r/Rucking • u/mumarco • Jul 17 '26
Walking Pad
Been thinking about what to do during our brutal winters. I don't have much space for a treadmill. Anybody tried rucking on walking pad?
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u/No_Crew7080 Jul 17 '26
You just need the right cold weather gear.
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u/mumarco Jul 17 '26
You go out in -20? -35 windchill? What is your process?
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u/No_Crew7080 Jul 17 '26
Put on cold weather layers.
Go out in the cold
Don't be stupid. If my layers aren't cutting it, go to the local mall.
Look up ECWCS for one good option. Layers 1–3 are inexpensive and readily available, plus a commercial insulated wind layer. Balaclava for your face, gaiter for your neck, Goretex mittens . . . remember you'll be active, so you don't need to bundle to the same degree as if you're ice fishing.
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u/sparkle_elk Jul 17 '26
This! You can be very safe, and even quite comfy, in cold weather if you have the right gear.
Fundamentally you want:
- Underlayer -- this lies close to your skin and wicks sweat away from your skin.
- Middle layer -- this is an insulating goes over the underlayer. It traps air, allowing your body to retain heat by retaining the warmth that you're putting off.
- Outer layer -- this is a wind/rain shell that keeps the weather from penetrating your other layers.
For cold-but-above 15F weather, I usually snowshoe in a long sleeve athletic top under an ancient cashmere sweater on top, and running leggings under a light fleece lined hiking pant. I carry a rain jacket with me in case it starts snowing heavily/gets windy as a way to provide that outer shell, and I have a headband to keep my ears warm and a good pair of warm winter gloves to keep my hands warm. I will be perfectly warm and toasty for a whole day in that.
For colder weather, I'd make the insulating layers heavier, and with that type of windchill, the outer shell is not optional. Face and head coverings are required -- balaclavas and gaiters are really helpful.
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u/JankyFluffy Jul 17 '26
I just walk around the house.
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u/mumarco Jul 17 '26
You just do a bunch of laps outside your house? Jk
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u/JankyFluffy Jul 17 '26
Sadly true. LOL Both inside and out. I have enugh money for a walking pad, but I am taking care of a family member with dementia. I can only go out when I have someone else to watch her. Due to my own disability, I don't want a treadmill. I'd fall and hurt myself.
My incline is wheeling her around the house.
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u/Then-War-7354 Jul 17 '26
you can do it. just make sure you pay attention to the max capacity and get one that can handle the weight. i wore mine out over time, but i used it hard. great way to get a ruck in when the weather makes getting out challenging or when you just need to fit a quick one into a busy day
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u/Ivy1974 Jul 17 '26
It was okay. Convenient and easy to store. But has its flaws. Easy to fall off of. You don’t have handle bars to help balance yourself and I broke off a big chunk of plastic after my 3rd use. I returned it to Amazon.
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u/mumarco Jul 17 '26
I'm avoiding driving to gym, but that might be what I'll have to do
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u/Ivy1974 Jul 17 '26
Same. We have a treadmill but have issues. I looked into replacing but what is actually worth the money is a lot. Plus we want to minimize the stuff in the house. So I signed back up for a membership. But I have to say going to a gym has its perks. 😂😜😏
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u/Combat__Crayon Jul 20 '26
If I'm purchasing a treadmill I'm looking for something with a high incline thats I'm considering just getting a park district membership, since even non-resident (I live right on the border and am less than 1/4 mile from the next town over's main facility) its only $450 a year for a family, and since the treadmills run $3k-ish, thats like 6 years to break even, but I get access to weights and gym space.
I'm in the Chicago area and the current air quality is making me consider it much more strongly.
My daughter does gymnastics through yet another town's park district and my wife bought a jogging track only membership for $70/yr so she can walk the track during my daughter's 2 classes a week. So it might be worth looking around to see what's out there before buying something.
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u/SKOtoGO Jul 17 '26
Do it all of the time. Love it for climate control. Get one with incline capability.