What to Wear While Rucking

Function Trumps Fashion

Yo! ‘Member when Fresh Prince’s mom told him, “You go to school to learn, not for a fashion show”? She wasn’t lyin’. Same applies to rucking. Not that you can’t or aren’t supposed to look fly while marching weight all over God’s country, but when you’re miles away from home and can’t get a WiFi signal, the last thing you should be worried about is how sexy you look on Instagram. You’re rucking, that’s influential enough. Also, don’t you even think about packing a selfie stick. No, no way, uh-uh, forget it. Instead, we headed downtown to the Gallery Mall to browse practical rucking apparel. 

Winter is coming. So, as most of the country braces for impending colder months, that doesn’t mean you have to go into hibernation with them. Suiting up in the appropriate winter rucking wardrobe will help you stay focused on your fitness goals and make those unforgiving temps a breeze.

SPEED UP FROM THE FEET UP

Let’s start with footwear. If your feet aren’t cared for, you’re doomed to ruck in purgatory. 

The two obvious options are shoes and boots. Temperature aside, if you’re rucking in any sanctioned event led by someone who holds all the cards, and this goes for every piece of clothing you’re wearing, you have an approximately 99.9% chance of getting wet. If not fully submerged head to toe in a random lake or river, or salty ocean, consider yourself lucky if your feet stay dry.

With that being said, look for footwear with drain holes or that are at least breathable. If you’re confident your feet won’t see water deeper than your shoe’s sole is high (i.e., maybe 1”), then waterproof footwear (see Gore-Tex, or GTX) can be a lifesaver. Wet feet in shoes that retain water don’t have a chance to dry, and will bark louder than your neighbor’s annoying dog.

When considering standard features, all the common sense factors come into play: support, comfort, and durability. Remember, whatever’s on your feet not only has to carry you, but be built to cushion the additional weight of your ruck. 

Look for:

• A strong, durable heel (as tough as Rowdy Roddy Piper)

• Proper arch support (sorry, barefoot runners)

• Ankle support (if needed, seek boots)

• Sturdy, yet flexible range of motion (they should give a little)

• Reinforced toe (to test, go kick rocks)

• Roomy toe box (it’s normal that your feet will swell)

• Grippy traction (don’t get caught slippin’)

Pro tip: If your ruck route involves trekking over snow or ice, slip-on traction cleats are a differentiator. When you get back to dry, non-slick ground, they’re easy to remove and light enough to toss in your ruck until you need them again.

ES O SÍ QUE ES

Not even the laziest beach bum would dare ruck in shoes without socks. There’s one, generally universal rule for every article of clothing that touches your skin while rucking: synthetics—good, cotton—bad. Cotton retains moisture and inhibits breathability. Imagine dipping a sponge in water and then being forced to wear that cold, heavy dripping sponge for the duration of your ruck. That’s cotton. And, if you’re wearing it on your feet, add a footful of blisters into the mix, too.

Any quality athletic wear usually with the word “performance” adjacent, if you’re not prepared, may come with a bit of sticker shock. Still, trusted brands are worth the price of admission. You’ll find them made from synthetic fabrics such as nylon, polyester, spandex, and even Merino wool.

Again, going back to personal preference, sock length (e.g., no-show, ankle, crew) and cushioning/padding will be the other two options to consider. Just make sure that your socks rise above the tops of your shoe to prevent your ankles from chaffing or blistering. 

On that note, test drive your footwear to see how different sock thicknesses feel, and whether there’s room for doubling up with a second pair for those colder, yet beautiful snowy evening rucks. The worst thing that can happen is that you get stranded out in the middle of nowhere in the dead of winter. If that happens, you’ll eventually lose feeling in your toes anyway so your socks won’t even matter. Moral: Don’t buy cotton. Or get lost.

Pro tip: For longer distance rucks, no matter the temperature, consider doubling up regardless. Many experienced ruckers note the benefits from wearing a pair of “toe socks” under their standard pair. Keeping each of your little piggies splayed will minimize blistering in between them and them crying all the way home. 

DANCE OFF

Keep your pants on, bruh. But! You do want a pair that you can get jiggy in. Ha, I KNEW I could slide another Will Smith reference in here somewhere. Where were we… Oh, yeah—pants.

Depending on how hot or cold you normally gauge, think about pants—and shirts and outerwear (we’ll talk about them next)—like porridge. Some will be heavy and rugged, some thin and airy, and some just right. Some will be too tight, some too baggy, and some will be just right. Wear what works for you, full stop.

You want a pair that are flexible enough to articulate and give when you’re climbing, crawling, and squatting. They also need to be tough enough to resist abrasions and not rip or tear every time you brush up against a tree limb or your knees meet gravel.

Additionally, one of the most advantageous features will be whether they’re quick-drying. If not, you might as well just ruin your favorite pair of designer denim jeans and call it a short day because you won’t get far (comfortably).

If you’ve found a pair that ticks all of the boxes above, they’re probably also going to be lightweight, too. Good. You want your clothes to breath so it doesn’t become tough for you to.

While the topic of belt loops and pockets probably isn’t going to turn anyone on, it’s worth noting that you should give them both a little tug test. If you have to wear a belt, you want to rely on its loops. Further, some performance pants have built-in belts. Test those for durability as well. If there’s room, wear a standard belt for redundancy because if the first one snaps, it will definitely be a pants off dance off (speaking from experience). For pockets, zippers come in handy, but cheap ones on cheap pants will be more of a headache than no zippers at all. 

For warmer climates, performance shorts are probably a no-brainer for casual rucks. However, sacrificing the protection below the knees during events when you’re sure to get down on all fours is a risk many do still take. If you want the best of both worlds, consider convertible pants that zip-away at the knees. Win-win. 

T-SHIRT TIME

Yeah, buddy! The name of the up-top apparel game is layers. Say it with me, “Lay-ers.” 

Let’s go back to what we tip-toed around in our recommendations for socks, above. When it comes to shirts, this is probably the most critical piece of apparel when considering type and quality of fabrics. Unless you’re a batshit crazy masochist, stay away from cotton at all expense. You will regret it. Opt for moisture-wicking, fast-drying synthetics like nylon and polyester. Bonus points if you find something that’s also odor-resistant.

Your base layer is the most important layer, followed by your outer layer (or shell). If it’s warm outside, your base layer may also be your only layer, so choose wisely. 

It’s not uncommon to have a few shirts in your dresser you’d wear as a base layer, depending on the temperature. And, it’s normal to wear a couple shirts underneath your outermost layer, which is often a waterproof windbreaker. In typical scenarios, your base layer is probably going to be your lightest layer. It’ll sit closest to your skin and make it easy to add additional layers.

If you know you’re going to be moving enough to keep a sweat going, a decent rule of thumb is to leave the house dressed as if it’s 20 degrees warmer. That delayed gratification comes in handy when you need it most.

On a 40-degree day, try a thin base layer under a light windbreaker. When temps drop below freezing, you might be able to get away with the same light base layer now under a thicker jacket. Then, as it gets really chilly willy, we’re talking below 20 degrees, you’d introduce a mid-weight or heavier, insulated base layer, an optional second layer for reinforcement, and then a jacket to complement what’s underneath while also being able to withstand the elements.

IGNORE THE RUNWAY

There is not a single cultural fashion trend that cares about its practical application or function as much you should when choosing what to wear while rucking. We can’t stress enough that you should wear what you’re comfortable with so you can conquer your ruck without feeling miserable because you’re too hot or too cold. Eat the porridge that’s just right for you.

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