Exercising outdoors is back in the mix, and one of our favorite forms is rucking. This walking-style workout overloads your muscles and is a pure approach to functional strength—all you need is a good rucking backpack or weighted vest. Luckily, GORUCK’s Spring Sweat Sale has you covered, both on their site and on Amazon. With some items over half off, you can snag everything you need to get started, or re-up on your old gear.
The Basic Rucker is a former Men’s Health Fitness Awards winner, and a solid option for those starting from square one. The single main compartment holds 10-, 20-, or 30-plates, and there’s exterior pockets on the side for water bottles or snacks. It features the same lumbar support as GORUCK’s pricier Rucker 4.0, and adjustable straps to ensure you have the correct fit.
SHOP THE FULL GORUCK SPRING SALE
If speed is your thing, try the Rucking Vest: It has enough storage for your phone and keys, and that’s it. The sleek design and even weight distribution between your front and back are perfect for trail running and quick hikes.
If you’re a serious rucker that travels, opt for the versatile sand ruck plate. It easily packs down into a backpack or carry-on bag when unfilled. When you get to where you’re going, simply fill it up with sand and get to work. You can also use it for farmer’s carries or kettlebell swings.
Prefer your home gym? A weight vest can still boost your workouts. Training with a weighted vest ups the intensity of bodyweight workouts and can help you build control while gaining strength and muscle. GORUCK’s vest can hold between 14 and 30 pounds for extra resistance when hitting your pull ups, push ups, and squats. Grab a couple of the brand’s curved plates to throw in your vest and watch your gains grow.
Somewhat surprisingly, GORUCK makes a great pair of cross-training shoes. According to Men’s Health Fitness and Reviews Editor Charles Thorp, the Ballistic Trainers “combines gym-ready versatility with rucking durability”. They’re cushioned enough for short sprints and have the stability you want while lifting. The CORDURA uppers are extremely durable but maintain a flexible forefoot. The GORUCK Ballsistic Trainers are included in the sale and currently 54% off.
Rucking is a straightforward workout in theory—carrying heavy stuff over a long distance to get stronger. But there’s a lot more to it. You can’t just throw your heaviest dumbbells in a bag and hit the trails, without doing some damage to yourself (and probably the bag). GORUCK’s gear is built with comfort and durability in mind, and backed by a limited warranty. Best of all, it’s heavily discounted right now.
SHOP THE FULL GORUCK SPRING SALE
More MH-Approved Training Gear
The 2026 Men's Health Fitness Awards | Best Home Gym Equipment | Best Smart Home Gym Equipment | Best Fitness Gifts for Men | Best Treadmills | Best Rowing Machines | Best Exercise Bikes | Best Adjustable Dumbbells | Best Massage Guns | Best Weight Benches | Best Foam Rollers | Best Pull Up Bars | Best Resistance Bands | Best Air Bikes | Best Medicine Balls | Best Medicine Balls | Best Adjustable Kettlebells
Danny Perez is a Reviews Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men's style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men's shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.
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.



















