Best GORUCK Shoes for Rucking, Running, Gym and Outdoor Fitness

If you want functionality, performance and extreme durability when it comes to your training then this list of the best GORUCK shoes are perfect for you.

Who are GORUCK?

GORUCK design and build the toughest training shoes and gear for rucking, training, gym work, weightlifting and general outdoor fitness.

They draw on years of experience in the military to design, build and test rucksacks, footwear and apparel from start to finish.

Special Forces are judge and jury of quality and performance.

We are focusing on the Ballistic regular and mid top GORUCK Shoes.

Model	Ballistic Trainers	Mid Top Ballistic Trainers
Height of Shoe	Regular	Mid top
Upper Materials	Engineered Knit, 1680D CORDURA®	Engineered Knit, 1680D CORDURA®
Mid Sole	Gradient Density™ EVA	Gradient Density™ EVA
Outsole	Triple Compound Rubber Outsole	Triple Compound Rubber Outsole
Heel to Toe Drop	8mm	8mm
Weight	(Size 9): 0.675 lbs (10.8 ounces)	(Size 9): 0.675 lbs (10.8 ounces)
Eyelets	Lace-lock	Lace-lock
Extras	Two inserts included – Custom High Density Insert & optional thinner insert	Two inserts included – Custom High Density Insert & optional thinner insert
Where to Purchase	GORUCK Ballistic Shoes	GORUCK Mid Top Ballistic Shoes

What are GORUCK Shoes Good For?

So, what exactly can you use GORUCK Shoes for?

Trekking

Rucking

Outdoor Fitness

Lighter Hiking

Functional Fitness

Gym Workouts

Best GORUCK Shoes

Scroll through these GORUCK Shoes and find the best model for you.

GORUCK Shoes Ballistic Trainers

To build their new Ballistic Trainers, GORUCK took everything that works (and nothing that doesn’t) about existing functional fitness shoes and combined it with the latest proven science on proper under-foot support.

The result is one of the industry’s “most versatile and functional shoes for training in the real world,” according to head product developer Paul Litchfield (owner of more than 160 patents in his field).

The Ballistic Trainer’s 3X Support™ system is particularly innovative, delivering adaptable stability across all dynamic movements.

The idea is simple: rather than having just one arch in your foot, you actually have three arches (the medial longitudinal, lateral longitudinal, and anterior transverse arch).

And whether you’re sprinting, rucking, or weightlifting, you need support under all three of those arches to not only improve performance, but to help prevent common issues like plantar fasciitis and knee strain.

The Ballistic Trainer offers this 3-tier support, as well as a scientifically selected 8mm heel-to-toe drop—a versatile happy medium that creates the best biomechanical advantage when lifting heavy loads (squat, clean, snatch) or moving more than 400 metres (running or rucking).

Each GORUCK Ballistic Trainer also includes a wide toebox for greater comfort, extra lace-lock eyelets to create a tighter heel lock, and GORUCK branding on the interior and tongue.

Why humans evolved to be great long distance runners

Upper – Dual Material Construction

A flexible, breathable warp knit covers the entire forefoot seamlessly, while the lace area, midfoot, and heel are built from two panels of Special Forces grade Ballistic nylon (1680D CORDURA®), offering protection on rope climbs with additional structure and stability in the midfoot and heel.

Midsole – Gradient Density™ EVA

The well cushioned forefoot area is resilient and flexible with optimal rebound for running, jumping, or performing other explosive movements.

When lifting or squatting, the firm heel keeps you grounded on a stable platform, with the 8mm heel-to-toe drop maintaining your centre of gravity for a versatile mechanical advantage.

Outsole – Triple Compound Rubber

A high-traction rubber in the forefoot increases grip in any environment; the shoe’s midfoot rubber is formulated from a rock-climbing compound for the best abrasion resistance and long-term durability (ideal for rope climbs).

The heel rubber is extra dense and tough, designed not to wear down after miles of running or rucking.

GORUCK Shoes Ballistic Trainers Colours

Black / Red

Black / Charcoal

Lunar Grey / Gum

Black / Camo

Black / Gum

Lunar Rock / Red

Black / Black

GORUCK Shoes Ballistic Trainers Specifications

• Upper materials: Engineered Knit, 1680D CORDURA®
• Gradient Density™ EVA Midsole
• Triple Compound Rubber Outsole
• Two inserts included – Custom High Density Insert & optional thinner insert
• 8mm heel-to-toe drop
• Weight (size 9): 0.675 lbs (10.8 ounces)
• Lace-Lock eyelets

GORUCK Shoes Mid Top Ballistic Trainers

The mid-top version of the GORUCK Ballistic Trainer raises the collar for extra ankle stability, adding to a design that already delivers unmatched arch support.

They feature all the exact same specifications as the regular variation.

GORUCK Mid Top Ballistic Trainers Colours

Lunar Rock / Gum

Black / Black

Black / Camo

Black / Gum

GORUCK Shoes Mid Top Ballistic Trainers Specifications

• Mid-Rise Collar design for extra ankle stability
• Upper materials: Engineered Knit, 1680D CORDURA®
• Gradient Density™ EVA Midsole
• Triple Compound Rubber Outsole
• Two inserts included – Custom High Density Insert & optional thinner insert
• 8mm heel-to-toe drop
• Weight (size 9): 0.675 lbs (10.8 ounces)
• Lace-Lock eyelets

The GORUCK Backstory

“In 2008, while I was in Special Forces and Emily was in the CIA, we started GORUCK out of her house in war-torn West Africa.

The goal was pretty simple: build a rucksack with life-or-death quality standards that would thrive in Baghdad and NYC, not to mention Côte d’Ivoire — and show people of all walks of life how to operate smartly and safely in some of the harshest environments in the world.

How to travel, how to train, how to get the most out of a life where adventure calls and tomorrow is never promised.

We didn’t have a business plan and we weren’t willing to compromise on basically anything, so this little project called GORUCK cost us almost everything we had.

But sometimes you have to put all your chips on the table and say come what may.

What we found (with no time to spare) was a like-minded community of people who proudly proclaim that the easy life is not for us.

When you’ve survived the things that we have, and your inspiration in life becomes normal people doing extraordinary things, what you realize is that you don’t owe less — you owe more.

Service is a way of life and that’s our northern star and we’re grateful to the community for the support. We would not exist without you — nor would we want to. So, thank you.

— Jason & Emily McCarthy

GORUCK Events

GORUCK create and run Rucking events led by current and former Special Forces combat veterans.

Their goal is to build teams and empower individuals from all walks to lead active, engaged lives.

Official GORUCK Clubs

Building and strengthening communities through rucking, GORUCK Clubs are free to join.

All you need to do is just show up to meet members from all over the world or start your own.

What is Rucking?

RUCK•ING [VERB] // Walking with a weighted rucksack (aka backpack). It implies action, energy, and purpose. Rucking requires strength, endurance, and character — and builds it, too.

Rucking is Cardio

Cardio for people who think running sucks. If you want to burn up to 3X as many calories as walking, ruck instead.

Your heart pumps faster during a rucking workout to get oxygen rich blood throughout your body, increasing circulation.

Rucking is Simple

You wear a backpack (or better yet a rucksack), walk, it’s a fitness thing. And you’re already doing it. Hiking is rucking in the mountains and urban hiking is simply called rucking.

Ruck workouts can be done at any weight.

What’s the best Nike Weightlifting Shoe?

Rucking is Scalable

The weight adds resistance ruck training to your back and shoulders, your glutes and legs with every step – resulting in strength gains without the bulk. Want more? Up the weight, increase the distance, or go faster.

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