GORUCK has built up a name in the EDC community for their no-nonsense ruck bags with bombproof overbuilt design and plenty of space to carry a day’s essentials and more, and their Rucker 3.0 released towards the end of 2020 was a culmination of purpose for rucking, as well as having a gym on your back. In our time with it the bag performed as advertised and more, offering unique and useful features not even found on their mainline models. And while the three core models in the 3.0 line had plenty of utility, sometimes, you just need to go the extra mile, both with your workout and your gear.
This year the Rucker 4.0 and the Rucker Long Range make their debut, with both bags made with the same attention to detail and durability as all GORUCK bags that came before, and built with long-term and heavy-duty carry as their core functionality. And whether or not you actually go rucking with the new bags, you’ll find a multitude of uses for them in and out of the field.
The biggest upgrade for the Rucker 4.0 was change up the internal and external storage of the bag. Where the original 3.0 interior came with the dual zippered pockets of most GORUCK backpack interiors, the 4.0 changes things up with Velcro closures to reduce wear and tear even more. They’d discovered that heavier loads and impact were often the main reasons for zipper failure, so they removed them from the equation completely while still keeping a space for interior organization. GORUCK also opted to remove the front exterior zipper pocket, which in addition to being another zipper, is also often the most underutilized storage due to its flatter profile especially when the main compartment is full.
For extended wear and workouts, the Rucker 4.0 includes more padding at the top of the plate pocket, and there’s additional ergonomic lumbar support at the bottom. GORUCK have also spent time designing the underside of the straps to cause less friction burn during rough use thanks to the 210D HT nylon they introduced in the 3.0. Everything else that made this bag a great choice for EDC and rucking stays: a super abrasion-resistant mix of 500D or 1000D CORDURA nylon with reliable YKK zippers and extensibility with MOLLE compatible webbing. The side pull handles make for easy carry and retrieval even from awkward storage positions like the top of a luggage compartment. And the reflective stripe built into the bag can help you be seen by motorists as you go about for late-night treks.
The 4.0 is available in both a 20 and 25 liter capacity, with the larger bag including a hip belt for added stability. For extended trips and larger everyday carry and rucking loadouts, there’s also the new Rucker Long Range line with 33 and 39 liter capacities and a taller profile on your back. The Rucker Long range comes with two fold-flat main compartments like the GR2, and comes with a sternum strap as well to deal with the heavier loads.
With all the supply chain issues this year, it’s nice to see GORUCK putting this bag up for preorder in advance. So if you’re interested in getting your hands on either the Rucker 4.0 or the Rucker Long Range, make sure to click the link below and preorder a bag (or two) for yourself. GORUCK anticipates beginning to ship out orders in the middle of March.
Check out the Rucker Long Range
