GORUCK MACV-2 – Our Review

You could say that the GORUCK boot lineup prioritizes quality over quantity.

Being that there are only 2 main boot options, you kinda have to say it that way in order to avoid making any type of derogatory statement or implication (like, if there were only 2 options and the quality wasn’t there…yeah, no bueno).

Thankfully, the GORUCK holds up its end of the bargain here with their MACV-1 boots (particularly the HI-Speed iteration) being my all-time favorite training boots…

…but the MACV-2s aren’t any slouches either.

As someone who prefers, for lack of a better term, a “traditional” functional fitness training approach (i.e. doing CrossFit inside of some type of gym), I admittedly don’t appreciate the “pure” rucking prowess of the MACV-2s in the same way that most purists probably do.

If you are into rucking, though (and especially if you tend to get deep into the heavier, craggier stuff) these might just be the boots for you. After all, they did top the “pure rucking boots” category in our list of the best boots for rucking.

As the weather gets crappier (I’m writing this observing some late “November rain”), I’ve been more inclined to opt for my MACV-2s when rucking. They have thicker outsoles (and pretty much thicker everything) than my MACV-1s. Not to mention mine happen to be high-tops.

…but are they the better boot for everyone…?

Maybe you’re in an environment where thicker, tougher boots are the right tools for the job. While you’re contemplating this, let’s discuss my experiences with and thoughts on these boots:

“Pure” Rucking

As fate would have it, our review categories just so happen to start with the area where the MACV-2s shine the brightest; in the realm of “pure” rucking (which we define as rucking that is mainly carried out on non-paved and non-treadmill surfaces) it doesn’t get much better than what these boots are putting out.

If you’re like me, there are three main things that you’re most concerned with when you’re getting into the longer grass, traversing crag, or moving up steep, uneven inclines:

• Your boots having enough grip and traction to prevent any potential slippage and to keep you upright
• That your footwear is capable of enclosing and protecting your feet themselves, ensuring they’re free from any type of poking or even abrasions from the rougher environment
• That the boots themselves are durable enough to hold up under these conditions during today’s ruck…and tomorrow’s…and next week’s…and on, and on, and on…

We’ll dedicate the rest of this section to systematically addressing each of these points.

Regarding grip and traction, I give the MACV-2s pretty high marks in this area. Much of this lends itself to the outsoles which, unlike many other rucking boot options, is actually comprised of three layers of hard rubber.

However, instead of simply throwing a few separate layers over each other, each one is engineered to better correspond with a different part of the boot and, by extension, foot. The boots feel slightly different around my toes as they attempt to dig into the hard soil than they do from my heel which is trying to base my foot against the rock.

Three layers of hardened rubber at the base of each boot would be sufficient for maximizing durability (as we’ll discuss later in this section), but the slight adjustments to each layer is not evident much of the time…but is extremely evident when the ground gets crappy.

Moving on, the combination of suede upper materials (which is pretty much standard in these types of boots) and Cordura (which is slightly more of a novelty) with the aforementioned triple compound create an almost “fortress-like” feeling around my feet. Part of this may be because I have high-tops (I’m much more used to wearing low-top shoes), however, the only other footwear I’ve experienced this feeling in have been the Mackall low-top shoes.

I have yet to experience any type injury, yet alone anything from the outside coming close to penetrating the boots into my feet.

Finally, in regards to durability, the discussion comes back to the upper materials and compound. I would say that these have held up surprisingly well, but, to be honest, I didn’t really expect to have any significant kinds of durability issues with these.

They have actually been a bit more resistant to abrasions, light scuffing, and even staining than my MACV-1 HI-Speed boots, and I have yet to experience any significant breakdown outside of typical “I’m too lazy to wipe these down when I get home” type of wear.

Expanding past these initial assessment areas, I want to draw attention to the heel counter, which I was pretty much unaccustomed to in most of my other boots (that don’t have one). I’m not totally sold on it (which I’ll discuss in further detail in a later section), but it definitely does work to not only keeps the back of my feet stable but I actually find that it helps to better distribute the load on each of my steps, especially when I miss-step.

One last thing I’ll mention is the MACV-2’s (specifically the high-tops’) weight. They aren’t the heaviest boots by any means, but if you’re used to lightweight rucking boots, you’ll notice the difference pretty quickly. This is to be expected, though, the thicker materials, additional rubber compound layer, heel counter…all of this stuff “weighs up”. When you’re rucking on terrain, there are going to be trade-offs.

Overall, the MACV-2s are the rucking boot for those who get a bit dirtier. I’ll be the first to admit that this isn’t me or my brand of rucking, but I can appreciate it for what it is. If this is you and your brand of rucking, it’s time to put them on your radar.

“Pure” Rucking: 95

“Speed” Rucking

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but when it comes to the MACV-2s’ general comprehensive rucking abilities, it pretty much peaks with “pure” rucking and starts to go downhill from there.

Truth be told, at just over 17 ounces per boot, the MACV-2s aren’t by any means the heaviest rucking boots you could choose. However, just because they don’t do the best job of weighing you down doesn’t mean that you’re going to set a lifetime speed PR in them.

When we’re talking about “speed” rucking, we’re mainly talking about the balance between rucking on pavement (and terrain in general that is less harsh) and, to a lesser extent, their ability to manage the downhills on said pavement while maintaining a still relatively fast pac

To the former of these points, the boots certainly hold up on pavement, but if there is a word to best describe them in these conditions, it is “excessive”. The reinforced outer materials aren’t necessary in these conditions (in most cases) and, unless you come upon an unexpected patch of gravel (which, admittedly, does happen from time to time) you’re unlikely to need the added ankle stability.

On the other hand, some of those features, actually do a pretty good job of facilitating a faster-than-normal ruck pace on pavement, most notably the lightweight EVA foam midsole. This material isn’t really noticeable most of the time, but I can tell how well it is absorbing the impact and allowing me to “rebound” especially on downhills.

For the longest time i.e before I got my first pair of boots or shoes for rucking, I would actually ruck in my no-to-low (4 millimeter) heel drop shoes. Thankfully, I didn’t know any better at the time, but if I tried something like that today, I don’t think my feet (or any of my lower body, to be honest) would really appreciate it.

Boots like the MACV-2s helped me to break out of this bad habit (that I didn’t know I had) and proudly proclaim that their 13 millimeter offset/heel drop is the “ideal rucking offset”. I don’t know how they came to this conclusion, but I’m included to believe it.

One last thing I’ll mention is that the bottom lugs/cleats are slightly more aggressive than they are on other boots. I do appreciate the additional traction they provide when moving downhill, but these are definitely intended for movement on terrain more than they are on pavement.

Overall, the MACV-2s aren’t anywhere close to being the best speed rucking boots, but they’re also nowhere close to being the worst. Don’t buy them solely for this kind of rucking, but don’t be overly concerned about their “ability” either.

“Speed” Rucking: 85

“Dynamic” Rucking

As we discussed in the previous section, one of the biggest things the MACV-2s have working against them in any of the more “nimble” rucking consideration areas is their weight. They’re by no means the heaviest boots out there…not by a long shot…but nobody is going to get the “boots that feel like a running shoe!” feeling from them.

As you can probably imagine, this extends into the “dynamic” rucking portion of the discussion. Frankly, I avoid all types of dynamic movement in heavier shoes (I think this is a rather common sentiment).

When you consider that my go-to training shoes, GORUCK’s Ballistic Trainers, are a little more than half the weight of these boots, you can probably imagine how much different each movement feels and how much compensation or even straight up adjustment of movement patterns needs to take place.

Right off the bat, these aren’t the kinds of boots I really want to spend any significant amount of time running in. For one, I prefer mid-top or (preferably) low-top footwear when I’m running. I get that soldiers and those in other select professions may not get a say in the manner, but if you have a choice and you’re deadset on the GORUCK MACV-2, make sure you opt for the mid-top version.

(On that note, be aware that, according to the offiical GORUCK website, that the mid-top MACV-2s weigh the same as the high-tops. I don’t know if I actually believe this, but…keep it in mind, regardless).

I will say that in certain situations and for certain more niche movements, the previously mentioned superior ankle support is quite handy. By this, I mean those of you who are interested in doing something like this at a GORUCK Heavy event:

Trust that that log is going to shift on your back and if you don’t want to be the guy to drop it, you’re going to have to shift with it. Depending on how your ankle is supported, it’ll shift, as well…but possibly not in the way you would for it to.

So if your typical dynamic rucking training regimen includes hauling a giant wooden log around, the MACV-2s are stellar options. However, I would imagine that for the vast majority of people, the vast majority of the time, you’re more likely to be doing things like ruck swings, lunges, get-ups, and presses.

Yeah, a lot of people are going to want a degree of ankle stability for these exercises…but you don’t, by any means, need MACV-2-level support.

Overall, unless you’re into very niche movements, the GORUCK MACV-2 isn’t going to be your preferred dynamic rucking footwear of choice. We’re not trying to have a “vs. battle” hear, but the MACV-1 HI-Speed boots are definitely the better the choice in this category.

“Dynamic” Rucking: 70

Everyday Wear

I’m really not a “shoe guy”.

Some would say that this has its definite minuses, but I disagree. Being this way allows me to turn just about any type of training shoe into, as my late mother would have said, a “wear-around shoe”.

The GORUCK MACV-2 is no exception.

I usually opt for a different shoe or boot when I head out (mainly because those are the shoes or boots that happen to be near the front door when I’m getting ready to leave). However, since I’ve really been putting the MACV-2s to the test over the last few weeks, they have worked their way into the rotation.

I haven’t gotten mine too scuffed up yet and they are actually pretty good at warding off such abrasions. This helps to keep them looking a little more respectable.

Some would argue that the fact that the boots are not waterproof works against them, particularly for everyday wear. I can agree with this, mainly because when I’m rucking or doing something active in the boot, I can live with being a little wetter as they drain. When I’m out and about, I don’t want to accidently step in a puddle and have to walk around a store with my shoes draining the entire time.

Another thing is a more minor gripe that only applies to my specific high-top variety. is that I always have to wear tall boot socks with them. Yes, I know this seems like a lame thing to complain about, but I came of age in the 90’s; I prefer “no-show” socks whenever possible (even with pants!)

Don’t fool yourself into thinking you’re going to be winning and type of fashion contest in these bad boys, but as far as casual footwear goes, you could do a lot worse.

Everyday Wear: 85

Construction & Materials

Once you get to a certain price point (a price point that the MACV-2s are solidly in, as we’ll discuss in the next section) you start to find that a lot of the materials in competing boots are very similar.

Suede is pretty much the base material for all boot options while additional materials/additions like Cordura and EVA foam in the midsole are extremely common.

Depending on the boots’ respective purposes, the outsole’s hard rubber could be split into one or more compounds in order to add durability and, arguably more importantly, more grip to the boots. The MACV-2s triple compound outsole is up there with the top dogs in this regard.

(NOTE: In most cases, I would prefer a Vibram-based outsole as my personal experiences with these have created a personal bias.)

As we have discussed a lot so far (don’t worry, we’ll discuss it even more before we finish), the MACV-2s’ ~17 ounces (per boot) are pretty much in line with other common/popular rucking boots.

One last thing I’d like to draw attention to is the heel counter…which I have a bit of a “love/hate relationship” with. I have found that it does keep the very back of my foot more stable, almost to a fault, moreso than boots lacking this feature. However, I haven’t found any benefit to this in regard to friction resistance, and ultimately blister resistance.

Despite what the MACV-2s’ description says, I have found them to not be “no break-in time” boots. Now, don’t get me wrong, they don’t have the longest or worst break-in period for any boots I’ve tried, but, at least for me, they definitely had a break-in period…and I got blisters on the backs of both feet.

Overall, the MACV-2s’ materials are on par with its competitors without anything really significant, positive or negative, setting them apart.

Construction & Materials: 90

Price

The MACV-2s aren’t the most inexpensive rucking boots on the market, but they also aren’t overly expensive either. At $175 per pair, they are slightly more expensive than most of its direct competitors (which are all pretty much solidly in the tight, $160-190 price range), although they do greatly outpace the growing segment of “budget” rucking boots.

If you’re in any way familiar with GORUCK, this pricing shouldn’t be all that surprising; the company isn’t exactly known for being an inexpensive brand. However, while you can certainly find cheaper boots that are still of relatively good quality, construction, and with legit materials, with the MACV-2s, you can rest a little easier knowing they tick all of these boxes.

If you can’t quite justify shelling out this much for the boots in the MACV-2’s price range, you may want to consider their “older brother”, the MACV-1. We’ll talk about these in further detail when we discuss alternative options, but these can be had for as little as $155.

Price: 80

Customer Reviews

A running theme with GORUCK products is that if you check their customer review scores, they hold up pretty well.

Like, better than what you might find on Amazon, even.

The MACV-2s are no exception, currently sporting a 4.7 out of 5 cumulative review score. Considering that this is currently based off of 670 reviews, it is safe to say that the sample size is sufficient for coming to more definitive conclusions about the boots, at least in regards to what customers have had to say about them.

Even more comforting is the fact that of those 670 reviews, only about 60 are 1, 2, or 3-star reviews. A 90-plus percent 4 and 5-star review rate is nothing to sneeze at.

With that being said, some (potential) caveats are that like most GORUCK products, it is very difficult to find reviews for the MACV-2 boots anywhere besides the official GORUCK website. Unlike many GORUCK products, these boots don’t even show up on places like Rogue which has a modest, but decent assortment of GORUCK items for sale.

At this point, my experiences with GORUCK are pretty extensive and I have utmost confidence in what these main site reviewers have to say about the company’s products. As such I can confidently say that you can accept what they’re saying as being perfectly legit.

Customer Reviews: 94

Customer Service

One thing that is for certain when dealing with GORUCK and its customer service personnel is that your experience is not going to be anything like dealing with Amazon or some other big, corporate organization.

This may scare you…or this may sound like music to your ears.

I happen to fall into the latter category and can attest that the somewhat…non-standardized processes that the company seems to have in place have almost always worked out better for me than they “should” have.

I haven’t had to reach out to GORUCK regarding anything too significant and, in most cases, my inquiries have been directed at things like exchanging sizes (which have gone perfectly smoothly) or changing out mistakes in shipping addresses (which have gone less than perfectly smoothly…but still not so badly).

In every case, my situation has been addressed quickly, to my satisfaction, and by a legit human (or at least a very human-like AI entity).

(I may be in the minority, but that latter category is something I really appreciate!)

I wouldn’t suggest trying to “game the system” with GORUCK’s various policies, but I have found that if I am being honest about a problem or situation where the written policies shouldn’t work in my favor (ex. wanting a refund for an event within the 30-day “no refunds” window) the people are actually cool (or even…human!) about it.

I appreciate this kind of “outside the box” thinking and is one reason why I continue to purchase products from the company (hopefully my contact with them will lessen as time goes by, though!)

Customer Service: 95

Who are GORUCK MACV-2s Really For?

In the world of rucking boots, both of GORUCK’s main offerings have gained significant traction (no pun intended!) over the last few years. However, there are definitely people who will appreciate what the company is putting out more than others. Let’s see who their newer offering, the MACV-2, is best suited for:

Those who are looking for a “pure” rucking boot

I’ve mentioned in a few times so far that the MACV-2 topped our list of the best boots for rucking in the “pure” rucking category. This classification ain’t for boots your ruck shuffle in on pavement, sidewalk, or even the treadmill. These are boots that are the least likely to let you down when you’re rucking something like this:

Of course, these do work on pavement and you can (kinda) run and do uncomplicated metcons in these. However, if you’re clear on what you need your boots for and this purpose happens to be for managing rough terrain, the MACV-2s will serve you well.

People looking for an AR670-1-compliant boot

I have never served (a big thank you for all of you who have or who are currently serving), but I understand the importance of selecting a uniform-compliant boot. For many people, if a boot ain’t 670-1 compliant, it doesn’t even make the list of considerations.

The GORUCK MACV-2 boot is AR670-1 compliant so for those who need their boots to pass inspection, these will do the trick.

Not for those looking for easy-to-run-in boots

I get that if you’re used to running in regularly-weighted boots that running in the MACV-2s probably isn’t all that different than what you’re accustomed to. However, if you’re like me and have grown accustomed to running in lighter-weight boots (especially under load where it makes a bigger difference) you’ll immediately notice how much heavier they feel.

I’m partial to the MACV-1 HI-Speeds for such purposes…because they’re great at it.

How we Reviewed the MACV-2s

It didn’t take me long to realize that for the kind of rucking I do (most of the time), that the MACV-2s probably weren’t going to be my go-to boots. However, as luck would have it, the period where it was finally time for me to put them to the test just so happened to be when I was training for a weekend of GORUCK Heavy and Basic events.

Knowing that these events, especially the Heavy, would involve a lot of…non-traditional rucking movements (that whole “log” thing from above is actually more of “normal” movement when compared to any of the others) I really wanted to give the MACV-2s a chance.

Throughout my preparation for the events, I alternated between the MACV-2s, my MACV-1 HI-Speeds, and my Mackall shoes. I definitely prefer the latter two, but wanted to more definitely settle my internal “argument” (shoes I preferred vs. shoes that would likely be better suited for the rigors of the Heavy).

Because of this, I got to use them in a number of different situations (all types of rucking, longer distances, etc.). The events aren’t for a few months and I’m still deciding which option I’ll end up going with.

I know you’re waiting on the edge of your seat; I’ll update this after the events!

GORUCK MACV-2 Alternatives

If you’re in the market for the best “pure” rucking boots, it’s going to be difficult for you to do much better than the MACV-2s. However, if you’re into other types of rucking or are looking for boots that are better for all types of rucking, here are a few alternative options that might better fit the bill:

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no use taking a chance on boots. Speak now (with your questions) or forever hold your peace!

The GORUCK MACV-2 boots…the best boots for “pure” rucking

If you’re into general purpose boot wear and are more casual about your rucking, what I’m about to say probably won’t bother you.

If you’re more into other types of fitness with rucking being more of a complementary type of exercise, what I’m about to say probably won’t bother you.

If you’re a die-hard rucker…what I’m about to say might bother you…

…I’m not the world’s biggest rucker.

I do it. I enjoy it. I put in a few miles a week (almost exclusively on pavement) and I tick that box.

What the MACV-2s do best is lost on me…it’s wasted on me.

However, if you really like to ruck. If, when you ruck, you find yourself getting deep into it. Hell, if you don’t necessarily “like” to ruck, but you have to haul heavy stuff in crap conditions for your job…the MACV-2s are worth a long hard look.

They’re not quite at the level of Garmont’s line of rucking boots, but they’re really close. That alone makes them worth giving a whirl.