Women - Please note that most, if not all, of these shoes are designed using a "unisex", i.e. male, last - the form used to shape the footbed. Women's feet are anatomically different than men's and shaped differently, and we have different biomechanical patterns, which can and do lead to injuries when wearing poorly-fitted footwear. Industry's approach has always been "shrink it and pink it", but we are not small men. I did a lot of rucking in my Army days in tiny combat boots meant for men and am still dealing with orthopedic injuries from it. Please consider wearing a shoe designed on a women's last.
I recently found the Naglev boot and have been rucking in it for a few weeks. It's quite stiff at first but broke in quickly but gives me plenty of support without much weight. a size 42 weighs in at 420g so no weight penalty for the stiffness which I believe comes from kevlar.
I have tried two pair (different sizes) of the MACV-1s and haven’t been able to nail the sizing. The highspeed version with no heel cup may be the answer. Interested to try the Mackalls as well. For years now I’ve just worn my regular running shoes for lighter / shorter rucks. For longer / heavier ones I have a pair of light hikers from Danner that have worked well for me for years.
I just got my first pair of the goruck mackalls and tried them out on a short ruck. So far so good! I normally wear zero heel drop shoes (altra, xero) but have been doing the goruck ballistic trainers more frequently as of late. Def understand the need for something besides minimalist shoes for rucking.
Great post, thanks for the info! Questions and advice needed. I pushed myself a little too hard over the past three months and ended up with a mild case of Achilles tendinitis (classic overuse). I'm dealing with it through stretching and just being smarter about my activities and things are slowly improving. Footwear-wise, I switched to GORUCK MACV-2 - MID TOPs. I ended up switching out the inserts to something more cushy (Timberland PRO inserts) and a pair of Orthotic Heel Cups, the thought being I'd add more cushion to take the strain off my tendons. Overall I'm really please with these boots; very comfortable on longer rucks. Am I over-thinking all this? Is the stock insert fine or a better choice than all the padding I've added? As for alternate footwear, I've always been a Vasque guy, so I've got shoes similar to the Moab you recommended and Sundowners. Should I be wearing the same boots all the time or switching up based on surface and/or distance?
Man, I have a pair of MACV-1's and absolutely love them. Wore them all the time. Those and my TOPO Pursuits for summer rucks are my go to shoes. I too developed Achilles tendinitis (actually bursitis at the heel insertion). Struggled for months with this, by November my flair ups were so bad I couldn't walk. I Spent three months foam rolling and various calf raises, and continued to get flair ups. Somebody pointed out that my problems started shortly after I started wearing the MACV's. I took them out of rotation a month ago and have not had an issue since. I am not sure if it is because I went from years of zero drop to a drop with the MACV's.
Just want to mention so you can pay attention should your problem get worse. I just got some heel cups to see if they help. The MACV's are so comfortable for everyday wear, I want to figure out how to make them work.
I am relatively new to rucking, but absolutely love it. I am 6’3, about 250 (for now). I found traditional running shoes too bouncy, and hiking shoes too heavy and cumbersome when rucking. I reluctantly bought the Ballistic trainers and have been pleasantly surprised how comfortable they are. As a bigger guy they have provided me perfect support. So if you are on the fence, give them a shot.
Women - Please note that most, if not all, of these shoes are designed using a "unisex", i.e. male, last - the form used to shape the footbed. Women's feet are anatomically different than men's and shaped differently, and we have different biomechanical patterns, which can and do lead to injuries when wearing poorly-fitted footwear. Industry's approach has always been "shrink it and pink it", but we are not small men. I did a lot of rucking in my Army days in tiny combat boots meant for men and am still dealing with orthopedic injuries from it. Please consider wearing a shoe designed on a women's last.
I recently found the Naglev boot and have been rucking in it for a few weeks. It's quite stiff at first but broke in quickly but gives me plenty of support without much weight. a size 42 weighs in at 420g so no weight penalty for the stiffness which I believe comes from kevlar.
I have tried two pair (different sizes) of the MACV-1s and haven’t been able to nail the sizing. The highspeed version with no heel cup may be the answer. Interested to try the Mackalls as well. For years now I’ve just worn my regular running shoes for lighter / shorter rucks. For longer / heavier ones I have a pair of light hikers from Danner that have worked well for me for years.
I just got my first pair of the goruck mackalls and tried them out on a short ruck. So far so good! I normally wear zero heel drop shoes (altra, xero) but have been doing the goruck ballistic trainers more frequently as of late. Def understand the need for something besides minimalist shoes for rucking.
Is there any difference in gate between rucking and hiking with a pack?
I love the Goruck for training and rucking... great shoes!!!!
Great post, thanks for the info! Questions and advice needed. I pushed myself a little too hard over the past three months and ended up with a mild case of Achilles tendinitis (classic overuse). I'm dealing with it through stretching and just being smarter about my activities and things are slowly improving. Footwear-wise, I switched to GORUCK MACV-2 - MID TOPs. I ended up switching out the inserts to something more cushy (Timberland PRO inserts) and a pair of Orthotic Heel Cups, the thought being I'd add more cushion to take the strain off my tendons. Overall I'm really please with these boots; very comfortable on longer rucks. Am I over-thinking all this? Is the stock insert fine or a better choice than all the padding I've added? As for alternate footwear, I've always been a Vasque guy, so I've got shoes similar to the Moab you recommended and Sundowners. Should I be wearing the same boots all the time or switching up based on surface and/or distance?
Man, I have a pair of MACV-1's and absolutely love them. Wore them all the time. Those and my TOPO Pursuits for summer rucks are my go to shoes. I too developed Achilles tendinitis (actually bursitis at the heel insertion). Struggled for months with this, by November my flair ups were so bad I couldn't walk. I Spent three months foam rolling and various calf raises, and continued to get flair ups. Somebody pointed out that my problems started shortly after I started wearing the MACV's. I took them out of rotation a month ago and have not had an issue since. I am not sure if it is because I went from years of zero drop to a drop with the MACV's.
Just want to mention so you can pay attention should your problem get worse. I just got some heel cups to see if they help. The MACV's are so comfortable for everyday wear, I want to figure out how to make them work.
Thanks for the reply, Brian. I’m going to try to switch mine out for a bit. I’m with you, I love my MACVs and would hate it if they had to be rehomed.
I am relatively new to rucking, but absolutely love it. I am 6’3, about 250 (for now). I found traditional running shoes too bouncy, and hiking shoes too heavy and cumbersome when rucking. I reluctantly bought the Ballistic trainers and have been pleasantly surprised how comfortable they are. As a bigger guy they have provided me perfect support. So if you are on the fence, give them a shot.