Walk with Weight - The Definitive Guide to Rucking

"Michael Easter's genius is that he puts data around the edges of what we intuitively believe. His work has inspired many to change their lives for the better."-Dr. Peter Attia, author of Outlive
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Comfort Crisis comes the definitive guide to the fast-growing sport of rucking-or walking with weight-as a daily practice that can change body and mind for the better with every step.
In recent years, walking with weight, also known as rucking, has exploded in popularity due to its multifaceted benefits including improved fitness, strength, and mental well-being. It's a risk-free, full-body workout that improves metabolic health and helps prevent chronic diseases and depression. Now, bestselling author Michael Easter, the avid rucker the New York Times credits with ushering in the trend, is sharing everything you need to know in the ultimate book on weighted walking.
With this practical guide, you will learn:

• How to start your own weighted walking routine by choosing the right weight and loading your pack correctly
• Advice for warming up, fueling, and preventing injury
• For experienced ruckers, guidelines for increasing intensity and inspiration to set bigger goals
• A breakdown of all the amazing health benefits, including why walking with weight burns more fat per mile than jogging
• Advice for selecting the right gear, including how to decide between a weighted vest or backpack
• Week-by-week training plans for every type of goal and skill level

Along the way, Easter traces the history of walking with weight-from ancient hunter gatherers to the world's greatest militaries - and shows how it has evolved into the popular trend it is today. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned rucker, Walk with Weight offers valuable advice at any level. With this book, you'll get more from every step-with the easiest and most effective way to boost your strength inside and out.

About the author

Michael Easter is the New York Times bestselling author of The Comfort Crisis and Scarcity Brain. He writes the Two Percent with Michael Easter newsletter, Substack’s #1 newsletter in the health and wellness category, and his writing has appeared in Men’s Health, where he’s a Contributing Editor; Outside; Men’s Journal; Cosmopolitan; Vice; Esquire; Scientific American; and Women’s Health. He’s also a former professor of journalism at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where he co-directed the Public Communications Institute. He lives in Las Vegas on the edge of the desert with his wife and their two dogs.

Summary

“Michael Easter’s genius is that he puts data around the edges of what we intuitively believe. His work has inspired many to change their lives for the better.”—Dr. Peter Attia, author of Outlive
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Comfort Crisis comes the definitive guide to the fast-growing sport of rucking—or walking with weight—as a daily practice that can change body and mind for the better with every step.
In recent years, walking with weight, also known as rucking, has exploded in popularity due to its multifaceted benefits including improved fitness, strength, and mental well-being. It’s a risk-free, full-body workout that improves metabolic health and helps prevent chronic diseases and depression. Now, bestselling author Michael Easter, the avid rucker the New York Times credits with ushering in the trend, is sharing everything you need to know in the ultimate book on weighted walking.
With this practical guide, you will learn:

• How to start your own weighted walking routine by choosing the right weight and loading your pack correctly
• Advice for warming up, fueling, and preventing injury
• For experienced ruckers, guidelines for increasing intensity and inspiration to set bigger goals
• A breakdown of all the amazing health benefits, including why walking with weight burns more fat per mile than jogging
• Advice for selecting the right gear, including how to decide between a weighted vest or backpack
• Week-by-week training plans for every type of goal and skill level

Along the way, Easter traces the history of walking with weight—from ancient hunter gatherers to the world’s greatest militaries – and shows how it has evolved into the popular trend it is today. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned rucker, Walk with Weight offers valuable advice at any level. With this book, you’ll get more from every step—with the easiest and most effective way to boost your strength inside and out. 

Report

"I started rucking in 2021 after reading The Comfort Crisis. It quickly became my most-recommended form of exercise, especially for women. Walk With Weight is the guide I wish I had; equal parts science, story, and motivation. Easter makes rucking accessible, sustainable, and surprisingly fun, showing you how to build strength, endurance, and mental resilience just by taking a walk." - Melissa Urban, Whole30 co-founder and CEO
"Michael Easter brings to light that our challenges with behavior change can be better understood-and conquered-if we know how driven we are by our scarcity mindset. With deep science-backed insights, personal stories, practical guidance, and a relatable approach, Easter's book is for anyone interested in embarking on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment with the goal of living a healthier, more satisfying, and actualized life." - Juliet Starrett & Dr. Kelly Starrett, New York Times bestselling authors of Built to Move
"Michael Easter illuminates how humans are hardwired to seek more, even when our reward-seeking behaviors become at odds with our well-being. His vulnerable weaving of his own personal experiences alongside cutting edge research and current events compel you to examine your own life and patterns. Consider this engaging read a mandate to get curious, a more effective tool for meaningful, positive, lasting change than shame or judgement, the traditional tools of the trade." - Liz Plosser, editor in chief of Women's Health
"I read The Comfort Crisis in three straight sittings and was so motivated and inspired that I immediately made changes to my daily routines. Two months later, I've never been fitter, more self-confident, or happier. If you've been looking for something different to level up your health, fitness, and personal growth, THIS IS IT." - Melissa Urban, Whole30 CEO and six-time New York Times bestselling author
"[The Comfort Crisis is] an entertaining and thought-provoking adventure that weaves together findings from anthropology, physiology, neuroscience, and other disciplines. Easter makes a convincing case that happiness is more than the absence of cold, hunger, and boredom-in fact, a little discomfort may be exactly what we need." - Alex Hutchinson, New York Times bestselling author of Endure
"Entertaining and enlightening, Easter's quest for a 'rewilded' diet, creative boredom, and other sensation-restoring discomforts is chock-full of solid science as well as a rollicking adventure." - Dan Fagin, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Toms River: A Story of Science and Salvation

Product details

• Authors: Michael Easter
• Publisher: Harper Collins Usa
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 24.02.2026
• EAN: 9780063452534
• ISBN: 978-0-06-345253-4
• Subjects: Guides > Health; HEALTH & FITNESS / Healthy Living, SPORTS & RECREATION / Hiking, HEALTH & FITNESS / Healing, Self-help, personal development and practical advice, Complementary therapies, healing and health, Exercise and workouts, SELF-HELP: Personal Growth / General, HEALTH & FITNESS: Healthy Living, HEALTH & FITNESS: Exercise / General, HEALTH & FITNESS: Healing, SPORTS & RECREATION: Hiking, Popular medicine and health: the human body