Dave Pappas – Police Officer/SWAT: Quick Detach Earpiece
My favorite piece of gear for work is the Comms Gear Supply Quick Detach Earpiece. I’ve used this earpiece for about 6 years now and it works so well with my day to day patrol duties. For years I was having trouble hearing my calls through the microphone that comes standard with our radio (gotta love the military). I kept trying multiple brands and this one works perfectly for me. The reason I like it so much is because it is very slimline and not bulky like other radio handsets I’ve seen. While the radio piece itself works fantastic, I would recommend getting an earpiece that is molded to your ear. The rubber earpieces that it comes with don’t always fit right and if you wear one that’s too big, your ear may hurt during your shift. I was able to get my earpiece molded at “Miracle Ear” (a company in Michigan at least) and it works perfectly. While it is pricey, it works very well and I have not had to buy another one since I got it. They do offer discounts to first responders/military, which can be helpful.
Alex Ackerley – S&C Coach: Garmin Fenix 7 Pro
As a strength and conditioning coach, I understand the theory behind recovery, training stress, and performance metrics. I spent a year with the Whoop strap, which was transformative for linking behaviors to outcomes. However, after reaching the limits of what I could learn from it, I decided to upgrade to the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro, and it has been an incredible decision.
The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro lets me keep tracking sleep, recovery, and training stress while offering much more. It adds GPS, altitude monitoring, and advanced training modes that have transformed the way I train and explore. One feature that stands out is the GPS “Go Home” function. It saved me from a near Search & Rescue situation in the Squamish backcountry after I skied down the wrong drainage, long after my phone battery died in the cold. That experience alone made me a believer.
Every day, I check my sleep, body battery, and HRV scores. Often, the data surprises me. For instance, when I think the watch has gotten it wrong with a low score, I inevitably find my energy crashing mid-morning, proving the data’s accuracy.
I also track my strength workouts, down to the rep and weight, and the Fenix impressively guesses which muscle groups I’ve trained. For my mountain biking sessions, I use it to track rides and rely on the pace function for training rides, just as I use the vertical speed feature during ski touring ascents.
The navigation features are outstanding for a wrist device. I’ve used the turn-by-turn routing during bikepacking trips, and it has saved me from needing multiple phone recharges. It’s compact, reliable, and intuitive—perfect for outdoor adventures.
One unexpected downside is that the Fenix 7 Pro reminds me of all the cool things I could be doing—if I had more time! But it’s also an incredible motivator. The fitness features help me fight off the dad bod and keep me mission-ready for when opportunities for adventure arise.
The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro is an outstanding tool for anyone serious about fitness, adventure, or both. Whether you’re a coach, a mountain athlete, or someone looking to stay on top of your fitness and recovery, this watch is worth the investment. It’s not just a tracker—it’s a game-changer.
Jonathan Edwards – Trail Running: Fenix HM65R headlamp
One of my favorite pieces of gear for outdoor and recreational use is the Fenix HM65R headlamp. I use this daily during the winter when days are short, and I’m running outside in the morning. It is my go-to for ultra marathons where I have used it from dusk to dawn without fail, and also bring it on backcountry hunts. There are a few key features that I appreciate:
- The number of lighting settings and configurations – there are 4 spotlight modes and 3 floodlight modes, and they can be used in any combination, depending on your preference and situation. I find that the “medium” spotlight is plenty bright enough for the trail.
- Battery life – On medium spotlight, it has an estimated 42 hours of runtime. The headlight won’t die when it gets low on battery, it switches to low floodlight which has an even more impressive 280 hours of runtime to allow you to get to where you need to safely.
- Rechargeable/replaceable battery – the lithium battery is rechargeable, but it is also replaceable. This is critical during a race, event, or hunt when the battery may die but it allows you to pop in a fresh battery and charge the dead one.
- Fit – the fit is snug with minimal to no bounce, and has an optional top headband if you’d like to secure it even further
- Ability to lock – allows you to lock the headlamp so it doesn’t accidentally turn on when pressed in your pack
The only downside for me is that it doesn’t have a red light option, which I prefer for hunting situations.
Kim Palmer-Nicks – Online Strength & Nutrition Coach: Crispi Boots Women’s Altitude Boots
The Women’s Altitude is a new kind of hunting boot ready to provide all-day comfort, optimal performance, and a ground feel that traditional boots haven’t been able to deliver designed for the female foot.
I have been wearing Crispi Boots for the past three years on ALL of my hunting trips and I cannot say more great things about it. I really appreciate the fact that Crispi didn’t just take their men’s boot design, shrink it and pink it to market towards women. These are actually designed for the female foot who tromps around in the backcountry.
Whether I’m shed hunting in the summer or hunting in the Pacific Northwest fall weather, finding a boot that is comfortable, has great traction and keep my feet dry is hard to find. They also have a decent amount of flex which allows my foot and ankle to keep my normal gait and has just enough rigidness to help with those steep climbs.
Cam Gallegos – Retired Fire/medic, Ski Patroller, PA student: Patagonia Houdini
My favorite piece of gear is a Patagonia Houdini. I have a couple, and they go everywhere with me. It packs into its own pocket, I use it for skiing, running, walking, camping, river trips, and biking. It has saved mine, or my partner’s bacon on more than one occasion.
Chris Sanders – Firefighter: Channellock 87 tool
One of my favorite pieces of gear is the Channellock 87 tool. It’s a versatile tool that has many uses on and off the fireground, from wire cutter to gas meter shut off tool and even spanner wrench. I carry it in my bunker gear at all times, it’s small enough to fit in my pocket and light enough that I don’t even notice it’s there. Weight and space are always something that you have to consider carefully when choosing tools to carry as a firefighter. While some tools may be useful, they can slow you down quickly due to their size or weight. I feel this Channellock tool hits the sweet spot of being a useful tool that does not add much extra weight or restraint to you.
Joe Hampton – Rock Climbing Guide/Military: Mammut Aenergy Light SO Pants
I am a huge nerd about well-designed climbing clothing. For me, the Mammut Aenergy Light SO pants are the best and most versatile pants I have come across. North Carolina climbing can have huge variances in temperatures from warm and muggy to quite cold and dry. A lot of the granite slab is exposed and sees a lot of wind as well. The material of the Aenergy pants blocks the wind well, but it also breathes well on warmer days. The fit is athletic, but not quite the typical European cut, so if you like to squat and deadlift heavy, the pants still fit well. They stretch in the right places for good movement on the rock as well. These are great 3 season pants and I have used them in the North Carolina fall, California summer, and Virginian winters.
Most importantly though, they put pockets in the right places–accessible with a harness on, all with zippers and large enough to fit modern cell phones. As someone who has lost a few phones to sliding out of pockets on a descent, these are hands down the most useful pockets of any climbing or outdoor pants I have used.
Steven Swingle – Police Officer: Garmin Forerunner 255
I excel in strength-based and high-intensity fitness but have always struggled with running. Through trial and error, Garmin Forerunner 255 has become an essential tool in my training. This watch has helped improve my running mechanics and endurance and transformed my approach to running.
Running has never come easily to me, largely due to injuries, lack of knowledge, pacing issues, and over-training. My approach has always been “harder is better.” My goal, when I used to run, was to run hard enough so that I would either throw up or start dry-heaving. I essentially lived in “Zone 5.” After some much-needed research into the topic, I realized the benefits of a device that offered data-driven feedback to help me train smarter while being more affordable than some of the top-line watches from Garmin.
The Forerunner 255 tracks pace, cadence, stride length, ground contact time, and heart rate, providing insightful feedback to correct inefficiencies in my running form and effort. The watch will measure your overall recovery and efforts and give you daily adjustment suggestions, helping me to avoid overtraining. The watch will also track any biking, swimming, hiking, and any other outdoor activity you decide to use it for. I even took it backpack hunting with me and the watch performed perfectly.
I have used the Forerunner 255 for a few months and have seen improvement in my running performance. My prior method of training has led me to develop plantar fasciitis. Through the Forerunner 255’s suggestions and ability to track my efforts, my plantar fasciitis has begun subsiding while increasing the duration of my runs.
For athletes like me, who excel in strength but struggle with endurance, it bridges the gap between goals and reality. If running challenges you, I highly recommend this watch—it will aid you in enhancing your performance while teaching better training habits and preventing injuries at a more affordable price.
Wyatt Jobe – Alpinist, Remote Paramedic: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Dyneema Shell Jacket
When I think about the gear I rely on the most, there’s one piece that stands out above the rest: my Hyperlite Mountain Gear Dyneema Shell Jacket. From the freezing cold Alaskan winters to the relentless rains of Southeast Alaska to the drifting sands of desert winds, this jacket has been with me on every adventure since I purchased it, and it’s never let me down.
Living and adventuring in Alaska means you must be ready for the worst weather at a moment’s notice because no one is coming to get you. I’ve found that the Hypermile Mountain Gear Dyneema Shell can handle the most brutal parts of nature; fierce winds, snow flurries, and unexpected rain. The jacket’s Dyneema fabric has proven itself time and again to be incredibly durable. One of the most extensive tests I have had with this jacket was during a climb up a granite feature in Alaska. A few pitches up the climb, the weather shifted, classic Alaskan chaos. What started as light overcast quickly turned into a heavy freezing rain storm. Needing to continue to the next anchor the jacket withheld hand-jamming the crack system in a place where the rock is rough, jagged, and unforgiving. Keeping me comfortably dry, thinking clearly, and mitigating the need to bail immediately. I was soaked within seconds, but my jacket? It kept me dry and solid. As I jammed my hands into the crack, gripping wet, slippery stone, the Dyneema fabric held up to the abrasive rock without showing any signs of significant wear. The jacket kept me dry, and protected from the elements, all while enduring constant friction. This jacket wasn’t just built for rain; it was built for the successful epics we face.
One of the things I appreciate most about the Dyneema Shell is, without adding unnecessary bulk or weight, At 320 grams lighter than my old shell, it packs down into the smallest packs I have or can be clipped to my harness. When you’re in the backcountry, whether climbing, trail running, Skiing, or sailing, every ounce counts. And I don’t have to sacrifice my weather protection for that lighter load. This jacket is lightweight, but it’s incredibly durable. I can stuff it into my pack without thinking twice, knowing it won’t slow me down, and I know it’s there when the weather takes a turn.
Before buying the shell, I was cautious about its ability to breathe well. Too many shells trap sweat when you’re pushing hard, leaving you drenched. I didn’t want a jacket that would leave me too hot, sticky, and uncomfortable in the middle of an ascent, causing me to eventually be cold. So, I was skeptical about how breathable the Dyneema Shell would be for high-output activities like climbing or running. But this jacket somehow finds a way to keep the sweat moving outward. Even when I’m on steep terrain or running in gusty conditions, it lets sweat escape without letting in the elements. I would not consider this layering system to fall in the ability of a soft shell jacket’s ability to be breathable, but I don’t have to change my pace when wearing this layer, which can be huge when you consider how much hydration you can lose from sweat. In a place like Alaska, where the weather can change in an instant, having a jacket that lets you move while keeping you dry and protected is non-negotiable. The Dyneema Shell’s breathability, combined with its weatherproof performance, is what makes it ideal for intense, high-exertion days. It adapts to whatever conditions you throw at it, and I can count on it. Something is reassuring about knowing that, no matter what the weather throws at me, I have a jacket that can double as an overnight bivy sack when needed or provide shelter during the needed breaks for fuel. When I first saw the price tag, I’ll admit, I hesitated and walked away from it twice. It’s one of the most expensive pieces of gear I’ve ever purchased. But now, after the following two years of use, in all kinds of harsh environments, I can say it’s been worth every penny, especially for those of us who live outside. The weight savings alone are huge, and the protection it offers is second to none. For anyone who challenges their potential against nature, the Hyperlight Mountain Gear Dyneema Shell is an ideal outer layer. It’s light, tough, breathable, and, above all, it’s proven itself time and again in some of the harshest environments; and has been the one constant I can rely on when the elements get crazy.
Sam Schwartz – Mountain Athlete: Stio Hooded Hylas Pull Over
It’s a basic Sun Hoody that serves as the staple to my layering kit. I wear the Hoody for every outdoor adventure besides backcountry hunting. It’s an ultra lightweight hoody made of polyester material with UPF 50+ sun protection. It’s ultra lightweight, breathable, and exceptionally durable. I use it for backcountry skiing/mountaineering, and mountain endurance running.
This is my second layer for all layering kits. I have two, one black one white. The black one is 6 years old with well over 1,000 days on it and still in perfect condition.
Backcountry skiing & winter mountaineering: I’ll wear a short sleeve athletic (polyester base) t-shirt as a base layer, put my beacon on, and then put the Sun Hoody on. On 90% of days backcountry skiing this is the layering I’ll use while ascending at a moderate or harder pace. On cold days I will wear a full sleeve athletic shirt underneath. The hood drapes over my face and protects my face/body from long days out when the sun reflects back on the snow. The breathability of the hoody allows me to push hard uphill without having to take off the hoody leaving my skin exposed to get blasted by wind.
Mountain endurance running: This Sun Hoody is essential to bring for any day out mountain running. During the running season in Wyoming (April – November) we have large temperature swings from morning to afternoon to evening. The mornings almost always require a light piece of layering. By the time you get into the mountains in the afternoon, it’s easy to become too hot due to the uphill effort, time of day, and intense sun in the high alpine. The temperatures in the mountains QUICKLY drop in the evening or due to a change of weather. The sun hoody allows me to pack light, and have an extra piece of layering that I can reasonably wear on the uphill.
Although a Sun Hoody is a basic piece of gear, it’s my most essential piece of gear on a day to day basis due to temperature regulation.
Kevin Carey – Climbing Guide: Black Diamond ATC Guide
The Black Diamond ATC Guide: More than just a belay device.
My favorite piece of climbing gear is the Black Diamond ATC Guide – it’s one of the most versatile pieces of climbing gear ever made, and it never leaves my harness. I use it every time I climb, whether I am guiding or climbing recreationally.
The ATC Guide is a belay/rappel device that works with a wide range of rope diameters, and in every belay/rappel configuration. Although there are devices that better accomplish singular tasks, this one does them all- top rope, belaying a leader with one or two ropes, and belaying one or two followers from above -it can also be used to ascend the rope, and to lower another climber.
The Black Diamond ATC Guide is one of the most useful pieces of gear a climber could carry. Whether on a high alpine peak or sport climbing at a roadside crag, the ATC is a handy tool to have on your harness.
Carlton Greenley – Climbing Guide: Blue Ice AERO Ice Screw
The Blue Ice AERO ice screw is hands down the screw of all screws and should be apart of every Ice climber’s kit.
These screws have become a part of my daily kit and have come out with me on every single Ice trip so far this winter. Whether it’s going out to the ice park for some fun laps with friends or deep into the backcountry, this should come with you.
There are a few points that make this stand out compared to other Ice screws on the market with the three tooth design for placing the screws quickly and the thin wall that allows you to cut down on weight without sacrificing security or durability, but the most stand out piece of these Ice screws are their diameter.
These Ice screws have the widest diameter than any other screw on the market allowing you to be able to rebore other climbers old ice screw placements but engaging new fresh ice on the threads of the screw. On very popular ice climbs this gives you the ability to have more security when climbing without putting another hole in the Ice that could take more time to seal up.
These ice screws are every ice climber’s best friend, and you should bring these with you on your next adventure.