GORUCK, the leader of the rucking revolution and maker of the most durable products on planet Earth, today announced a partnership with the Professional Women’s Hockey League Players Association (PWHLPA), the union representing all players in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). Through the partnership, every player on every team in the league will receive a 12-pound Spy Ruck, GORUCK’s weighted vest designed specifically for the female body.
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The collaboration will see GORUCK provide gear directly to players for use in their off-ice training routines, giving some of the world’s top athletes a hands-on role with the brand as it continues to develop products built for women.
The partnership comes as the PWHL heads toward the Walter Cup Playoffs to cap its third season, a stretch that has seen the league named the No. 1 Most Innovative Company in Sports by Fast Company, and expand to eight teams across North America.
“Over nearly two decades building GORUCK, I’ve watched women surprise themselves with what they’re capable of when they commit to doing hard things together,” said GORUCK Co-Founder Emily McCarthy, a former CIA Intelligence Officer who led the development of the Spy Ruck. “The vision behind the Spy Ruck was always bigger than one product. It was about giving women gear that actually works for their bodies and delivering the highest level of investment and innovation. The players in the PWHL represent the best in the world at what they do, and we’re proud to put our gear in their hands.”
“GORUCK’s commitment to building products specifically for women made this partnership stand out to us. Our players are elite athletes who care deeply about performance, preparation, and having equipment that actually works for them, and we’re excited to partner with a brand that is investing in that space. We’re also pleased to help connect our players with a company that sees value in women’s sports and in women athletes,” said Malaika Underwood, Executive Director of the PWHLPA.
The collaboration will see GORUCK provide gear directly to players for use in their off-ice training routines, giving some of the world’s top athletes a hands-on role with the brand as it continues to develop products built for women. The two organizations will explore additional activations, including ambassador opportunities, co-branded content, and athlete-driven training challenges designed to bring the PWHL community closer to the rucking movement.
The Spy Ruck is engineered specifically for the female frame, featuring a streamlined silhouette for balanced weight distribution, padded shoulder straps for extended wear, and a soft, wicking stretch interior fabric comfortable enough to wear directly against the skin. Constructed from 420D Robic fabric with odorless, rust-resistant steel pellets, the Spy Ruck is available in 8lb ($89), 12lb ($99), and 16lb ($109) options. Like all GORUCK products, it is backed by the company’s SCARS Lifetime Guarantee.
The PWHLPA partnership follows GORUCK’s recent partnership with the Golden State Storm of the Women’s National Football Conference, extending the brand’s growing presence in women’s professional sports.
For more information about the Spy Ruck and GORUCK’s full line of rucking gear, visit goruck.com or @goruck on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube. For more information on the PWHLPA, visit pwhlpa.com or @pwhlpa on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About GORUCK
Founded in 2008 by former Green Beret, Jason McCarthy, and CIA field agent Emily McCarthy, GORUCK is headquartered in Jacksonville Beach, FL. Jason’s commitment to the Special Forces way of life, coupled with what he had learned in war, inspired him to build a “go-bag,” or “go-ruck” for his wife, Emily, who was working in French-speaking West Africa. The bag was meant for her to keep in her vehicle and at home, ready to go at all times.
This “go-bag” would serve as the catalyst for what eventually became GORUCK’s original piece of gear, the GR1. It took over two years to design and manufacture the rucksacks and ensure they would thrive in both Baghdad and NYC. Green Berets and spies were the judge and jury of quality and functionality.
GORUCK prides itself on building the toughest rucking & workout gear on the planet backed by its SCARS Lifetime Guarantee, offering rucksacks, footwear, apparel, ruck plates, training gear, and more. The company builds every style from the ground up, working with everyone from Special Forces Soldiers to Intelligence Professionals to World Champion Athletes to test, iterate, and build the best.
About the PWHLPA
The Professional Women’s Hockey League Players Association (PWHLPA) is the labor union representing the players of the Professional Women’s Hockey League. Created in 2023 alongside the launch of the PWHL, the PWHLPA is dedicated to protecting players’ rights and well-being, advancing their collective interests, and supporting the long-term growth of professional women’s hockey. Guided by the collective voice of its membership, the union is committed to ensuring players have the resources, protections, and opportunities to thrive both on and off the ice.
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