The British Standard for Load-Carriage Fitness
Purpose
Most people ruck without knowing whether what they’re doing is enough, too much, or simply unclear. The YOMP Standard™ exists to remove that uncertainty.
It is a classification system for load-carriage fitness designed to answer one question clearly and honestly:
What level of load-carriage capability do you currently possess?
The standard applies to civilians, athletes, Blue Light services, and military personnel. It defines outcomes, not training methods.
What the Standard Is - and Is Not
The YOMP Standard is:
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A single, repeatable test framework
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A classification ruler, not a workout
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Bodyweight-scaled and equipment-agnostic
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Conservative, safety-biased, and durable
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Designed for long-term use and reference
The YOMP Standard is not:
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A training programme
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A challenge or competition
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A coaching method
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A product requirement
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A measure of worth, identity, or potential
Classification reflects current capacity only.
Core Principles
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One standard
All participants are measured against the same criteria. -
Walking under load
Load-carriage fitness is defined as sustained walking with external load. -
Efficiency over suffering
Excessive breakdown invalidates performance. -
Elite is rare by design
Most people should not qualify as Elite. -
Safety overrides classification
Stopping for safety is not failure.
Classification Levels
Participants are classified by the highest level they can successfully complete on the day of testing.
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Initiate - Can carry load safely
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Trained - Can progress load sustainably
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Operational - Can carry load with purpose under fatigue
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Advanced - Can maintain efficiency under prolonged load
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Elite - Can repeatedly demonstrate exceptional load-carriage capacity
Test Format (Universal)
All levels use the same test structure. Only the values change.
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Distance
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Load (percentage of bodyweight)
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Time cap
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Movement and safety rules
Load is calculated as a percentage of bodyweight, rounded to the nearest 0.5 kg.
Level Requirements
Initiate
5 km · 10% bodyweight · 60 minutes · Min. weight 8kg
Trained
8 km · 15% bodyweight · 75 minutes · Min. weight 12kg
Operational
12 km · 20% bodyweight · 1hr50 · Min. Weight 18kg
Advanced
20 km · 25% bodyweight · 3 hours · Min. Weight 22kg
Elite
30 km · 30% bodyweight · 4 hours · Min. Weight 25kg
Must be passed twice within a 12-month period.
The rule across all levels: carry whichever is greater, your percentage of bodyweight or the minimum floor.
The Advanced and Elite levels demand months of dedicated preparation. Know your load before you attempt. Train specifically for it. May exceed 30% of body weight.
Movement Rules
Walking (March) only
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One foot must remain in contact with the ground at all times
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No running, jogging, or shuffling
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Brief stride lengthening is permitted; flight phase is not
Load carriage
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Load must be carried entirely on the back
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No hand-carrying
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No offloading or redistribution during the test
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No external assistance
Pack use
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Any pack may be used provided the load is secure
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Excessive swing, bounce, or instability invalidates the attempt
Posture & Movement Integrity
A test attempt is invalidated if any of the following are sustained or repeated:
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Pronounced forward collapse
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Asymmetrical gait caused by load
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Limping or favouring one side
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Hands-on-knees support while moving
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Loss of control or coordination
Short-term discomfort is acceptable.
Loss of movement integrity is not.
Rest & Stopping Rules
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Standing rest is permitted
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Pace reduction is permitted
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Sitting, kneeling, or lying down fails the test
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Removing the pack fails the test
Safety override
The test must be stopped if:
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dizziness or disorientation occurs
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sharp or escalating pain develops
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numbness or neurological symptoms appear
Stopping for safety is not failure. Retesting is encouraged.
Terrain & Conditions
The core standard assumes:
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Predominantly flat to gently rolling terrain
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Firm, walkable surfaces (road, path, track)
Terrain difficulty does not alter classification.
Events or organisations may annotate terrain or conditions, but these do not redefine the standard.
Sex & Body Size Policy
The YOMP Standard uses one unified standard.
Load is scaled to bodyweight.
Outcomes may vary by individual.
The standard measures capability, not representation.
Elite classification is expected to be rare across all populations.
Elite Pace Considerations
We are more than aware highly trained individuals and specialist military units are capable of completing comparable distances under load in much shorter times. These performances are real and impressive.
However, such performances typically occur in selection or assessment contexts designed to filter candidates rather than classify sustainable capability. They often tolerate elevated injury risk, gait degradation, and one-off output.
The YOMP Standard is not a selection tool.
The Elite time standard is set at four hours to preserve walking integrity under heavy load, reward efficiency and load management, reflect modern operational planning assumptions, and support repeatability rather than one-day performance.
Faster completions are acknowledged as exceeding the standard, not redefining it.
Interpretation of Results
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Initiate reflects readiness to train safely
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Trained reflects consistent preparation
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Operational reflects functional competence
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Advanced reflects deliberate mastery
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Elite reflects exceptional, repeatable capacity
No level implies superiority outside the context of load carriage.
The standard is the standard. Results may vary.
The YOMP Standard™ exists to remove confusion, exaggeration, and ego from load-carriage fitness.
It defines what counts.
YOUR GUIDE TO GETTING CLASSIFIED
The YOMP Standard - Updated June 2026
Minimum absolute loads have been introduced at all levels to ensure the classification maintains its integrity regardless of bodyweight. Athletes who completed under the previous standard retain their classification. All attempts from 1st June 2026 are subject to the updated requirements.
Designed in Britain.
Landed in the USA
One bag for the ruck, the commute and the two week trip. 1000D Cordura, hip belt included, backed for life, delivered to your door with US duties and import tax already paid.
Read the LBC review →
A rucking pack that refuses to be only a rucking pack
The Y-CO 3 was designed first for load carriage, and turned out to handle everything else without compromise. For our US launch we are leading with the bag itself: carry it daily, travel with it, and ruck with it when you are ready.
Everyday Carry
Dual access, top load plus a full front zip down panel. Side access padded laptop compartment up to 16 inches, smart internal organisation, and hi-vis orange lining so you actually find your gear in low light.
In stock, ships nowTwo Weeks, One Bag
The exact test LBC put it through. Sole bag, two weeks, travel days to dinners out. YKK Aquaguard zips, a water resistant 1000D shell, and a removable hip belt for the long haul.
In stock, ships nowLoad Ready
The internal plate pocket sits flush to your spine, rated to 70lb, keeping weight at your centre of gravity. Hip belt and sternum strap lock the load in place during movement.
Bring your own plate, see FAQYou know the US benchmark. Here is the other option.
American rucking has a default name, and it has earned its reputation. The Y-CO 3 is the premium British-designed alternative. The same serious tool philosophy, a few choices made differently, and a landed price with the customs paperwork already handled.
- + 1000D Cordura shell, bartacked at every stress point
- + Hip belt included as standard, not a paid add on
- + Dual access: top load and full front zip down panel
- + Side access laptop compartment up to 16 inches
- + Lifetime guarantee on materials and workmanship
- + Delivered duty paid, no surprise fee at the door
- › Proven, widely owned, strong community
- › Built around dedicated rucking first
- › Accessories and belts often sold separately
- › A known quantity, and priced like one
We are not here to knock it. We are here to give you a choice.
"Backpacks are tools, not accessories."
That is the principle LBC found in the Y-CO 3 when a national journalist carried it as their only bag for two weeks, across travel, work, day carry and dinners out. It handled every role without feeling compromised, with one note, no external bottle pockets, which a MOLLE attachment solves. Their verdict: excellent. The Coolector went further, calling it the new benchmark for everyday carry and one of the best rucking and EDC packs of the year.
Full specification
Ruck ready out of the box
The internal plate pocket holds your weight flush against your spine, close to your centre of gravity, which is exactly where load should sit for an efficient, comfortable ruck. Rated to 70lb. The included hip belt transfers that weight off your shoulders, the sternum strap keeps it locked through every step.
What people who carry it say
The plate pockets are perfect for my oversized iPad or small laptop, then on a ruck I swap them for plates. The internal bottle holders work for water or charging a phone, and the whole bag opens up to reach the bottom. Classy too, and service was top notch.
Loved this rucksack. Comfortable on the shoulders when weighted and easy to adjust. Hard wearing and robust into the bargain. I would highly recommend it.
The Coolector called the Y-CO 3 "the definitive every-carry rucking machine," naming it the new benchmark for uncompromising everyday carry and rating it among the finest rucking and EDC packs of the year.
Questions, answered
Q1Does the price include US import duties and tax?+
Yes. The Y-CO 3 ships to the United States Delivered Duty Paid (DDP). All import duties and tax are calculated and paid up front, so the price you see at checkout is the price you pay. There is no separate customs bill from the carrier when your bag arrives at your door.
Q2How long does delivery to the US take?+
Typically 4 to 7 business days via tracked courier. Every US order ships tracked, so you can follow it from our workshop to your door.
Q3Do you ship weight plates to the US?+
Not during this initial launch. We are shipping the Y-CO 3 backpack on its own. The internal plate pocket fits standard ruck plates, so you can pair it with a plate you already own. YOMP weight plates are coming to the US shortly after launch.
Q4How is the Y-CO 3 different from the Y-CO 1?+
The Y-CO 1 is the dedicated rucking pack, clean, focused, made for structured load training. The Y-CO 3 keeps that rucking capability and adds everyday carry and travel features: dual access (top load plus a full front zip panel), a side access laptop compartment, a more advanced back system, and the included hip belt. Choose the Y-CO 3 when you need one bag to ruck, carry and travel.
Q5What size laptop fits?+
The dedicated padded, side access compartment takes laptops and tablets up to 16 inches.
Q6How much weight can it carry?+
The internal plate pocket is rated to 70lb, held flush against the back panel. The 10mm EVA back panel, removable hip belt and sternum strap keep heavy loads stable and comfortable through movement.
Q7What colours are available?+
Two: Shadow Black and Coyote. Both are full 1000D Cordura, built identically. The choice is purely the look.
Q8What is your US returns policy?+
We accept US returns within 30 days of delivery on items that are unused and in original, resaleable condition, with all tags and packaging intact. To start a return, email sales@yomp.store with your order number and reason. Return shipping costs are the customer's responsibility, and we recommend a tracked service, as we cannot process returns we do not receive.
Because US orders ship duty paid, any import duties and taxes already paid to customs are non refundable, so refunds cover the product price only, less original shipping. Items showing signs of use, load testing or wear are not eligible for return. Refunds are issued once the bag is received and inspected. This returns policy is separate from, and does not affect, the lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects.
Q9Who makes YOMP, and what does the name mean?+
YOMP Co is a British company specialising in load training gear, designed in Britain. "Yomping" is British military slang for marching long distances over rough ground under a loaded pack, what the rest of the world calls rucking. We build for that tradition.
Get yours, duty paid.
British-designed. Lifetime guaranteed. Delivered to your US door with nothing left to settle at customs.