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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.

GORUCK MACV-1 High Speed Rucking Boots – How do they compare to AFSOC Standard Issued Altama Tactical Assault Boots

October 12, 2025 By Thad Forester

Here is a video review I did where I compare these to Altama and Oakley boots:

GORUCK MACV-1 8″ High-Top (Hi-Speed) Boots: Built for the Miles?

If you spend hours under a ruck, you know that good boots can make or break your training. The GORUCK MACV-1 8″ High-Top (or Hi-Speed) boots are designed for ruckers, travelers, and anyone who demands both toughness and comfort in one package. They’re inspired by the jungle boots worn by U.S. Special Forces in Vietnam, but upgraded with modern materials and design for today’s miles.

Lightweight, Durable, and Fast-Drying

GORUCK kept these boots simple and functional. They’re not waterproof—but that’s intentional. Shielded drain holes push water out fast while keeping debris from getting in. The result? Dry feet and no heavy, soggy boots during long rucks or wet workouts. The high-top version adds ankle stability without feeling bulky, and they’re surprisingly lightweight for their size, my size 11.5’s are 1 lb 2.7 oz.

Performance You Can Feel

Underfoot, the MACV-1s provide solid support whether you’re walking city streets, forest trails, or sandy backroads. The outsole gives you traction without trapping mud, and the cushioning stays firm enough to handle loaded miles. The boots require absolutely no break-in period and only get better with time.

Built to Last—Backed for Life

Like all GORUCK gear, the MACV-1s come with the SCARS Lifetime Guarantee—a promise that if they fail, GORUCK will fix or replace them. That peace of mind adds value to every mile you put in.

Bottom Line

The MACV-1 High-Top is a reliable, do-everything boot. It’s tough enough for rucking and field use, but light and comfortable enough for everyday wear. If you want one pair of boots that can handle long rucks, yard work, travel, and hard training, these fit the bill. You’ll see why the MACV-1 High Speed boots are way stripped down jungle boots and are arguably the most athletic shoe that you can possibly make a boot.

Also, they are AR 670-1 Compliant Boots.

For more info, read this article: https://www.thadforester.com/best-shoes-for-rucking/

GORUCK Basic Rucker Review: Simple, Tough, and Purpose-Built

October 10, 2025 By Thad Forester

man sitting in woods with goruck basic rucker

Read more from GORUCK and purchase yours here: https://www.thadforester.com/basic-rucker

You can watch my review on YouTube below where I go into detail about weight plate sizes and water bottles that will fit:

The GORUCK Basic Rucker lives up to its name—it’s basic. But in true GORUCK fashion, “basic” doesn’t mean cheap or weak. This pack is stripped down to the essentials yet built with the same bombproof quality and thoughtful design GORUCK is known for.

One feature that I appreciate them including is the MOLLE webbing on the shoulder straps, which allows you to add accessories like a sternum strap, pouch, or bladder hose retainer. That flexibility makes it easy to tailor the setup for your training style.

Shoulder Strap Analysis

Below are comparisons to the GR1’s shoulder straps:

goruck gr1 vs basic rucker shoulder straps — Thickness of GR1 straps on top vs Basic Rucker on bottom

I also love the 420D Robic fabric—it’s soft, quiet, and has none of the stiffness found in some of GORUCK’s heavier Cordura materials. Inside and out, I break down the design, compare its shoulder straps to the GR1, test three different weight plates, and even perform a simple water test to see how it holds up.

Comparison to Bullet Rucker 4.0

This Basic Rucker is much like my 15L Bullet Rucker 4.0 that I got in 2023. Here is a comparison chart:

GORUCK Bullet Rucker 15L (left) vs. Basic Rucker 17L (right)

Zippers

One last tid-bit: the zipper on the Basic Rucker is smaller than on the Bullet Rucker 4.0. This makes sense b/c the Basic Rucker is purpose built for rucking. The Bullet Rucker 4.0 is meant to be more versatile–for rucking and workouts (hence the bottom handle too), which may mean tossing and getting more banged up.

Bullet Rucker 4.0 on left, Basic Rucker on right.

Even though GORUCK no longer sells this particular Bullet Rucker 4.0 (on the left), I’m sure many of you are still holding on to it. It’s been my go-to ruck sack since 2023. So, I figured it was a good GORUCK bag to compare the Basic Rucker to. I really can’t tell how the Basic Rucker is 2L bigger than the Bullet Rucker, but it must be in the depth near the bottom.

Conclusion

Have you ever been looked at suspiciously b/c you’re rucking (or walking around) with a backpack? I used to get this often when I used to leave. I think this was mostly b/c my backpack was camo and I always had on dark colors. This Basic Rucker helps make you looks much less shady due to the wide reflective strip down the back.

GORUCK took all their lessons learned since 2008 about building rucks and pared them down to the essentials to create the Basic Rucker®

If you’re looking for a minimalist yet durable ruck for training, this one delivers exactly what you need—nothing more, nothing less.

The price right now is the lowest “barrier to entry” for getting a high quality, comfortable rucksack with a Scars Lifetime Guarantee.

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

September 13, 2025 By Thad Forester

I took advantage of GORUCK’s Christmas in July sale and finally got a Ripstop Robic version of the GR1, size 21L.

You can watch my YouTube review here:

I love this Ripstop Robic material–how it feels, bends and cleans up.

Zipper garage on the Quick Access Pocket to keep out water and dust

I sprayed it with a water hose. Direct water did not go thru the material, only some water got in from where the zippers joined on the main compartment. This material will keep your items dry if out in the rain, unless it’s a monsoon.

It’s translucent, letting light in, which is a unique feature making it very easy to see what’s inside when it’s opened up and you’re digging in the bottom of it.

My 10 yr old son loves using this for school b/c of how it feels on his back and shoulders. His only complaint is there is no water bottle holder, and no webbing to easily attached a water bottle too. But, he makes due with the shoulder straps and the molle webbing on them.

boy wearing GORUCK GR1 Ripstop Robic to school

I have 2 cons with this particular pack:

The quick access pocket (QAP) is behind the top handle, so when I hang up the bag, I can’t get to the QAP without taking it off the hook. This may be an intentional security feature by GORUCK, but I still prefer it on the other side closest to the outside of the bag.
No hole for hydration bladder hose on the top (normally under the handle). I think this is b/c of the quick access pocket, but I still think they could include it so this bag and easily be used to ruck distances requiring water bladders.

After using any GORUCK packs, why would you buy a JanSport? It’s only going to last a short time, if it’s used regularly. It will not keep your contents dry. And those shoulder straps are weak and unpadded.

Okay, maybe the price is why. I get it. Not everyone is able or willing to spend the kind of money it requires for GORUCK gear, but if you want quality and the market’s best warranty, get a GORUCK product.