What would you pack in a 70lb ruck?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 18:40:48 -0400

What would you pack in a 70lbs ruck. Please don’t answer “just put things inside till it reaches 70lbs”. I really don’t believe all of my CIF gear equals 70lbs. Looking for advice.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2020 6:44 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 18:44:17 -0400

If your ruck doesn't weigh a total of 70 pounds with all of your OCIE gear in it, you can add a sand bag or two

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jun 29 at 2020 7:32 PM

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 19:32:07 -0400

My go to was dumbbells wrapped my poncho liner around them to 25lbs for true 50lbs then gear put the dbs on the top so they are not on lower back.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2020 8:14 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 20:14:07 -0400

CIF gear adds up quick if you pack it right. What I've done in the past was use 10 pound weights and added them to the packing kist too make weight.
Be careful using weights though, they like to move around and could make a ruck uncomfortable.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2020 9:09 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 21:09:23 -0400

I’ve used something similar to this in the past.

https://www.itstactical.com/fitcom/running-fitcom/how-to-make-a-sandbag-pill-for-weighted-ruck-runs/

How to Make a Sandbag Pill for Weighted Ruck Runs

Lately I’ve been going on Ruck Runs to build myself up for the GORUCK Challenges I’ll be doing in Oklahoma... View Article

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jun 29 at 2020 9:21 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 21:21:18 -0400

I think the context is needed. Are you packing specifically for a weight limit for a hump or are you packing for the field and need to reach 70lbs?

It’s easy to add weight for the sake of weight but if the contents need to be practical/functional that changes the scenario

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2020 9:30 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 21:30:32 -0400

25lb plate in the radio pouch, OCIE that you don't need right now crammed in, then another weight or sandbag on top of the packed gear.

That said, I never used more than 45lbs in a ruck for PT.
Two ruck runs a week at six miles each with 45lbs, along with the rest of your PT program is enough to prepare for any selection, and won't break you before you get there.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2020 9:59 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 21:59:47 -0400

If it's specifically for weight, I'd build an "egg". Fill a sandbag to about 50 lbs. Wrap it in a plastic bag, so it doesn't get your gear nastier than it needs to be. Wrap that in old uniforms, all the OCIE/TA50 you never use, and get that weight high in the ruck. Pack it extremely tight. Any movement/wobble is a killer.
I am curious though if you have much experience rucking? If not, I definitely recommend you start at a lower weight.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2020 11:02 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 23:02:53 -0400

Unless you’re already rucking 70 pounds, starting out at 70 pounds is just going to break you. Also, you should not be trying to make time with a 70 pound ruck. There is no selection or school where you will have 70 pounds and need to make time. Any event like Ranger School or SFAS when you have that much weight, you will be walking slowly. In Ranger School, your patrol pace will be 1-2 km in an hour. In SFAS you’ll either be walking through the woods on land Nav or walking with your team, slowly, on the team events.

That said, if you need weight, the best thing is to make a sand baby. Several sand babies actually. You should start at a weight you’re already used to and increase weight no more than 10% every month or two.

Remember to walk slow with heavy weight. It’s not your muscles you’re training, it’s your tendons and ligaments. Rule of thumb is it takes the times as long for your connecting tissue to strengthen as it does for your muscles. They also take five times as long to heal when you injure them

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 29 at 2020 11:05 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 23:05:03 -0400

Really, I was lucky to ever carry less than 70 lbs till I got to XVIII ABC.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2020 10:01 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 22:01:00 -0400

I carried a 5qt canteen as well as two canteens of water, C-Rats, extra fatigues, TA-50 needed in the field, rain gear, sleeping gear, ammo, steel pot, and a transistor radio.
M-60 weight didn't count.