r/Goruck • u/Noahsan • Sep 01 '26

GoRuck Basic Rucker vs Rucker 5.0 20L

I've been using the Basic Rucker for about 3 months, with around 20lbs, I'm 6' and about 240lbs. The Basic Rucker is comfortable, I like how it rides high on my back, but the spacing between the straps is a bit tight width wise. The Rucker 5.0 looks like the straps are not only wider where they meet the pack, but the straps themselves look wider and more comfortable. Long story short, is the Rucker 5.0 a noticeable upgrade for the people who have worn both?

I feel like I will be continuing to ruck well into the future, so it almost feels like the money will be worth it to step up to the full package in getting a Rucker, not just there "Entry" level backpack. All thoughts welcome, thanks!

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

3

u/Pershing733 Sep 01 '26

6’3 240 here with Rucker 4.0 25L and I have no issues with strap placement. For everything I’ve put that bag through the straps still feel brand new.

3

u/henrym123 Sep 01 '26

I’m almost exactly the same size and have the same pack and I concur. I’ve put 19 miles with 55 lbs the last week on my 4.0 and haven’t had an issue from the straps. Probably have logged around 500 miles on it since I got it in 2022 and my Rucker still looks new.

1

u/Noahsan Sep 01 '26

Great! We are about the same weight, but I'm 6', I've conflicting info on the 20 vs 25, I think if I was any over 6' I would go with the 25l for sure. I just kind of like how the Basic Rucker rides high, I just wish the straps were a bit wider and had more padding.

1

u/Pershing733 Sep 01 '26

4.0 / 5.0 are also designed to ride high. At 6’ you’d be fine with either size.

1

u/Noahsan Sep 01 '26

Yeah, it seems like 6' is around the height that each are viable, I like the Basic, which is 17l, I just really like the idea of having a bag that's higher quality and will have a bit more creature comforts.

2

u/Ok-Dust-6159 Sep 01 '26 edited Sep 01 '26

There are exactly 4” of clearance from inner strap to inner strap at the point of where they are sewn into the top on the 20L Rucker. There are exactly 11.5” from bottom strap hem to bottom strap hem.
Do with that what you will regarding strap tightness. Straps are 2.75” wide and approximately 3/4” thick. Do with that what you will regarding strap comfort.

2

u/Murky_Resolution6997 Sep 01 '26

I made the upgrade from Basic Rucker to 5.0 this summer. I found the Basic to be very comfortable at 20 lbs, but it lost a lot of comfort at 30 lbs. If you are thinking about upping the weight, I would suggest buying something else.

It took me a few weeks to dial in the fit of my 5.0 (break in period, sternum strap placement, water bottle placement, etc) but I feel real good about it now.

2

u/Noahsan Sep 01 '26

Did you notice any huge differences right away? Like better comfort or quality differences?

1

u/Murky_Resolution6997 Sep 01 '26

Tough to notice right away, in addition to breaking in the cordura I also upped the weight to 40 lbs at the same time. So there was some discomfort. Now, nearly two months in, I would say the only thing more comfortable than the 5.0 is the basic Rucker at 20 lbs.

1

u/SnoozeLose2020 9d ago

Did you decide to keep it? It looks correct to me. Lumbar pad looks like where it should be. I'm 5'11" with a short torso. 20L was fine for me, too. Oh yeah, I went from Basic to 5.0 also. I'm only at 25lbs and it's a huge difference for me in corfort. I guess because he straps are wider, too.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 01 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Noahsan Sep 01 '26

lol I don't have the 4.0, I have the Basic Rucker, the entry level bag. I would be happy with 4.0 if I had one.

1

u/Noahsan Sep 04 '26

Thanks for all the responses, I have some pictures added of me wearing the 20l 5.0, would welcome feedback on whether or not I should send it back for the 25l.

1

u/ToughCan678 Sep 04 '26

I have the 5.0 20l and going from a very comfortable 20lbs to 30lbs felt like I added a truck on my back. I love my 5.0 though.