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GORUCK ToughMesh Sun Hoodie // Compared to 5.11 Tactical Sulli UV Hoodie

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man wearing goruck sun hoodie on boat
GORUCK Sun Hoodie on a hot day on the water

You can watch my short review here, with a few more details not covered in this article:


I’ve owned both the GORUCK Men’s Sun Hoodie – ToughMesh and the 5.11 Sulli Hoodie for more than a year. Instead of just wearing them occasionally, I wanted to put both through a full summer of heat, sweat, rucking, workouts, and everyday wear.

My goal was simple: Which one is the toughest and most versatile? I wanted a hoodie I could work out in, ruck in, sweat in, get wet in, and still wear casually without looking like I just came from the trail or practice field.

After putting both through the test, I have a clear favorite for year-round wear.

Fit and Comfort

Both hoodies are comfortable, but they have noticeably different feels.

The GORUCK ToughMesh is extremely lightweight and breathable. It almost disappears when you’re wearing it, which is a big advantage when you’re moving in hot weather. The fabric stretches well and does an excellent job moving moisture away from your skin.

The 5.11 Sulli feels a little more substantial while still being lightweight. I really like the fit, and it works equally well for workouts, outdoor activities, or casual wear.

For me, the Sulli gets the edge because it feels a little more like an everyday shirt while still performing like technical gear.

How Do They Handle Water?

Both perform well when things get wet.

The GORUCK ToughMesh is particularly impressive because it dries incredibly fast. Even without much wind, the fabric can go from soaked to dry surprisingly quickly.

The 5.11 also handles sweat and moisture well thanks to its wicking finish. It does not dry as fast as the GORUCK Sun Hoodie.

If you’re looking for something that gets wet and dries quickly, GORUCK has the advantage.


Functionality vs. Aesthetic

This is where I think the two hoodies really separate themselves.

The GORUCK is designed around performance. The ToughMesh fabric breathes, wicks, stretches, and packs down incredibly small. It’s an excellent choice when you’re focused on rucking or working out.

The Sulli does all of those things while looking a little more like a normal everyday hoodie.

That’s one of the reasons I’ve found myself wearing the 5.11 Sulli year-round. It doesn’t look out of place whether I’m working out, traveling, hiking, or just wearing it around town.

Which One Is the Most Stretchy?

Both have plenty of stretch, but the GORUCK ToughMesh feels more flexible and lightweight.

Depending on the color, the GORUCK is made from either 80% nylon, 15% elastane, 5% polyester or 85% nylon and 15% elastane. The elastane gives it plenty of stretch while the ToughMesh fabric keeps it incredibly light.

The 5.11 Sulli uses 100% polyester pique with a wicking and anti-odor finish.

For pure stretch and freedom of movement, I’d give this one to GORUCK.

Sun Protection

Both offer solid sun protection, but 5.11 wins on paper.

  • GORUCK ToughMesh: UPF 35
  • 5.11 Sulli: UPF 50+

If maximum UPF protection is your priority, the Sulli is the better choice.

Material

GORUCK uses its ToughMesh fabric, which is designed to breathe and wick moisture aggressively. It dries quickly and packs down to practically nothing. The fabric is milled in the foothills of the Italian Alps and is one of the biggest reasons this hoodie feels different from a traditional sun hoodie.

The 5.11 Sulli uses 100% polyester pique with a wicking and anti-odor finish. It’s not quite as ultra-light as the GORUCK, but I think the material contributes to its versatility and everyday appearance.


My Pick

If you’re buying strictly for maximum breathability, minimal weight, stretch, longevity and fast drying, I easily choose the GORUCK ToughMesh Sun Hoodie.

If you want one hoodie that can handle some workouts, rucking, summer heat, travel, everyday wear, and year-round use, I’m choosing the 5.11 Sulli Hoodie.

After more than a year with both and a full summer and winter of putting them through their paces, the Sulli is simply the one I find myself reaching for more often, but I mostly use it for everyday wear, not for rucking or exercising.

If you know me, I rarely choose another brand over GORUCK, but in this case or this specific piece of clothing, I like the 5.11 over the GORUCK Sun Hoodie.

What about you? What is your preferred sun hoodie? There are lots of options, so what brand do you like? or is the GORUCK Sun Hoodie the best you’ve used? Or are you only interested in price? If so, 5.11 is the cheapest.

Affiliate 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.

I am not a 5.11 Tactical affiliate. I applied to be one, but they turned me down. This review has nothing to do with whether I’m an affiliate or not–I like testing out gear and clothing and these shirts are two that I wear often in different environments.

https://www.thadforester.com/gr-sun-hoodie

https://www.511tactical.com/sulli-uv-hooded-long-sleeve.html?sku=888579720471&country=us&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=G_Shopping_Brand&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7dm-BhCoARIsALFk4v-BC-FXwca_78xM48BqLLyXBoDePGGT7cHTYF_gfn6oU8lowLdzzGUaArjmEALw_wcB

GORUCK Rucker – Long Range Review: Built for Longer Rucks

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The GORUCK Rucker – Long Range is designed for ruckers who want to carry more weight, cover longer distances, and have a little more room for their gear. It takes the familiar Rucker concept and adds features aimed at longer training sessions and more demanding rucks.

Note: You can watch my review on YouTube here. It covers some different areas that I write about in this article.


What Is the GORUCK Rucker – Long Range?

The Rucker – Long Range is a larger, more capable version of the traditional Rucker. It gives you additional space for weight, water, clothing, food, and other essentials without moving into the much larger GR3 category.

For someone who spends a lot of time rucking, that extra capacity can make a noticeable difference.

Built for Rucking

Like other GORUCK packs, the Rucker – Long Range is built with rucking in mind. The focus is on durability, a comfortable carry, and the ability to handle heavier loads.

The pack is especially interesting for ruckers who have moved beyond shorter workouts and want a backpack that can handle longer training sessions. It has two compartments, like the GR2, both with drain holes.


More Room for Longer Rucks

One of the biggest advantages is the added capacity. Longer rucks often require more than just a weight plate. You may need extra water, snacks, layers, first-aid supplies, or other equipment.

The Rucker – Long Range gives you more room to carry those items while still maintaining the basic design philosophy that makes the Rucker popular.


Comfort and Carry

A good rucking backpack needs to keep the load stable and comfortable over several miles. The Rucker – Long Range is designed around that goal–keeping heavy weight high on your back and close to your body.

As with any rucking pack, proper adjustment is important. A well-fitted pack can make a significant difference once you start adding serious weight and distance.

Who Is It For?

The Rucker – Long Range makes the most sense for:

  • Ruckers who regularly cover longer distances
  • People who carry more than just a weight plate
  • Those training for GORUCK Selection or other long distance and endurance rucking events
  • Ruckers who find a standard Rucker too limited on space
  • Anyone looking for a durable pack for demanding use

If most of your rucks are short and you carry only a plate and water, a smaller Rucker is probably the better choice.

Final Thoughts

The GORUCK Rucker – Long Range is an interesting addition to the Rucker lineup. It keeps the focus on rucking while giving you more capacity for longer workouts and bigger loads.

Currently, the only size the Long Range Rucker comes in is 39L. That’s pretty big. I’m 6′ 1″ but it’s not too long for me b/c the design keeps the pack and weight high on the back and pushes much of the volume out instead of length-wise.

For the rucker who wants to go farther without jumping to a much larger backpack, the Long Range could be a very practical middle ground.


Related article: GORUCK Rucker 5.0

GORUCK Rucker 5.0: Men’s Health Just Named It the Best Overall Rucking Backpack

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Men’s Health recently trail-tested the best rucking backpacks on the market and named the GORUCK Rucker 5.0 one of their top picks for anyone serious about weighted walking workouts. In their review, they highlight the Rucker 5.0 as the highest-capacity option that still feels comfortable on longer distances, thanks to its exaggerated lumbar support and heavy-duty, padded shoulder straps. The pack is built to carry up to 75 lbs of weight comfortably, making it ideal for athletes who want to push intensity without sacrificing form or back health.

male with goruck rucker 5.0


Why This Matters If You’re Already Rucking

If you’re already using a Rucker 4.0 or older—or any ruck pack that’s started to feel like it’s “working against you” on longer sessions—the Rucker 5.0 is the clearest upgrade path GORUCK has offered yet. The lumbar support alone changes how heavy loads feel at mile 5, 8, or 10, and the magnetic pockets are a quiet but huge daily-use improvement.

I’ve tested the 5.0 extensively and compared it to the Bullet Rucker 4.0 in my full review, but if you want a quick third-party validation, this Men’s Health article is a great one: it confirms the Rucker 5.0 is the category leader right now.

*Oh by the way, it’s now on sale for 30% off.*

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

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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.

man with goruck backpacks and shoes



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

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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.

male with goruck achilles weight vest on top of mountain

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

goruck achilles weight vest close up


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.
goruck achilles vest lifetime guarantee


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.

man with goruck achilles vest on mountain

*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.