GORUCK’s Christmas in July Sale – My Favorite Gear, Shoes and Apparel

June 29, 2026 By Thad Forester

Direct link to GORUCK’s Christmas in July Sale 2026

GORUCK’s Christmas in July sale covers gear, footwear, apparel, and events–all full price items (except Ruck Plates, GR1, and Achilles) so below are links to some of my favorite items. This is their first site-wide sale in over a decade. Last year’s was shoes and apparel only. This year it’s almost everything.

I put together a quick list of my personal favorites — gear I actually use and put through the paces regularly.

You can watch the YouTube video as well:

Note: all of these items may not be on sale, but I’m listing some of my favorites as of June 2026:

Achilles Weight Vest for Men

Challenge Shorts

Men’s ToughStretch Training Shorts/USA Training Shorts

Rucker 5.0

Rough Runners

Men’s Half Zip Polartec Grid Fleece

Simple Shorts – Lightweight ToughDry

Men’s Performance Tee – ToughMesh

Merino Challenge Socks – Crew

Challenge Windbreaker

Performance Tac Hat – ToughDry

male in goruck toughmesh shirt lifting sandbag.

Note: I am a GORUCK affiliate, so I get a small percentage commission with each sale if you purchase GORUCK products from my links. This does not cost you any additional money–the prices are the same for buyers. I do this b/c I have a weird obsession with good gear and clothing. I have used GORUCK products since 2015 and have been impressed with their quality and versatility. I don’t do this to make a living, only to help support my habit of buying high-quality items from GORUCK and other American companies.

GORUCK Achilles Weighted Vest is HERE – For Men

June 19, 2026 By Thad Forester

GORUCK Achilles | Men’s Weighted Vest: Quick Review

The GORUCK Achilles Weighted Vest is GORUCK’s latest evolution in weighted training — built for the man who wants a streamlined, high-riding vest that stays out of the way while you do the work. Here’s the quick breakdown.

Learn more or get yours here from GORUCK.

You can also watch my YouTube review here. It provides a few details not covered in this written review:

What Stands Out

Rides high and tight w/ low profile — designed to sit high on the chest, keeping weight stable during dynamic movement and rough terrain. Can easily be worn under a sweatshirt, jacket, etc.
Zero shoulder pain — padded straps carry the load without digging in, this is the GORUCK standard
Anti-odor, anti-rust design — the interior coated steel pellets won’t corrode, stink or rust on your body as you sweat. And easy to clean the Robic material with soap and water
Evenly distributed weight — locks down on your torso and balanced evenly across your shoulders and core so it doesn’t pull you forward or backward

goruck achilles weight vest on male — This is the 20 lb version of the GORUCK Achilles Weighted Vest

Who It’s Built For

Anyone who wants a vest that won’t slow them down
Athletes doing mixed training (rucking, strength work, bodyweight movements)
Anyone who’s dealt with breathing restriction, shoulder pain or movement restrictions in other vests

GORUCK Achilles Weighted Vest w/ Padded Back Grab Handle

Any Drawbacks?

Premium price point — you’re paying for GORUCK quality, so if you’re brand new to weighted vests, there are cheaper entry points to test the waters first. But no others have the Scars lifetime guarantee like GORUCK.

Bottom Line

If you’ve already bought into the GORUCK ecosystem — or you’re serious enough about rucking and training to invest in the best — the Achilles Weighted Vest solves the two biggest complaints about weight vests: restricted breathing and intrusion while doing push-ups, flutter kicks, sit-ups, burpees, etc. It’s purpose-built for people who move. As great as the GORUCK Rucking Weight Vest is, this Achilles Vest is even less restrictive and doesn’t get in the way of any movements I do on a regular basis.

*Disclaimer: GORUCK sent me this vest to test out a few weeks before it’s launch. They don’t ask me to provide a review or to say anything positive about it. I love their products and always test them thoroughly with activities to my standards, and always provide an honest review. This Achilles is no exception. I don’t wear weight vests regularly, but love having them in the mix for weekly F3 workouts and even to wear around the house and cutting grass. I am a GORUCK affiliate so anything you purchase using my links doesn’t cost you anything extra, but gives me a commission on your sale. This is a time-consuming and expensive hobby so any extra money helps me justify the time and money I spend on GORUCK products. Thanks for reading and/or watching.

GORUCK Rucker 5.0 Review – Should You Upgrade from Your 4.0 or Older Version?

June 16, 2026 By Thad Forester

The GORUCK Rucker 5.0 provides more comfort for longer distances, carrying heavy weight b/c of the exaggerated lumbar support and heavy duty, padded shoulder straps. It is another example of being “purpose built”.

You can watch my review on YouTube here:

What’s New in the Rucker 5.0

GORUCK didn’t just slap a new number on the same bag. The 5.0 brings these noticeable changes:

3x more lumbar padding — your lower back will feel the difference on long rucks
Magnetic internal pockets — snag-free closures for quick and secure access that won’t get crushed like zippers and work much faster and better than VELCRO

Below is my son wearing the Rucker 5.0, size 25L. Notice the foam pad for maximum lumbar and lower back support:

The below is a short video showing the lumbar support and magnetic internal pockets:

Should You Upgrade?

Consider these benchmarks if you want to upgrade to the 5.0:

Ruck 3+ times per week and feel lower back fatigue
Are coming from the 3.0 — the jump is significant
Compete in GORUCK events where comfort over distance matters

Stick with what you have if you:

Already own the 4.0 and don’t experience discomfort
Are budget-conscious — the 4.0 still performs at a high level

How do the 20L and 25L compare on me?

I’m 6′ 1″ tall. The 25L works for me, but my preference is the 20L for two reasons:

I like minimal size. That’s why I’ve loved the 15L Bullet Rucker 4.0 for so long
I like where the lumbar support hits my lower back on the 20L. If I were a few inches taller, I’d probably prefer the 25L.

Here are some specs and additional details:

Primary Material: 1000D CORDURA
Back Panel & Shoulder Strap Underside Material: 210D HT (High Tenacity) CORDURA
Lumbar Support: 30MM High-Density EVA Foam Padding, 1.25″ thick
Comes with Sternum Strap
Hydration bladder compatible
Additional details, along with what size weight plates will fit in both pockets for the Rucker 5.0 are covered in my YouTube video.

Final Verdict

The Rucker 5.0 is GORUCK’s best Rucker yet. If you’re on a version older than the 4.0, at least consider an upgrade, but if you’re happy, don’t change. If you’re on a 4.0, the improvements are real but incremental. It comes down to how many miles you’re logging and how much your back is talking to you.

Ep 126 | They Didn’t Know Him But They Showed Up Anyway – 45 Miles for Mark Forester

June 8, 2026 By Thad Forester

What does it mean to sacrifice for someone you’ve never met? In this episode of Patriot to the Core, Thad Forester sits down with his young boys and their friends who completed the Mark Forester JAG 28 Memorial Birthday Walk — a tribute to Senior Airman Mark Forester, who gave his life in Afghanistan on September 29, 2010, earning him the Silver Star.

These kids didn’t grow up knowing Mark. He was killed before they were born. But Thad’s boys have known of their uncle their entire lives — and this year, they laced up their shoes, hit the pavement, and pushed through real physical pain and discomfort to honor his memory. Some walked 25 continuous miles, some 36 miles, and others completed all 45 miles (17 hours) — representing how old Mark would have been this year. In their own words, they share what the JAG 28 Birthday Walk meant to them, how they kept going when it got hard, and what they learned about sacrifice, legacy, and showing up even when it’s tough.

In the second half of the episode, the boys reflect on their recent experience at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day — a place they say every young American should visit.

This is a conversation that will remind you why we remember, why we walk, and why the story of Senior Airman Mark Forester — JAG 28 — lives on, one generation at a time.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

GORUCK Review: What Actually Fits in the Full Panel Water Bottle Pocket

April 12, 2026 By Thad Forester

My biggest question when it comes to water bottle holders/pouches is will they hold my water bottles–like a 32 oz or bigger. I show how multiple sizes of water bottles fit in this pouch – Yeti, Nalgene, Prometheus Design Werx (PDW), and a standard disposable water bottle.

You can watch my video review here:

🔥Read more and get yours here: https://www.thadforester.com/water-bottle-pocket

GORUCK Rucksacks/backpacks shown in this video:

GR1:

GR2:

Mentioned: Basic Rucker:

#goruck #rucking #edcgear #tacticalgear #gearreview #goruckgear #waterbottlepouch #bottleholder #goruckreview #edcsetup #goruckmods review #tested #worthit #gearjunkie #amazonfinds