It’s Day 1 of your new rucking hobby and you’re looking for any excuse not to get started.
“What if I get too tired on the road?”
“What if it’s too hot?”
“What if one of these idiot Georgia drivers hit me?
“What do I bring?”
We’re not here today to talk about the first two (and the third one I can’t really help you with…sorry, they suck), but after we finish up, you won’t be able to use that final question as an excuse.
In the spirit of keeping things as simple as possible, the only ruck gear you really need to get started are a comfortable pair of sneakers and a backpack capable of holding at least 15 pounds.
If this is what you have, use it. You’re good to go.
However, as soon as you get home from your ruck outing, start stocking up on these items which constitute the essential ruck gear list.
Let’s jump in!
Table of Contents
Mandatory Ruck Gear
No screwing around, you need this rucking gear if you’re going to get serious about it. You can do without any of the other ruck equipment, but without a proper ruck, weights, and shoes, you’re likely going to have a much less-than-ideal experience…and may possibly hinder your long-term ability to participate in the venture.
Ruck
A real shocker here, right?
The ruck is the reason why we’re all here and represents the “centerpiece” of any ruck gear list. In most cases, the ruck will be the most expensive ruck gear item (although boots or shoes might be more expensive if you opt for a less expensive ruck), but it is arguably the most pivotal.
Sure, you can cheap out on a cheap ruck (hell, I’ve been known to throw this oldie on from time to time), but I can assure you that every step feels better when you’re working with a bag specifically engineered for the task.
(a less-than-stellar ruck is also more likely to leave you sore and unrecovered in the hours and days following your workouts, as well!)
Thankfully, it’s not impossible to find “entry level” rucks that don’t run too steep and are perfect for those getting acclimated to rucking.
Ruck Plates
Truth be told, you can always stick your kid’s Social Studies, Chemistry and Algebra books in your ruck to give it some weight (do they even teach math in school anymore?), but that is going to create an awkward-feeling ~10 pounds.
I’ve been known to stick small barbell plates, light dumbbells, and even a kettlebell (never again!) into my ruck on occasion. However, the odd shapes of these make these only slightly less awkward for the task.
Specially-designed ruck plates will fit your beautiful new ruck like a glove. They won’t bounce around, dig into your back, or serve as an excuse for your kid not to do their homework.
Thankfully, you don’t really have to go with name brand ruck plates to get a quality product. Yes4All ships out literal tons of ruck plates every month to satisfied customers and, if you compare the specs, most of their plates fit perfectly in any dedicated ruck. Just make sure you compare specs/sizes before pulling the trigger on a ruck plate(s).
Ruck Shoes/Ruck Boots
As important as your ruck is, your ruck gear list must include appropriate footwear for the job.
This can certainly be an “either/or” type of deal:
If you prefer boots, just get boots. If you like shoes, just get shoes.
However, I’ve been out in relatively light, even terrain on disgustingly hot and humid days where I lamented wearing my A/T Midboots. I’ve also felt like a buffoon in my 5.11 Tactical Ranger 2.0s trudging through high weeds, overgrown grass, and mud (…lots of mud).
Regardless of whether you opt for boots, shoes, or both, make sure to focus on footwear that has hard rubber outsoles, is constructed of durable (leather!) material, have adequate ventilation. Consider that your journeys will often involve variable terrain and harsh weather conditions (and will always involve walking under load). Also, if you ever become interested in more “dynamic” rucking workouts, a shoe engineered to handle this unique blend of activities is all-but-necessary for the task.
We’ve compiled lists of the best rucking boots and the best rucking shoes that should get you more excited about footwear than you should ever be!
Highly Recommended Ruck Gear
To a degree, the following ruck gear is situational. A hydration bladder may not be necessary on a short ruck march and you might not need a hip belt with lighter loads. However, it doesn’t hurt to have a bladder, belt, and a perfectly-suited pair of ruck socks (or 10!) in your personal armory.
Hydration Bladder
Thinking about embarking on a long ruck outing.
I can assure you that you’re probably gonna get a little thirsty along the way.
However, how does your giant, 2-gallon water jug fit into your perfectly proportioned ruck between the perfectly fitting ruck plate?
You do want to take that patch home to stick on your depressingly “naked” ruck…right?
Have no fear! Hydration bladders have been popular amongst ruckers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts for decades. You can chance a slightly less expensive “general use” bladder, but Camelback’s offering ensures the lowest possibility of your water supply ending up soaking you.
Ruck Socks
Man, oh man have I been through a multitude of different styles of socks in my time. I’m still searching for that elusive mixture of “grip” and “barely there” feeling for those I wear for my CrossFit/Olympic weightlifting ventures, but thankfully, I have my ruck socks selection on lock.
What’s in a “ruck sock”? Think of the thickness and durability of a traditional hiking stocking with ventilation to reduce moisture and heat buildup all wrapped up into a sock that feels more like a leisure slipper. Other socks might provide one or two of these qualities, but when you’re on Mile 11 for the day, your feet will demand all four of them.
MudGear’s ruck socks not only possess all four of these qualities, but also come in the “no show” style (which I have pretty much exclusively preferred since ~2002). If you’re in the (shudder) “long sock” camp, don’t fret; they have up to knee-length options, too.
Hip Belt
You know what gets really old, really fast? The constant thu-thud, thu-thud, thu-thud, of a slightly less-than-perfectly fitting ruck slamming against your back with every step you take.
You know what else sucks? Feeling like you’re Atlas, carrying the world on your shoulders for the duration of your rucking venture.
Enter the hip belt, a highly recommended addition to any ruck gear collection!
A relatively simple mechanism, the hip belt redistributes the weight of much of your ruck from your shoulders to your lower back/hip region by literally pulling the weight down. By doing this, it also brings the ruck itself closer to the body and keeps it better “locked” in place to ensure less swaying and…thu-thudding.
You can go pretty “big” on these (~$50) or pretty cheap (~$20).
Optional…but Recommended Ruck Gear
Reflector
Reflectors are cheap pieces of insurance to keep you safe during non-daylight hours activity.
You might tell yourself that your rucking outings are going to be confined to the daylight hours and the thought of getting around outside in the dark may not sound too appealing…
…at the moment, at least.
Of course, unless you’re Count Dracula (and I guess he’d probably just fly, anyways), you’re going to be rucking during the day…a lot. However, there is just something intriguing and rush-inducing about getting up and at it in the early morning, late evening, or even overnight.
I still can’t do anything about those awful drivers, but if you make a small investment in a reflector (vest, headband, whatever), I can assure you that they’ll at least be able to see something resembling you on the night-darkened road.