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 3.0 or 4.0?

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

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 is covered in my YouTube video.

Final Verdict

The Rucker 5.0 is GORUCK’s best Rucker yet. If you’re on a 3.0, 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.

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

GORUCK GR3 Review: The Ultimate One-Bag Travel Rucksack

February 8, 2026 By Thad Forester

GORUCK GR3 review in garage — My GR3 35L Cordura pack, next to 21L GR1 and 16L GR0

The GORUCK GR3 is a massive, purpose-built travel ruck designed for people who want one bag that can handle everything from airports to rugged trips without babying their gear.

You can also watch my YouTube review, that will cover some details not listed in this article:

GORUCK GR3 Overview

The GR3 sits at the upper limit of carry-on size, giving you a cavernous main compartment that works perfectly for one-bag travel, extended trips, or hauling bulky gear. It keeps GORUCK’s classic clean, tactical-inspired aesthetic, so it looks just as at home in an airport as it does on a dirt road.

Currently offering 35L and 45L capacity in a rectangular, clamshell layout for efficient packing (mine is the 35L).
Built from 1000D Cordura with heavy-duty zippers and reinforced handles for serious durability.
Internal frame sheet and padded straps to handle heavy loads more comfortably over distance.

Build Quality and Materials

Like other GORUCK packs, the GR3 is built with overkill in mind: thick 1000D Cordura, beefy YKK zippers, and bartack-reinforced stress points that are tested well beyond typical carry weights. The fabric shrugs off abrasion and rough handling, and the structure of the bag stays solid even when fully loaded.

Highly abrasion-resistant Cordura resists scuffs and tearing in harsh environments.
Back side and underneath shoulder straps are 210D HT, which reduces wear on clothing or skin.
Internal frame sheet helps the ruck keep its shape and transfers weight better to your back, and protects your laptop.
Water resistance is solid for light rain and travel, though not fully waterproof. However, the laptop compartment and quick access pocket have AquaGuard zippers.

Organization and Packing Layout

These elastic bands are another option for internal organization

The GR3 is intentionally simple inside: a huge main compartment with minimal built-in organization, designed to work best with packing cubes and pouches. This lets you build your own system depending on whether you’re packing clothes, camera gear, or mission-focused loadouts.

Full clamshell opening makes packing and access straightforward and fast.
Internal MOLLE/Velcro fields and mesh pockets give you anchor points without over-complicating the layout.
External MOLLE on the bottom allows for add-ons and customization (think Tough Bag, sleeping bag, pad, tent and much more)

Comfort and Carry

35L GR3 on 6′ 1″ male

When empty, the GR3 is heavier than many travel packs (my 35L is 4 lbs, but GORUCK lists at 4.3 lbs), but the tradeoff is structure and durability that hold up under serious weight. The padded shoulder straps and sternum strap compatibility help keep the load stable and high on your back, which is important when you’re carrying everything you own for a week or more.

Thick shoulder straps (almost 3″ wide) and a supportive frame sheet reduce pressure points under heavy loads.
Optional padded hip belt is valuable for long walks through airports, across town or in the mountains. (note: not compatible with 35L).
Best suited for users comfortable managing larger, heavier packs; overkill for light minimalist loads.

Who the GORUCK GR3 Is For

The GR3 is ideal if you want a bombproof, one-and-done travel ruck that can take abuse, carry a lot, and still fit in the overhead bin on many airlines. If you prioritize comfort under heavy loads and long-term durability over ultralight weight and built-in organizers, this ruck belongs on your shortlist.

Great for one-bag travelers, missionaries, military/tactical users, and adventure travelers.
Overkill for commuters or those who pack very light and don’t need 35+ liters.
Backed by GORUCK’s SCARS lifetime warranty, making it a long-term investment rather than a disposable pack.

GORUCK GR3 in airport seat — I love traveling with my 35L GR3

Use this GR3 review alongside some of my other reviews on ThadForester.com to decide which GORUCK ruck fits your travel and rucking style best:

My New Purchase: GR1 USA – Lightweight Ripstop ROBIC Backpack | Arctic Camo

GORUCK GR2 Review: 10 Years Later and Still Going Strong

GORUCK GR1, GR2, GR3, Rucker – Are They Worth the Money?

Air travel note: although the GR3 is the largest possible carry-on for most or all american airlines, it takes up a lot of space on smaller planes. I flew on an EMB 145 and the 35L wouldn’t fit under the seat and took up the entire overhead bin. If someone else had wanted to use the bin over our row, one of our bags wouldn’t fit. However, on the A321 that I flew in the next leg, my 35L GR3 fit under the seat no problem. For another reference, I flew an EMB 175 recently and my bag had no problem fitting under the seat.

GORUCK GR0 (formerly GR Echo): Compact Everyday Carry Backpack for Travel and EDC

January 31, 2026 By Thad Forester

The GORUCK GR0 started life as the Echo and is essentially a smaller, 16L version of the GR1 built for smaller frames and lighter, everyday loads. The current X-PAC model uses VX21 fabric and AquaGuard zippers to prioritize light weight and weather resistance over traditional 1000D Cordura.

You can watch my review on YouTube below where I go into detail about what size laptop it will hold and a water test:

Layout, Organization, and Features

The GR0 follows the same basic layout as the GR1, just shrunk down:

Clamshell main compartment that opens flat for easy packing and access.
Internal organization:
- A sleeve at the back of the main compartment that can hold a laptop or tablet.
- Two internal pockets (one solid, one mesh) for organizing smaller items.
- Two rows of internal MOLLE webbing for pouches or accessories.
External features:
- Front slash pocket with AquaGuard zipper.
- Top carry handle with extra padding.
- Compatible with a hydration bladder where you can route the hose through the top.

A practical limitation regarding hydration: there’s no MOLLE on the shoulder straps (specifically for the X-PAC version) for securing the hose, so it will “roam free” unless you improvise with clips or aftermarket keepers. The bottom is padded like GORUCK’s other rucks to protect contents when you set it down.

Fit, Comfort, and Use on the Move

I’m 6’1″ and the 16L GR0 rides high on my back with the bottom well above my waistline. That high‑and‑tight fit is intentional and keeps the bag from digging into your belt or hips, which is especially helpful for shorter users or anyone who dislikes low‑hanging packs.

GORUCK’s 30 lb plate will not fit in the laptop compartment

Non-GORUCK plate takes up entire pack on inside

Non-GORUCK 30 lb plate will not fit in laptop compartment

Compared to the GR1, the GR0’s shoulder straps are noticeably thinner and narrower. For everyday carry loads, those straps are fine, but this pack is not meant for rucking heavy weight plates due to the strap profile and the lack of a dedicated ruck plate pocket. You could ruck with it, but it’s not what I would personally choose it for.

Weather Resistance and X-PAC Performance

The X-PAC VX21 fabric is inherently waterproof, and GORUCK pairs it with YKK AquaGuard zippers on the GR0 to create a very weather‑resistant package. X-PAC was originally developed for high‑performance racing sails, so it’s light, stiff, and designed to resist water and deformation under load.

In my hose‑test at the end of the video, water beads and runs off the X-PAC panels and zippers very easily. After deliberately spraying the zippers and soaking the exterior, I find the main compartment and laptop compartment dry, with just a small amount of water in one area—likely where the two zippers meet—suggesting excellent real‑world water resistance for rain, wet fields, and most travel conditions.

Verdict: A Purpose‑Built Minimalist EDC Pack

The GR0 is “another great minimalist bag” that I currently don’t use much because it doesn’t match my specific needs, but I clearly recognize its strengths for the right user. For someone who wants a tough, compact, highly weather‑resistant backpack with smart organization and doesn’t plan to load it like a ruck, the GR0 X-PAC checks those boxes and then some.

My son traveled with it recently. It was the perfect size and for walking around DC in the rain, it was a life-saver

If you fall into that minimalist EDC and light‑travel category—and your laptop fits—the GORUCK GR0 is easy to recommend as a small, overbuilt pack that will likely outlast most of your other gear.

Related reviews:

GR1 Ripstop Robic: 21 L size

Bullet X-PAC: What is it’s Purpose?