Cross Training Shoes

GORUCK I/O Cross Trainers – Training Shoe Review

GORUCK’s Black Friday sale is live! Check out their deals on rucksacks, apparel, boots, and more! GORUCK, the rucking company, recently entered the cross training shoe game. And their MACV-1 rucking boot blazed a trail of innovation – they created a light-weight but tough boot that has minimal break-in time. But now they’ve released a cross training shoe – the GORUCK I/O Cross Trainer. Our review pair is on order, and we’ll have our first thoughts soon. But, in the meantime, we’d like to tell you all about this super versatile shoe. Here’s what we’ll be looking at in this review: Let’s take a close look at the I/O Cross Trainers from GORUCK. Hands On First Look Don’t like to [Read more …]

GORUCK MACV-1 Lightweight Boot in Coyote Suede (Gen 2)
Rucking

GORUCK MACV-1 (Gen 2) Rucking Boot in Coyote Suede Review

It’s here! GORUCK has released the 2nd generation of their lightweight rucking boot – the MACV-1. We’ve got our pair and we’re deep in the review process – so far these have met or exceeded our every expectation. GORUCK makes rucking gear. Rucking is walking or hiking for distance with a loaded backpack (aka rucksack.) Do you need special boots to go on a ruck march? No, you don’t. But GORUCK has used their expertise in building super-functional and useful gear to make what are intended to be the best rucking boots possible. We’ll tell you all about the special features of the MACV-1 boot in this article. Here’s the products we’ll be reviewing: Let’s take an in-depth look. GORUCK [Read more …]

GORUCK Challenge Pants - Tough technical pants that are comfortable too
Rucking

GORUCK Challenge Pants Review

Here’s my hands-on (legs-on?) review of GORUCK’s Challenge Pants. What are Challenge Pants? They are a super-tough technical pant made by GORUCK – the rucking company. Rucking is walking or hiking for distance with a loaded backpack (aka rucksack.) Do you need special pants to go on a ruck march? No, you don’t. But GORUCK has used their expertise in building super-functional and useful gear to make what are now my favorite pair of pants. For doing anything – not just rucking. I’m writing this in my hotel room in Seattle at 3:52am, wearing Challenge Pants. Why? Because they are the ultimate pants for travel too. So, whether you are looking for rucking clothing, workout pants, or serious traveler gear [Read more …]

GORUCK Women's Simple Pants - Tough pants for working out, travel, and more.
Rucking

GORUCK Women’s Simple Pants – Pants for Rucking and Workouts

Let’s take an in depth look at GORUCK’s Women’s Simple Pants. First, let’s explain what Simple Pants are. These are GORUCK’s all-around comfortable and tough workout pants for women. GORUCK is the rucking company – so it stands to reason that these pants were purpose built with rucking in mind. Rucking is walking long distances with a heavily loaded backpack. If you’ve never hiked 5 or 6 miles with a 20 or 30 lb backpack on your back you are in for a humbling experience! But Simple Pants are super-versatile and comfortable – you can do so much more than just working out and rucking. We’ll explain why in this article. Let’s dive right in. Here’s the Simple Pants apparel [Read more …]

Sandbag training is a cheap, but effective training method - find out how to get started today!
Exercise

Sandbag Training

With so many forms of exercise available today, zeroing in on the optimal workout routine can be daunting. But it turns out that while the latest high-tech machines and exercise fads may have considerable merit, with workouts as in life, the best things are often free or at least nearly so. In the case of sandbags, the fact that these pieces of ultra-simple exercise equipment can often be constructed for just a few dollars belies the incredibly robust workouts that they can provide. With sandbag exercises, you get far more than you pay for, at least if you are only counting the dollar cost. But as we’ll see, the cost in energy, effort and focus required for sandbag training rivals [Read more …]

Grip strength is important for ruck events - the rucksack will spend a lot of time on your back - but you may have to carry other items, sometimes called "coupons"
Rucking

GORUCK Training – How to Prepare for the PT at Ruck Events

A common question about GORUCK challenge events – what sort of PT ( Physical Training) challenges are likely to happen? And how can you prepare? Most of the following exercises may be required with or without your loaded rucksack. For “Light” events there’s usually a lot of PT without the ruck – but it’s better to be over-prepared in this regard. HINT: It’s best to train with your rucksack! Also note that this sort of dynamic exercise with a loaded rucksack is best done with a chest strap and a hip belt or waist belt on your rucksack. Why? Because it lets you tighten down the ruck such that it won’t be moving around excessively. Secondly, this is also the [Read more …]

GORUCK Wire Dopp Review 25
Rucking

Best Rucking Accessories for GORUCK

Now that you’ve picked out your ideal GORUCK rucking backpack you should look at some rucking gear that helps you get the best packing and storage efficiency out of that GR1 or Rucker backpack. We’re going to review the best rucksack accessories for the GR1 – or any GORUCK bag. These choices have been vetted by rucking enthusiasts – so consider them the “best of the best”. Whether you are using a GR1, or other rucking backpack – all of these items are great aftermarket rucking gear. MOLLE Accessories We’re going to mention “MOLLE” a lot in this article. MOLLE, or Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment, is the military’s solution for versatile equipment loading and accessories. The most important feature of [Read more …]

A GORUCK rucksack with event patches.
Rucking

Where To Buy Morale Patches for Rucking

What is a Morale Patch? Morale patches are the informal insignia that military units use to help build an esprit de corp – a feeling of pride, fellowship, and common loyalty shared by the members of a group. Let’s talk about the the role morale patches play in rucking, and where you can find a morale patch (or tactical patch) that might help you express some style or humor and join in on the camaraderie. We’ll also cover a variety of tactical patches that serve practical purposes. You can ruck alone, but rucking really comes alive when you are part of a group or club – a team of like minded individuals tackling a humbling and challenging shared experience. A [Read more …]

GORUCK ruck plate and rucksack - essential gear for rucking
Rucking

Fitatmidlife’s Rucking Glossary – Learn About Rucking

FitAtMidlife’s Rucking Glossary Rucking is walking with a loaded backpack – and not just in the woods! “Ruck”, short for “rucksack”, is military slang for a backpack. This is a cheap, simple exercise that burns calories and builds aerobic endurance due to the added weight. As a beginner in rucking you’re going to run into some terms and acronyms you may not be familiar with. But we’re here to help. Here’s a rundown on some of the common terms and lingo that are utilized by the GORUCK organization as well as the wider rucking community. [thrive_leads id=’6513′] Have a read through and increase your rucking knowledge. Did we miss an item? Reply in the comments – preferably with a source, [Read more …]

GORUCK Ruck plates have convenient grab handles.
Rucking

Ruck Plates – Weight Plates for Rucking

Let’s talk about Ruck Plates (also called ruck weights or GORUCK weights). What are they? They are the specially designed weight plates for rucking. We’ll highlight some great products that are both functional and helpful, but we’ll also talk about some other alternatives that are versatile in their own right. First of all, why do you even need ruck plates? Can’t you just use anything that’s heavy – like a dumbbell, a regular olympic plate, or a rock? Yes, you can. But there’s a lot of good reasons to have ruck plates if you are going to get serious about ruck training. See Ruck Plates on the GORUCK website First of all – odd sized objects take up too much [Read more …]