The Drop: GORUCK Rough Runners
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It's a big EDC market out there, and tons of awesome gear is released all the time. We made The Drop to help you discover the latest and greatest essentials worth a spot in your EDC.
When you think GORUCK, the first thing that probably comes to mind is their legendary EDC bags. Along with their regular special forces-inspired events, that’s certainly their bread and butter, but more and more they’re building out the pieces of a very tough, very high-performance everyday wardrobe, from shirts and pants to socks and now a whole lineup of training shoes and boots.
Their latest foray into footwear is the Rough Runners, an alternative to their ballistic trainers focused more on pounding the pavement rather than a more focused training shoe. They’ve put a lot of thought into it, developed it a ton during their 2023 GORUCK Games, and cobbled together many features in one shoe that the big athletic brands don’t even do.
While I personally prefer a big stack of pillowy cushion for my everyday shoes and general gym excursions, the Rough Runners instead are dialed in for key objectives: maximum support, responsive cushioning, and lateral stability. They achieve this with a combination of a gradient density EVA midsole with triple arch support, a 10mm offset, a 3D-molded heel lock and a TPU heel counter, and a custom high-density PU foam insert for said arch support. A lightweight, TPU-reinforced, 100D polyester mesh upper and trail-ready outsole covers the bases on the top and bottom of the shoe.
It’s a lot more foundationally sound than the max cushion or racing shoes I’ve tried or currently use and is a pair I’m looking forward to putting to the test to compare against my usual rotation. I do think it’s also one of their better footwear designs, with two solid colorways to choose from and a competitive price against most mid-tier running shoes on the market today.
What I like: The Rough Runners are newcomers to the crowded running shoe market, but with GORUCK’s background, experience in extreme use cases, and dedication to making ultra-tough gear, I think this could be a strong contender.
What to watch out for: The understated design may not be for everyone if you’re after a bit more flair for your feet. Understandable given GORUCK’s utilitarian design language, but I do think this is their best footwear design yet.
Final verdict: This is very likely the next stability shoe I pick up.
He has lived through many personal and professional lives, spending nearly a decade in the workforce management industry, a minor career in gaming, and has lent a hand with entrepreneurial efforts back home in the Philippines. He has also been an active participant and helped build a number of significant social communities online, both for EDC and his other hobbies.
Mikey has been at the cusp of gaming, technology, and the internet since the ‘90s and continues to lend his experience, expertise, and authority to all his pursuits. When not online, in a game, watching movies, or speedrunning his next hobby, you’ll find him in the gym, taking care of his pug, and talking at length about EDC with anyone willing to listen.
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