GORUCK MACV-1 Review | Lightweight Combat Boot For Urban & Outdoor Travel

[@PackHacker]

What shoes do you travel with?

[@w2best]

My travel setup is RM Wiliams as basic shoes. They look good, are comfortable and very easy to take on and off. Great in airports and when flying. Works as well in a rainstorm as on a fancy dinner. My 2nd pair is a toms which is great for dancing, lighter workouts or just when it's too warm for the boots. I even think they work in semi formal settings. Also they weigh close to nothing and pack super small.

[@PackHacker]

Sounds like you have a great system going on here awesomesauce666 - thanks for sharing! 😊👍 - Rebecca

[@M0ebius]

Belleville Mini-Mil Boots and Bedrock Classic Sandals. Vibram Fivefingers too for extended trips and I want to do serious running.

[@johnlhigh]

Merrell. Great right out of the box!

[@johnkin79]

@@johnlhigh The Vibram soles are indestructible! Any other shoe I have to replace in a year.

[@BruceWayne-zj1kw]

I don't need a Goruck boot but your reviews are always a joy to watch. Great work.

[@PackHacker]

Glad you're digging the reviews Bruce, thanks for watching! 😊👍👍 - Rebecca

[@thatchanguy]

First off, you did a very good job highlighting and describing the boot's construction. Even I get tripped up with all the footwear terminology! I pre-ordered the MACV--1 in black and have had them ever since they shipped. Here's my take on them. The Good: 1. Lightweight. These are the lightest boots I've ever traveled with, and I've had to travel to GORUCK events around the world. These pack almost as light as a pair of running shoes, and that is saying something for boots that aren't meant to be "minimalist". I can fit them into a 26L GR1 for short trips and have put them in my GR3 along with my packing cubes without any trouble for longer ones. 2. Supportive. I mainly wear these boots for GORUCK Tough events, where I know I'll be needing a durable piece of footwear that can take abuse. I am prone to ankle problems, so I usually wear these for my GORUCK events. 3. Easy to clean. They do drain water pretty well, and I've tested these during GORUCK events - in beaches, lakes, and rivers. Afterwards, all I do is take out whatever insoles I was using, splay open the boot, and let them dry outside on my deck. When they're dry, take them inside and polish them and replace the insoles. 4. Lacing. These are a joy to lace up and unlace. They make it really easy to do so. It's a world of difference from my other boots. The Bad: 1. Not the most comfortable for rucking. I have a bit of Plantar Faciitis affecting the tendon running along the bottom of my feet, and these do not give me enough support - even with aftermarket insoles. I have moved away from the MACV-1s for mid- to long-distance rucking in favor of running shoes (which worked better for me, even without the ankle support boots give). After my Saucony Guidance 9 shoes finally bit the dust (may they rest in peace), I moved to the Hoka One One Speedgoat 3. This was my setup for the Normandy 75km Star Course. The Ugly: 1. Scuff marks show. The jury is still out on long term durability, but I have a lot of scuff marks and other non-superficial damage which even shoe polish isn't able to completely resolve. I hope these stick around a long time, but they do not look that presentable after hard use. That said, other boots would probably fare the same way. The Bottom Line: So who should buy these boots? People who don't have a lot of foot problems who want a solid shoe for traveling, rucking shorter distances, or who need a subtle shoe as part of their uniform for work in urban environments. There are plenty of other shoes that will exceed this boot's capabilities in a specialist arena (e.g. tactical boots, running shoes, cross-country shoes, super-durable boots, minimalist travel shoes), but the advantage of the MACV-1 is it can perform competently for several purposes. If you'd like to read a more in-depth review, you can view it here: www.ruckatl.org/2018/12/21/goruck-macv-1-review/

[@PackHacker]

Hey Chris - thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience of the GORUCK MACV-1 boots with us. It sounds like you've really put them to the test, and we're glad to hear that they were able to work well for you despite the scuff marks. 😊👍 - Rebecca

[@simonjanssen5326]

agree with you on one point: its much better that they are not waterproof, which makes them way more breathable! Btw, my favourite travel shoes are: "Mojito" in either the low cut or mid cut version by the Italian outdoor brand Scarpa. Really versatile shoes.

[@PackHacker]

Hey Simon - thanks for sharing your go-to travel shoes with us, we're glad you've been able to find some shoes that work so well for you! 😊🙌 - Rebecca

[@biffywang]

Been a long time lurker, but I decided to subscribe today. I travel a lot and am always looking to make traveling easier. What I appreciate about you guys at Pack Hacker is that you take time testing your products. Been looking at these boots for a while, but haven't really found a good review until you guys came out with this. Thanks!

[@PackHacker]

Hey Lee, we're glad you're digging the review. Yes, we test every product out for a minimum of two weeks before reviewing. Thanks for reaching out! 😊🙌 - Rebecca

[@johnwolfe8305]

I've had a pair of the low black boots for about 10 months now. I'm a Border Patrol Agent in Texas and I have been really happy with these boots. They have held up really well as I used them out in the brush and also in more urban settings. They are a wide boot which I like, as I have wide flat feet. I normally wear a 10.5 Wide 2E in my Brooks Ghost tennis shoes and in the GoRuck boot I have a size 10 and it fits me great. When these start wearing out I will definitely buy the gen 2 version.

[@fmtoussant]

what are some other popular shoes among agents?

[@trailerparksupervisor7046]

Are they good for kicking people?

[@dcmiguel7777]

I have a A pair of the black ones. Light but run kind of big. Overall they are comfortable looking into getting into the desert ones.

[@PackHacker]

Thanks for sharing your experience with us Delta! Keep us updated. 😊🙌 - Rebecca

[@scootermcgoot]

I haven't had a chance to test out the Altama Maritime Assault shoes but aren't those way cheaper and similar capabilities?

[@PackHacker]

Hey scootermcgoot - we haven't tested the Altama Maritime Assault shoes, so we're unable to verify the differences here. 👍 - Rebecca

[@jaysterling26]

Dear Sir, I think you're right. I come across the " grunt shoes" on a blog by a an Ex US marine. A plus is they look like s regular trainer ( sneaker). Here's the review abrotherabroad.com/altama-otb-review-9-month-travel-test-still-the-best-travel-shoes-youve-never-heard-of/

[@alfiec2631]

Would you say that the comparison in fit to the chuck taylors on their website is an accurate size estimate?

[@GolgoSixty]

Looks solid!

[@PackHacker]

👍👍👍 - Rebecca

[@MarcusJGrey]

Would love a pair but unfortunately can't seem to find them in the EU, anyone else have a lead on where to buy em?

[@webbryan1]

Not enough organisation, no YKK zippers, not enough liters for a one bag carry. Edit: Oh wait this is not a Pack. 😋

[@PackHacker]

😂😄👍 - Rebecca

[@BRANDON_MILLER]

Does this have a steel toe?

[@joe_a_photo]

I think the tan version looks nicer. Reminds me of tims

[@PackHacker]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us Joseph A! 😊👍 - Rebecca

[@M0ebius]

Waiting on the 8 inch MACVs in black.

[@PackHacker]

Hey M0ebius - let us know what you think when they arrive! 😊 - Rebecca

[@nunyabiz7021]

Me too, but in suede!

[@NoNameNo.5]

WHERE are they made

[@Rfpepe7295]

Do they fit true to size?

[@PackHacker]

Hey Robert - we found they fit true to size, but from a break-in perspective, Nathan was able to hit the ground running and there was virtually no break-in period needed. However, Tom has wider feet and a high instep so he required some more break-in time and he felt the boots were slightly tighter towards the top. So, while they fit true to size, they are different for everyone, so your mileage may vary. Hope this helps, let us know if you have any more questions! 😊 - Rebecca

[@ctjiujitsu12]

These boots are super comfortable but don't last. I had these and wore through the soles in 4 months and goruck won't honor their guarantee. I don't recommend unless you don't mind blowing $160 on boots that won't last 6 months.

[@michaelsantana5781]

They look like the boots from Taken. Where the guy goes "Goodluck"

[@TimFromWales]

I'm watching a boot review. I don't need boots. Why am I watching a boot review!?

[@PackHacker]

We hear you TimFromWales!! 😂🙌🙌 - Rebecca

[@patrickreilly2338]

U need boots

[@patrickreilly2338]

Nice but not high enough

[@PackHacker]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us Patrick! 😊👍 - Rebecca