GORUCK Mackall 45 Review: Tested Under a 20 lb Plate

The GORUCK Mackall 45 is a shoe built for rucking that still looks normal with jeans. The 45 is for 1945 and Camp Mackall's wartime history, and you can see the old trainer shape in it. After a loaded outing in them, the part I'd lead with is underneath: the bottom of the shoe is great. Plenty of support, and it feels like standing on a dense memory foam mattress.

GORUCK sent me this pair in the Fog colorway, men's size 12, which is my usual shoe size. GORUCK didn't approve what I say here or ask for specific coverage. Links to GORUCK on this page may earn us a commission.

How I wore them

This review covers that first outing and a later loaded walk after break-in, so it's about fit, feel and grip; long-term durability and wet weather are still ahead of them.

What I liked underfoot

The sole is the highlight. It has plenty of support for a low-cut shoe, and with the GR1 and a plate on my back it still felt like that dense memory foam mattress.

GORUCK describes the midsole as a low-durometer EVA foam and pairs it with a dual-density insert, so the support comes from the combination rather than a hard sole. On my feet, under the added weight, it gave a little and then held. That's the "dense" half of my mattress comparison.

On rougher terrain, the texture on the bottom was enough to dig in and give me stability. I felt comfortable climbing rough ground because I knew I wasn't going to lose my footing. The lugs bite like a trail shoe's, and there's a good amount of grip.

That grip comes from an outsole built for more than one job. The lugs are deep enough to dig into dirt and loose ground, on a shoe GORUCK still designed to go from the trail to errands. Three rubber compounds generally let a maker put grippier rubber where traction matters and tougher rubber where the sole wears fastest.

Here's what GORUCK lists for the Fog version:

Source: GORUCK's Mackall 45 Fog product page, checked September 25, 2026.

The 13 mm drop puts your heel higher than your toes. GORUCK says it chose that offset to reduce strain on the calves and Achilles. A higher drop does ask the lower leg to stretch a little less on each step; whether that suits you depends on your stride and the shoes you're used to.

The Fog suede

It's a really good-looking shoe. The pigskin suede upper, the leather spearhead on the side and the reinforced double stitching at the toe and heel give it that older trainer character. I'm a big fan of the gray with the orange accents. That may be a millennial thing; it's roughly how I've accented my house.

Suede is sanded leather, which is where the soft nap comes from, and it generally softens to your foot with wear. Fog is the lighter colorway, so a suede brush is worth keeping by the door after a dusty trail. If you'd rather not think about it, Black + Gum hides dirt.

Heel fit: the part to get right

On my first loaded outing, the back of the heel rubbed, and you can see where on my pair: the collar lining there is roughed up, with some pilling. I finished with blisters and wore my old shoes on the next outing. After breaking the Mackalls in, I took them on another loaded walk and the rubbing stopped.

That was a break-in issue for my feet, not an ongoing problem with this pair. A different heel may feel comfortable from the start, or need a different fit altogether.

GORUCK designs the Mackall to be ready out of the box, and SEALgrinderPT reported a secure heel from the start. Mine needed time; now the support and traction are the story.

If a new pair rubs your heel, try it on shorter walks before committing to a long loaded route. Check heel hold with your usual socks; our foot care guide covers lacing and hot spots. Break-in solved my rubbing, but it won't fix every fit problem.

How other reviewers found the fit

Other reviewers have had a smoother start, which fits the different-heels point. These are their accounts, on different colorways, not mine.

SEALgrinderPT wore the Black + Gum version and reported a comfortable initial fit, a secure heel and a planted feel in the first hours.

MindBodyDad wore the Americana for rucking and yard work. He liked the support under load and the traction, and wanted a little more room in the forefoot.

Put together with my follow-up, the sole and traction remain the clear strengths. Heel fit varies from foot to foot; mine settled after break-in.

For how the Mackall compares with other shoes on pavement, trail and mixed routes, see our rucking shoes by terrain guide.

Warranty and care

GORUCK's SCARS guarantee works differently for footwear than for its bags. The footwear terms cover manufacturing defects and exclude normal wear, which is narrower than the lifetime guarantee on its packs.

To clean them, GORUCK says to take the insert out, rinse the shoes and let them air dry, with no washer or dryer. GORUCK doesn't list the Mackall 45 as waterproof.

Should you buy the Mackall 45?

Buy it if:

• You want one low-cut shoe for loaded walks and everyday wear. It's built for rucking and still looks normal with jeans.
• You like a dense, supportive sole. That was the best part of the shoe for me under a 20 lb plate.
• You ruck on rough or loose ground. The tread dug in like a trail shoe's and gave me solid footing on climbs.
• You like a raised heel under a pack. GORUCK lists a 13 mm drop, which it says is meant to ease strain on the calves and Achilles.

Skip it if:

• You want a flatter shoe or a different style. Our rucking shoes by terrain guide covers other picks for pavement, trail and mixed routes.
• Your routes are often wet. A waterproof trail shoe is the better tool there, and the same terrain guide covers those.
• You mostly walk without a pack. A cushioned daily trainer is the better tool, and Kit Authority ranks the best walking shoes for that kind of mileage.

Frequently asked questions

Is the GORUCK Mackall 45 comfortable?

Yes, underfoot especially. The sole felt dense and supportive with a loaded GR1 on my back, like standing on a dense memory foam mattress. My heel rubbed at first but stopped on a later loaded walk after break-in.

Does the Mackall 45 need a break-in period?

GORUCK designs it to be ready out of the box. Mine rubbed on the first loaded outing; after break-in, the rubbing stopped on a later loaded walk. Your heel may differ.

Is the Mackall 45 a backpack?

No. It's a low-cut rucking and training shoe. The name refers to Camp Mackall and 1945, not a 45-liter pack.

How high is the Mackall 45's heel drop?

GORUCK lists a 13 mm heel-to-toe drop, so the heel sits higher than the forefoot. GORUCK says the offset is meant to reduce strain on the calves and Achilles.

Is the Mackall 45 waterproof?

No. GORUCK doesn't list it as waterproof, and the suede upper is perforated across the forefoot. For routes that are often wet, a waterproof trail shoe is the better pick.

Does the GORUCK warranty cover the Mackall 45?

GORUCK's footwear coverage is for manufacturing defects. It excludes normal wear, so it's narrower than the guarantee on GORUCK's bags.