If you’re in the military, you’re familiar with rucksacks and what they do. But if you’re not, you may be unaware of rucksacks or what makes them different from a standard backpack. What exactly is a rucksack and where can you use it? What makes a good rucksack?

We’ll answer all these questions and more so you know everything you need to know about rucksacks to make the right decision for your next purchase.

What Is a Rucksack?

Rucksacks were first used by the military to carry a lot of gear over long distances for greater periods. Rucksacks are used for rucking, which is an exercise the military uses to prepare our troops for their missions and overseas operations. The main role of a rucksack is to hold weight, which means they’re generally built from superior materials. Rucksacks are commonly used in the military but are also great options for hikes, traveling, camping, and more.

What’s the Difference Between a Rucksack and a Backpack?

While there are a lot of similarities between rucksacks and backpacks, there are a few distinct differences that make them unique. Backpacks generally have less space than most rucksacks, and the quality of a backpack can range from a low-quality school backpack to a high-quality multi-day pack.

Rucksacks, on the other hand, usually offer a lot more space and are made from some of the strongest materials available. These bags are meant to distribute weight evenly to prevent strain and fatigue when hauling large loads. If you’re in the military, you’ll use these for your training exercises, but you can also use rucksacks for hikes, exercise, long trips, and more.

Some larger rucksacks, otherwise known as ALICE packs, use external or internal frames to help distribute weight more evenly, especially if you’re carrying a lot of gear. These packs are often used for longer rucks or trips to prevent discomfort.

What Features Should You Look for in a Rucksack?

If you’re shopping for a rucksack for your training exercises or personal uses you’ll want to keep an eye out for a few specific features to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. Some of these features include:

1. Quality Materials

One of the first things you need to look for when shopping for rucksacks is the quality of the materials. Not all rucksacks are made equally and some may use materials that aren’t designed to withstand frequent, heavy-duty use or excess weight.

Take a look at the specs and look for fabrics like polyester or nylon and denier counts of at least 400 or higher. The higher the denier count, the stronger the rucksack will be, which is especially important when you’re hauling a lot of heavy gear or supplies.

You should also look for other high-quality materials, such as YKK zippers to keep your gear secure or water-resistant materials to protect your belongings from the elements.

2. Comfort Features

When you’re carrying a lot of gear and other items, comfort is critical. Fatigue and strain from carrying a lot of weight can make it challenging to keep up the pace or complete your tasks. Straining your shoulder and back with a bad bag can also lead to soreness or discomfort, even after you stop using the bag. Ideally, you’ll want a rucksack that can help you keep the bulk of the weight as high as possible.

You should look for rucksacks with padded shoulder straps to distribute the weight across your shoulders and back. The shoulder straps shouldn’t be digging into your shoulders when you’re carrying all your gear and supplies, helping you maintain your comfort and energy throughout the day. You should also look for a padded or ventilated pack to further improve your comfort while you’re rucking.

3. Strong Stitching

Your rucksack should be able to securely hold your items inside without risking busted seams or fraying stitching. Pick a rucksack that uses high-quality, reinforced stitching so you can trust the seams will last when you’re hauling your gear. Remember that you don’t want to pack your rucksack past its carry capacity as it can put unnecessary stress on the stitching, and even the strongest seams may experience some problems when they’re under pressure.

4. Storage Space

Rucksacks should be able to carry an impressive amount of gear and equipment, especially if you’re using them for military training or physical exercise. Most rucksacks are designed with ample storage space, with some capable of carrying more than 45 liters of gear and other items you’ll need for your specific applications.

Some rucksacks even come equipped with MOLLE so you can add attachments to increase the weight or carry the gear you need that won’t fit inside. You can also find rucksacks with more than a single compartment or extra compartments to effectively store your items, making them easier to access.

5. Straps and Belts

Apart from the shoulder straps, you should be looking for rucksacks with sternum straps and waist belts. These additional features help you secure the pack to your body so you can engage freely in your applications without worrying about the bag sliding off your shoulders. The extra strap and belt can also assist with weight distribution, which can help reduce strain and fatigue when you’re on the go.

Why You Should Trust MLC as Your Rucksack Supplier

If you’re looking for a reliable supplier of your next rucksack, you don’t need to look any further than Military Luggage Company. We have a long history of selling rucksacks to the military for military use, so you can trust they meet our service members' quality standards and needs.

Even if you’re not using a rucksack for the military, you can rely on our bags to last. We thoroughly vet each of our products to ensure they meet our customers' standards, which means our rucksacks are designed with some of the highest-quality materials like ripstop nylon and polyester.

Plus, shipping is free and we’ll ship your order as soon as the next business day so you can start rucking and hauling your gear as soon as possible. Check out our selection of rucksacks here.

Find All Your Tactical Gear Here at MLC

If you’re looking for even more gear for the rest of your applications, we’ve got you covered there too. Whether you’re in the military, a tactical enthusiast, or someone who just appreciates a high-quality bag, we have something that will meet your needs. We stock a high-quality selection of bags, including backpacks, assault packs, duffles, garment bags, and more. Get started by shopping our selection, or contact us with your questions.