It's officially autumn, and as the jackets and boots come on, it's the perfect weather for outdoor activities. Autumn provides a great opportunity to get outside before the winter rolls in and it gets too cold for comfort. While it may not be ideal for swimming or beach volleyball, fall is the perfect season for two super popular activities: hiking and rucking.
We've all heard of hiking, but what exactly is rucking and how do the two compare?
Keep reading to learn the difference between the two, popular trails for fall, and more.
Jump to:
- Hiking vs. Rucking
- Why You Should Go Hiking & Rucking in the Fall
- Top Trails for Fall
- Hiking & Rucking Wardrobe Essentials
Hiking vs. Rucking
Hiking is an outdoor recreational activity that involves walking through nature, often on designated trails. Hikes are usually done in areas with notable scenery, as a major part of hiking is immersing yourself in the beauty of nature.
As an enjoyable hobby and form of exercise, hiking is currently trending on social media—the #hiking hashtag boasts over 12.1 billion views on TikTok. Some famous figures that promote hiking on their social channels include Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey.
Additionally, according to our Myprotein user survey, community members like you voted walking/hiking as your second most preferred exercise activity.
There are many reasons why people love hiking:
- It's an outdoor activity that provides an exercise opportunity.
- It allows you to disconnect from modern life and embrace nature.
- It can be done alone or in groups.
- It can be de-stressing and have a positive impact on mental health.
- It's a widely accessible activity—anyone can try it.
- It provides a sense of adventure.
Additionally, hiking is a great form of physical activity. It's predominantly a cardio workout but also works muscles like the legs and core and can enhance flexibility.
So, now that we've established the gist of hiking, let's talk about its counterpart, rucking. Rucking is a practice that comes from the military and involves walking or hiking with a weighted backpack. Rucking is growing in popularity on social media, with the #rucking hashtag at over 19.3 million views.
Prominent figures like Melissa Urban (co-founder and CEO of Whole30) and Andrew Huberman (neuroscientist and fitness enthusiast) cite rucking as part of their wellness routines on social media.
Rucking is more strength-oriented than hiking, as the added weight increases the demand on your muscles, specifically in the legs, back, and core. While hiking is generally done on nature paths, rucking can be practiced in various settings.
Rucking can be done in an urban setting through city streets or parks, in the suburbs, on indoor tracks, or even on a treadmill at the gym. Rucking is considered more of a training activity than hiking, which is generally done for recreation or leisure.
While a large part of hiking is the environment and enjoyment of scenery, rucking is more focused on training for specific fitness goals. For this reason, you'll find people rucking in many different settings, not just in nature, including the gym.
The major distinction between the two activities is that rucking is more intense than hiking and provides a full-body workout due to the added weight, while hiking is a lighter form of exercise.
Why You Should Go Hiking & Rucking in the Fall
You can go hiking and rucking in any season, but fall is arguably the best.
There are many reasons why fall is an ideal season for these activities. For starters, autumn provides cooler temperatures and fresh air. It's the perfect compromise between the strong heat of summer and brisk cold in the winter. Another reason is the fall scenery. While all seasons possess their own beauty, the changing leaves in the fall provide an epic landscape for nature walks, hiking, and rucking.
While you would think trails would be packed in the fall, it's actually one of the calmer seasons for hiking and rucking. This may be because summer is viewed as the on-season for outdoor activities. People also tend to vacation in the summer, and then get back into work routines in the fall.
Another benefit of an autumn nature excursion? Less bugs! Now we know no one is opposed to that... Fall also offers a better chance at seeing wildlife, as many species are more active during this season in preparation for winter.
Thus, if you want an unforgettable hiking or rucking experience, fall is undoubtedly the perfect time to go.
Top Trails for Fall
If you're looking to go hiking and rucking in the fall, Canada offers tons of scenic locations that will make for an epic experience...
Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, CA
Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario is a great spot for fall hiking and rucking. The park offers beautiful fall foliage, specifically its sugar maple trees. Plus, you'll find stunning scenery of lakes, forests, and hills that make for a picturesque excursion. Plus, Algonquin offers a variety of trails, from simple beginner's trails to more advanced climbs—there's something for everyone.
Dundas Peak, Hamilton, Ontario
For hiking and rucking, Dundas Peak near Hamilton, Ontario offers some epic trails. Dundas is known for its captivating fall foliage, but in addition to the changing leaves, you'll also find spectacular cliffside views of the valley below and the Niagara Escarpment—the landform that spans the Great Lakes region and houses Niagara Falls.
Lake Agnes Trail, Banff National Park, Alberta, CA
At the Lake Agnes Trail in Alberta, you'll find wonderful autumn scenery including a captivating display of golden larch trees, deep blue waters, and the Rocky Mountains. This hike is moderately challenging and provides a great opportunity for rucking with a steady incline. Plus, at the top of the hike, you'll come across the historic Lake Agnes Teahouse, a perfect resting spot for taking in the fall landscape.
Hiking & Rucking Wardrobe Essentials
Hiking and rucking are loads of fun, but can require substantial amounts of physical exertion. To get the most out of your experience, it's important to wear clothing that supports you.
Here are a few of our favourite picks for hiking and rucking:
Men's 2-in-1 Training Shorts
On a warmer day, our Men's 2-in-1 Training Shorts are a great option for hiking or rucking. They're tailored for a comfortable fit and are super flexible. With a 4-way stretch fabric and side split hems, the shorts are easy to move around in. They also come with zip pockets for storage—always a win.
Men's Training Joggers
If you want more coverage, the Men's Training Joggers are another great option. The joggers were designed with comfort in mind and provide a slim fit while allowing for movement and flexibility. These can be worn for hiking, rucking, or everyday training.
Women's Tempo Seamless Leggings
Leggings are great for any workout, and hiking and rucking are no exception. These soft-touch Women's Tempo Seamless Leggings are made with super-stretch fabric that's comfortable enough to wear all day. Designed to enhance performance, the quick-drying, sweat-wicking material will support you while you exercise.
Training Zip
If you're hiking in the cooler temperatures of the fall, wearing several layers will help keep you warm. Consider wearing a base layer underneath your regular clothing or a training zip above your normal top for heat insulation.
The Men's Training 1/4 Zip contains stretch fabric that enables unrestricted movement, plus pockets for storage. You can adjust the waistband with the internal drawcords to your ideal fit so you're comfortable throughout your hike.
The Women's Training 1/4 Zip is made with sweat-wicking technology, so you'll remain comfortable and dry while you exercise.
If you need extra warmth and comfort, try wearing a jacket and gloves.
Additionally, on any hike, you'll want to bring a hat for sun protection, as even in the fall, you can still be exposed to significant amounts of sunlight on certain trails.
Finally, for footwear, hiking boots are recommended for rougher trails, but for beginner trails, hiking shoes or trail runners can suffice.
Take Home Message
Whether you choose to do a standard hike or try your hand at rucking, in the fall, there are endless possibilities for an epic adventure. So take your boots out of the closet and take advantage of the season. You got this.
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A Rutgers University Honors graduate, Jamie grew up on the Jersey shore and double majored in Comparative Literature and Anthropology in college. Jamie is an experienced writer in the health and wellness, biotech, and eCommerce fields. She loves writing with a purpose and has even written for the Department of Justice.
Jamie became drawn to exercise during her time in university and began to notice the physical and mental benefits of moving your body daily. Today, Jamie enjoys Pilates, light weight training, and going on long walks in nature daily.
Jamie is also passionate about eating right and prioritizing gut health and immunity. She is always trying the next innovation in health and wellness. When she’s not writing articles, Jamie enjoys reading, playing guitar, and finding dogs to play with.
