Rucking is an excellent way to exercise while enjoying nature, getting fresh air, and burning calories without impacting your joints.
Nevertheless, rucking involves adding weight to your rucksack, which adds weight to the back part of your body.
On the other hand, weighed vests distribute weight evenly on the back and front, making it better than using a rucksack for rucking.
This post will give you more differences between a weighted vest and rucking, considering various factors.
1.Use and Comfort
When you increase the weight of your rucksack, you also increase its imbalance—an uneven balance when rucking makes your body lean forward to balance.
This is what a rucksack does to your body it will make it have some imbalance as there will be more weight on the back part.
Thus you have to be careful as it can be dangerous other than helpful to you. Otherwise, it also has its own advantages.
This posture can cause shoulder pain, back pain, and neck pain. Therefore, you can only carry as much weight as your shoulders can support comfortably with a rucksack do not exaggerate the weight to measure your strength.
Too much weight on your back can cause some discomfort thus damaging your shoulders, back, and neck.
When you feel the weight is too much stop there until you have built your strength for more weights.
On the other hand, weighted vests evenly distribute the weight on the back and front of your body.
Irrespective of the amount of weight you include, the center of mass remains in the same plane as your body.
This gives you a comfortable experience when rucking. The even distribution balances your body and it is less harmful to your body.
This is a safe method of lifting weights and strengthening your muscles compared with rucking but it also has its limits.
Do not lift too much than your body can. When you feel it’s too heavy stop there as core muscles strengthen you will be able to lift more with time.
Furthermore, the load is evenly distributed over a larger area when using a weighted vest, thus reducing tugging on your shoulders.
2.Load Capacity
A rucksack or backpack has no specific weight limit; it holds as much as you fit in it; they typically hold up to 45 pounds.
This weight may be ideal for long distances over five miles. But, the weight is not enough for shorter distances to garner a robust rucking session.
Alternatively, vests come in different weight capacities and styles. Some have a set amount of weight, while others are adjustable to remove or add weight as needed.
For instance, firefighters and military personnel use weighted vests when training. Weighted vests are fantastic for practice as these professionals want to practice carrying an adult in emergencies.
The weighted vests have an adjustable load capacity of 40 pounds to 225 pounds. But, you cannot start with 100 pounds; you have to start at the bottom and work your way up.
Weighted vests have inserts that allow the wearer to adjust the load according to your needs.
3.Fit
A backpack or rucksack constantly shifts and moves, and it is not tightly held to the body, nor does it evenly distribute its weight.
I recommend a rucksack if you want to keep it relatively light and stick to a linear direction, for example, when walking or hiking.
Although a backpack does not provide a quality workout, it helps carry other essentials. It is only good in certain circumstances thus limiting you on other things that weighted vests allow you to do.
Weight vests comfortably fit on your body without much movement. This allows you to quickly change direction without the concern of shifting your weight unnaturally. You will feel on top of things when wearing a weighted vest than when wearing a rucksack.
4.Cost
Generally, rucksacks are cheaper, with most people having at least one already. Weight vests, on the other hand, cost as low as $30.
However, the price of the vest increases as the weight it can hold increases. Despite weighted vests being more expensive, they offer a greater level of safety, versatility, and comfort, more so when heavily loaded.
Final Take
If you are going hiking or for a walk, carry a weighted rucksack/backpack as it will increase your calorie burn, and you can also use it to carry essential items.
But, for strength or cardio training, a weighted vest is the better choice. It is a safer option because it evenly distributes weight on your body.
Also, weighted vests have multiple uses, such as rock climbing, circuit training, running, and hill sprints.
