The idea to start RUKR came to me when I was introduced to rucking as an alternative to running. I was a national-level sprinter in college (many years ago…) and have regularly run ever since. But running had taken its toll, and I started rucking to add some intensity to my daily walks and hikes. I felt stronger and more energized with every ruck but without my usual post-run ailments. At the same time I was seeing that many health, wellness and longevity experts I followed were also discovering the many benefits of rucking.

Whenever family and friends visited, I took them for walks in my (hilly) neighborhood with my backpacks jerry rigged with weights I had found on Amazon. The gear wasn’t ideal, but everyone loved the workouts and wanted to take a pack home. 

When I initially discovered rucking, I was intimidated by its macho military-based ethos that felt inaccessible and exclusionary. The purpose built gear was surprisingly expensive, and the pink options supposedly tailored to us, didn’t adequately address the unique fit and comfort needs of women.

I saw a clear problem. There was no rucking gear designed to adjust to fit women on the market so I committed to develop a backpack, RUKR One, with the mantra: Women are not small men! And with that I launched RUKR. I'm so excited to share, evangelize and help everyone, but especially women for whom it’s benefits are so important, become enthusiasts of this wonderful workout.

- Teri Levy, Founder RUKR