You don’t need to buy every piece of gear on this list to start rucking. For most beginners, a quality backpack, an appropriate amount of weight, comfortable footwear, and good socks are enough to begin. As you gain experience, you can gradually add accessories based on your goals, terrain, and training style.
Here’s a full list of rucking gear to get you started:
A rucking backpack is the most important piece of gear you need to get started. It is what carries the weight, keeps the load stable, and determines how comfortable your rucks feel over time.
For military-style training, heavy loads, or longer outdoor events, a larger tactical backpack like the 5.11 RUSH 72 can make sense. These packs offer more storage, heavier-duty construction, and room for extra gear.
But if your goal is fitness rucking, weighted walking, or shorter local trails, you may not need a large tactical pack. A compact, purpose-built rucking backpack can often be more practical, especially for beginners carrying 10–40 pounds.
One value-focused option is the Polyfit Rucking Backpack. It is designed specifically for weighted walking and rucking, with dedicated weight plate storage and a compact fitness-focused design at a lower price than many premium rucking backpacks.
A backpack designed to carry weight during rucking.
Why use it?
It keeps the weight stable, comfortable, and close to your body.
How to Use it?
Place your ruck plate or weight high in the pack and close to your back.
2. Ruck Plates
Ruck plates are used to save you space inside your rucking backpack while adding weight and resistance for a more challenging ruck.
What is it?
A ruck plate.
Why use it?
Adds weight and resistance to your ruck.
How to Use it?
Simply place it in your rucking backpack, preferably close to your back.
Where to Buy it?
Standard 10″ × 12″ ruck plates fit most purpose-built fitness backpacks, including the Polyfit Rucking Backpack and many GORUCK models. For most beginners, a 10–20 lb plate is all you need to get started. Our budget ruck plate pick is the Yes4All ruck plate (link to Amazon).
Check out our rucking plates guide to better understand what they are, what to consider before buying one, and why rucking plates are worth it.
Many fitness-focused backpacks are designed for shorter neighborhood walks where water bottles work perfectly well. Hydration bladders become more valuable on longer hikes, endurance events, or all-day rucks.
What is it?
Hydration Bladder
Why use it?
To keep yourself hydrated during your ruck.
How to Use it?
Fill up your hydration bladder, and clip it inside your rucksack.
People wear boot insoles when rucking to help alleviate the stress on their feet. When rucking for hours on hours, you may end up racking up more than 10,000 steps in a single session. That’s a lot of work for your feet.
What is it?
Boot Insoles
Why use it?
Helps alleviate footpain such as Plantar Fasciitis.
How to Use it?
Insert them in your boots. All you need to do is wear them for a few days to customize them for your feet.
While you can definitely wear whatever socks you want, we do recommend these darn tough socks as they are made from Merino Wool. Which is the most recommended material for socks when rucking.
What is it?
Rucking Socks
Why use it?
Comfortable, prevents excessive sweat during the summer, keeps you warm in the winter, and it helps prevent blisters.
Hip belts become much more useful as your pack weight increases. If you’re carrying 20–30 pounds for fitness walks, many compact rucking backpacks don’t require one. Once you start carrying heavier loads or spending several hours on the trail, a hip belt can significantly improve comfort.
What is it?
Hip Belt
Why use it?
Puts less strain on your shoulders, and allows you to use your entire body to carry the weight. It does this by keeping the rucksack closer to your body.
How to Use it?
Strap the hip belt to your rucksack. It should cover your back while also making sure that the help belt is centred and wrapped around your hip bone or just above.
It’s helpful if you ruck at night, or if your ruck event is going to last till night time. You want to see whats in front and around you when rucking at night.
Chafing occurs in so many parts of the body. Typically its caused by heat and constant friction between body parts or between your skin clothes. It also helps prevent blisters forming or worsening
How to Use it?
Rub it on sensitive areas. Be sure to keep it on you during your ruck just to be safe!
If you prefer training in a weighted vest instead of a backpack, compression shirts also help reduce rubbing under shoulder straps. They pair particularly well with weighted vest workouts.
What is it?
Compression Shirt
Why use it?
Protect you against chafing and helps to regulate your body temperature
Helps keep you stable when rucking on wet grounds, especially when you’re carrying a heavy rucksack on a steep decline or incline, or if the terrain is covered by leaves.
Ruck For Miles Team is the editorial team behind Ruck For Miles. We test gear, research training methods, and publish practical guides on rucking, weighted walking, hiking, and outdoor fitness.
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