(Part 2) Top products from r/Goruck

I can't speak to fusion directly, but I had a microdiscectomy on my L5-S1 four years ago. Mine was due to a massive herniation at the L5-S1. Originally, the doctor thought he was going to have to fuse me as the location of herniation was in a place that was difficult to reach, but in the end he didn't.

Since my surgery, I made a full recovery and am stronger now than ever. Since surgery, I've competed in several Crossfit competitions (I even won one), done mountain ultra races, Spartan Trifectia's, and about 30 GORUCK events (including a bunch of heavies and a couple HTLs). I still ruck several times a week (many times with a 75# ruck) and Olympic lift in my daily workouts.

Your post op recovery/rehab is key. Don't rush it... listen to your body. I highly recommend the "Foundation Training" program (www.foundationtraining.com). I followed this programming to a "T" the weeks following surgery and I truly believe that it was a major contributor to my recovery/results (positive mindset/outlook is #1). The program focuses on redefining your "core" as not your abs, but your posterior chain muscles. The exercises are very "yoga-ish", but don't let it fool you, I've seen it make gym-rat & muscle heads alike shiver in their own puddle of sweat. Here's a link to the actual book I used https://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Redefine-Your-Conquer-Confidence/dp/1609611004. Several times a week I still integrate their movements into my workouts.

Best of Luck!!!

Skywalker505 knows his straps. However that is the MINI OP/Tech S.O.S Strap. I also use that same strap on my Tom Bihn Pilot and it fits perfectly. The Tom Bihn Absolute Strap is too big IMO for smaller bags and I also don't like the give in the strap when using it with a loaded Aeronaut 45 either. I've switched to carrying the Aeronaut only in backpack mode unless I'm boarding or checking into a hotel. I thought I would retire my Aeronaut 45 when my GR2 40L arrived but I think I'll keep both. I have become a GoRuck fan but Tom Bihn bags have served me well for MANY years and for MANY trips. Both are quality bag manufacturers and each piece has a different set of Pros and Cons. The one perfect bag has yet to be invented IMO. Here is a link to the mini: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001TST8U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A potpourri of questions.

• What are your favorite books or reading material for getting your mind right? FWIW these are three of my favorites:
  
  • Man's Search for Meaning
    
  • Endurance
    
  • Unbroken
    
• What did you learn during the big events you wished you knew beforehand?
  
• What's your favorite little hack or trick?
  
• If selection is a 10. How would you rate HCL? Heavy?
  
• My favorite question: Why do you do it?
  
  

Without having done Navigator, but taking an educated guess: I'd suggest the military model Cammenga compass with tritium lamps. It looks like that course is based on the navigation of special forces selection, and is taught to military standards. The Cammenga is the army compass and will do well for the job. Plus, the tritium is nice for night nav, since it doesn't need to be charged.

Amazon Link

The move seems to be Mechanix gloves.

I've been using these to great success.

Answer by number:

1. Pants. I like Prana, others wear the Goruck brand, some wear the ones you get at Walmart (very similiar to Goruck Simple Pants).
   
2. Gu Gels or Clif Shots, Starburst, some kind of crackers or Datrex emergency bars, candy bar, 5 hour energy. That's it.
   
3. If you're less than 2 weeks out and don't have shoes sorted your feet are likely not going to enjoy this. Trail runners are popular with Hoka and Altra leading that pack. The Goruck MACV-1s are also very popular. I wear New Balance currently and have tested them on the road and trail both doing long rucks. Whatever you get I would wear it 100% of the time between now and your event and do some practice rucks.
   
4. Just a very light rain jacket. You will not be cold for long.
   
5. Bring pedialyte electrolyte powder and mix them when you get a longer break. You shouldn't need more than 2 for this event.
   
   DFQ.

Leukotape. I put 2 strips along my lower back where my ruck rubs during long rucks or events. Works great. I put some on before the heavy of the HTL I just finished and it lasted all weekend and was still difficult to get off. That’s with 3 shower and a swim across a canal in Tampa. I also used some on hot spots on my feet and it was great for that too.

https://www.amazon.com/Leukotape-1-5-Inch-15-Yds-Cover-roll-Stretch/dp/B000FMMTKM

Lots of good advice here. I agree about the need for some type of pouch(es) to give some extra organization so everything doesn't become more of a jumbled mess at the bottom of the bag.

And make sure you carry one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Hammer-Diaper-Dispenser-Lavender/dp/B001QKDI48?th=1

I figure I might as well throw this one out there, it's what I have on my ruck.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MF7H7W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

With two small carabiners at the attachment points and a stiffer frame sheet, I've been able to pretty successfully dump probably 70 percent of my ruck weight off of my shoulders. It's not ideal, but it helps a little bit with that. It's also padded, has reduced that bottom of ruck chafing that I used to always get and keeps it off of your head for bear crawls.

The buckle can get a little annoying, but despite the muck that crawled into it at the start of Heavy 057, it kept working consistently.

If you dont need it to be quick release, something like this might work: https://www.amazon.com/VELCRO-Brand-Purpose-Straps-Elastic/dp/B00006IC2R

Not original or creative, but an S-Biner. Small one on the shoulder strap to keep the water hose in place, larger ones on the front for whatever else I'm clipping on. I actually have used the shoulder strap one to temporarily hold a hanger/suit while I'm trying to one-trip it from the car to the hotel - it looks ridiculous but it's useful. (I mean you can probably just thread a hanger straight into the MOLLE but this was easier.)

Mechanix FastFit Gloves. The velcro wrist strap on the regular Mechanix just gets clogged with mud/grass too easily.

I used this: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NI0626/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Worked very well.

I just received this 15# plate from Amazon for $30.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XT4TXKX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The dimensions for the 30# expert plate are 9" x 11.5" x 1.38"

The dimensions for the plate on Amazon are 9" x 5.7" x 1.35"

I'd rather pay $60 than $95.

Cadre Roony recommended this one: https://www.amazon.com/Eisenhowers-Guerrillas-Jedburghs-Maquis-Liberation/dp/0199942080

amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E59HXC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

They used to sell this on the GORUCK website:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GKFCUW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_zd9yzbZHNGBVT

With the caveat that they are completely unnecessary for events and I mostly brought mine to troll cadre: Fiskars X7

TUF-FOOT Liquid Foot, Hoof and Paw Protection - 7 oz https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0002XI6GU