This goes without saying, but rucking is not rucking without a rucksack. The 5.11 Tactical RUSH 72 backpack is a great choice for ruckers of all experience levels. It’s made from 1,000D Nylon making it very durable, its waterproof, spacious, and can be used for other outdoor activities!
What is it?
A rucksack, also known as a backpack. When rucking, it’s used to carry as much weight to make your ruck as challenging as possible for you.
Why use it?
It’s the main gear needed to ruck.
How to Use it?
Pack the heavier items higher in your rucksack, and closer to your back. Always keep the weight closer to your back.
A hydration bladder insures you’re properly hydrated throughout your ruck. Also, it avoids having you stopping during your ruck to grab a sip of water from your bottle in your rucksack.
What is it?
Hydration Bladder
Why use it?
To keep yourself hydrated during your ruck.
How to Use it?
Fill up your hydration bladder, and clip it inside your rucksack.
People wear boot insoles when rucking to help alleviate the stress on their feet. When rucking for hours on hours, you may end up racking up more than 10,000 steps in a single session. That’s a lot of work for your feet.
What is it?
Boot Insoles
Why use it?
Helps alleviate footpain such as Plantar Fasciitis.
How to Use it?
Insert them in your boots. All you need to do is wear them for a few days to customize them for your feet.
While you can definitely wear whatever socks you want, we do recommend these darn tough socks as they are made from Merino Wool. Which is the most recommended material for socks when rucking.
What is it?
Rucking Socks
Why use it?
Comfortable, prevents excessive sweat during the summer, keeps you warm in the winter, and it helps prevent blisters.
Hip Belts come with some rucksacks, but you can get them separately in case your rucksack does not have one. Hip belts are helpful on long rucks. It help to distribute the weight more evenly across your body.
What is it?
Hip Belt
Why use it?
Puts less strain on your shoulders, and allows you to use your entire body to carry the weight. It does this by keeping the rucksack closer to your body.
How to Use it?
Strap the hip belt to your rucksack. It should cover your back while also making sure that the help belt is centred and wrapped around your hip bone or just above.
It’s helpful if you ruck at night, or if your ruck event is going to last till night time. You want to see whats in front and around you when rucking at night.
Chafing occurs in so many parts of the body. Typically its caused by heat and constant friction between body parts or between your skin clothes. It also helps prevent blisters forming or worsening
How to Use it?
Rub it on sensitive areas. Be sure to keep it on you during your ruck just to be safe!
Helps keep you stable when rucking on wet grounds, especially when you’re carrying a heavy rucksack on a steep decline or incline, or if the terrain is covered by leaves.
Adam is an experienced rucker and has been in the game for the past 5 years. He competed in a local ruck challenge and was hooked ever since. He has been actively helping people get into rucking and has set up local ruck events to help spread the word and encourage more people to get in on the action. When he’s not out rucking or setting up ruck events in town, he manages RuckForMiles.com.
Adam rucking during his trip to Vancouver, Canada
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Photo Credit: Morning Calm Weekly Newspaper Installation Management Command, U.S. Army
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