GORUCKRucker 4.0 20L Black - Purpose Built Rucking Backpack, Military Weight Training Rucksack w/Ruck Plate Pocket and Extra Padded Straps

Why did you pick this product vs others?:I recently wrote a review about the GoRuck plate carrier. In that review, I noted its indestructible qualities. It’s a well-made pack that can stand a ton of use and more than likely a ton of abuse. I chose this pack so as to accommodate a longer 30 pound plate. As best as I can tell, it has the same well padded straps that the plate carrier has. It came with a sternum strap. I have learned over the years with my experience of packs that a sternum strap is actually important because it helps to keep the shoulder straps from slipping around and off your shoulders. I also bought this with a hip belt, which is optional. Again from my experience of using other packs, I would encourage a hip belt as it helps to distribute the weight between the shoulders and the hips. That’s not terribly important if you’re using just light weights. But if you’re looking at this pack, you probably intend to put more than 5 pounds in it. That means you should consider seriously getting the hip belt. Many camping backpacks have either an external or an internal frame. I’ve had packs with both. In the instance of this pack, there is no need for a frame as the plate serves the function of a frame. The effect of using a weighted pack such as this helps in a variety of ways, not the least of which is that it helps to pull your shoulders up back and down, and therefore straighten postures of those of us who spend far too much time slumped over keyboards and other devices.Yes, the pack is expensive. But no less so than some fine backpacking packs I’ve purchased. You might be able to find something cheaper. But this is a quality pack, not junk. This is a fine product and I would encourage you to go for it!

I I'm 6'2" and bought the Rucker 4.0 20L bag off of Amazon back in early January this year. It fits me perfectly and is very comfortable for daily use. I've added a 3-liter water bladder, optional padded hip belt which I wear very loose and a clip to keep the water hose line secure to the front of the bag where I can get to it. My bag will fit two 15 pound plates stacked in the short pocket plus one 45 pound long plate in the long pocket all at the same time that you can buy from Amazon for cheap (search "Yes4All" for their various plate offerings which do indeed fit this bag). Having only these three plates will, based on combination, let you choose from 15 pounds all the way up to 75 pounds in 15 pound increments (15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 pounds). If you need more weight than 75 pounds then you can also add some additional filled sand bags that they also sell on their website to get you to around 100 pounds max if you so chose. Right now I'm at 45-60 pounds (also including the bag weight and a filled water bladder that I've added) as my ideal for daily rucking and conditioning (start with 15pounds as your initial weight to get a feel for the bag and your conditioning for a week of use before increasing). The bag and straps themselves are built like a tank and will easily take lots of abuse and stay comfortable without rubbing or tearing under load. Just be sure to either remove the weight each time for storage, or ensure that you put the bag with weights flat on the floor (strap-side down!). *Don't* stand up the bag when loaded with weights and then lean the bag up against a wall for a long time else you will deform the inner plastic lumbar support that sits along the back of the bag. Always lay it flat on the ground with straps-side down (or remove the weights and store separately). It's a great and well thought-out system, and I feel I've gotten my money's worth many times over based on actual fitness results and the continued motivation to keep using this quality gear on a daily basis to get and stay outside longer and push harder. The weight is mounted high and tight on your back which is ideal for walking/hiking, and the bag moves with you without swinging or wobbling. It just feels, moves and looks great when in use, and you feel amazingly "bouncy" for the rest of the day after you take it off because your legs aren't supporting nearly as much weight! 🙂 Also check out Gorucks's amazing, supportive (and surprisingly affordable) footwear which are the best I've seen anywhere for these and similar activities where your feet take a lot of abuse. I have a pair of their MACV-2 Mid-tops and they're really great! They support all your arches and raise the heel a bit for optimized and comfortable load distribution over your entire foot.

I hesitated to buy this pack because of the price, but after trying to carry weight in cheap backpack I already owned and suffering shoulder pain and weight at the small of my back, I decided to buy once, cry once. And I couldn't be happier! This thing is top quality and purpose built for carrying weight the way it should be carried. I can't emphasize enough how much of a difference it makes. I can carry more weight more easily, the straps don't dig into my shoulders, the weight rides high up on my back as it should, it fits my body perfectly, and encourages an upright (not hunched) posture as I walk. The padded material on the back is also great as it doesn't absorb sweat like all my other backpacks do. It's also great for carrying a water bottle, towel, etc. inside the pack. I absolutely love it and would highly recommend it. It makes me want to get out there and put the work in each day. Just bite the bullet and buy it! It'll last forever and lets you focus on your workout, not your pack.

So far so good. I’m up to a 30 pound ruck weight. Seems to be holding up well. I wish it had a better way to put a water bag in it. Maybe I’m missing something but there doesn’t seem to be a way to route a water drinking hose up and over the shoulder.

The quality is phenomenal.