(Part 4) Top products from r/Goruck

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

This Vanquest PPM-HUSKY 2.0 is awesome and fits perfectly. But you'll need some of these.

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.

I believe this is the one I have, except mine is blue. The link says this one is crush proof too. I know mine has definitely been treated roughly.

It definitely adds a little bulk, but I find it big enough to store things you definitely don't want to get wet (i.e. phone, batteries, electrolyte tablets, advil, etc.)

I don't use them 99% of the time. I separate and waterproof elements inside of my packs, not as a whole.

I have used rain covers from Kelty and Eberlestock. Both were fine, just know that they aren't magic and if you need to access your gear, it'll get wet. Additionally, general purpose/flexible sized covers are going to have some slack to them (they fit like shower caps), so if you have to move through dense brush, you are likely to snag on things periodically.

There are TSA approved locks with wire shackles that fit almost anywhere.

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 carry nalgenes with me everywhere, and have both the 5.11 and the Maxpedition bottle holders. Both are very well made and fit a standard 32oz Nalgene bottle.

I prefer the 5.11 holder and it's what's on my GR1 since it's a little lower profile - I don't need the extra pouch the Maxpedition has, and also because I prefer the 5.11s quick release buckle.

5.11 Bottle Holder

Maxpedition Bottle Holder

Something like this

They have a wide variety of sizes and are low profile so you might be able to just wrap it around the bag if you can't feel it when it's on your back then np, wrap the shoes up in it.

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.)

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

What about one of those clipboards with integrated storage?

//Edit: Or a "job jacket?"

Invest in The Stick and work your calves and muscles on the outside of each shin.

Stretch too!

Boom.

The pulls on the ruck make it difficult. Although I have not tried it, this might work to loop through the zippers as they attach to the base.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BL4YG2/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AE78PB5T4N73S