Press Resources

"For Jason McCarthy, a former Green Beret and co-founder of GORUCK, a sandbag and rucksack has replaced the gym entirely."

"Phil Wall, director of "The Standard" on Hulu, explains the value of breaking stereotypes and using music to lead from behind in a film."

"Jason McCarthy of GORUCK discusses rucking, his Army service, & building community through voluntary hardship & shared suffering."

"This interview isn’t about how to get started with rucking (I already have one about that). Instead it’s about Jason’s story, including why he started GORUCK and how it developed and grew over time."

"Guys looking for a nice blend between tactical styling and everyday use should check out the GORUCK GR1."

"Add some extra heft to all of your favorite bodyweight activities."

"Want a badass workout? Try lugging a loaded pack on your back."

"Launching this month, the GR2 is a daisy-chainer’s dream come true!"

"Apart from his nearly 30 year stint at Reebok, Paul has also done groundbreaking work for GORUCK."

"Being a first-time dad, I needed to score myself a great dad bag (AKA baby bag or diaper bag) for the new-bub days ahead."

"GoRuck‘s brand of military-inspired outdoor workouts are for everyone, says Daniel Skidmore, the company’s director of training. "

"We’re reviewing the GORUCK MACV-1 because of the company that created them and their ability to churn out amazing products."

"These rugged weight rigs give you a unique challenge that can make your muscles work in unpredictable ways."

"Director Phil Wall put his camera on the Goruck Selection, a 48-hour event designed by Special Forces veterans — a.k.a. Green Berets — and based on the 24-day training program they went through to become elite Army soldiers."

"The GORUCK Ballistic Trainers are slightly newer on the cross-training shoe scene."

"GORUCK founder Jason McCarthy went from Green Beret to building a 100 million dollar company, starting with just a napkin sketch of a rucksack that could withstand the abuse of war torn Baghdad and still look good on the streets of any major city."

"It was shortly after the planes hit the World Trade Center Towers on 9/11 that Jason McCarthy felt the call to service."

"Simply put, the GR1 Heritage has all the features and everything you know and love about the GR1, with Indiana Jones vibes… plus a little extra secret with the 26L version."

"Functional fitness is huge. Many people are eschewing traditional strength training for activities like CrossFit, Metcon, high intensity interval training (HIIT), and rucking."

"Some of the finest gear is designed and hand-made right here in the USA."

"TMF President Ryan Manion sits down with Jason McCarthy, CEO of GORUCK, to discuss the necessity of finding a tribe and uniting with people in a meaningful way, and the consequences that have come from nixing in-person interactions."

"Jason joins us today to share how tackling those challenges set him up to self-produce an audiobook based on his experience."

"We’re not a backpack company. We are a community and real brand."

"Thomas sits down with GORUCK shoe designer and designer of the Reebok Pump, Paul Litchfield. They talk about Paul's past experience working with Reebok, the nuances of the running shoe spectrum and the vision for the GORUCK brand."

"If you are looking for a training shoe of the best value, then the GORUCK Ballistic Trainers might be the right pair for you. "

"What if I told you the inventor of the Reebok Pump, Paul Litchfield, is now making training shoes? And that he’s doing it for GORUCK, an upstart training gear company founded by a Special Forces veteran, that’s also pioneering a whole new sport called Rucking. "

"Dynamite is in the penalty box, Jason brings an epic background and Matt goes Tron."

"The Standard film- why it’s powerful, where you can find it."

"Here at The Ready State, we’ve connected with tons of great brands and products over the years and settled on a few big contenders. With the holidays coming up, I thought I’d bring together my top picks so you can take advantage."

"Keep your adventurous friend doing what they love to do with the GORUCK GR1."

"Richard Rice retired from the U.S. Army as a Special Forces Senior Non-Commissioned Officer after 30 years of service. During the last 25 years, he served on various Special Operations Forces assignments, including: Republic of Vietnam (two tours); Operation Eagle Claw (Iran); Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada); Operation Just Cause (Panama); Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm (Iraq); and Operation Gothic Serpent (Mogadishu). "

"Jason and Jason discuss how GORUCK has managed to stay true to their mission of grabbing a Ruck and Embracing the Suck. "

"Jason shares his deep understanding on the need for embracing the uneasiness of life and why staying active and outside is pivotal to becoming a great leader and father."

"There’s another fitness trend that is starting to surge, and it comes from the military. The act of moving with weight, called rucking, is a fundamental element of the military, particularly for infantry soldiers."

"We talk about ignorance and education, when to throw in the towel and when to drive on, respecting and honoring your roots, being present in the moment, and how to build a life by building a business."

"What started as an idea to create and sell no-frills, tough-as-nails backpacks became something much bigger. Tune in to hear how Jason’s early adventures in business helped him find deeper meaning for his company."

"The GR1 remains a popular pick as one of the best tactical backpacks in the community for its proven bombproof durability, made in the USA quality, and lifetime guarantee."

"GORUCK SELECTION is not only the toughest endurance event on the planet, it’s also an attempt to bridge the military-civilian divide. Hosted by a group of Special Forces combat veterans, this 48-hour challenge is a condensed interpretation of the US Army’s 24-day Assessment and Selection."

"The GR1 is a hell of a tough bag that looks at home in an office, on a trail, or dragged through a muddy pit. Although a few companies made expensive backpacks before the GR1, GORUCK more or less invented (and now defines) the tough, buy-it-for-life pack."

"Popularized by CrossFit and military workouts, sandbags are awkward to lift, making them good tools for building functional strength whether you’re doing bear crawl drags, clean and jerks, or farmer’s carries. GORUCK's sandbags are made of rugged Cordura and have padded handles, so they’re easier to hold."

"No conversation about indestructible bags is complete without GORUCK getting a mention."

"In addition to selling packs, GORUCK hosts hundreds of events each year focused on building teamwork and camaraderie, and testing physical fitness, based on Special Forces training."

"Being able to depend on the gear wasn’t his only lesson. He also learned about failure and responding to it, so when no one bought his treasure he founded a unique race that would help sell his product and leaned on his teambuilding skills."

"GORUCK CEO and founder Jason McCarthy talks about his American-made, veteran-owned, durable rucksack company."

"Tune in to hear Jason’s story, a true testament to the power of resilience and daring to dream big dreams. But most of all, it’s about what it means to serve a cause so much bigger than yourself."

"I recently had the pleasure to read through the GORUCK Rucking White Paper. It's basically 18,000+ words on everything you could ever want to know about moving long distances with weight on your back."

"The company has grown both in size — it now has 30 employees — and in impact. It hosts thousands of events each year to help people get out and engage with the world."

"Richard Rice served nearly 30 years in the U.S. Army Special Forces, participating in every major conflict and mission of his generation. He is a senior adviser at GORUCK."

"Wouldn’t it be great if GORUCK made a boot to match its bags? Maybe one co-designed by the brains behind the iconic Reebok Pump and a living, breathing Special Forces veteran who returned to Vietnam for the first time in 45 years to make this pair of ass-kickers a reality?"

"Jason McCarthy, a Special Forces soldier, had no idea that he would be a businessman running a multimillion-dollar operation."

"In bag-loving circles, GORUCK's origin story has become the stuff of legend. In 2008, founder Jason McCarthy left the Special Forces, had his heart broken, and out of the rubble of his life built a bag based on his experiences overseas that could tackle both urban commutes and battles against insurgents."

"Put a weight in your backpack and go for a walk. It sounds deceptively simple, but this age-old activity, newly popularized by military-fitness programs, will torch fat, boost strength, and challenge even the most seasoned gym-goer. It’s called rucking."

"Thanks to GORUCK — a company that manufactures rucksacks and puts on rucking-centered challenges — rucking has become a popular fitness activity amongst civilians. Their events have introduced thousands of people to the idea of walking around with a heavy backpack while doing hard things like carrying logs and doing push-ups."

"Last year, live events and equipment sales helped GORUCK pull in total revenues of $15 million: 80% from gear sales and 20% from events. Now McCarthy is able to give back to the military community that helped inspire the idea, both through hiring veterans and through the company's nonprofit registered using LegalZoom."

"The weekend is part special ops training, part battle reenactment, and part history lesson. Between exercises, the military leaders take time to describe military tactics and detail how events unfolded, and visit buildings and churches in Normandy still pockmarked by bullets."

"Any bag capable of hauling hundreds of pounds up mountains on a regular basis is going to be a good option for long-term travel."

"We received dozens of nominations for the best everyday backpack, but once the deliberations were all zipped up, the GORUCK GR1 told all of its competitors to go ruck themselves."

"Jason McCarthy teaches lessons focused on problem solving and rapport building related to “Charming the Snake,” a way of life for Green Berets that works in war, business, and love."

"Jason McCarthy, former Green Beret and the founder of GORUCK talks about communication, building rapport, and team building strategies from the Special Forces and GORUCK."

"The Punisher himself carries a GORUCK GR1, so you automatically know that there has to be something uniquely badass about this brand."

"“Rucking is great for the average person,” says Doug Kechijian, Doctor of Physical Therapy at Peak Performance, in New York City, and a former US Special Forces soldier. “It’s simple, and it delivers a lot of health and fitness benefits.”"

"As the sun rose in Boston on Monday, the small group reflected on the power and spirit of Boston Strong through the heroic acts of those who gave their lives to protect their country."

"No nonsense tactical looks that fit in just as well in the urban jungle as they do in the real one."

"We have been beaten but not broken. We have worked as a team and finished together. Nobody quit."

"The Challenge is so successful that it forces the question as whether GORUCK is a bag company or a company that puts on team-building physical challenges. The tension - or synergy - of these projects is fascinating and challenges the notion of how a small business can build a loyal customer base."

"We’ve written about GORUCK and their tactically inspired gear a number of times. Made in the USA, bomb proof, with a life time guarantee, they’re the kind of company we love to support. Enough said."

"GORUCK gear is designed to take a serious beating and then some. Their military-grade gear accommodates day trips, travel trips as carry-on luggage or general EDC use. They have built up a loyal following through their GORUCK Challenge events where both the participants and the gear get rigorously put through their paces."