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

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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 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 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

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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:

GR1 on left, Basic Rucker on right
GR1 shoulder strap width
Basic Rucker 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

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.

Read more and get your GORUCK Basic Rucker here

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

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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.

water on goruck ripstop robic gr1

Fits easily under the seat on a plane

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 to school

boy wearing GORUCK GR1 Ripstop Robic to school


I have 2 cons with this particular pack:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

GORUCK Challenge Windbreaker Review – Indestructible for Ruckers?

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You can also watch my 6 min review video here:


I was glad to see GORUCK release this jacket again because I’ve been wearing the GORUCK Indestructible Challenge Windbreaker for rucks, workouts, travel, and rainy errands with my family since 2020, and it earned a permanent place in my rotation—several years ago. This isn’t just a jacket; it’s a tough shell that adapts to nearly every environment you throw it into—without sacrificing comfort, packability, or good looks.

Let’s break down what makes this windbreaker worth your money.


Built for Abuse, but not Bulky

Made from GORUCK’s ToughDry® fabric, originally designed for Special Forces-level punishment, this windbreaker is incredibly durable while remaining lightweight and breathable. If you’ve ever worn GORUCK’s Challenge Pants or Simple Pants, this is that same fabric in jacket form. It’s abrasion-resistant, dries fast, repels water and resists snags—so you can drag it through the woods, scrape against concrete, or throw it in the bottom of your ruck without worry.

If you use it for a GORUCK event (or are crawling thru feet of water for the fun of it), the outside pockets have a drain hole.

And unlike traditional tactical jackets, this one is streamlined and low-profile. No loud logos, only the small GORUCK spearhead logo on front. No bulky padding. Just purpose-built gear that feels just as at home in the woods as it does at a Little League game or in the office.

Fit and Function

The fit is athletic without being restrictive. It moves with you. I’ve worn it during workouts, fast-paced rucks, and camping multiple days in the rain. It layers easily over a base layer or under a heavier shell.

rucker with goruck challenge windbreaker


One of the best features? The subdued zipper pocket on the front chest. Perfect for EDC essentials—wallet, ID, cash, phone or even a small fixed-blade or multitool—without adding bulk.

phone in goruck challenge windbreaker


It also packs down small, which is great for travel or tossing in a go-bag.

For EDC Use

Quiet, light, and tough—it won’t tear up in the brush, and it sheds wind and light rain like a champ. It’s not fully waterproof, but that’s not its purpose. It’s built to breathe while giving you an outer layer of protection and mobility. For EDC folks, it offers enough concealment and storage without drawing attention. It’s gray man-approved.

Final Verdict

If you want a windbreaker that actually lives up to the “indestructible” claim, the GORUCK Challenge Windbreaker is it. It’s simple, functional, tough, lightweight, and looks good doing it. It’s a buy-once, use-forever kind of piece—and for ruckers and outdoor workouts, EDC enthusiasts, and busy families alike, it’s worth every penny b/c it’s going to last and is versatile.

Only knock: I wish there was a zipper pocket on the inside.

Stay ready. Stay comfortable. Keep rucking.

Also mentioned in the YouTube video:
Sternum Pouch
Performance TOUGHMESH Tee