Ruck Sack Questions:

Ram0528 · 03-15-2005, 08:06 PM

I asked Covert this question & then he recommended I posted it here, so here it is:
Just got an Army issue Ruck to work on rucking w/ weight...Anyways, i was wondering what is best to fill it w/.....i was debating buying bags of sand, but figured may add the weight but not necessarily the proper distribution...Does that make sense?

Recommendation:
Bags of dog food work really well.

Anyways, if anyone else wants to put out any recommendations, I & the rest of the forum would appreciate it.

**Scary** · 03-15-2005, 08:40 PM

I use rock salt put into TWO ziplock bags (double bagged... you can put it into more than two total bags). Its pretty cheap if you don't have sand around and modular. You can always get a blanket and fill the ruck with it then hide the bags in there to distribute weight all around the ruck or do what I do and just put as much as you can in the pouch in the top. I dunno if that's the right way to do it, but it feels a hell of a lot better than putting a whole bag of rock salt in a ruck at the bottom....

E.S.

crazy bay · 03-15-2005, 11:16 PM

guns and ammo....

Turtledrive · 03-15-2005, 11:30 PM

The first thing you want to do is tape a towl to the back of the frame if you have one. The cross bar will eat into your back. I have a 5 quart canteen that is designed to strap right on. Flotation Bladder/collapsible canteen 5qt. DSA100-68-C2742 MWSE 8465-141-0924. If you lgo to lyour surplus store with those numbers thay may be able to get you one. Don't get to lused to having it though. For your training for basic take it off after a while because you will not be able to use it there. What ever you do DO NOT use weight plates. They will rip out the bottom of the ruck and they make a lot of noise. Water weights 7.6 lbs per gallon, take your camelback with you and that will add some weight. The rock salt idea is a good one, I would try that or sand in the same manner. Just remember if you tear on of your salt bags and it gets wet it will absorb the water . I will check around for some more ideas for you.

03-15-2005, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ram0528

I asked Covert this question & then he recommended I posted it here, so here it is:
Just got an Army issue Ruck to work on rucking w/ weight...Anyways, i was wondering what is best to fill it w/.....i was debating buying bags of sand, but figured may add the weight but not necessarily the proper distribution...Does that make sense?

Recommendation:
Bags of dog food work really well.

Anyways, if anyone else wants to put out any recommendations, I & the rest of the forum would appreciate it.

Did you purchase a frame with your ruck? If not you might want to think about getting one. The frame will distribute the weight to your shoulders and hips/lower back, unlike a ruck w/ no frame that will sit on your back like a bookbag, and flop around like a mother while running... also it will get your body used to the P.I.T.A it is to wear one for an extended period of time

Ram0528 · 03-16-2005, 01:37 AM

Sorry, yes i did get it w/ the frame. I appreciate everyone's suggestions

**Scary** · 03-16-2005, 01:09 PM

I would actually discourge you to stay away from water unless it is in something that is VERY tear/leak resistant (like a camelback resevoir)... we had a female cadet put her liquid laundry detergent bottle in her ruck and leave a march smelling like fresh laundry...plus I save the rock salt for winter and put it on the steps of my apartment when they freeze...

E.S.

crazy bay · 03-16-2005, 07:19 PM

What is this in preperation for?

Ram0528 · 03-16-2005, 09:20 PM

Basic & possibly OCS

333MP · 03-17-2005, 11:52 AM

Personally I just use big rocks, or I did before I got my gear, now I just shove it full of that. If you can get a hold of some large rocks, pakc them into the ruck with towels for distribution.

**cplmpes30** · 03-19-2005, 02:52 AM

The important thing is to get someone with experience show you how to distribute weight.

I don't know how they do it but I seem to run in Americans with badly loaded backpacks at the Nijmegen marches.

I still have to understand if the shape of the sack or some other reason makes them pack the heaviest ballast the furthest from the back.

Result is a guy balancing at 25 degrees forward to compensate the load.

Helped one once, picked his pack up for a couple of miles, then spend 10 minutes reorganising the jumble at the resting point.

At the beer tent, later that afternoon, he thanked me and commented that by distributing the load like I did he had the perception of having less weight.

Cheers

Bruno

**Brad** · 03-19-2005, 09:33 AM

Bruno can you explain the way to distribute the weight, or would you just have to demonstrate it?

Rusty24 · 03-19-2005, 12:17 PM

Here is a few pointers that may help .... everybody is different so do whats best for you. For weight I have 2 - 5.56 ammo cans filled with wet sand. Take a small garbage bag and place it in the can. Fill with sand and moisten. You are not looking to create a swimming pool, just moisten. Depending on how much weight I need, I may add a second can as well. I have one of the old "green bean" fart sacks (sleeping bags) and I place both cans in that and then slide them in the ruck.

I used to have 2 - 16lb bowling balls. I would place them in the old sleeping bag as well. Those balls had about 20 to 25 Combat Equipment jumps. I used them when we were doing elevators.

As far as weight placement, I would recommend high and in on the shoulders. If you put the weight low it will cause you lower back to "push forward". Water, stay away unless it is a camel bak like mentioned before. If you have air in your can it will slosh around and be a pain in the ass to get in your walking groove. Having the weight against your back will also enable you to balance your body easier in rough terrian. Aslo cinch down your staps as tight as possible. When your load starts to move around it can cause discomfort and problems.

Think of it like this. Which is easier?

Holding a 45lb weight with your hands as far out from your body as possible, while keeping it parallel to your waist?

OR

Holding a 45lb weight agaist your chest with your arms wrapped around it?