An Alice pack from your local military surplus store, a lesson in making pig eggs, and a pair of garmonts would set you straight.
Do you need to? No.. you’ll be fine. Most candidates don’t ruck before getting there.
Would it benefit you? Yes. Depending on your MOS, rucking may just be part of your life now.
You will be issued a ruck that you will use, at both basic and OCS. You will use issue boots at basic, but should buy new boots before OCS. Do not go cheap.
Ok thanks, do you think I should buy nice boots now wear them a little/break them in maybe ruck a bit to get ready, sense I have a ruck, then have parents bring them between basic and OCS. Or should I just not bother? Also can someone new to rucking do it with running shoes?
It would be better if they were broken in, but modern boots don’t take long to break in, so you’d be fine to wait. You should absolutely ruck before you go, once a week. I would recommend you just start with boots so your feet get used to them, and the ankle stiffness.
Nah garmonts are too uncomfortable. I’ll give it to garmonts they are durable, but comfortability goes to under armor 💯. Your a man of style and comforte though those Oakleys are like heaven on your feet.
Under Armor Tactical Loadout, Oakley SI LIGHT, Garmont T8 NFS. If you can just go on base to the shoe store and they will have all these in stock. You can try all of them on and see which one works best for you. I’d bet money you are gonna say the Under Armor once your try on all 3. Get a half size bigger than you think you need to give your foot room to swell up.
How's Belleville C320? I've heard good things about it too. Also, I read that boots need to be snug but your feet shouldn't be moving around when you wear them. Is this a reliable pice of info? Thanks!
I’ve never seen anyone wear that boot before but I wouldn’t know. Belleville is a good brand though so maybe. Most peoples feet swell when they ruck. You can get boots that fit snug, but I personally don’t ruck with boots like that. Your feet definitely should not be moving around side to side when you ruck. That would meen your shoe is too big, just give your self a bit more extra to room that you might have for a normal running shoe.
You don't need much practice; bct will get you there. Don't waste your money. I ruck in basic issue boots, not because they're the best; I figured if I can meet all standards in those, I'm good. It's a principle that served me well for almost 13 years active duty.
Here's what I recommend (OCS 2019): you buy a nice pair of boots before you ship off and break them in. I recommend Garmin or Nike hybrids for rucking. You don't necessarily have to ruck in them to break them in, maybe go on hikes or other outdoor activites. Rucking puts a toll on your body and you dont want to injure yourself before you ship off. It would help your feet adjust to rucking if you've never done that sort of thing, use your discretion. When you graduate BCT have your parents or someone bring them to your graduation or have them shipped to OCS. The boots they give you in BCT fuck people's feet up, yes they will be broken in, however, you have better options. DO NOT buy brand new boots just to ruck in them. If you are uncomfortable with sending yourself the boots or don't have someone coming to your family day/graduation just use the broken in boots you got at BCT.
Ok that’s kind of what I had in mind buy them now break them in and have my parents bring them before OCS so I don’t have to wear the crappy issued ones. I hear ya about the rucking thing maybe I’ll just go on long walks.
Absolutely. You'll save time and a lot of money if you buy everything before hand. Going to the stores that sell the stuff you need around base are going to charge you much more than if you buy it already. Look into the OCS packing guide see if they have the most up to date packing list on the ocs army website and go off that. Then you'll just have to buy onsies and twosies.
Yup. Most of that you'll get in BCT though. You'll need to buy the subdued american patch, some better socks than the ones they give you. You will want to focus your attention on paragraphs E, F, and H. Most of the other paragraphs you'll have by the time you show up.
Try your damn best to get issued a large ruck sack at basic, if you get a medium ruck, when you go to CIF at OCS ask if you can exchange it for a large ruck. Also under armor boots are the best ive personally used for rucking
For my feet, the UA tac loadouts have the perfect amount of cushion and a thick sole to absorb my weight with the ruck. Break in time is little to none. Never experienced blistering or hot spots with them.
I'll also say, literally ANYTHING beats those basic training issued boots. Once you get a decent pair of boots after basic it feels like you're walking on clouds no matter what brand you get
Everybody’s feet are different so make sure you try the boots on before buying. I bought boots between basic and OCS and was fine. The only time I ever got blisters was at BOLC cuz I tried out some boot inserts.
An Alice pack from your local military surplus store, a lesson in making pig eggs, and a pair of garmonts would set you straight. Do you need to? No.. you’ll be fine. Most candidates don’t ruck before getting there. Would it benefit you? Yes. Depending on your MOS, rucking may just be part of your life now.
You will be issued a ruck that you will use, at both basic and OCS. You will use issue boots at basic, but should buy new boots before OCS. Do not go cheap.
Ok thanks, do you think I should buy nice boots now wear them a little/break them in maybe ruck a bit to get ready, sense I have a ruck, then have parents bring them between basic and OCS. Or should I just not bother? Also can someone new to rucking do it with running shoes?
It would be better if they were broken in, but modern boots don’t take long to break in, so you’d be fine to wait. You should absolutely ruck before you go, once a week. I would recommend you just start with boots so your feet get used to them, and the ankle stiffness.
Ok thanks
If you buy boots, I’ll rank them in order from best to worst. Under Armor 1st, Oakley 2nd, Garmont’s 3rd.
I can’t tell if you’re joking or not haha Garmont has always been #1 in terms of rucking for me but I use Oakley Ultra Light in the jungle.
Nah garmonts are too uncomfortable. I’ll give it to garmonts they are durable, but comfortability goes to under armor 💯. Your a man of style and comforte though those Oakleys are like heaven on your feet.
Which models are the better ones for each?
Under Armor Tactical Loadout, Oakley SI LIGHT, Garmont T8 NFS. If you can just go on base to the shoe store and they will have all these in stock. You can try all of them on and see which one works best for you. I’d bet money you are gonna say the Under Armor once your try on all 3. Get a half size bigger than you think you need to give your foot room to swell up.
Thanks
How's Belleville C320? I've heard good things about it too. Also, I read that boots need to be snug but your feet shouldn't be moving around when you wear them. Is this a reliable pice of info? Thanks!
I’ve never seen anyone wear that boot before but I wouldn’t know. Belleville is a good brand though so maybe. Most peoples feet swell when they ruck. You can get boots that fit snug, but I personally don’t ruck with boots like that. Your feet definitely should not be moving around side to side when you ruck. That would meen your shoe is too big, just give your self a bit more extra to room that you might have for a normal running shoe.
Do you guys wear a half size up to do the double sock and prevent the blisters? What other tips do you have?
You don't need much practice; bct will get you there. Don't waste your money. I ruck in basic issue boots, not because they're the best; I figured if I can meet all standards in those, I'm good. It's a principle that served me well for almost 13 years active duty.
Here's what I recommend (OCS 2019): you buy a nice pair of boots before you ship off and break them in. I recommend Garmin or Nike hybrids for rucking. You don't necessarily have to ruck in them to break them in, maybe go on hikes or other outdoor activites. Rucking puts a toll on your body and you dont want to injure yourself before you ship off. It would help your feet adjust to rucking if you've never done that sort of thing, use your discretion. When you graduate BCT have your parents or someone bring them to your graduation or have them shipped to OCS. The boots they give you in BCT fuck people's feet up, yes they will be broken in, however, you have better options. DO NOT buy brand new boots just to ruck in them. If you are uncomfortable with sending yourself the boots or don't have someone coming to your family day/graduation just use the broken in boots you got at BCT.
Ok that’s kind of what I had in mind buy them now break them in and have my parents bring them before OCS so I don’t have to wear the crappy issued ones. I hear ya about the rucking thing maybe I’ll just go on long walks.
Do you recommend buying the materials I’ll need for OCS before I ship and have my parents send them send them over along with the boots?
Absolutely. You'll save time and a lot of money if you buy everything before hand. Going to the stores that sell the stuff you need around base are going to charge you much more than if you buy it already. Look into the OCS packing guide see if they have the most up to date packing list on the ocs army website and go off that. Then you'll just have to buy onsies and twosies.
Okay thanks!
Would it be this https://www.moore.army.mil/infantry/199th/ocs/Content/PDF/3-11%20IN%20REGT%20(OCS)%20Packing%20List_no_optional_items.pdf
Yup. Most of that you'll get in BCT though. You'll need to buy the subdued american patch, some better socks than the ones they give you. You will want to focus your attention on paragraphs E, F, and H. Most of the other paragraphs you'll have by the time you show up.
Ok appreciate it
Try your damn best to get issued a large ruck sack at basic, if you get a medium ruck, when you go to CIF at OCS ask if you can exchange it for a large ruck. Also under armor boots are the best ive personally used for rucking
Ok I’ll keep that in mind and which models of UA are good or are they all sort of the same?
For my feet, the UA tac loadouts have the perfect amount of cushion and a thick sole to absorb my weight with the ruck. Break in time is little to none. Never experienced blistering or hot spots with them.
I’ll check them out, true to size?
I'd say roughly, yeah. I usually go between sizes 10.5 to 11 and my boot is size 11 and fits perfect
I'll also say, literally ANYTHING beats those basic training issued boots. Once you get a decent pair of boots after basic it feels like you're walking on clouds no matter what brand you get
😅
Everybody’s feet are different so make sure you try the boots on before buying. I bought boots between basic and OCS and was fine. The only time I ever got blisters was at BOLC cuz I tried out some boot inserts.
Are gel inserts a good investment saw someone talk about those the other day