Pack to PT with

[squawk7600]

I've been PTing with my regular old school backpack filled with around 40 pounds of sand, and am tired of it. Looking to get something that doesnt suck as much, but I dont know any of the products.

Can anyone recommend a good pack that I could get up to maybe 60 pounds, just to PT with.

Thanks

[Sharky]

Here ya go Stud. ALICE. Large. 1 ea. Put about 55-60lbs in there and knock yourself out. Might as well train with what you're probably gonna use eventually anyway. That'll be five bucks please.

[squawk7600]

Here ya go Stud. ALICE. Large. 1 ea. Put about 55-60lbs in there and knock yourself out. Might as well train with what you're probably gonna use eventually anyway. That'll be five bucks please.

Sounds like fun, thanks for the reco.

IOU on the 5

[Sharky]

Go buy one at a military surplus store. Be sure to get the frame and straps and all that goes with it. Any old infantry guy can show you how to put it together if it's not already or you dont know how.

[squawk7600]

Go buy one at a military surplus store. Be sure to get the frame and straps and all that goes with it. Any old infantry guy can show you how to put it together if it's not already or you dont know how.

Gotcha, was a little confused as to whether I needed the frame or not.

Thanks again

[Sharky]

Oh yeah. The frame is a must. You have to have the frame because it hurts. To properly appreciate the absence of true pain, one must first experience it, Grasshopper. Don't worry. Someday you will thank me.

[The Corporate Guy]

Gotcha, was a little confused as to whether I needed the frame or not.

Do you want to be friends with your back?

I want to be friends with my back. Unfortunately, I think it's still pissed at me for that period when I believed the frame was optional. We are reconciling our differences and I'm hopeful that, one day, my back and I will enjoy a long and peaceful co-existence together.

[squawk7600]

Oh yeah. The frame is a must. You have to have the frame because it hurts. To properly appreciate the absence of true pain, one must first experience it, Grasshopper. Don't worry. Someday you will thank me.


Do you want to be friends with your back?

I want to be friends with my back. Unfortunately, I think it's still pissed at me for that period when I believed the frame was optional. We are reconciling our differences and I'm hopeful that, one day, my back and I will enjoy a long and peaceful co-existence together.

wilco

I've had some horrible lumbar strains 'back in the day' when I played ball... dont want to go down that road again

[B 2/75]

LOL - he said "Lumbar Strains" while talking about humping a ruck...

Don't listen to Sharky, he's likely under the influence of something in the shape of a mason jar...

An Alice Large requires a frame. There is no way to attach shoulder straps without the frame.

An Alice Medium is alot smaller, and will work with our without the frame.

You said you want this only for PT? Save the money and get the Alice medium. Put the sandbag in the radio pocket so it is up higher on your back. Hump it regularly and long, and you will definately develope a love / hate relationship with the Alice ruck.

But really, it's the only way to go.

[The Corporate Guy]

An Alice Large requires a frame. There is no way to attach shoulder straps without the frame.

My simple memory may be failing, but I recall humping that beast without a frame.

[Max Power]

My simple memory may be failing, but I recall humping that beast without a frame.

I've seen some people that put a dowel rod/cut off broom stick/etc. into the pouch where the frame slides into, attaching the shoulder strap to that, and then, I suppose, having the straps stitched to the bottom corner of the rucksack (never really looked that closely at that part).

So it can be done. Was it an intended option (like with the Medium), nope.

[The Corporate Guy]

I recall making several modifications such as sewing fastex buckles on with dental floss...I guess the straps were sewn as well. Don't remember that, but there seem to be more and more things I don't remember.

...might need to start playing KIMS games around the house. :)

[squawk7600]

LOL - he said "Lumbar Strains" while talking about humping a ruck...


I don't get it (unless..)? I had them for about a month when I played in college and it sucked big time, couldn't even bend over to brush my teeth without taking a whole bottle of muscle relaxants and pain killers.... I was just staying I know what its like so I'll do the right thing to avoid it.

[Max Power]

...I was just staying I know what its like so I'll do the right thing to avoid it.

I think he's alluding to the fact that even if you do the "right thing" (whatever it is you're thinking that will be) you're still going to have a hurting back (and knees, and hamstrings, and calves, and ankles, and feet, and... well you get the idea). Just the nature of rucking, especially with an ALICE.

Its still my preferred ruck, of course I'm switching over to the world of Army aviation, so it doesn't matter much to me anymore (other than it being something I enjoy doing, I'm weird like that) :p

[The Corporate Guy]

I don't get it (unless..)...couldn't even bend over to brush my teeth without taking a whole bottle of muscle relaxants and pain killers.... I was just staying I know what its like so I'll do the right thing to avoid it.

Humping and Tylenol go together like strippers and $2 bills. :D

[24/7]

I won't recommend rucking for the sake of rucking, what is it really getting you that you can't get some other way...train smart.

If your on short final for some event that requires you to ruck with weight....well I understand then and I'd only do 30 days or so before the event. That way your body is conditioned and accustom to moving under a load but you haven't caused a extreem amout of wear and tear.

But if your not I don't think it really gets you any where, your just causing more wear on your knees and back. Whatever you do, running with a ruck is just plain stupid. There are many ways to skin a cat.

[JMD69]

I think he's alluding to the fact that even if you do the "right thing" (whatever it is you're thinking that will be) you're still going to have a hurting back (and knees, and hamstrings, and calves, and ankles, and feet, and... well you get the idea). Just the nature of rucking, especially with an ALICE.

Its still my preferred ruck, of course I'm switching over to the world of Army aviation, so it doesn't matter much to me anymore (other than it being something I enjoy doing, I'm weird like that) :p


I second the above comments and can add that "there will be pain, you will try to avoid it but it will find you....the idea is to learn to accept it, deal with it and drive on...learn to live with the suck."

Take care of your feet..you probably know that already but I mention it just in case. Your back can be strong, your legs...everything can be fine during the walk but if your feet go then it just makes things worse in ways you cannot imagine.

Good luck with the PT! ;)

[sawbones]

Anyone try the soft frame for the large, Ive seen a couple of companies advertise it. It has pockets for IV's in it. Or they could uberpckets for your tylenol and motrin.:D

[squawk7600]

Whatever you do, running with a ruck is just plain stupid. There are many ways to skin a cat.

Well, thats what I was doing for the past 3 months... 3-7 miles with 35-40 pounds running. The only thing that gets sore are my traps, then again I'm a pretty big dude so its not like I'm carrying around 1/4 of my bodyweight in the pack.

Good luck with the PT!

ty

[The Corporate Guy]

Well, thats what I was doing for the past 3 months... 3-7 miles with 35-40 pounds running.

You've been to PLC...is that what they have you doing there?

[squawk7600]

You've been to PLC...is that what they have you doing there?

No, farthest is 6 miles.. no weight (a friend told me he had to do 8 miles in boots at under 8:00/minute, but I think hes FOS)

[The Corporate Guy]

No, farthest is 6 miles.. no weight (a friend told me he had to do 8 miles in boots at under 8:00/minute, but I think hes FOS)

I won't recommend rucking for the sake of rucking, what is it really getting you that you can't get some other way...train smart.

If your on short final for some event that requires you to ruck with weight....well I understand then and I'd only do 30 days or so before the event. That way your body is conditioned and accustom to moving under a load but you haven't caused a extreem amout of wear and tear.

But if your not I don't think it really gets you any where, your just causing more wear on your knees and back. Whatever you do, running with a ruck is just plain stupid. There are many ways to skin a cat.

24/7 has provided good advice. You already stated you are big guy...running with a loaded pack when this not part of the PLC program is dangerous. Your profile indicates you already had an injury in PLC which prevented you from completing. Time to get smart.

You know your going to have to run so get your run time down. If you are going to be running in boots then run in boots. You know you'll have to hump so a little humping with a loaded pack won't hurt. Running with a loaded pack? Not so much.

Good luck.

[squawk7600]

24/7 has provided good advice. You already stated you are big guy...running with a loaded pack when this not part of the PLC program is dangerous. Your profile indicates you already had an injury in PLC which prevented you from completing. Time to get smart.

You know your going to have to run so get your run time down. If you are going to be running in boots then run in boots. You know you'll have to hump so a little humping with a loaded pack won't hurt. Running with a loaded pack? Not so much.

Good luck.

My injury wasn't due to wear / tear. I was first on the o-course and it was a lil slick, dropped bout 12 feet and broke 2 bones in my ankle. But if you guys say that I shouldn't run with a pack, then I won't.

Thanks for the advice.

[B 2/75]

Squawk, if you're up to 12 miles with 60 pounds in 2 hours, you'll be good in any outfit.

[Stanley_White]

http://www.weightvest.com/75firedetails.html

I've got one and it is outstanding.

Also...

Don't kill yourself at OCS. The one who graduates last is still called Officer of Marines. Your graduation placement at OCS doesn't make any impact on MOS selection -- especially in your situation as a flight contract.

Your goal should to march without a limp across the parade deck on graduation day. I saw many attempt to set a world record for some event at OCS and get dropped due to injuries.

[squawk7600]

Got my pack yesterday, medium ALICE w/ frame went for $69.99. Medium was the only thing they had, plusthats what we used at PLC.

Put 65 pounds of sand in, quickly realized 65 is alot heavier than 40, and shotrtly thereafter gained new respect for gravity LOL.

Squawk, if you're up to 12 miles with 60 pounds in 2 hours, you'll be good in any outfit.

I'll aim to beat it. Was running 7 with 40 at around a 8:45/minute clip.. so I've got a ways to go... although I was on some pretty rough hills.

http://www.weightvest.com/75firedetails.html

I've got one and it is outstanding.

Also...

Don't kill yourself at OCS. The one who graduates last is still called Officer of Marines. Your graduation placement at OCS doesn't make any impact on MOS selection -- especially in your situation as a flight contract.

Your goal should to march without a limp across the parade deck on graduation day. I saw many attempt to set a world record for some event at OCS and get dropped due to injuries.

I thought about getting one, but all the prices I saw were pretty steep (for a student)... the alice plus 80 pounds of sand from Home Depot are a little more managable for me, heh.

I learned the 2nd part of what you are talking about the hardway, and am going to make sure to chill out a little when I go back.