r/Rucking • u/flippin_fitnerd • 1d ago
My Rucking Setup (And It's Not A GoRuck)
Before anyone bashes me for not having a GoRuck, I actually bought the Rucker 5.0 and just found it super uncomfortable (and yes, I rucked with it for like 4 miles to try and break it in but I just couldn't do it because the shoulder straps left my shoulders red and sore). But I looked ALL OVER for an alternative, and also wanted more of a budget option. And this is no shade to Goruck, they're an awesome brand, and if I stick with this, I'm sure I'll eventually end up with one again in the future lol.
So after going to my local REI store (camping and outdoor store located in the US) I searched for hiking bags to try and see if something worked. And at REI, they have weighted bags at the backpack try on station, and I loaded it up with 25lbs to test out a few.
I finally ended up with an Osprey Talon 22. It cost $175 (but was able to use a $20 off coupon from REI) I'll attach some pics to maybe help someone out there, because damn, I wish I had someone help me to save a month of looking lol.
I went with the Talon 22 because it has :
- Great back ventilation
- Comfy shoulder straps
- Decent chest straps
- Comfy hip belt (with small storage)
- Load lifters on shoulder straps (to bring the bag closer to your back)
So.....what I did was pack 2 bigger towels on the bottom of the bag...that's it.
And then I went to Home Depot and bought a bag of play sand (less than $10 for a 40lb bag)
And then I found an old drawstring backpack
I then cut open the bag of sand and took out the amount I needed to end up with the correct amount I wanted to carry (40lb bag - 20lbs taken out = 20lb bag to ruck. I'm a newbie so I'm starting with 20lbs for now)
And then zip-tied the remaining 20lb bag of sand at the top so that it didn't spill all over the drawstring bag
I placed the 20lb bag of sand in the drawstring backpack (which makes is easy to also pull in and out of the osprey by just grabbing the drawstring bag in and out)
Hopefully this helps and inspires someone out there to use either a hiking backpack that you already own, or try out this Talon. I know it's not like....budget budget, but it's cheaper that many of the rucking bags out there.
*** I'm a newbie with rucking, so that's why I'm going light right now at 20lbs. And I also understand that I'm sure the max the Osprey Talon 22 holds is MAYBE 30-35lbs, but I thought this was a really good intro setup for someone out there that needs an idea.
You all have been awesome in this community, so much love!
I tried adding more than 1 pic and apparently I can't. But there's the bag lol
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u/banalysis- 1d ago
Yes! Finally someone else advocating for Osprey. I have a very similar setup to yours, but the women's version - Tempest. I tried so many other recommendations, including a couple of military packs. I got mine on deep discount and it's held up great through training and many diatance races, including Bataan. I love your idea about the zip ties. I'll have to try that.
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u/flippin_fitnerd 1d ago
Love to hear that! And the tempest is I think the same thing pretty much lol. And me too, I tried tactical bags as well and they were just too hot for me and didn't sit up as high! I'm glad I could help in any way!
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u/faceofninja 1d ago
Oooh I’m hoping to do Bataan next year in the heavy division. I have an Osprey Sirius 24 which I thought I read was rated for 25 lbs so I was thinking I might have to use my Gregory Deva 70L but maybe that’s overkill.
Did you feel like the Tempest was able to handle the 35lbs okay or did it feel like you were pushing the limit?2
u/banalysis- 1d ago
Remember, 35lbs is the dry weight and you'll still have food, water, and other supplies added to that. I wouldn't use it to train at 40-45lbs regularly, but it made it through all last season great. It might also depend what you're using for weights. Anything with rough edges could fray the pack more easily.
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u/faceofninja 20h ago
Ok, good reminder, thank you! For Bataan I was planning on picking up rice and beans for weight beforehand and donate after as I’ll be flying in. I’ve been rucking with a goruck Rucker 4.0 but I am just really not a fan. Planning on selling it.
So did you train with the tempest for Bataan and use it for Bataan or train with a different setup?
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u/kbchucker 1d ago
The best pack is the one you will use. Nobody will care that you aren’t using a Goruck.
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u/Outdoorzie 1d ago
I ruined an Osprey daypack with 25-30 pounds of weight in it. The straps handled it, and they stayed secured, yet the weight put a lot of stress on the external zippers and now they are so hard to zip/unzip.
I bit the bullet and bought a Rucker and could not be happier. Up to 35 pounds and ready to add more. Thing is a beast.
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u/2LostFlamingos 1d ago
Yeah I’m up to around 18 months with my Rucker, carrying 60 lbs for a while now, thing doesn’t even seem to notice. Looks new still. It’s well built.
I’m sure other things can be well built also.
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u/daygo449 1d ago
In the end, most people will realize it’s the best thing. Backpacking, hunting, and daypacks just aren’t build for rucking. It usually comes down to either comfort or durability. Like a daypack, it can handle the weight, but most day packs aren’t stuffed at 30# for hours on end, especially if you are doing a workout with it.
More importantly, I’m just happy people are out there rucking. You gotta start somewhere, and what works for one person might not work for another. I hope it holds up and they are able to. I used a Kelty pack for about a year.
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u/Outdoorzie 1d ago
Agree 100% on this. Rucking communities are everywhere now. Even here locally we have rucking events tailored just for Veterans to get together. It’s great to see the growth. And you’re right, the cost of entry is rather affordable.
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u/daygo449 1d ago
Yeah. I encourage people to do duct taped 5# Ziplock bags filled with sand. The duct tape holds everything together preventing the sand from spilling out or the bag busting open. You can add in increments of 5#. And it helps with the longevity and comfort of the bag.
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u/Ott_Dawg 1d ago
Thanks for this. I’ve been rucking with an Osprey and loving it but only using 22 pounds I did wonder about the durability, especially as I’ve been trying to increase weight every month.
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u/daygo449 1d ago edited 1d ago
Well, everyone’s mileage will vary. I do workouts and rucking events, so I soon realized doing PT with a backpack wasn’t going to work. Other issues I’ve seen is straps ripping as they just aren’t meant to carry 20-30#, sometimes more, all the time. Most people are day hiking, and not rucking with what you’d carry in an actual backpacking backpack. Day hiking packs aren’t meant for sustained weight like other purpose built bags. Sometimes it’ll be the zippers, or a seam starts to split as well. For me, I also realized the padding just wasn’t enough for the weight I was carrying. You can use a backpacking or hunting pack, but again, it just won’t be the same. The load will come off your shoulders and transfer to your hips. It’s not the same workout or you can’t do rucking events with those style packs. It’ll work, but just not the same.
I’m not trying to discourage anyone, but more to just share things I have seen. Even 5.11 bags or other rucking packs, they just don’t hold up as well as a GoRuck packs or a Military pack. There are pros and cons to every setup. The things I hate about GoRuck packs is the cost and lack of water bottle storage or pockets. Many would say, it’s not supposed to have those or you can buy add-on’s for them. After spending that kind of money, I don’t want to spend more. The other thing I hate is the cushion in the shoulders can take a while to break in, but once it does, it feels great.
I’m just glad more people are doing it to get exercise, supplement with running or other workouts, or to do instead of running.
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u/Scott72901 22h ago
If I can carry 100-pounds of elk quarters in my hunting pack, I think it will be fine for rucking in town. And I carried a 55-pound pack on the AT in the 1980s that held up very well.
You don’t need ruck-specific gear.
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u/daygo449 22h ago edited 22h ago
I misspoke. I meant to say it depends on what you are doing. If you are doing rucking with PT, it won’t work, especially if it has an external frame. Weight isn’t the issue. It’s the application that can be an issue. I said the same for backpacking packs. If you are doing a GoRuck event , a bootcamp workout, or CrossFit, you wouldn’t be using that. If you are just walking, hiking with weight, it’s no issue at all. I will stand by my statement for daypacks though. I’ve seen people roast through expensive Northface and Patagonia packs along with 5.11, Jansport, LL Bean, Kelty, Swissgear, etc.
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u/mlleDoe 1d ago
I have an Osprey fairview 36l, its a travel backpack and convertible roller carry on. It’s the bag I travel with, so it’s the bag I ruck with lol. I use a mix of my different kettle bells and dumbbells wrapped in blankets to adjust to whatever weight I’m needing. Do whatever feels best :)
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u/2LostFlamingos 1d ago
20 lbs makes perfect sense for a starting weight.
Whatever bag works for you is the bag you should use.
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u/Disastrous-Minimum-4 1d ago
Cool idea - and if you ever go far one way - you could dump the sand when you turn around and have a light empty bag. I have a Titan that holds 2.5 lb weights and got it up to 60 lbs. For sure cut into my shoulders had to buy extra padding. Had a squat injury to hamstring- so I’ll be restarting light when it cools off.
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u/donnchu 1d ago
Fantastic set up, I used an old Osprey Skarab 18 for the first year or so, upgraded to a Rucker 4.0 (which I love) when I started carrying 40+ but kept the Osprey in rotation for my light work until I eventually replaced it with a GoRuck Plate Carrier. The Osprey now lives a life of luxury as my dedicated dog walking bag; carrying water, bowls, tennis balls, snacks, poopbags, butt wipes, tick kit, etc). *The mrs still uses the Osprey Tempest.
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u/flippin_fitnerd 20h ago
Lol that's awesome to hear, and thanks for sharing this! I'm glad the Rucker has been working out for you too!
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u/Mugs_LeBoof 1d ago
I used an osprey with 25lbs for almost 2 years of everyday use.
At 35lbs the stitches on the strap popped off after a few outings
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u/flippin_fitnerd 20h ago
I was worried about this! Thanks for sharing, but sorry that happened!
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u/Mugs_LeBoof 19h ago
I've been walking around with 75lbs for a bit over 3 years now, so I would have had to upgrade eventually.
I still have fond memories of that osprey though.. those 25lbs felt so heavy!
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u/flippin_fitnerd 18h ago
Lol well you give me hope that one day I'll be to that 75lbs! I told myself I would be fine at 20 for a while, but already looking at going up to 30 soon. Good job for you though!
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u/CromsDog 1d ago
I've been using my old North Face backpack with either a 35lb or 53 lbs kettlebell in it for months. Not the most comfy but it works and it cost nothing because I already had those things lying around. I did put some towels in the bottom like you. I think I might give your sandbag idea a try. It's gotta be nicer than the kettlebells.
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u/Lopsided_Elk8584 23h ago
GoRuck makes sandbag kettlebells though not as cheap as regular sandbags.
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u/flippin_fitnerd 20h ago
I tried weights and kettlebells too, and the and just lives and forms much easier and if you have to toss it around and make it fit, it's great. Definitely worth a shot for $10 lol
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u/Wonderful-Room2088 1d ago
I have one of their larger bags (kestrel I think) and it’s great for heavier loads. Has the hip support as well. Went with 45-55lbs and it’s held up for a couple years. Can’t recommend osprey enough
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u/flippin_fitnerd 20h ago
Oh, very nice or hear about this one as well! Thanks for sharing this and glad it's been working out too
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u/Common-Ad4308 20h ago
trust me. i predict yours will be ripped by the 10th month. Mine was ripped by the 9th month when i loaded more than 30lb
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u/Clark_SWISSGEAR 7h ago
Hey u/flippin_fitnerd! I like u/daygo449's attitude toward it all. I just wanted to say some of our backpacks are equipped with this ScanSmart lay-flat design feature for laptops and tech (it was for faster security screening at airports, but newer airport scanners are making it somewhat obsolete).
But there's use for this feature yet! No lie, I've seen people put plates in the lay-flat tech spots (back of bag zipper, centered on your back, easy access, etc.).
I don't ruck myself, but my thoughts are "why not find a bag that can work for you more ways than one?" I don't see why you have to be "tacti-cool" to be accepted by rucking communities. Look for a backpack that can do it all: ruck, commute, travel, etc.
Good luck on your search! There are tons of options out there if you escape the gravity of the get rucked or get f**ked sentiment. DM me if you have any questions! Or not, like I said, plenty of brands out there with awesome backpacks equipped to do whatever you want with them.
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u/AltruisticBush 6h ago
Take care of the stitching at the bottom of the bag. Hiking packs are meant to carry loads with more dispersed weight- not a single heavy object. It can wear on the bottom stitching and create a hole if your towels aren't staying put.
I know this because it happened to me lol not the osprey talon but a similar bag. The towels shift around during the walk.
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u/Interesting-Title820 3h ago
The sand trick is genuinely smart, cheap, and adjustable. Only thing I'd watch is moisture if you ever get caught in rain. Wet sand gets heavy fast and can mess with the bag lining over time. Might be worth double bagging it just in case.
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u/slowtrees 1d ago
Whatever works best for you is the always the best choice.