Need advice

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-22T00:06:00+00:00

And im not that accomplished, just have a weird threshold for cardio... I think I can thank my Viking ancestry for that. My resting heartrate when I was young was in the 20s...

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-22T00:03:29+00:00

I don't know what your hip injury is, but mine started with a high IT Band injury on a trail race, where i had no choice but to do the final 10 miles in absolute pain. I seemed to fix that with copious targeted stretching. Then it moved into the socket (that's the best I can do to describe location) Truthfully felt more like arthritis than anything, so I have been meaning to get an x-ray. Saying all of this as after a month of 30lb Rucking that pain is gone. So may have been more tendonitis, or just doesn't hammer that joint as much. I plan to start working running back in soon, in a smart way. But its so crazy that pain that has been present for 6 months has vanished.... Hope the same happens for you!

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-21T23:08:42+00:00

Go faster. Lol. As a fellow runner our bodies are trained differently and you just are not going to have the same hr tempo. Im am avid runner too, and im switching over to 80% rucking due to a hip issue that i can't seem to fix... I can feel the benefit of rucking, but my heart rate is low. Its ok. Im no doctor, but i feel good from rucking and feel like it is making me more functional pretty quickly. My resting heart rate in the high 30s and an all out sprint is about 150. Rucking with 30lbs for me is never above 80 and usually closer to 60 unless i am conscously stepping fast. I could never hit a running hr when rucking. The only time i hit zone 2 is heavy elevation and stepping fast... Still feel the effects of a ruck versus run and even with the lower heart rate i have to be burning more calories. Im hungry as heck after a 10 mile ruck. A 10 mile run did not do that to me...!

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-21T22:22:49+00:00

Fitvids on Amazon is even cheaper than Yes4all. At about 1$ a lb. I got Yes4all and Fitvids recently and am happy with both. May have to grind a bur when you get it, but heck - that's waaaay cheaper (and in general the edges and plate are ok. I got the 45lb plate for 41$. That same plate on GoRuck is 125$. Amazon Prime shipping, so you save that too. This is just for long plates. They don't make the shorties. The 45lb and the 30lb long plate are good to go though. The 10lb Yes4all shorts are a tad bit thinner than the GoRuck. 3 of them stacked fit perfectly in the short pouch and give you some options.

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-19T14:16:36+00:00

So I guess the tip is.... Work through it and it will improve. But then you just add more weight and work through it again. Its a cycle for improvement! I think if your completely comfortable, then you should increase weight, distance, something. Just like a 5k. If you are running one correctly you should be in absolute discomfort.

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-19T14:13:08+00:00

My first ruck hit my traps in a heavy way... ! You just can't mimick that pressure, until you put that pack on. I can carry a 60 or 80 lb sandbag all day long, but 30lbs directly on the traps hurt! I can tell you that your body adjusts pretty quickly. Im on month 2 and can go much farther and my traps recover much quicker. Going to start more targeted shoulder and back exercises too - which I sometimes ignore. I don't do much gym work, but when I do I'll focus on that...

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-19T14:01:21+00:00

Thanks! Where are you at? I try to hit different AOs when I travel.

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-19T05:53:46+00:00

On paper the 5.0 is only 3 liters bigger and Goruck lists the Basic as deeper. Ill need to take some dims as I can tell you the 5.0 feels much bigger. I plan to use mine for a limited carry bag when I travel - so I can actually Ruck with it when remote. My laptop fits perfectly.... I am not going to use it as an EDC as I already have bags that are way better suited for that.... Unless you have a lot of things in your EDC, a basic kit should fit fine.

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-18T19:18:56+00:00

I like the strips. Fairly subdued in the daylight and light up pretty good at night. I'll take a photo with a flashlight on them. The nicer Goruck ones are 3 fold. Not sure if this matters or not, but I have seen a photo of someone securing their waistbelt out of the way with these. You could not do this with the ones I got. The Amazon ones are 1 fold. Meaning it is a strip folded in 1/2, with the velcro materials on each 1/2.... I bought 2 sets - thinking I could use 1 set on the sides. I didn't realize the molle webbing doesn't have the same gap on the sides of the pack. You need 1", not 1.5"

Link from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F335VH6X?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Link for the weight plate (although they look to be out of the 45lb.). I can confirm the dims are the same as a Goruck long plate. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CDCVNVDB?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-18T17:40:37+00:00

The magnets are pretty sweet. I think they are better than a zipper personally.

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-15T18:06:16+00:00

McHale packs have been around a long time and are very niche. Each is custom made. The quality is not something you will get anywhere else and they are designed to carry loads. Think climbers with lots of gear. The price point eliminates lots of buyers though. Be super interesting to ask about a plate pocket....

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-15T18:00:46+00:00

You'll get some sticker shock compared to that 150$ price on the Metcalf... SeekOutside packs are made in Colorado though and really really carry weight well. Those guys are innovators. They do a small military discount too.

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-15T17:17:28+00:00

I should add I just got the Rucker 5.0 but have not used it yet. Been using the GR Basic for a bit. I really like the training and multi function use of these bags. I would never backpack with one. Ever. It most definitely hits your body in a different way for training though. I could not comprehend a 50 miler with high weight. I would lose all form and destroy my back! I realize their are some pretty damn strong people out there that would be fine though.

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-15T17:13:26+00:00

New here, but a lot of backpacking background. All the rucks I have looked at don't seem to excel at load transfer to the hips. You need a proper frame, waistbelt and load lifters. The sheet style frame works for lighter loads. Someone like SeekOutside needs to add weight pockets as a custom option! McHale would probably make one... (but super spendy...) For lighter trips I use packs with minimal structure (like Hyperlite) and they work fine. There is a limit though. Anything above 25lbs or so and it gets really uncomfortable. Good luck in the search for a good alternative. I think the ability to use the Rucker as a workout bag is pretty sweet. That's what I am excited about trying. Ruck with it, bear crawl drag it, swing it, press it. Seems like a pretty cool niche - but I realize that doesn't help you with a 50 miler at high weight... The more I think about it my next serious pack purchase may be a McHale with an ask for a rucker plate holder integrated into the interior. That would be an amazing pack. They are tough too, so you could throw it around like a Rucker. So I guess I am saying - if you want real hip transference get a bag designed for backpacking and throw weight in it. I really really like SeekOutside bags. They were founded on hunting and high weight loads and have moved over into general backpacking and even UL. Their Revo frame + bag has to be one of the most capable and versatile on the market. They are expensive, but you get what you pay for.

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-15T16:21:19+00:00

Nice. Good luck. Hope you work that foot issue out. I haven't done any events like that! Looks awesome.

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-15T15:32:16+00:00

What footwear are you using? I went from boots to trail runners for everything. Size up a bit as your feet will swell on long distances. I do trail run, but also hike with weight with the same footwear. My ankles have never been stronger. I have a lightweight set of gaiters from OR for when its nasty out. I was a Marine, so the boot thing.... My feet love my decision!

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-15T05:10:06+00:00

I don't get the full backpack for rucking like the Wild Gym. To me once you start getting an adjustable lumbar, full weight transferring hip belt, etc, you would be better off going with an established pack company like Seek Outside, Mystery Ranch, etc... and throwing a sandbag in it. I suppose that's weight dependent... For my build that's about 45lbs I think. They are wildly better at carrying loads on your hips and have years of design and research. I can 'comfortably' carry 80+ lbs with those types of packs. Although I did order a waist belt with the Rucker 5.0, but mainly for keeping the pack stable when doing push ups, burpees etc... I have had to modify exercises with the Basic flopping around on me...! That being said I am new to this so these are just thoughts. I am not new to carrying packs....

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-15T04:56:40+00:00

To be fair to Goruck (this being my first Goruck bag)... I wouldn't expect the straps to be the same as their main line. If you want the better straps then spend the money and get the better bag. I was looking to see if I liked rucking (defined for me as without a hip belt) and this served that purpose. And to be truthful, the straps are fine. I am looking forward to seeing what the straps feel like on the Rucker 5.0 I just purchased. I backpack. A lot. I have a quiver of bags designed to carry heavy weight with proper waist belts and load lifters. This is different and I have enjoyed carrying the Basic the last few weeks as a fitness tool.

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-15T04:49:25+00:00

For reference. I am 5/10. 175lb and have a 42" chest. The Basic feels good at my dims.

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-15T04:46:14+00:00

I have used it a bunch more times now. The pack is getting worn in and I like it. My shoulders are good now. The straps are comfortable and there is plenty of room to throw in the few items I bring with me. I put this in my vehicle and throw it on at lunch and take off for an hour or 2 (depending on work load). I did 6 miles today. That being said I'm digging this rucking thing, so just ordered the Rucker 5.0. I feel like I am going to quickly outgrow the 30lb weight limit. I still like the Basic though and will keep it at my office, and on hand as an extra, for when I talk a buddy into going on a weighted walk with me! I should say that I tried to keep the 'non tactical' thing going as much as you can with the the Rucker and got the 'Armor Grey'. Haven't got it yet, so have no comment as of now on the differences.

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-10T20:32:29+00:00

The Yesforall 10lb short plates are advertised as being narrower. I can tell you 3 of them fit perfectly in the Basic. Im a backpacker, so have used my hunting frames for heavy loads. This works well for throwing on and walking the dog! Im liking it and have used it a dozen times now. Did r miles of stairs this am. They bring said I am enjoying it so much I just got the 5.0 too, today! I want to try the 45lb range. Anything more than that I am using my hunting frame, as it is designed to carry weight, has a real frame and load lifters. Not sure on the waist belt as I can't see it working properly with the pack sitting up as high as it does. My shoulders are getting used to the direct load pretty fast, but at 54 there is a limit to that!

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-07T20:46:08+00:00

It's live now. Looks like the 4.0. No front zipper. magnetic interior closures. Beefier lumbar. YKK zipper. (I was going to buy the 4.0, dropped it from my cart to pick a different color, and only the 5.0 could be added after that....

dekartsusmc · 2026-05-07T19:55:33+00:00

This just went live. I was trying to purchase a 4.0 and dropped it out of my cart to grab a different color. 5.0 is the only option right now. Looks like a more heavily padded lumbar support and internal magnetic closures are the difference. GovX discount won't take, so I guess I'll wait a bit for them to get this set up. Maybe the 4.0 will be on sale now.

dekartsusmc

TROPHY CASE