer a great platform for rucking, while not going full boot. These can be found on sale a lot of the time, and are my fallbacks. (My wife swears by the Hoka Mach running shoe line, if Nike doesn’t work for you, but damn are they hard to find cheaper.)
– Nike Zegama: this is the upgrade pick to the Wild Horse, you’ll spend a little more but these perform better ‘off path’ as the ankle cuff will keep crap out of your shoes. Big fan, I wear these hiking too.
– GORUCK MACV-1 or MACV-2: these are the best rucking shoe I have worn (get the 1 for pavement only, and the 2 for everything else), but the downside is the cost per mile with these. They simply wear out faster than anything I else I have used, so even though they are very good rucking shoes, I don’t own a pair right now. I have to buy new shoes 3-4 times a year for rucking, so these don’t work from a cost perspective compared to the Nikes.
– Nike React SFB Carbon: if you want something really good, but better looking than the GORUCKs, get these. I wear these hiking, and man are they great. Pricey though.
Accessories:
– Fjallraven 1960 Logo Hat (beanie): I thought I had a warm beanie and then the dead of Colorado winter damn near froze my ears off. So many beanies out there thin the material where the hat cuffs, so that there’s less bulk — this is bullshit when you want to stay warm though. So I picked this up as it’s a really heavy wool beanie, and hell yes this is great. It’s been caked in snow and kept me warm.
– Filson Oil Waxed Cap: chilly, but not cold? That’s when I wear this hat, it adds a touch of warmth, while also being less warm than a beanie. I’ll toss this on for light rain too, as even if I pull a hood over it, it helps to keep the hood from being annoying.
– Arc’Teryx Small Bird Cap: this is the best warm weather hat I have found. Looks good, super light, very breathable and comfortable. Huge fan.
– KUIU Kenai Gloves: my hands did not like to stay warm in 15°F weather until I got these. Aerogel insulated, these are amazing. Super light, and not built for wearing while working with your hands, but perfect for rucking. Not only did my hands never get cold in these, they never roasted either — stellar.
– Darn Tough Hiker Socks: I have something like 5 pairs of these, and while really thick, they are my preferred rucking sock. They give good cushion and all of that. They are not great for hot weather though, so I swap to something thinner at that point.
Safety:
– Nitecore HA23 UHE: I spent a lot of time trying to find the correct light, and this is it. I clip this on to the webbing on the shoulder strap of my pack using the included clip, and let it ride there. Great light, and the 3000k gives good visibility, while not being jarring in how blue the light looks.
– Kosen Bodyguard Light: single mode, bright as hell. I carry this in one hand while I ruck in the dark, mostly to deal with animals, and that one extremely terrifying time a guy was walking three German shepherds towards me, but I only saw the glint of three sets of eyes and nearly pissed my pants until I blinded them all including the guy. Oh man.
– Cyflect Patch: in addition to the reflection already on the bag, I have a few patches I bought (cannot find the source) which has a velcro back and a Cyflect front. These are really great because they reflect light, but you can also charge them up with your flashlight and they glow as well. A good way to indicate you exist, without the annoyance of another LED on your back.
– Yaktrax Walk Traction Cleats: I luckily don’t have to deal with a ton of ice, but I do have to contend with packed snow, which is still slick. I’ve found that these traction cleats work very well, and are still ok on the short spells of dry concrete. The only downside: they sound awful when you step on compacted snow with them — yikes.
That’s about 9 years of rucking gear experience, only the good stuff.