How to Pick a Rucking Backpack That’s Right for You

Four Key Considerations for a Critical Piece of Gear That Should Have Your Back

Rucking without a rucking backpack isn’t rucking. Cue the sad trombone. Instead, it’s simply walking or running for those who, like Kenny Powers, aren’t trying to be the best at exercising. We kid, we kid.

Introducing a load-bearing, military style backpack (i.e., a rucking backpack, aka a rucksack, or ruck) to your choice of physical activities changes the rules of engagement. Do it once, and you can say you rucked. Do it on the regular with a proper ruck, and you’ll have initiated yourself into a community as tough as what you should be carrying on your back.

If you’re new to the sport, you wouldn’t be the first person to think that all you have to do is throw a couple barbells in your JanSport from college. To be fair, in theory, you can casually shuffle by with that approach. But, you won’t want to. Fair warning: If you’re serious about rucking, cutting corners on its single most critical component will catch up to you in a bad way.

Picking a rucking backpack that’s right for you can be overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for. This blog will fix that. We’ll guide you through some basic considerations so you can invest in one that literally and figuratively fits you.

WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

A quality rucking backpack will take you far—literally hundreds, even thousands, of miles. So, where do you see yourself going? Where you’re currently at in your fitness journey should be the first thing you consider when weighing your options. Why? Well...

We both know that you have to walk before you run, but you should be able to do both without restriction before your start rucking. That’s not to say you have to have a marathon under your belt, but this is where you need to be real with yourself. If running—even jogging a 5K, let’s say, exhausts you that’s okay because you’ve established your own starting point. There’s plenty of road, grass, trails, and even water ahead for you to work up to and conquer.

If you’ve never rucked before or are prone to skip leg day, start small—as in with less weight. When you pick up rucking, it’s a smart idea to add weight in increments of five to 10 pounds every couple weeks as you notice yourself gaining strength, speed, and stamina. Remember, rucking is generally synonymous with long(er) distances so you’ll want to ensure that whatever weight you carry out you’re able to carry back.

To what degree do you envision integrating rucking into your exercise lifestyle? If your end goal is to compete in serious rucking events and challenges or even join the military, then you’ll want to work your way up toward a rucking backpack that can accommodate those scenarios and their standards, and weight requirement.

However, if infrequent, casual rucking with friends or family around the neighborhood is going to be more your speed then you can probably save a few bucks on a more friendly budget option. To that, many legitimate rucking events require certain rucking backpacks to participate—to protect you and them. If that’s the case, that big box clearance item won’t cut it.

SIZE MATTERS

Sorry, but it’s true. Fortunately, your build and stature will naturally help you narrow down your search. In addition to being conscious of its standard width x height x depth measurements, rucking-specific backpacks are often categorized by their size in liters.

For sanctioned events, you’ll see most participants sporting rucks in the 20-40L range. Anything larger and you’ll notice a transition away from features that complement rucking to packs intended more for camping and thumbing it cross-country.

The right ruck for you needs to not only fit, but be comfortable. You could eventually be carrying up to 30 pounds or more in weight alone—plus water, food, a change of clothes, misc. supplies, etc.—for long stretches at a time. So, when you’re trying them on, test them with 15-20 pounds for a realistic fit. Assuming you’ve adjusted its straps, and aside from the fact that it’s going to be heavy (spoiler!), if it’s not comfortable, keep shopping.

When looking at its specs, it should be a size that’s appropriate for your torso (not necessarily your height, see below).

If you don’t have the luxury of getting fitted for a rucking backpack at a retailer, recruit a buddy to help you measure your torso at home. Here’s how: Put your hands on your hips—where the space between your thumbs and index fingers is resting on the squishy muscle just above your hip bones. If yours isn’t squishy, congratulations on being a unicorn. Then, draw an imaginary line between your hands to the center of your spine. That’s your first focal point.

Next, bend your head down as if you’re looking at your feet. At the base of your neck you should feel your C7 vertebrae protrude slightly. Don’t worry—you didn’t break anything, that’s normal. That’s your second point. Lastly, raise your head to a neutral position, and measure the length between both points to find your torso length.

Estimated sizes should look similar to this, but, of course, may vary:

Extra-small ruck = torso length up to 15+”
Small = 16-17+”
Medium = 18-19+”
Large = 20+”

When on and loaded with weight, your shoulder straps should be contoured to your shoulders, and your optional padded waist/hip belt (highly recommended) should be centered on your hip bones and hug your waist snug. Proper weight distribution should put about 80% on your legs, which alleviates pressure on your upper body.

FASHION-SMASHION

Function first. When you’re rucking, you’re gonna sweat. You’ll probably get a little dirty, too. If you’re extra lucky, you might even scrape your knees crawling out of your comfort zone. Good. The only thing you need to worry about is whether everything you need is in or on your ruck. This is not a fashion show, so pick one that can withstand the rigors of everything you plan to throw at it.

Your rucking backpack has to be durable and comfortable, plain and simple. When you’re comparing features and benefits, ask yourself if it’s built for your preferred rucking frequency, intensity, and capacity.

Here’s the quick down and dirty on the basics you should consider.

Exterior

Molle

Slow down, speed raver. We’re talking about Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment. These are the familiar, heavy-duty grids of nylon webbing you see stitched onto tactical packs, gear, and equipment. Aside from being able to clip your cute, travel-size sanitizer solution to them, they’re essential in their compatibility for affixing modular accessories. The three most basic include a hip belt, sternum strap, and strap to secure your hydration hose in place on your shoulder strap.

Shoulder straps

First, if they’re not padded, take a hard pass.

The wider the straps, the better they’ll distribute weight across your shoulders. These will probably be the first component to break or rip—on any ruck, especially as you increase the weight they’re carrying. Also inspect for how reinforced the section between both straps is, at the top of your ruck. If one of your straps doesn’t go first, this middle section will.

Back padding

Would you rather carry a pillow or piece of plywood on your back? Without any padding, you will definitely feel whatever’s inside your ruck knocking against your back and spine, knocking against your spine, knocking against your spine. Get the picture?

Handles

If you’re considering events or workout challenges where you’re expected to remove your ruck and use it (plus everything in it) as a weight, handles on the sides as well as on the top and bottom will come in handy. C’mon, that was too easy.

Otherwise, if your definition of rucking doesn’t include you removing your ruck during exercise, then you’re good without them.

Pro tip: Rucking backpacks double as perfect travel companions. Most rucks 45L and smaller are also TSA carry-on compliant. Boom: a twofer.

Water Storage

This could mean a typical mesh pocket on the exterior for your favorite sticker-covered water bottle (not as reliable, or convenient). Or, for those going the distance—an interior pocket to hold a BPA-free hydration bladder whose hose snakes out of the top or side of the ruck for easy access will eliminate one thing you’ll have to constantly stop for.

Speaking of H2O, it’s a bonus if your ruck is water-resistant, or “rainproof.” But, make sure that it also has the ability to drain. Either way, and you may want to sit down for this: If you sign up for most high-bar ruck challenges, you and your ruck are getting wet regardless if it’s raining, like it or not.

Interior

Weight plate pockets

Do not let your weight(s) rattle around in your rucking backpack. You know what? As a matter of fact, if you buy the right ruck, it’ll come standard with pockets designed to secure weight plates in the right place. Ideally, you want those pockets as high as possible in your ruck, which should also position them against your shoulders/upper back. If they’re just hanging out in a loose or exterior pouch or down toward your hips, your lower back is going to let you know about it.

Note: Some manufacturers design their plate pockets to only fit their proprietary weights.

Storage

Everyone’s packing list is going to be different. Find a ruck that’s got all the neat pockets, zippers, expandable sections, and secret compartments that work for you. Whether they’re advertised as such, most pockets or sleeves that would otherwise hold your weights and water bladder are perfect for a laptop, documents, and a book or two. So, when you show up to work, your colleagues will know who the boss is. That’s right, it’s you.

YOU’LL GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR

We’ll keep this short: You’ll get what you pay for. But, you already knew that. If you’re not quite ready to go all in, there are plenty of message boards and Facebook Groups for buying/selling secondhand rucks, retired models, and other gear. This is a great option if you want to dip your toe in the water before submerging your entire body to do hydro burpees.

Not all rucking backpacks are created equal. Some are barely held together by cheap stitching. Others will last longer than you. Regardless, your rucking backpack should not only be an extension of you while on your back, but it should have your back, too.

SHOP OUR GEAR