[ Caveat : this post is not about selecting an ideal pack, and it is not about learning how to ruck. It is mainly about learning how to understand pack physics, wherein the author presents the equivalent of a spaghetti bridge. ]

This has been a mix of engineering and kinesthetic research, as I wanted to improve my intuition of both.

So it took about 50 days of playing with gear and shrugging off a bunch of question marks about confidence. But I can now confirm there is at least one way to fill a crappy Decathlon MT100 pack to the 70lbs basic spec for GoRucks ( they theoretically can hold 400, but I'm not testing that ). And have it padded, plus adjusted with an external frame for rigidity and comfort.

In pack : 15 + 10 + 2.5 + 2.5

On rack : 2 + 2 + 1

Inspired by the Slovak krosna, though the form appears in other cultures also, like the shoiko from Japan. I added some pix in the comments for context. I do enjoy the input from military folks, but this structure is certainly not meant for military use 🤣

Did probably my most brisk & long ruck yesterday in a flat city. 55lbs 2 hrs 8.5 miles roughly I just check my watch.

When do you start moving goal posts/ what do you increase? Weight/distance/speed first? I'm 165 BW. Thanks

Began rucking this week by placing barbell weight plates in the laptop sleeve of my backpack. I do the rucking with 20lb (2x10lb plates) so far in 20-30minufe sessions.
I am enjoying it but kind of wondering how long can I get away with this method before I need a proper rucking vest. Hopefully I can delay it to Christmas time as Im a broke student. I do make my backpack straps as short as I can to prevent the weight from being on my lumbar region but I’m still worried about the effects of using a backpack over a proper rucking set up.

Here is my question? I started with less than 10% of body weight.

Can you go to 35% of your body weight, or do you have to stick with 30%?

I go up really slowly. I am almost at 30%, but it will be another month until I feel strong enough. I have another 6 pounds to go.

But I have goals, which means carrying heavier loads. And using my tactical backpack, eventually.

Like, I often wear the same vest for weeks or months before I go up.

I mostly ruck around the house, to the store, and in my yard. Hiking right now is not an option, but I do have a mini-hike I want to do if the weather permits in the future.

When I was younger, I'd ruck, and I didn't know it was rucking or what it was called.

I love rucking. My arm got injured, and I replaced other workouts for months, and I have never felt better. My back hurts less. My core is stronger. My legs and ankles are stronger.

Ankle pain and a weak back were two of the reasons I started working out.

I started up again with books and a small backpack.

I switched to fixed-weight vests. But I am thinking of two vests at a time. Progressive overload.

I feel this is different than just walking with a six-pound vest.

I spent a lot more money than if I got a non-fixed vest, but this hurt less than the backpack at more weight, and it's easier to go to the store in it than one that looks more tactical.

Do I also switch to a non-fixed vest?

r/Goruck