Gear & Tools
Between fitness challenges, cooking, mixology, travel, and daily life, there are a lot things I use to optimize. Here is a list of the gear, gadgets, supplements, and tools I’ve shared in my newsletter and blog. Click on the item name to link to each product.
Please note that some of these may be affiliate links, which allow me to receive a small commission if you choose to purchase an item through the link.
Bellroy Note Sleeve Wallet
Eagle Creek PACK-IT™ Isolate Compression Cube
Eagle Creek PACK-IT™ Reveal Quick Trip
Geckobrands Durable View 5L Dry Bag
GORUCK GR1 Slick (26L) Backpack
Melin Hydro A-Game Hat
Yeti Rambler 18 Oz Bottle (with a chug cap)
Allbird Wool Runners
I bought these for travel and liked them so much that I bought a second pair for home. I wear these on the plane, on runs, around town and just about anywhere my legs carry me.
Aviator USA Travel Jeans
I’m a jeans guy and these are the best for travel. Soft and stretchy with hidden zipper pockets to protect valuables. The only thing I wear on a plane these days.
Aviator USA Travel Shorts
The shorts that I use for dressing up a bit on the road. They have belt loops so can be made to look nice but also have a soft, stretch fabric. You could go to a reasonably nice dinner with these, hit the links or relax in the hotel room. Very versatile.
Ex Officio Give-N-Go 2.0 Boxer Briefs
Not cheap for briefs, but these are great. Soft, comfortable and fast drying. I wear these everyday – at home and on the road.
GORUCK American Training Shorts
These are suitable for training (as the name suggests) or running. I’ve done both, but they are mostly just my swim trunks. Plus they have an American flag patch on the front. Love it.
L.L. Bean Multisport Shorts
The no-fluff gym short that I wear five days a week. Snap pocket on back and subtle zipper pocket inside of right front pocket. Very practical.
Myles Apparel Everyday Shorts
My “ready for anything” shorts that I take on every trip. Great for hiking, swimming, workouts or just lounging around.
Public Rec All Day Every Day Pant
Maybe I’m taking the name too literally, but I’m beginning to wear these all day, every day. They are comfortable like sweats but a bit more sleak and form-fitting, meaning I don’t look like a slob around the house or out for errands.
Reef Sandals
I bought my first pair of Reef Sandals for my honeymoon years ago. Now I wear them all summer long. I have a separate pair I use for warm weather/beach travel.
Rhone Reign Tech Short Sleeve
I run in these and take them on trips for working out. It dries fast and is a great fabric.
Smartwool Ankle Socks
These are my travel socks. I take three pair on every trip. They can be used on the plane, to workout, for hiking, whatever you need. And they dry fast and take a long time to start smelling.
Sungod Renegades
Durable sunglasses that I originally bought for travel. Now I wear them instead of my aviators because they are lighter and more comfortable.
Ten Thousand Interval Short
I have a couple pairs of Ten Thousand shorts, but the Interval shorts are my go-to for anything long-distance – think runs and rucks. Very comfortable and the built-in liner is clutch.
Saucony Men’s Peregrine Trail Shoes
It is rare that I have a pair of performance or athletic shoes feel good from day #1, but these did. I’m probably 200 miles of running/rucking in on them and they are still doing great.
Vuori Ace Polo
My travel polo for dressing up while on the road.
Vuori Long-Sleeve Ace Button-Down
My “nice” travel shirt that can be dressed a bit up or down. Great fabric and stretch.
Vuori Strato Tech Tee
My go-to travel shirt. It is about the only thing I wear on airplanes and I take three of them on every trip. I also have a long-sleeve for colder weather travel.
Black Diamond Equipment Headlamp
There are lots of headlamp and lighting options for outdoor workouts but this has done the trick for me.
Brain.fm
I use Brain.fm every single day for focus while I work. I’ve also used it for 15-minute guided meditations and to help me fall asleep for brief naps. Love this app.
GORUCK Bullet
This is a bag, but I’m putting it under Fitness & Nutrition because it is purpose-built for rucking. Love this bag for what it is, and always great quality from GORUCK.
GORUCK Hydration Bladder
There are a million hydration bladders you can get, but I went with GORUCK because I like the brand and new it would be a clean fit in my GORUCK Bullet rucksack. It is 3L so is pretty big.
Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds
I bought these during 75 Hard for my outdoor workouts and never looked back. Love these things.
I found this plate on Amazon for rucking and it does the job. It also comes in different weights. Start lighter than you think you should if this is your first rodeo with rucking.
Bar Mat
If you like to make cocktails (or are just messy when you do), get a bar mat to pick up the spills for you.
Cocktail Glassware
If you want to splurge, go to Norlan Glass and get yourself the Rauk Heavy Tumber (rocks glass) or the Vawe Highball Glass.
If you are on a budget, just pick up this glass combo set that I have as a backup. If you want something that won’t break for drinks on the patio, check out these acrylic options.
Ice Molds
Whether you like round or cubed, these ice molds work like charm.
Kitchen Shears
These things cut straight through a chicken, no problem. If you are on a budget but need some fantastic kitchen shears, look no further.
Mixing Glass
For a batch of Negronis or Manhattans, this is the mixing glass I use. It does the trick.
Mixology Set
This is my go-to set for making cocktails. It is relatively inexpensive and has all of the basics.
Life Extension Magnesium L-Threonate
It took me a while to try this stuff but it has been worth it. I’m a chronic over-thinker and, while I generally fall asleep quickly, this is a great, healthy tool to assist with relaxing as I go to sleep.
Nutricost Acetyl L-Carnitine
The health benefits of ALCAR are many. At the time of writing, this, I’m taking 3-4g per day and will cycle on and off every few months.
Thorne Berberine (500mg)
Berberine is a well-researched option for managing blood sugar. I use this during bouts of cheat meals or other high-carb eating to limit the damage.
UCAN Edge Energy Gels
The low glycemic, sugar-free energy gels I use for endurance events and long runs.
Anker PowerCore Fusion 5000
Two-in-one wall and portable charger with two USB 3.0 ports. Great for travel.
Anker Powerline II 3-in-1 Cable
I have two of these that I use on the road with my Anker PowerCore Fusion 5000. That way I can charge two devices at once, be it my phone, GoPro, camera, headphones or iPad Pro.
Apple’s AirPod Pros
I didn’t understand the hype when these came out. My mom loved hers and gave them to me as a gift. Now I get it. I wear mine for listening to podcasts, practicing my Spanish via Audible and while on the road.
GoPro HERO9 Black
This thing is great for action shots and documenting big events (i.e., my daughter’s first trip to Disney). Great, high-quality video footage.
Linedock LineMag
The magnetic charging cables for older models of MacBooks were a bummer due to their proprietary nature, but awesome practically speaking. The LineMag is an adapter that turns your USB-C charger into a magnetic one that will disconnect if hit. Very cool.
Pavlok Shock Clock 2 Silent Alarm Clock
The way I wake up every morning. Wear it on your wrist and it can give you a vibrate and/or a shock to get you up without waking up your spouse.
Shure MV88 Microphone for iPhone
A simple, cost-effective way to up the quality of your audio recordings on iPhone. Very compact and easy to take on the road.
Black Bic Ballpoint Pens
I am a simple guy. These are the only pens I use to write in my notebooks. I like consistency and cost-effectiveness, and Bic delivers on both.
Crossway ESV Study Bible
I have used this Bible since my freshman year of college and love it. It’s the ultimate nerd Bible, with clean, professional images of things like the temple, a map of Jerusalem, etc.
Moleskine Classic Daily Journal
I have been using these for four years to record my daily memories, progress toward goals, etc. Love Moleskine, and the Daily Journal is perfect for how I use it.
Moleskine Notebook
I use a large, black, hard cover Moleskine for everything. I probably have 10 of them going at a time – for journaling, songwriting, business notes, etc.
Sawyer Insect Repellant
If you are part of the anti-deet crowd, using this picaridin-based insect repellant may be for you. It has helped me keep ticks off on trails I otherwise always get ticks while running or rucking.