The 6 Best Rucking Backpacks, Trail-Tested by Fitness Editors
Interested in building muscle and endurance while enjoying some fresh air? Try out these bags.
Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?
NAYSAYERS MIGHT SAY rucking is just carrying heavy stuff in a bag. We say, so what? Mankind has carried things for generations. Usually out of necessity, lately, out of a need to exercise. Rucking is an updated term for this ancient practice and remains a great way to build functional, practical strength. This modern iteration has its roots in military and special forces training, mimicking the fitness required to carry a full kit on the battlefield.
Best Rucking Backpacks
- Best Overall: GORUCK Rucker 5.0
- Best Budget: 5.11 Tactical Rush 12. 2.0
- Best Hydration: CamelBak M.U.L.E. Mil Spec Crux
- Best Long Distance: Mystery Ranch Rip Ruck 32 Backpack
- Best Outdoor: Crossover Gregory Zulu 30 Pack
- Best Sustainable: REI Co-Op Ruckpack 40
However, the training benefits aren’t only focused on the military. Whether you’re a dad carrying kids around or just trying to get all your groceries inside with one trip, rucking has genuine benefits for day-to-day health. But chances are your old high school Janspsort backpack isn't up to the kind of weight you want to carry, as these bags are legit pieces of outdoor fitness equipment. So we’ve got a guide of the six best rucking backpacks on the market to help improve your journey.
How We Selected
As the Fitness and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, it’s my job to test the latest and greatest gear, including rucking backpacks. This guide started with long-trusted bags and brands; those were stacked against new entries to the scene. In addition, we consulted experts in the rucking world—100-mile ruckers, military professionals, and strength and endurance trainers alike— to get a clearer picture.
The finalists in our selection process were tested on neighborhood laps, local trails, and gym stair-climbing machines, occasionally switching between packs mid-workout to get a better sense of how the specs directly compared. The following six packs are our top six rucking backpacks to buy now.
Best Deal
GORUCK Rucker 5.0
GORUCK Rucker 5.0
Pros
- Intentional rucking design
- Extra lumbar padding
- Dedicated rucking plate sleeve keeps weight high and tight
Cons
- Hip belt not included
You’ve probably seen GORUCK’s packs somewhere in your IG feed— the brand is favored by a certain group of training professionals that are both prolific and public in their love of GORUCK’s products. When that happens, it’s natural to start feeling like it’s too much of a good thing. So does the brand live up to the hype? Short answer: absolutely. We found that in a sea of great backpacks, GoRuck’s range was best suited for rucking-specific activities.
The Rucker 5.0 in particular emerged as a winner. The padding blends the comfortable and the practical, with an extra 10 mm of EVA foam padding along the bottom section of the back panel supports the natural curve of your back and helps relieve pressure and balance weight. Adding to that sense of balance, the interior ruck plate pocket is elevated, keeping the weight high and secure to help prevent friction and injury.
We also like that the back panel and underside of the shoulder straps use High Tenacity Cordura to help prevent friction when rucking shirtless or with pilling-sensitive fabric like merino wool. We found the Rucker 4.0 to be intentionally designed at every level and, if anything, overbuilt, which is perfect for a pack you’ll lug heavy-weighted plates in.
I first got the GORUCK 5.0 specifically for rucking on the trails by my house, but it quickly became my everyday bag as well. Everything that makes it a great rucking bag also makes it a great work bag, because no matter what kind of gear I'm taking to the office, from multiple laptops to recording equipment, the design supports proper posture while I'm on the move. On top of it being incredibly functional, I also like the utilitarian look of the bag in contrast to other options that have too much going on. While the pack doesn’t come with an integrated hip belt, it is compatible with the brand’s sold separately version for heavier weight and longer rucks.
While we’d love to see that included with the pack, it’s a smaller and more inexpensive addition for those who prefer it.
Read More: Best Shoes for Rucking
| Material | 1000D Cordura |
| Hip Belt | Sold seperately |
5.11 Tactical Rush 12 2.0
5.11 Tactical Rush 12 2.0
Pros
- Multi-purpose functionality
- Great price-to-value
- Cross-chest strap keeps the weight locked into place
Cons
- Hip belt not included
Modern life is busy. Whether you’re working from home or still trekking into the office, reducing clutter and staying focused often means keeping your day-to-day kit tightly organized. If you’re looking for a pack that can pull double duty for day-to-day commuting and rucking workouts, then 5.11’s Rush series is the pick for you.
We found that the Rush 12 2.0, despite having too many numbers in its name, is an intelligently designed, multi-purpose pack. The padded laptop sleeve doubles as a rucking plate compartment. The back paneling features four “pods” of extra padding that combine back support with airflow, helping mitigate the inevitable back swampage. And a separate back pocket is hydration bladder compatible, though the pack ships without one. Like GoRuck’s Rucker 5.0, it doesn’t ship with a hip-belt but is hip-belt compatible if you choose to add one later. And the price-to-value ratio is unbeatable.
Phil Daru, a MMA performance coach who recently completed a 100-mile ruck adds that, "With a ruck bag you are looking for it to sit tight to the body, and high up on the back. It needs to be durable and able to carry a full kit of gear while traveling long distances. Pockets and compartments that compact and prevent items from moving around while you’re rucking are important to maintain balance and also protect against injury." For him, this 5.11 bag fits the bill.
Read More: Best Outdoor Fitness Equipment
| Material | 1050D Nylon |
| Hip Belt | Sold seperately |
CamelBak M.U.L.E. 100oz Mil Spec Crux
CamelBak M.U.L.E. 100oz Mil Spec Crux
Pros
- Durable and anti-abrasive materials
- Hydration bladder included
- Quick release for shoulder straps
Cons
- Minimal strap padding
- Rucking plates are a tight fit
While other packs on this list are hydration-compatible, CamelBak MULE is the only pack with hydration as the first and foremost consideration. How seriously does CamelBak take fluid intake? The back paneling of the MULE has a skull emblem encircled by the motto “hydrate or die” This particular MULE comes from CamelkBak’s military spec range, which they also sell commercially.
They’ve upgraded several features with toughness in mind: the backpack uses 500D Double-rip Cordura Fabric for the ultimate combination of strength and durability and has quick-release buckles on the shoulder straps to ditch the pack if necessary. We found that, practically, this gave the M.U.L.E the strength to carry rucking plates and a full water bladder together. The downside? The straps are minimally padded and more than one rucking plate is a tight fit, so choose your weight class wisely.
Read More: Best Hydration Packs
| Material | 500D Double-Rip Cordura |
| Hip Belt | Included |
Mystery Ranch Rip Ruck 32 Backpack
Mystery Ranch Rip Ruck 32 Backpack
Pros
- Large capacity
- Integrated hip belts
- User-friendly pockets and zippers
Cons
- Expensive
The hip belt is an invaluable tool for long-distance rucking. The belt redistributes weight from the shoulders and back to the hips, allowing your core and leg muscles to do the heavy lifting. Crucially, it also helps decrease lower back strain. While both the GoRuck and 5.11 packs offer aftermarket hip-belt add-ons, Mystery Ranch’s 32-Liter Rip Ruck is intentionally designed around an integrated hip-belt. We found that this could be frustrating for short rucking excursions where you don’t need the extra support, but crucial for long-distance efforts.
We found that the Rip Ruck is ideal for long distances. The hip belt is adjustable and supportive. The yoke, or in layman’s terms, the back panel, is adjustable to different torso sizes and the shoulder straps have two-point adjustability. We found this increased the amount of time it takes to dial in your initial fit, but these customizable options paid comfort dividends while rucking long distances, where even a little bit of discomfort can multiply. Storage-wise, the Rip Ruck can hold enough food and water and an extra layer for a long day out in the mountains.
We also found this pack's zippers to be oddly satisfying to use, many of them designed for one-handed access, a useful feature after hours on the go.
Read More: Best Hiking Backpacks
| Material | Nylon/closed-cell foam |
| Hip Belt | Included |
Gregory Zulu 30 Pack
Gregory Zulu 30 Pack
Pros
- Internal frame to support weight
- Fully adjustable back panel
- Multiple size options in the Zulu series
Cons
- No rucking specific plate sleeve
When it comes to carrying heavy stuff in bags, backpacking companies do it best. Sure, their weight distributions might be more optimized for tents and stoves and dehydrated food. But weight is weight, and a backpack that can handle 60 pounds of camping gear can also handle 60 pounds of cast iron. We found that, of the outdoor-focused backpacks, Gregory is the best at carrying heavier loads. The Zulu blends outdoor functionality with rucking-focused features. An adjustable pack panel helped testers customize their fit, ensuring that rucks were as comfortable as possible.
Adding to that, Gregory added extra panels to the lumbar area that allow the hip belt to flex with your natural movement. We found that this made a big difference with heavy loads, allowing the backpack to stay centered on our backs even as we rotated our torsos. Best of all? We liked the alloy and carbon fiber internal frame, which kept that pack itself light but structured and added support for piling in extra rucking weight. While we prefer the 30L range, there are others available in the Zuly range. Heads up, unlike other packs on this list the Zulu is not one-size-fits-all, so make sure to pick a length that fits your torso size.
| Material | 400-denier ripstop polyester |
| Hip Belt | Included |
REI Co-Op Ruckpack 40
REI Co-Op Ruckpack 40
Pros
- Fully recycled material
- Capable of more than just rucking
- Strategic pocket placement for easy storage of devices and hydration.
Cons
- Hard to fit both a rucking plate and a hydration bladder
Over the past few years, REI’s house brand has quietly transformed from a budget pick within the store's offerings to going toe-to-toe with its competition. Their Ruckpack—made of fully recycled materials—is no exception.We found the internal sleeve works for a laptop, 3L reservoir, or single ruck plate, depending on the brand and weight of the plate.
It’s hydration compatible, though if you use the internal sleeve for your rucking weight you’ll have to jury rig a different solution for a bladder. We also liked the elastic side water bottle pocket and the trekking pole attachment for storing poles when not in use. This bag also comes with an included rain cover, which we liked for long rucks with potential inclement weather.
| Material | Recycled ripstop nylon |
| Hip belt | Included |
What to Consider
Fit
When it comes to backpacks, fit is synonymous with comfort. And comfort is a big deal. Sure, carrying around weight on your back will never be as comfortable as kicking back in a LAZY-BOY, but a properly fitting backpack solves problems before they happen. Look for a pack with multiple points of adjustability, robust padding, and, optionally, a hip belt. All of these will help ensure you’re as comfortable as you can be and help prevent injury.
Capacity
Packs are measured in liter capacity, unlike anything else in America (with the exception of soda) Why is that? Who knows! But fun facts, backpack manufacturers officially measure this by seeing how many plastic balls they can fit in the pack. Think about multifunctionality when you think about pack capacity. Sure you’ll use it for rucking, but you can also use packs for a variety of other things. If you only plan on rucking with it, then make sure there’s enough room for weight and hydration. If you want to do more, expand accordingly.
Weight
You can ruck with any weights you have on hand: dumbbells, kettlebells, small toddlers, or those college textbooks you’ve been meaning to sell for ages. But if you’re getting serious about the training program, you should pick up some dedicated rucking plates. Go-Ruck and 5.11 (among others) make weighted plates that fit seamlessly into their backpack systems, allowing you to strength train without risking an unbalanced pack and upping your risk of injury.
FAQs
What Are The Health Benefits Of Rucking?
Personal trainer and Tonal Strength Coach Joe Rodonis says from a training perspective, rucking is “a great way to build endurance, promote recovery, and build strength/muscle (complementing a resistance training routine).” He also lists the benefits as Zone 2 cardiovascular conditioning, a general building of muscular endurance and strength, and promotes it as an active recovery option saying that he “loves adding a day or two of Rucking as an option for active recovery and mild conditioning.”
Are There Health Risks to Rucking?
In short, no more than any other physical activity. Rodonis says, “as a low-impact activity, there aren’t major health concerns; but there are areas that may receive strain.
- Shoulders, traps, back: The nature of holding a weight backpack or vest will cause strain on the shoulders, traps, and back. Just make sure you have equipment that fits properly to help with this.
- Feet, ankles: You’ll want proper footwear to support the extra weight you’ll carry and the distance you’ll be walking. The same way that you’ll want proper shoes for running, you’ll want proper support for a ruck to avoid things like blisters or general discomfort."
If you plan on rucking on a trail or any remote areas, be sure you're looking out for any uneven terrain. Try to off-road ruck without any unnecessary hinderences like noise-cancelling headphones or view-obstructing eyewear. Enjoying the sights and the sounds of the great outdoors is half the point after all.
Ryan Brower is the Senior Gear and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, where he tests the best products in outdoor gear, tech, running shoes, and more. He has written about the outdoors for nearly two decades and was previously the Managing Editor, Content Performance at Gear Patrol. He holds a B.A. in Sport Management and is a Certified Beer Server, having previously covered the craft beer industry. Ryan currently lives on the water in New Jersey with his wife and their dog.
Charles Thorp is the Fitness and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, where he shares the best product recommendations in gym equipment, recovery tools, supplements, and more. Following an early life in athletics, Charles became a NASM-certified trainer and began writing programs alongside the most respected coaches in the world. Since entering the world of fitness content, Charles has had the opportunity to learn from and train alongside high performance individuals from the NFL, UFC, NBA, Formula 1, CrossFit, US Olympics, and Navy SEALs. When he’s not writing about training programs or gear, he can be seen at the gym or in the wild, putting them to the test.
Readers Also Read
Weighted Vests to Turbocharge Any Workout
The Men's Health Guide to Rucking
Want to Go Rucking? Here Are the 6 Best Rucking Shoes.
12 Fundamental Kettlebell Exercises
