Let’s face it… ruck plates are the new standard for GORUCK events. They weigh the appropriate amount, they are relatively inexpensive, and they don’t take up much space in a pack. I have spent a lot of time with them and came up a carry solution that makes rucking with them easier. The goal of this article is to show you how I secure my ruck plate for rucking. I use a GORUCK Rucker but there’s no reason you couldn’t apply this to a similar pack.
Leading up to this article I had been tossing either a 20 lb or 30 lb ruck plate inside a GORUCK Rucker and simply hoped for the best. What I found was that the bottom edge of the ruck plate dug into my lower back. The solution I came up with, and present below, completely removes the lower back pain. I realize that not everyone experiences this but if you do then please give this a shot and let me know in the comments how it worked.
Issue
The issue I was experiencing was that the ruck plates would dig into my lower back causing some light discomfort when rucking. In addition, the weight was low in the pack which made it slightly more difficult to ruck with.
Solution
The solution I came up uses a yoga block to both remove the lower back pain and raise the weight in your pack.
Materials
To follow along with this solution you will need:
- Yoga Block (1): You will need one of these to raise the ruck plate.
- Sharp Cutting Object (1): You will need this to cut the yoga block in half.
- Ruck Plate (1): You need weight to raise and secure.
- Securing Straps (GR1 Only)
Steps
- Gather all of your materials
- Make sure your sharp cutting object is indeed sharp
- Trace a line around the yoga block based on the ruck plate width
- Cut the yoga block in half along the line
- Break yoga block apart
- Ensure height is acceptable
- Clean up mess
Using The Yoga Block
Now that you’ve made your franken-yoga-block it’s time to put it to good use!
GORUCK Rucker
I’ve used the GORUCK Rucker configuration in one GORUCK Tough event so far with awesome results. To use the Yoga block within the GORUCK Rucker just follow these two easy steps:
- Slide half yoga block into backpack
- Slide weight plate into ruck and secure
GORUCK GR1
I have not tested this configuration at a GORUCK event. However, if I were trying to elevate a Ruck Plate in a GR1 I would do the following:
- Gather the straps (more the merrier)
- Slide yoga block into GR1
- Weave straps through top row of webbing
- Weave straps over Ruck Plate and through second row of webbing
- Pull straps through
- Buckle straps together
- Slide second half of yoga block in to sleeve
- Complete!
As I mentioned before I have not tried this method at an event however I’d use it for a few reasons. First, by weaving multiple straps through the top two rows of webbing you are doing a better job distributing the weight between molle. This should help prevent webbing from being pulled loose due to the weight. The second yoga block will also assist in keeping the ruck plate on top of the first yoga block as the sleeve in the GR1 has much more “give” than the Rucker.
Conclusion
When it comes down to it rucking is tough. You’re carrying weight for an extended period of time and it’s not easy. Don’t make it harder than it needs to be. Give this idea a shot and let me know if this makes rucking with plates better for you.
Brian, where did you get your securing straps? I want to try this with my 21L GR1
In the past I’ve had all of my custom straps made at Strapworks. Hope that helps!
Thanks for the suggestion, its working great with my Rucker. The hardest part was cutting the yoga block in a straight line….but then again that why i’m not a surgeon.
Using a regular handsaw is much easier than a knife. Since the blade of a handsaw is tall and flat, the cut is simple to get uniform.
I use 1/4 of a yoga block in my rucker to get the weight up high, and share the rest!
Awesome! That definitely seems like it would be both easier and better.
myself and another teammate placed our 30 pound plates in the larger mesh pocket inside the GR1 and zipped it closed. the weight is away from your back which is a little off but is very secure and does not touch your back at all. after the event and trying it in the sleeve closer to the body I think the sleeve is a better way to go and leave the laptop compartment for water as you seem to need to get at your bladder more than inside the main pack .
I mounted my plate sideways from yours. I didnt need the yoga blocks thst way and the plate is secure both directions. Just finished a light with no issues.
Interesting, was that in a Rucker or a GR1? And what sized plate?
20Lb in a GR1. I just ordered a 30lb for my next event. I’ll see if it mounts differently.
Mounts just fine sideways.
And the bladder hanger is available for use.
Probably a super stupid question. But once the plate is secured, how do you hook the hydration bladder in? It looks like there is no free molle available.
I like the GR1 solution, only question I have is, why do you put the rest of the yoga block in, on the inside of the pocket? Is it to just keep the plate pushed up against the back of the pocket? Wondering if anyone has used this set up for a Tough yet .. if so I’d love some feedback .. have one coming up and not sure which way to go.
I stuck the rest of the yoga block in there because the GR1 internal pocket isn’t as tight as the Rucker. The goal was to fill some space and force the Ruck Weight to stay on top of the yoga block.
Thanks Brian, always appreciate your info. I’ve been following this page since I started rucking and I always learn something new. Has anyone got back to you about trying this setup for a Tough ?
Awesome! Thanks for this. I just looked, yoga blocks are available at my Target for like $6. Also, for cutting the block, I’m gonna try my electric carving knife.
Would love to hear how that goes. As you can see from the knife I used there were a lot of cuts. I had a friend use a hacksaw and he said it was a breeze.
I used the purple hard cell foam from home depot. It is already the right thickness and easy to cut to size. Way cheaper than a yoga block as well. I bought a 2’x2′ sheet and it has enough to cut the prop-up pieces for several rucks, making it even cheaper if you share. I just traced the shape of the plate and then decided how long I wanted the piece to be. In a Rucker it works perfectly.
I’ll have to look into that! The yoga block ran me $5 shipped so it really wasn’t too bad…. but a 2′ x 2′ sheet could even be split with a few friends to make it an even better deal.
Wouldn’t the convenience of placing the plate in the GR1 laptop sleeve bypass the straps? Have you noticed a difference in the weight being located in the sleeve versus the inside pouch?
It would, but GORUCK has had issues with Ruck Plates that are not properly padded busting the zipper on the GR1 laptop sleeve. Jason as stated that if this occurs (zipper on laptop sleeve breaks due to Ruck Plate) and the GR1 is sent in to SCARS then SCARS will sew the laptop compartment closed permanently.
Being a semi-cautious individual I’d rather just not deal with even the slight chance of busting the laptop sleeve which would pretty much turn my GR1 into a Rucker.
I got a paddle board swimming aid and cut holes in it where the ruck plate handles are. Then lash both of them into the ruck’s webbing like in this article. It adds a layer of cushioning all along the ruck plate and adds a little buoyancy.
https://www.amazon.com/Adult-Swim-Training-Kickboard-Lightweight/dp/B01CRH7B1E/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1468886529&sr=1-2&keywords=swim+paddle+board
That’s an awesome idea! Thanks so much for sharing… it’s definitely nice to get some padding on the top of the ruck plate.
Is there any way you could post a pic or email me one? I really want to try this out but want to make sure I’m doing what I am imagining from what you’re describing.
need that GR1 solution…..looking forward to it.
Just put one up there! Haven’t used it at an event but it’s what I would do if I were going to… I’ll keep working on it but I think it’s pretty solid.
I will try this in training thanks