If you signed up for a GORUCK Light, GORUCK Tough, or GORUCK Heavy then you should know that one of the requirements is a weighted pack. GORUCK gives you three options to choose from to “make weight” at your event:
- Ruck Plates
- Bricks
- Filler Bag
Which type of weight you choose is up to you and hopefully this post will help you make that decision. As always good luck at your next event!
Types of Weight
Below is a quick description (along with some of the pros/cons we see) of the three types of weights allowed at GORUCK events.
Ruck Plates
Ruck Plates are the newest acceptable form of weight for GORUCK events. GORUCK produces the Ruck Plate however other companies produce comparable plates that can be used at GORUCK events. Currently your options for non-GORUCK plates is Sprouse Metal Craft as SHplates recently closed up shop.
Pros:
- Takes up the least amount of space
- Weighs the exact amount required
- Multi-Purpose: Can also be used for exercising
Cons:
- Most expensive solution
Bricks
Bricks are the original challenge weight. Back at the start of GORUCK there were no options… just bricks. They’re cheap, large, and get the job done… just make sure to wrap them before you start training with them!
Pros:
- Very cheap
- Acts as a “shelf” during buddy carries
- Weighs less than a plate
- Using them makes you feel like an OG
Cons:
- Take up a lot of space
- Can weigh more than a plate
- Need to be properly wrapped
Filler Bag
The GORUCK Filler Bag is by far our least favorite type of weight at an event. There’s just too much chance that water will get in and ruin your life.
Pros:
- Cheap
Cons:
- If water gets in there you’re f***ed
Event Requirements
Each GORUCK event requires a different amount of weight to be within your pack. The amount of weight you need to bring is based on your weight and the event.
| Light | Tough | Heavy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruck Plate | <150 lb: 10 lb >=150lb: 20 lb |
<150 lb: 20 lb >=150lb: 30 lb |
<150 lb: 20 lb >=150lb: 30 lb |
| Bricks | <150 lb: 2 bricks >=150lb: 4 bricks |
<150 lb: 4 bricks >=150lb: 6 bricks |
<150 lb: 4 bricks >=150lb: 6 bricks |
| Filler Bag | <150 lb: 10 lb >=150lb: 20 lb |
<150 lb: 20 lb >=150lb: 30 lb |
<150 lb: 20 lb >=150lb: 30 lb |
Which Weight?
From the above table we would immediately exclude a Filler Bag as a choice. It weighs the same as a Ruck Plate and, besides being cheaper, has the huge disadvantage that water can ruin you. If you choose the filler bag you will want to make sure you tape up and secure the Velcro seam.
The decision now lies between bricks and a Ruck Plate. The interesting thing about a brick is that it can very easily weigh less than 5 lbs… making them weigh less than the plate. Over the course of the past few years I’ve bought and weighed a number of bricks and found that they generally weigh between 4 and 6 pounds.
If you are someone who is trying to game the system (think smarter not harder) then you could show up with 6 bricks that weigh 4 pounds each and have a ruck that weighs 20% less than one with a Ruck Plate.
Conclusion: If you’re looking to skimp on weight then find some light bricks and use them. Saving weight because of a technicality isn’t illegal. If you want to maximize space and carry the “standard” amount of weight then choose the Ruck Plate. If you want to make your life harder then bring a Filler Bag and hope that water doesn’t get into it.