Like it or not (and if you’ve clicked on this article, we’ll assume you do in fact “like it”) rucking ain’t going away:
It may not have the biggest or fastest increase in interest over time, but that trend line is pretty decisive: more and more people are interested in rucking.
That being said, we have to defer to the classic Marvel line that prophesized this very moment:
“With great rucking interest comes great responsibility”
(That’s an actual quote, by the way…except the real quote doesn’t have anything to do rucking or “rucking interest” or anything like that)
So what is Uncle Ben telling you to be responsible about? Getting the appropriate rucking gear for the job, the centerpiece of which is always going to be your bag.
A great thing about rucking is that you don’t have to have the best stuff to get started; just grab a bag, a brick or some of your kid’s textbooks, and get moving.
However, once you really start to get into rucking and decide that you’d probably enjoy it more if that bag was a little more comfortable (and didn’t have a giant picture of Elmo or whoever on the back), it’s time to seek out a new, dedicated rucking backpack
…and while you’re at it, you may as well opt for the best rucking backpack.
Today, we’re going to discuss the best overall rucking backpack (look no further than the GORUCK GR1) and other “best of …” and “best for…” rucking backpack contenders. As much as you love your kid’s Elmo backpack, it’s to find a new one. I’ll leave things to Heisman frontrunner Joe Kane to finish off our intro…
Table of Contents
The 8 Best Rucking Backpacks
🏆 Best Overall
87
Best Trad Backpack
84
Best for Dynamic Rucking
87
Best Alice Pack
86
Best Small Ruck
82
Best Ruck Vest
77
Best for Women
87
Best Affordable
87
The Best Rucking Backpack (and others)
- GORUCK GR1 – Best rucking backpack (overall)
- Mystery Ranch District 18 – Best traditional backpack
- GORUCK Rucker 4.0 – Best for dynamic rucking
- MT Military Alice Pack – Best ALICE Pack
- Tasmanian Tiger Essential Pack MKII – Best small ruck
- GORUCK Ruck Plate Carrier – Long – Best ruck vest
- Osprey Tempest 20L Women’s Hiking Backpack – Best for women
- CTactical 21 V3.0 The Tanker – Best affordable ruck
GORUCK GR1
⭐️ Verdict: Best rucking backpack
The GR1 is marketed as “the greatest (ruck) of all time” and is GORUCK’s “flagship” bag. Being adept at “pure” rucking, “dynamic” rucking, everyday carry activities and for travel purposes, it actually lives up to this title.
The GR1’s combined 1000D and 210D Cordura is the bag’s “heart and soul”, although Ripstop Robic and Dyneema material options add a degree of variety to the sufficiently iconic rucking backpack.
The GR1’s 26 and 21-liter load capacity aren’t the absolute largest in the space, but are decently sufficient for most endeavors. The sturdy frame sheet and dedicated interior pocket (which most people will use for their ruck plates) make this the most versatile ruck on the market.
Pros
Mixed 1000D and 210D Cordura is durable and resistant to abrasions
Dedicated interior (ruck plate) pocket and separate, secure laptop compartment
Multiple zippered exterior pockets and internal compartments for efficient organizing
Con
Not the largest load capacity
It’s difficult to find things to say about the GR1 that haven’t already been said. Despite GORUCK’s rather grandious marketing (it has bestowed the title of “greatest of all time” and “the toughest ruck ever built”) the bag actually lives up to the hype.
It’s no wonder that it takes the title of the best rucking backpack.
Ultimately, it all comes down to materials and utility. The GR1 has both going for it.
The 1000D Cordura that comprises the vast majority of the bag immediately places it in the upper echelons of ruck construction. However, it’s the strategically placed (in all of the areas where the bag might touch exposed skin) 210D Cordura, almost as tough, but not nearly as abrasive, that separates the GR1 from others. It’s the countless little touches like this that make the GR1 such a formidable pack.
With a decently secure internal sleeve, the bag is ready to accommodate a heavy plate for “pure” rucking, although it works pretty well at securing the plate during functional movements. The larger, 26-liter iteration fits perfectly fine under the (coach!) seat in front of you and it’s “open flat” design makes it easy for even the laziest packer to organize their carry-on gear.
Mystery Ranch District 18
⭐️ Verdict: Best trad backpack
Mystery Ranch’s District 18 combines elements of “traditional” backpacks and rucksacks into a single bag.
Ruckers preferring a more low-key and subtle-looking bag will appreciate the presence of common rucksack materials (in this case, 420D Cordura) alongside EDC essentials (dedicated laptop sleeve, strategically dividers).
Despite lower-than-average “pure” and “dynamic” rucking capabilities, the District 18 is durable enough for use in a pinch in these types of situations and contexts.
Pros
Built-in internal divider for more efficient organization
Good “in-between” Cordura 420D material
Padded internal laptop sleeve
Cons
Smaller, 18-liter capacity bag accommodates only a 15-inch laptop
Not every ruck has to have the largest load capacity or the thickest materials. Sometimes, you just want something that reminds you of those (admittedly huge) backpacks you wore for years as a kid.
The Mystery Ranch District 18 ruck is one of the company’s most popular bags. It combines elements that we like (and these days, all but expect) in our rucks (Cordura outer materials, dedicated laptop sleeve, etc.) with a look that is less “tactical” and more “casual” (or day we even say “trad”). When “functional subtlety” is more of the desired outcome, it doesn’t get much better than the District 18.
Of course, a backpack that is designed to carry things like algebra books as opposed to 3-liter water bladders and headlamps isn’t quite as useful for your upcoming Heavy (or even that Light you’re too cool to train for), but for lighter, everyday carry purposes and some less intense rucking…you may have found your bag.
GORUCK Rucker 4.0
⭐️ Verdict: Best for dynamic rucking
The Rucker 4.0 is one of the few bags designed with “dynamic” rucking as its primary focus.
Those who are likely to use their ruck as a piece of training equipment will appreciate its heavily padded and secured (with tough velcro) internal plate pocket as well as its side and bottom handles (for better facilitating movements like farmer’s carries).
With a ruck plate capacity of 75 pounds for its larger, 20 and 25-liter offerings, the Rucker 4.0 provides allows for more than sufficient utility to “pure” ruckers and “functional fitness” athletes, alike.
Pros
Heavily padded and secured dedicated ruck plate pocket
Additional EVA foam padding for greater lumbar support
Smaller options come equipped with a hip belt
Cons
Design makes it less suitable for EDC than other bags
On a list highlighting the best rucking backpack (and other entries), GORUCK was bound to have a few of its items in attendance. As far as “pure” rucking bags go, they’re tough to beat; when it comes to bags designed for “functional fitness” and “dynamic rucking” ventures, nothing else comes close.
The Rucker 4.0 is the latest iteration of the “Rucker” line of bags. These are designed for use in training involving using your ruck as a means of resistance, whether this is wearing it to make pull-ups and dips heavier or throwing it around, pressing it, or swinging it.
The now all-too-familiar Corudra is a major selling point for the Rucker 4.0, but the thing that really sets it apart is its dedicated ruck plate pocket. Unlike other rucks’ “sleeves”, the plate pocket here is thick, padded, and securely fastens shut with a velcro adhesive. Zero plate movement or jostling means more stable positioning during workouts.
If you’re intent on making your ruck your “gym”, the Rucker 4.0 is the equivalent of your power rack…you don’t skip leg day, do you…?
MT Military ALICE Pack
⭐️ Verdict: Best ALICE Pack
The MT Military ALICE Pack combines a large overall load capacity with a versatile and extensive organizing system. It’s top-loading design makes packing easy and numerous buckles and other mechanisms ensure that gear remains in place and secure at all times.
Overly padded straps as well as waist-buckling straps provide added comfort and 1000D waterproof fabric provide extra layers of protection from the elements and durability.
Pros
Up to a 40-liter load capacity
Numerous external pockets to complement a large internal storage area
6-month warranty
Cons
Not overly subtle
Some people prefer more traditional styles of military rucks and while there are many of these to choose from, the MT Military ALICE Pack is the current best of the bunch. This ALICE (All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment) pack combines capacity (up to a 40 liter load capacity) with durability (1000D Oxford Fabric).
Sporting a number of exterior and interior pockets, it’s difficult to find a situation where the bag wouldn’t be able to accommodate typical gear, whether this involves items hauled along on a day outing or even on a weekend trip. It’s not the most subtle bag, but it’ll ensure that all of your stuff gets from “Point A” to “Point B”.
The top-loading, drawstring enclosure makes packing the main compartment especially easy with exterior buckles and straps ensuring that everything remains securely fastened with minimal movement or jostling. The pack’s 6-month warranty isn’t the longest, but beats any of the numerous contenders that don’t offer a warranty at all.
Tasmanian Tiger Essential Pack MKII (15-liter)
⭐️ Verdict: Best small ruck
Tasmanian Tiger’s Essential Pack MKII provides an outsized degree of utility for a smaller ruck. It’s 700D Cordura is sufficiently resilient for a bag of its size with waterproofing capabilities (for those who value this).
Despite not being ideal for rucking (in a traditional sense), the internal pocket perfectly accommodates GORUCK (standard) plates and others of similar dimensions.
Pros
Extremely lightweight
Comprised of 700D Cordura
Internal pocket accommodates GORUCK-sized ruck plates
Cons
No frame sheet
Bigger isn’t always better. Sometimes all you want is a bag that has just enough of a load capacity to accommodate a few necessities and that isn’t overly bulky or unwieldy. Tasmanian Tiger’s Essential Pack MKII is a good, 9-liter bag, but it’s larger cousin (the 15-liter version) is an objectively better bag (that still fits in the “small” category).
The Essential Pack’s 700D Cordura isn’t quite as robust as the 1000D Cordura we see on a lot of other options, but it is an appropriately heavy option for the smaller, more compact bag. At only 1.25 pounds (empty), the weight of the bag itself is never going to be the tipping point when trying to minimize superfluous load.
The internal pocket is surprisingly adept at accommodating a “GORUCK-sized plate“, even if the lack of a frame sheet does make the weight and feeling of the plate slightly uncomfortable. The exterior Molle allows for almost unlimited customization.
GORUCK Ruck Plate Carrier – Long
⭐️ Verdict: Best rucking vest
The GORUCK Plate Carrier is a solid “vest” for ruckers with the “long” variation being the better of its iterations. Fitting over the shoulders like a traditional rucking backpack, but without superfluous bulk, it serves a niche, but substantive purpose.
The lumbar support padding is especially beneficial to ruckers, especially during longer outings. The price point is surprisingly good, considering its materials and overall construction.
Pros
Superior capacity for a single-side-loaded plate carrier
Plate buffered by robust lumbar support system
Inexpensive for a name-brand plate carrier
Cons
Very minimal storage for water, support gear, etc.
***The load capacity implies that the overall capacity, not just the ruck plate capacity, is low
Assuming you know what you’re getting into with a weighted vest or plate carrier (very limited storage space, much less overall plate compatibility) and are still in the market for this type of “ruck” the last GORUCK entry on our list (we promise!) the company’s Plate Carrier (the “long” version, specifically) is the best rucking backpack in this category.
The “long” GORUCK Plate Carrier not only excels in its overall storage capacity (45 pounds is more than enough for most casual ruckers) but also in its ruck plate compatibility (“long” plates mix and match much easier than “standard”-sized plates…especially GORUCK plates). The additional lumbar support keeps the plate from sitting directly on the back, greatly enhancing overall comfort.
Osprey Tempest 20L Women’s Hiking Backpack
⭐️ Verdict: Best rucking backpack for women
The Osprey Tempest Women’s Hiking Backpack is large enough to accommodate gear necessary for a weekend trip, but is ideally suited as a rucking (or hiking) daypack.
The bag’s built-in hip belt steadies the bag and redistributes much of its weight from the shoulders to the hips. This added comfort is especially important during longer outings or sessions involving carrying heavier loads.
The Tempest’s hydration bladder can be a little difficult to wrangle, but it’s tough to beat the bag’s engineering and dimensions as these aspects definitely have the female rucking population in mind.
Pros
Engineered and designed to better suit women ruckers
Built-in hip belt for extra support and stability
Lifetime “repair or replace” warranty
Cons
No dedicated laptop or ruck plate pocket
Trying to throw any old ruck on your back doesn’t work quite as well if (and, in many cases, when), the bag’s proportions simply don’t fit your body. Whether you’re a smaller-statured rucker trying to take on something like the GR3 or a larger-bodied enthusiast lamenting over the size of the GR0, this experience can be disheartening.
Many women ruckers have experienced this unfortunate situation, making bags like Osprey Tempest Women’s Hiking Backpack one of the most significant entries on this list. It’s women’s-cut design has surprised (in a good way!) numerous ruckers who have never realized how much of a difference a properly fitting bag affects their rucking sessions.
CTactical 21 V3.0 The Tanker
⭐️ Verdict: Best affordable rucking backpack
CTactial’s V3.0 The Tanker ruck possesses many of the qualities common in modern rucking backpacks. Its mixed Cordura, dedicated plate and laptop compartments, and external Molle give it a similar appearance to many of its more well-known competitors.
The Tanker’s extremely affordable price points is the main way that differentiates it from its peers and as more people become award of the CTactical company, it is likely that the Tanker may challenge for the best rucking backpack (overall).
Pros
Combined durable 1000D Cordura and abrasion-resistant 420D Corudra
Dedicated ruck plate and laptop pockets
Very inexpensive
Cons
Less well-known brand
CTactical is quickly becoming one the main alternatives to GORUCK. With a number of similar bag designs and styles, the company’s V3.0 The Tanker (actual name, btw) bag is it’s best all-around option and has earned the title of the best affordable rucking backpack.
With similar 1000D Cordura comprising most of the bag’s materials and an interior pocket/sleeve (which most ruckers are going to use to stash their ruck plates in), the Tanker has a lot in common with the much more famous GR1…although it can be had for roughly 1/3 of the price.
EDC features such as a dedicated, padded laptop pocket add to the bag’s overall versatility and strategically placed 420D Cordura ensures that areas that are most likely to come into direct contact with the bag are less likely to experience any abrasive effects.
What to Look for when Assessing Rucking Backpacks
Your personal preferences are likely going to be different than mine.
This is perfectly fine and is to be expected.
However, there are certain “hard and fast” areas of consideration that should always enter the equation when you’re evaluating a rucking backpack. Let’s take a look at our top 4 scored areas in greater detail.
Rucking (Capabilities)
I’m going to assume that you specifically chose an article about the best rucking backpack because you want to…ya know…ruck in it. There are some differences, some of them pretty large, in what most people want in a bag to haul their Geometry book in versus what they’re going to need if they want to get through a marathon (or longer) ruck outing.
There are certain elements that aren’t required for a bag to be considered to be one of the best, but there are components that you might be interested that can make your experience a lot better:
- Frame sheet: less common than you would think, but goes a long way in keeping the weight and “awkwardness” of your ruck plate off your back.
- Hip belt: some bags come with attached hip belts while others are “hip belt compatible”. Others do not accommodate these weight-distributing devices. Do you need one?
- Ruck plate pocket: A heavily padded and secured ruck plate pocket is nice, but a lot of people get by just fine by throwing their weights in in their bags general storage area.
These are just a few components that can make a good backpack a great rucking backpack (or even the “best” rucking backpack). Ultimately, if a bag has a lot of the bells and whistles, but none of them really facilitate rucking, you’re probably going to want to pass.
Load Capacity
This is a pretty cut-and-dry measure/component of a bag’s capabilities and for some, this may be the most important factor. If you need (or even like) to haul a lot of gear with you, obviously, a bag with a higher load capacity is going to be a non-negotiable. On the other hand, if you pack light and try to minimize excess weight and bulk, your eyes may immediately dart to the 15-liter (and smaller bags).
Truth be told, if you’re mainly doing “ruck plate rucking” and don’t plan to do much traveling with your bag, you really don’t need a bag with a yuge load capacity; you just need some sturdy ruck plate pockets. However, you never know when your daily rucker will turn into your “personal item” or even your go-to carry-on bag…
Might be better to err on side of…size.
Price
While price may seem as straightforward as load capacity is, it is slightly more ambiguous…at least the way we suggest looking at it. When we’re assessing bags, we look at bag price relative to other bags of similar sizes and, for lack of a better term, of similar “capabilities”.
With that being said, you’re not going to see any excessively expensive (over ~$300) on this list; the best rucking backpack is never going to be an overpriced bag.
Customer Reviews
We have tried out a lot of rucks in our day and…to be honest…we’re pretty sure we know what we’re talking about on the subject matter.
However, we will, in most cases at least, defer to the will of the people…especially if there are a lot of people talking about a particular backpack.
What this translates to is simply reporting on what the masses have to say about different bags. It’s pretty tough to deem a bag as the best rucking backpack if everyone else thinks it sucks.
At the end of the day, we’re confident in our picks…
Shopping tips for Rucking Backpacks
We just covered our criteria for assessing rucking backpacks. Now it’s time to discuss some tips for narrowing down and ultimately selecting your bag.
These areas are much more subjective and are largely discretionary. It’s one thing to want a big bag with a yuge load capacity when you’re gonna be on the road for a week; it’s another thing to want such a bag when you’re just going to be rucking with a 10-pound plate.
Think about these areas as you’re making your final assessments to ensure you ultimately select the best rucking backpack for you.
Intent
What do you actually want to do with your bag? This question should come before just about anything else you might ask yourself.
Consider that something like the Rucker 4.0 is awesome for “pure” rucking (the kind that’s more or less the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about rucking) and for functional training, but it doesn’t really work if you want to ruck in a weight vest.
As an off shoot of this, consider your own personal preferences and body type. If you’re a smaller-statured person and, by extension, prefer a smaller, more compact ruck, the Tasmanian Tiger Essential Pack is probably going to suit you a lot better than just about any Alice Pack is likely to.
At the same time, you may be accustomed to a certain type of ruck and want to give something that’s totally different a go. If that’s your intent, that should definitely factor into how you proceed.
Materials
The type of material in a rucking backpack, in conjunction with the quality of material in a rucking backpack, makes a very big difference in its overall durability, how well it supports your gear, and how well it feels on and against the body.
It’s kind of a big deal.
The good news is, that pretty much all of the bags in contention for the best rucking backpack or comprised of materials that have pretty become the “standard” in higher-quality rucks (different types of Cordura and other ballistic nylon).
Some of the bags on this list, particularly the GORUCK bags, actually come in a few different “models” with Ripstop and Dyneema models being available as well. Selecting between these models comes down to personal preference and personal price range (some of these are a bit more expensive than Cordura), but if you go with any of these, you’ll be safe/good to go.
Special Features
Some people live and die by hip belts.
Other people won’t consider a ruck if it doesn’t have a frame sheet.
Still others require perfectly-sized internal pockets that will perfectly accommodate their preferred ruck plates.
I could go on with these features, but know that none of these are what could be classified as “standard” in any ruck you might see in the store or online.
If you’ve never owned a ruck or even rucked before, you probably don’t know what you don’t know. You likely haven’t experienced how a hip belt better redistributes the weight, how the frame sheet keeps the plate off your back, and how the right ruck pocket keeps everything stable.
…but you’ll learn.
If there is a special feature that you know you can’t live without, you obviously need to consider a ruck with that feature first. Short of that, check to see if your preferred ruck is compatible with the desired feature (it isn’t hard to attach a hip belt or to find aftermarket frame sheets and the like).
How we Chose the “Best” Products
At this point, I’d estimate that half of our time is spent rucking, assessing rucks, reviewing rucks, etc. We’re out walking as much as we’re in the gym!
Besides our own countless hours with rucking backpacks, we spend an inordinate amount of time reading about other peoples’ experiences with rucks and reviewing all of the latest literature. We are confident that the best rucking backpack can be found on our list. Click here to find out a lot more about how we test and review products.
The Best Rucking Backpack…
If you’ve been around rucking for a bit, some of the picks on our list probably don’t surprise you.
The GR1 is one of the O.G. rucking backpacks.
Mystery Ranch is a time-tested brand.
Hell, CTactical is starting to make a splash as an “alt” brand.
We can all but guarantee that you can’t go wrong with one of these options, but want to emphasize once again how important it is that you find the best rucking backpack for you.
I’m actually partial to the Rucker 4.0 even if I can objectively state that the GR1 is the better overall bag.
Whichever bag you choose, just make sure that you actually use it. You don’t want to be lamenting that you should have stuck with your kid’s Elmo backpack!
🏆 Best Overall
87
Best Trad Backpack
84
Best for Dynamic Rucking
87
Best Alice Pack
86
Best Small Ruck
82
Best Ruck Vest
77
Best for Women
87
Best Affordable
87
