Thad Forester

Start the Year Strong: 3 GORUCK Essentials to Kick Off Your Fitness Goals

December 19, 2025 By Thad Forester

A new year means new goals—and if one of yours is to get fitter, stronger, and more disciplined, there’s no better way to start than with rucking. GORUCK gear is built to last and designed to help you train anywhere, from your neighborhood streets to rugged trails. Here are three easy must-haves to jumpstart your fitness in 2026.

The Basic Rucker.

The perfect entry-level gift or purchase for someone starting their fitness journey. The cornerstone of any rucking setup, the Basic Rucker is simple, durable, and ready for mileage. It’s purpose-built to handle weighted training without unnecessary extras. Whether you’re going for a brisk mile or a long endurance session, this pack stands up to the grind. It’s an easy “grab-and-go” piece of gear that helps you stay consistent.

The Rucking Weight Vest.

For those who want to scale their bodyweight workouts, including with CrossFit, running, F3, etc. Perfect for anyone who wants to turn everyday movement into strength training, the Rucking Weight Vest adds resistance to walks, push-ups, squats, and more. It packs GORUCK’s quality and comfort into a form-fitting vest that won’t bounce, rub, or distract. Use it for quick backyard workouts or short rucks when you’re short on time but still want impact.

The Spy Ruck.

WEIGHTED VEST FOR WOMEN ON A MISSION. Fitness meets function with this one. The Spy Ruck blends everyday carry and training capability, so you can move seamlessly from the office or classroom to a workout—or a weekend hike. It’s compact yet rugged, offering space for your essentials and weights if you want to keep that “always ready” mindset alive all year long. Perfect for young women just beginning their training lifestyle.

See how my neighbor @peachesoverpancakes/ uses the Spy Ruck:

Ready to Ruck into 2026?

Your gear shouldn’t hold you back—it should make you want to move. GORUCK’s Basic Rucker, New Weight Vest, and Spy Ruck give you all the tools to get started, stay consistent, and finish the new year stronger than you started.

Additional info:

Below are my reviews on the Basic Rucker and Rucking Weight Vest:

GORUCK GR2 Review: 10 Years Later and Still Going Strong

December 5, 2025 By Thad Forester

After a decade of hard use, my GORUCK GR2 34L has proven why it earned its reputation as one of the most durable travel backpacks ever made. I purchased this ruck in November 2015 after saving up for a while, and it has been my primary travel companion ever since.

Built to Last

This isn’t a bag that sits in the closet between trips. I’ve flown it all over the United States, used it for overnight trips, and it served as my primary rucking bag from 2015 until 2022. The 1000D Cordura construction has held up incredibly well, with all original zippers still functioning smoothly and minimal wear on any stress points.

The Only Repair Needed

In 10 years, I’ve only used GORUCK’s SCARS warranty program once. Around 2020, the nylon on the shoulder straps became wavy from repeated tightening and loosening, so I sent it back to GORUCK. They replaced the connectors, MOLLE webbing, and straps on both sides—no questions asked, no receipt required. The process was fast, and they even included a leather SCARS patch.

How I Use It

The GR2 34L is my go-to travel bag for any domestic flight up to three (3) nights away. It fits easily in overhead compartments and under the seat of any size commercial plane and has enough space for everything I need. I’ve also used it for one GORUCK Light event in 2016, though it’s never been heavily exposed to mud or sand. The laptop compartment with frame sheet is perfect for both protecting electronics and holding weight plates when I want to ruck.

Worth Every Dollar

These bags now retail for around $350+, and I understand that’s a significant investment. But after 10 years of being thrown around airports, kicked around, and used for work and travel, this GR2 shows minimal wear and still performs like new. The shoulder straps remain thick and well-padded, the MOLLE webbing is intact, and there’s no fraying except for a few tiny threads that don’t concern me.

If you have the budget and want a backpack that will truly last a lifetime, the GORUCK GR2 delivers on every promise.

Get yours here: GORUCK GR2

You can watch my YouTube review here:

And here is a related video with multiple GORUCK backpacks:

Ep 124 | Colleen Shine – The Search for Her Father in Vietnam

December 2, 2025 By Thad Forester

In this episode, Colleen Shine, daughter of Air Force Lt. Col. Anthony Shine, shares her decades-long search for answers about her father’s fate after he was shot down and went missing in Vietnam in 1972. At just eight years old, Colleen began a journey that led her from uncertainty and loss to a determined investigation, including traveling to Vietnam to discover her father’s crash site and bringing his remains home in 1996. Colleen reflects on her personal experience as a Gold Star Daughter, the impact of POW/MIA families, and the enduring lessons about honor, family, and the lasting reverberations of war.

Colleen is a member of the board on Sons and Daughters in Touch, committed to uniting the Gold Star sons and daughters of American servicemen who were killed, or who remain missing, as a result of the Vietnam War.

You can read more about Colleen’s quest to get answers in Vietnam here:

What Remains – Winter 2013 – Wellesley College Download

You can also watch this interview on YouTube here.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast (patriot-to-the-core): Play in new window | Download

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Top Reasons the GORUCK Rucking Weight Vest is Worth the Investment

November 16, 2025 By Thad Forester

Although I’m an avid rucker (and have been for 15 years), the GORUCK Rucking Weight Vest has become an important part of my fitness routine and I can confidently say it’s a product that lives up to the GORUCK reputation. Here are five reasons why the GORUCK Rucking Weight Vest is worth the investment.

Unmatched Comfort

The comfort of this vest is its standout feature. GORUCK has integrated the padded shoulder straps from their Rucker series, which are designed to handle heavy loads without digging into your shoulders. I’ve worn this for extended periods, and the dual-density foam in the straps makes a significant difference. The interior is lined with a smooth 210D CORDURA® fabric that doesn’t cause chafing, even when worn without a shirt.

Superior Stability

One of the biggest frustrations that I hear with other weight vests is the constant shifting and bouncing of the weight plates during dynamic movements. The GORUCK Rucking Weight Vest solves this problem with a secure and snug fit. The plate pockets are designed to hold the weights tight against your body, eliminating any distracting movement whether you’re running, jumping, or doing burpees. This allows you to focus on your workout instead of your gear.

male with goruck rucking weight vest and sand kettlebells and rough runners

Built to Last

Durability is synonymous with the GORUCK brand, and this vest is no exception. It’s constructed from 1000D CORDURA® on the exterior, a military-grade material known for its toughness and resistance to abrasions. Knowing that the vest is backed by GORUCK’s SCARS Lifetime Guarantee provides peace of mind that this is a long-term investment in your fitness journey.

Versatile for Any Workout

This vest is incredibly versatile. I’ve used it for everything from rucking and traditional strength training to more unconventional workouts like yard work. It’s compatible with a variety of plates, including GORUCK’s own Ruck Plates and Rogue’s Echo Vest Plates, allowing you to customize the weight to your specific needs. Plus, changing out the weight plates is very simple, with just a few steps (unlike other brands, like I show in my YouTube review below). It’s a single piece of equipment that can enhance almost any aspect of your training.

male exercising with goruck rucking weight vest with curved plates

Smart, User-Friendly Design

GORUCK has clearly put a lot of thought into the small details that make a big difference. The “swimmer’s cut” allows for a full range of motion, so you never feel restricted. Curved weight plates allow for better breathing and easier to talk to the person next to you while workout out. I also like how they fit close to the body. A magnetic quick-access chest pocket is perfect for stashing your phone (fits my iPhone 16), keys or workout notes (I’m still a paper guy) and the padded grab handle on the back makes it easy to carry and hang up. These little features add to the overall user experience and make the vest a pleasure to use.

Curved weight plates for better breathing

You can also watch my video review on YouTube for a different perspective:

Conclusion

There are lots of options when it comes to weight vests. As much as I love GORUCK, if you’re new to rucking/training vests, you may want to start out with a cheaper brand. But, once you’re committed, I recommend trying out GORUCK’s Rucking Weight Vest. Then, you can compare and see what you prefer.

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The End of GORUCK Rough Runners?

October 31, 2025 By Thad Forester

GORUCK is closing out the Rough Runners. Built them from scratch for ruck running, training, and the life many of us live. Work like a champ. For me? They are my 100% go-to for all street/path rucking, especially long distance since GORUCK released them in 2023. I’m not a runner, only a rucker. These have proven to be unmatched by any other shoes for carrying heavy weight over long distance (disclaimer: for paths, not trails b/c then I use shoes with ankle support).

GORUCK says they are not a running company, which these shoes are also geared toward. That message didn’t land apparently.

They have inventory sitting there. Our gain. Fifty bucks a pair. They won’t stick around. Very few sizes left, but I managed to get an 11.5 today.

Grab them. Make your own luck. Get yours and read about here on GORUCK’s site.

-Thad

#ruckrunning #rucklife #rucker #goruck #training #outdoorfitness #gearsale #runningshoes

Below are two different reviews I did on the Rough Runners:

goruck rough runners - all black — I took advantage of the big sale and got the only pair in my size.