Top 7 Ruck Marching Tips

Rucking, or “ruck marching” is the act of you moving from point A to point B with a certain amount of weight on your back inside a rucksack (backpack). If you ever walked to school with your books in your backpack–that’s rucking. If you’ve gone hiking with a pack filled with food and water, and perhaps a sleeping bag attached…that’s also rucking.

You don’t have to have a rugged terrain or some kind of Navy SEAL or SOF environment to ruck.

Rucking can be done anywhere you have ground to cover, a backpack and something weighted you can put into it. It’s also a great way to build stamina, cardio, and functional fitness.

There’s all sorts of things you can use—dumbbells, kettlebells, duct tape-covered gallon bags of sand in various weights, books…even groceries.

 

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Rucking burns tons of calories and is one of my favorite functional fitness workouts to do. You can mix it up, too. I’ll ruck a certain distance, stop and do plank holds or squats (or both) and then continue on. After another certain distance, I’ll repeat it.

One thing I also like to do is ruck near a park where I can add in some kind of workout using the jungle gym—pull-ups, angled push-ups.

Check out this article: SGPT Ruck March Workout.

If you’re new to rucking, or it’s been awhile, start with about 10lbs in your ruck and gradually add more weight. Starting off with too much too fast too soon can lead to injury.

Here are a few ruck marching tips that we have come up with over the years of moving things around on our backs.

TIP #1: A RUCK WITH AN INTERNAL FRAME WORKS GREAT

I like one with a hip strap and shoulder mid-strap to help secure the load and keep it riding close to my body.

If your training for the military or you have a job where you work outside and need to ruck in gear (environmental consultant, park ranger, emergency medic, etc.) you will need to have a good internal frame backpack.

During Navy SEAL training at BUD/S we used the old Alice pack during the land phase (Phase 3).

Later on the Teams we used a pack called the Berghaus that was larger and had hip straps and very durable.

You will need to load up your water and some gear and possibly food to get out down range to do your job.

Here are a few tips to help get you in shape for working outdoors and rucking gear to your next location.

QUESTION: Do you have a particular ruck you could recommend?

ANSWER: Yes—check out the 5.11 Tactical Rush Backpack @ Amazon.com.

QUESTION: What is a good ruck/backpack for military training? Preferably MOLLE with a slimmer design. I had a goruck SD20 but it was too small and goruck was too pricy to upgrade. Could you please give me a goruck alternative that can support a good amount of weight?

ANSWER: An Alice pack is a good alternative that is much cheaper and can be used for training.

QUESTION: What is a good backpack for practice rucking?

ANSWER: Try the Alice pack for starting out and practicing.

QUESTION: What is the ruck sack that was used in BUDS Navy SEAL training? I want to get one to train like that.

ANSWER: In BUD/S they use the G.I. Type Alice Pack.

TIP #2: CENTER YOUR WEIGHT

I learned this fast in the SEALs as I was the radio operator. That meant I had to carry the radio and my additional gear, making it a heavy ruck.

A great way to mimic mass weight like that is to use a sandbag.

Centering your weight takes the stress off your shoulders and lower back. You can center your weight using towels or yoga blocks wrapped in towels, then putting in the weight, then adding another towel or two to make the weight snug.

Check out this video on how to make a sandbag for your ruck.

QUESTION: Do you have any particular socks you recommend?

ANSWER: Yes, we like the Fox River Adult Military Boot Socks.

ANSWER: We used to wear the wool/cotton blend dive socks but now they wear Darn Tough Vermont Merino wool socks at BUDS. I also have a pair of the new Darn Tough socks and they are very good.

QUESTION: Can I use compression socks on a long ruck march?

ANSWER: Yes; compression socks are good for any long distance endurance event.

TIP #3: BREAK IN YOUR BOOTS AHEAD OF AN EVENT

Do not take them fresh out of the box and wear them on a 5 mile hike. That’s a fast way to get bad blisters fast. Fresh boots will shred your feet on a big hike.

Break them in slowly and be ready for later long distance hiking.

Check out this article—Foot Care for Special Forces Athletes. Even if you’re not wanting an SOF slot, the article still works. It also works for people wearing hiking boots and wanting to keep their feet healthy with running shoes.

Once broken in, your boots and shoes should not hurt your feet.

QUESTION: I am interested in joining the Navy SEALs, where can I find out more info on the Navy?

ANSWER: Check out this website.

QUESTION: Do you have a combat boot you recommend?

ANSWER: Check out the Lowa Men’s Zephyr Mid TF Hiking Boot.

QUESTION: What socks do you wear at buds?

TIP #4: CARRY EXTRA WATER AND SUPPLIES IN CASE OF PROBLEMS

Even if you’re rucking near your home, a good way to suffer is to struggle along dehydrated and hungry. You can carry water bottles, but many athletes prefer to carry a water badder in their ruck.

Carry water even in cool or cold weather. You may not be hot or sweating, but you lose water through your breath. Dehydration may not happen as fast in cold weather as hot, but it still happens.

That means, if you are rucking in heat, be aware of your body.

in the heat and shield yourself from the sun with a hat and bandanna and sunscreen.

If it is hot, I like to put a t-shirt I’ve soaked in water on my head a to keep me cool.

QUESTION: Have you ever heard of athletes using Pedialyte on a long hike with hot weather?

ANSWER: Yes; you could use Pedialite but you could also just use Gatorade in a 50/50 water mixture or just add a Nuun tablet as they have no sugar and work just as well.

QUESTION: Coach, can I go rucking with my book bag?

ANSWER: You can, but make sure you have a way to get the weight centered in the top of the bag. Be careful as many book bags are not set up to carry lots of weight as the straps will probably break. Good luck.

TIP #5: TRY A WEIGHTED VEST

If you don’t have a ruck/backpack then try a weighted vest as they work great as dual purpose at the gym for pull-ups, push-ups, squats, rowing sessions—anything where you’re moving your body around and want to create extra resistance. .

If you’ve got a twenty pound vest or body armor, wear it.

Many come with slots for weights so you can vary the load. This is also a great thing to start out with to build up stamina and endurance, then move to a heavier ruck.

QUESTION: I own a vest and a ruck and was wondering if there were any major differences between doing a body weight workout with using one over the other. I did a 1 hr. AMRAP of 5 pull ups, 10 push ups, and 15 squats yesterday and used a 20 lb vest but was wondering if the ruck would have made any differences.

ANSWER: The ruck is purely on your back vs the weight vest is spread out on front and back. So yes; there will be a difference.

QUESTION: I am in the Army. What are some stretches to do prior to a ruck march?

ANSWER: I would do a mobility warmup of slowly kicking legs forward and backwards—10 each leg. Then side to side kicks. Then a light jog then walking lunges.

QUESTION: My ruck pack is digging into my lower back. What can I do?

ANSWER: Add kidney pads or use foam rubber and duck tape to create a cushion.

TIP #6: MIRROR THE RANGERS AND SEALs

To train effectively try to mirror what the Rangers and SEALs are using so that when you get to the training you will be ready to go and acclimated to that type of gear.

One thing you can do is find a heavy branch to carry in your arms, or take a piece of PVC piping that’s about 4ft in length, cap it off on one end, fill it with sand, then cap off the other end.

Vary how you carry that—across your chest, in one hand, then the other (upright or parallel with the ground), across your shoulders. The weight is approximately that of a rifle.

QUESTION: Can I add a hip strap for my GoRuck backpack?

ANSWER: Yes; you can add a hip strap to help you hold the load and take extra pressure off your shoulders, helping you ruck further Check out GoRuck’s new ruck add ons.

QUESTION: How to improve your time on the “pack test”?

ANSWER: The Work Capacity Test (WCT), known informally as the pack test, is a U.S. Forest Service physical test for wildland firefighters. The pack test is intentionally stressful as it tests the capacity of muscular strength and aerobic endurance of the firefighter. There are three tests known as arduous, moderate, and light. The pack test may be given as part of the S-130/S-190 basic wildland firefighter course.

The firefighter will need to train a minimum of 4 weeks before the test with the boots and gear needed for the job. It is recommended that the firefighter train for the arduous test by building up their aerobic fitness, first by hiking 3 miles with no pack, then by jogging on a flat course without a pack, then later add the pack and hike hills to build leg strength. Increase weight slowly until the firefighter can hike 3 miles in 45 minutes while carrying 45 pounds.

TIP #7: SLOWLY BUILD DISTANCE, WEIGHT AND RESISTANCE

Start out with a short ruck march and slowly build your distance up.  Add hills over time. Keep a training log of your distance, terrain and time.

For Kokoro an athlete should have rucked 20 miles in hills continuously.  For 20X you should hike 8 miles in hills in your training before the event.

What are some tips for tips for ruck marching in the rain? If you have a pair of waterproof boots that is a good start. I also throw on a poncho or rain jacket to keep the water out. You can also get a cover for your backpack to keep the water out.

QUESTION: Hey brad, just got done reading the 3 tips from a special forces operator article. I wanted to ask you what is a good starting weight for rucking. I haven’t ever done it before but need to start doing and and want your advice on how to start and how to build up distance and weight. Very respectfully,
Cordell

ANSWER: Good question, Cordell. I would start out with 15 to 20 lbs (water, gear, small sand bag or food).

QUESTION: How far would Navy SEALs hike?

ANSWER: In BUD/S, you end up hiking a dozen miles or so but it was through harsh terrain like a boulder choked ravine. Practice now with a ruck on longer hikes as that is one less thing you will have to worry about later.

QUESTION: How much does Special Forces back pack weigh?

ANSWER: Depending on the mission and terrain, it can weigh as much as 100 lbs or more.

QUESTION: What are good Navy SEAL training methods for ruck marching?

ANSWER: Put on your ruck with 30 lbs plus and go hiking in the mountains. Start slow and work your way up.

BONUS TIP #1: USE MOLESKIN FOR BLISTERS

A good way to fix a blister during a ruck march is to put a piece of moleskin (with a hole cut out of center) on the blister. Then put duct tape on top of that.

A recent Kokoro graduate used that method for four days at the Turning Steel course in Montana.

Another tip we’ve heard is to wear nylon stockings—yes, the kind women wear. The nylon creates a smooth barrier that prevents any chafing directly on the skin.

Check out this article for more tips on getting help with preventing blisters: How to Prevent Blisters with Double Socks

QUESTION: Coach, do hikes help train for the Navy SEALs?.

ANSWER: Yes, you can use ruck marching to help train for any Special Forces.

QUESTION: Coach, what are tips for ruck marching faster?

ANSWER: First off —don’t run. To ruck march faster you need to get your body used to rucking. This will enable you to ruck longer and harder without taking breaks. With a heavier pack you are more apt to stopping which will eat up time if you are on a timed ruck and need to get to a destination.

QUESTION: Will squats help you ruck march?

ANSWER: Yes. Air squats and weighted squats are good. Also add in walking lunges. You can also do them with your pack on.

BONUS TIP #2: SHOW UP TO YOUR EVENT PREPARED

Your boots should be broken in, you should be familiar with rucking and you should. You should work up to training with a heavier weight than you might at your event.

Also do not go into the event thinking it’s all about the mental. While that’s a huge part, if you’re not physically prepared for the event, your body will break down.

So don’t show up at SEALFIT Kokoro Camp or a GoRuck Challenge having never worn a ruck and with boots that are not broken in. You will pay severely for that mistake.

QUESTION: Should I train for ruck marches in boots?

ANSWER: Yes; train how you will fight.

QUESTION: Do you use a hip strap on ruck marches?

ANSWER: Yes; we like to use one if your carrying a heavier load. Check out the Us Army Molle Desert Camo Molded Waist Belt.

QUESTION: I keep getting chafed when I go out on ruck marches – what do you do to prevent this?

ANSWER: I use Bodyglide anti-chafe balm in my crotch area, feet and nipples. We also recommend wearing compression shorts when hiking or on long endurance events.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brad McLeod knows first hand about mental toughness. After passing Hell Week and Dive Pool Comp at BUD/S, he failed a math test and was kicked out of training. A year later, he returned, graduated, and served as an operator on the Navy SEAL Teams.

Today, he is one of the most sought after mental conditioning coaches in the world. SEALgrinderPT audios and ebooks have been downloaded in 20 different countries around the globe. Check out SEALgrinderPT Coaching to help you step up and take hold of your dreams and realize your goals.

 

Proceeds from this website go to help raise funds for the Navy SEAL Foundation on CrowdRise.

 

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