Long Distance Ruck Footwear

[tdcour]

Anyone have recommendations on long distance rucking footwear? Doing a marathon ruck in March and don’t really want to use my Crispi Nevadas. They fit great, but are too heavy and I don’t need a super stiff boot for the terrain.

Tried a pair of Go Ruck MacV-2 boots and they are too wide for my foot and have too much heel slip. My brother runs Alta boots and likes them, but online reviews aren’t great.

Don’t think I necessarily need the ankle support of a boot.

 

[wvustew]

Will your marathon ruck be on pavement or trails? I do an 8-hour ruck/archery event at a ski slope in Wisconsin every April. I found the Salomon Cross Hike boot to be pretty much a running shoe with a tiny bit of ankle support and more aggressive tread. Everyone has different feet though

 

[tdcour]

It’s at white sands middle range in NM. It’s a mix of pavement and dirt road mostly. The dirt road is anywhere from solid to soft sand and rocks.

 

[LongWayAround]

How much weight are you carrying?

 

[mtntough]

I find the Altra Lone peaks great for rucking and bowhunting unless im sidehilling or in very steep country
Super light and great tread
Can also run in them if you feel like it!
Have fun

 

[mtntough]

Line peak 2

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Altars or a pair of crispis for me.

 

[Dave0317]

Garmont T8 Bifida for rocky terrain or a slightly stiffer sole.

Belleville Ultralight Assault boot for a very lightweight breathable and more flexible option.

I’ve put lots of miles on various military option type boots and those two are my favorites.

 

[tdcour]

I’m rucking in the heavy division which is 35 pounds so not really that heavy just over a long distance.

I actually just picked up some altar lone peaks. They feel nice but almost like they won’t have enough support. Time will tell.

@mtntough ive been wondering about them on a back country hunt. I wouldn’t mind losing a pound per foot in boot weight but not sure they would hold up where we hunt. We mostly hunt high alpine above timberline so lots of steep side hills.

 

[eamyrick]

I’m rucking in the heavy division which is 35 pounds so not really that heavy just over a long distance.

I actually just picked up some altar lone peaks. They feel nice but almost like they won’t have enough support. Time will tell.

@mtntough ive been wondering about them on a back country hunt. I wouldn’t mind losing a pound per foot in boot weight but not sure they would hold up where we hunt. We mostly hunt high alpine above timberline so lots of steep side hills.

I have noticed that a stiffer aftermarket insole really helps

 

[randy66]

Take a look at the Hoka kaha 2. Supportive and very light. I like them better than my lone peaks.

 

[LongWayAround]

I would wear my lone peaks for 35lb on flat ground.

 

[Deadspace]

I’ve put a lot of heavy rucking miles in with Solomon quest boots with a sheep feet insole. Terrain has ranged from hardball roads to soft sandy flats. I highly recommend them.

 

[tdcour]

@Sadler I have a pair of Solomon’s but they just don’t fit my foot right. I like that the sole is a little stiffer, but the rest of the boot just doesn’t work for me.

@eamyrick good call on the insole. I’m going to do some training hikes with stick and switch out to a different insole to see which I like better. I have a feeling I’ll like the stiffer better.

 

[Schmekel]

I like to feel the ground and what’s below me. With little to no ankle support, I’d recommend any variation of Altra trail running shoes or the Born Primitive Savage 1s.

 

[justinspicher]

If your feet are conditioned for it, your footwear won’t matter as much.

 

[oldskool67]

Lowa military Zephyr

 

[gostovp]

Will your marathon ruck be on pavement or trails? I do an 8-hour ruck/archery event at a ski slope in Wisconsin every April. I found the Salomon Cross Hike boot to be pretty much a running shoe with a tiny bit of ankle support and more aggressive tread.

Where in WI is this ruck/archery event?

 

[jtlind1999]

Crispi Altitudes may do the trick. Much lighter, but same footbed as the Nevadas.....

 

[nphunter]

I love my Altra Lone Peaks 2's, I wear the low top version every day and hunt in the mid and mid gtx. I packed 3 bulls out this year, first bull was 7 miles of hauling meat in steep rocky terrain, 2nd bull I took a rear and front quarter at the same time and went 2 miles and dropped 2K in elevation in mud and snow, third bull was the same day as bull 2 and hauled another front and rear quarter at the same time 1.5miles down a steep closed road.
I also went on several backpack trips and hunts always carrying 30lbs+ and my feet were great afterward and the boots worked well. The heaviest pack outs were probably 130lbs on my back, I really like these lightweight zero drop boots, historically I've worn, Scarpa, Meidel, Crispi and Lowas, I didn't pull any of them out of the closent last fall and don't see myself going back to a stiff heavy boot.