The Shaddox Tactical Weight Plate Pocket is an awesome addition to a GORUCK pack. It’s a pouch that you attach to the internal webbing and allows you to elevate weight plates (very similar to the Rucker 2.0) making them less terrible to carry. There are currently three versions of the weight plate pockets each designed to hold the different Ruck Plates that GORUCK sells.
I’ve been using these for a while now and after seeing how a few other people installed them (improperly) I thought it was time to make a “how to” post on it. I have my own method of installing them but ended up reaching out to Shaddox Tactical to figure out their recommendations. I figured if I were going through the process of writing this post I might as well use their preferred method.
Shaddox Tactical’s Installation Method
I sent an email to Shaddox Tactical on how they recommend attaching their pouches and Clay, the owner, hit me back. He provided a few pictures (the clearest one is above) and some text that gave me some good direction on how to get it tight and secure.
Weaving MALICE Clips
The Shaddox Tactical method uses the Long MALICE Clips (designed by Tactical Tailor) which generally cover five rows of webbing. What surprised me the most was the way Shaddox Tactical uses them actually covers six rows of webbing. This isn’t something I would have ever thought to do so I’m very glad I reached out and got their opinion. In their method the top three rows of the ruck and the top three rows of the pouch are used to secure the pouch to the ruck. Here are two ways you can weave the MALICE clips through the pocket and ruck to get them into the above configuration.
Weaving Option 1
When I worked to secure the pouch I found it easiest to weave one column at a time starting from one side of the pack (doesn’t matter which one) and making my way across to the other side.
Start with the MALICE clip at the top of the bag with the connection side on the bottom. Slide the connection side through the top row of webbing on the GORUCK bag and the other side through the top row of the pouch.
Weave both sides of the MALICE clip through the second row of webbing on the pouch.
Weave both sides of the MALICE clip through the second row of webbing on the ruck.
Weave both sides of the MALICE clip through the third row of webbing on the pouch.
Weave the connection side under the third row of webbing on the ruck while running the other side of the clip over the third row.
Pull the connection side out of the bottom of the third row and connect the MALICE clip together.
Make sure to pull on it to ensure it’s locked in tight. Repeat this three more times across the other columns and you’re set!
Weaving Option 2
The second weaving option follows the more traditional approach to using MALICE clips. Using this option I, again, found it easier to attach one clip at a time making my way from one side of the pack to the other side.
Starting by inserting the MALICE clip through the 3rd (from the top) row of webbing on the ruck. Ensure the connection side has the release facing up.
Route the MALICE clip through the 3rd (from the top) row of webbing on the pouch.
Route the MALICE clip through the 2nd (from the top) row of webbing on the ruck.
Route the MALICE clip through the 2nd (from the top) row of webbing on the pouch.
Route the MALICE clip through the top row of webbing on the ruck.
Pull it through until the connection point hits the row of webbing it initially was run through.
You should now have a lot of clip to weave back through on the other end.
Route the end of the MALICE clip through the top row of webbing on the pouch.
Continue the clip through the 2nd (from the top) row of webbing on the pouch.
Route the clip through the 2nd (from the top) row of webbing on the ruck.
Route the clip through the 3rd (from the top) row of webbing on the pouch.
At this point you’re probably going to need to pull the clip a little to get it to tighten up so that you’ll have enough room to make the connection. You’re essentially trying to route a clip designed for five rows of webbing through six rows of webbing.
Connect the clip together and you’re set! Do this again for the next column of webbing until you have all four columns secured.
Final Touches
When you’re done you should have something that looks like this. Yours might (or might not) have the logo patch and an HK Quick Clip on it but mine do.
I found it’s a lot easier to ruck with this pouch when I slide it into the document pouch on the GORUCK bag.
Installation Thoughts
What are your thoughts on this installation method? Do you have one of these pouches and are you using it a similar way or did you install it differently? We would love to hear anything and everything in the comments… it seems a lot of people have their own tricks and tips for these pouches and it’s always great to learn some more!
Has anyone ever combined / Does anyone know if you can combine the Shaddox weight plate pocket with the Ruck Customs shooter conversion sheet to make a shooter-plate pocket setup within a GR1? Any feedback appreciated, thanks!
Just received my Shaddox pouch and Malice clips and was having a helluva time figuring out how to get it all attached. This article was a huge help! Went with option 1 and after struggling a bit to get the clips fed through the pouch molle, ended up using a butter knife to help clear space and guide the clips though. Was much easier than hands alone. Thanks for being my go-to source for all things ruck!
So glad to hear it helped out! Hope it leads to even more rucking in your future!
Hey Brian ….so really like the description of ways to attach the Shadoox tactical Pouches …. what I did with mine was attach one 20/30#pouch on one side of a Grey man rigid tactical insert with the larger 45#plate pouch attached to other side (attached with heavy duty zip ties) this way I can slide the whole thing down into elastic pouch of GR2 Ruck, 25L Rucker or other Rucks and carry either 20,30,45# or a combo therein …it works and allows for CTHT with more weight ….
I’m new to rucking, so I’m trying to figure things out. I have a 15L Bullet, which I use for work/EDC, and for a range bag. I use Greyman RIP-M panels to help keep things organized. I want to use the Bullet I already have for a Light event – maybe a Tough – since I don’t want to invest in another bag (like a Rucker or GR1).
Would attaching this pouch to the RIP-M work to keep a 20# or 30# weight from moving around (especially falling forward and hitting me in the head during bear crawls) during an event?
Thanks for your insights!
What size RIP-M panel do you have and which Shaddox Tactical Weight Plate pocket were you looking to attach? The RIP-M panels are very sturdy so I’d imagine it would work depending on the weight. I know they’re good at carrying loads for a long amount of time just not sure if 20 lbs or 30 lbs would be too much for them.
I’m looking at the Padded Weight Plate Pocket (regular). I have the RIP-M (9.25″ X 17″), which fits nicely in the 15L Bullet. I would be fine having the weight lower inside the ruck of it would make the panel more stable.
Will these fit the Titan Plates of at least 25lbs? or only exclusively Goruck Plates?
There’s 3 different versions currently. The 20 lb pocket should fit the 20 lb Titan Fitness plate and the 45 lb pocket should fit the 45 lb Titan Fitness plate. If you have a different weight Shaddox Tactical does make custom pockets so I’m sure they could design one to fit it. Hope that helps!
I purchased the 45# pocket and it fit my 30# Titan plate, as I believe they are similar dimensions, just with the 45# being thicker.
It’s a great way to keep your options open for when you upgrade the weight. ;-)
Thank you for this timely article! I was messing around with the Shaddox pouch and Malice clips for a while before finding your article. This helped a lot! After reading the comments, i skipped the top row of molle on the pich and attached the bottom 3 rows of the pouch to the 3 rows in the GR1 to raise it up. Hopefully that and the Kydex frame sheet will make the ruck as comfortable as I’m thinking it will
I find that if I attach the pouch one row of mole lower, I get less buckling at the bottom of the GR1 resulting in less chaffing. I have the 26L variant so this might be the reason. I still get essentially two rows of mole bearing the load. Thoughts?
I also use the Malice clip like a mole stick (fully open), resulting in what Jeff said above with great results (one Light without problem).
Very interesting! I’m noticing a little bit of chaffing as well and am wondering if that’s part of the reason. I was going to give it a few more rucks before switching it around but it’s interesting to hear you’re experiencing that as well. If it’s still doing that I’ll drop it down to the lower 2 (skip the top row) and see how that works.
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave that!
I’ve had good results using Vanquest Molle Sticks to attach my padded pocket to my GR1.
Awesome! I’ve got some of those lying around actually and will give it a shot this week. I wanted the first version to be Shaddox Tactical’s recommendation then work out from there.
Hi Brian. Were you able to test the Vanquest Molle Sticks to attach the Shaddox pocket to your rucksack/GR1? Thanks.