The 2025 Christmas List
My favorite items this year that kept me jolly (mostly).
The holidays are here, and that means shopping for people who are impossible to buy for. Of course, the thought matters more than the actual gift, but it’s always a plus to buy something for someone (or yourself) that they’ll actually use. Michael Easter constantly says to “buy gear, not stuff”…so what’s the difference?
Gear is an investment, or an intentional tool meant to achieve a goal. Stuff is often impulse purchases, or items meant to suffice boredom. There are no specific examples for each one, it’s all in your discretion. You know the difference. Here is the best gear I acquired this year and I’ll be using in the year(s) to come.
Performance Meets Comfort
There are two types of people in the world. There are those who watch Friends and those who watch Seinfeld. There are dog people and cat people. There are coffee drinkers and tea drinkers. But two types you may have not heard of, is that there are those who prefer wearing hoodies and those who prefer standard crewnecks. After 36 years and numerous sweatshirts, I have come to realize I identify with the latter.
This tech crew by Ten Thousand is good for every activity. Comfy enough for a hangout, tough enough to throw a ruck over, and well fitted to wear casually outside of the house. I own two myself, and it certainly doesn’t feel like enough come winter time.
The Mother of all Ruckers
I’ve found that a lot of people I mention rucking to have a similar reaction: “Wow, doesn’t that hurt your back?” “My knees couldn’t handle that.” Quite the opposite, actually. Using a rucksack has improved my posture and strength in both my back and knees. Carrying a rucksack with a weighted plate pulls my shoulders back and forces me to contract my core, which is the correct posture you should maintain while walking or standing. Strength training in general has a benefit of increasing bone density, and wearing a rucksack while walking is adding resistance to areas such as your knees which have to adapt to the heavier weight carried in every step.
The Rucker is the best rucksack on the market, bar none. If you’re starting out, I recommend pairing a 30 pound plate for men and 20 pounds for women. The good thing with the Rucker is it has a double sleeve for plates, so you can always add more later.
Gettin’ Grippy Wit It
Crossfit has been a big part of my health for over ten years now, and while many lessons have been learned, the one I carry with me the most is to invest in a good pair of hand grips. These grips by Ten Thousand are the perfect mix of grip and give, meaning when you’re on the pull-up bar they have enough grip where you don’t feel like you’re sliding around, but also give enough to where you don’t feel stuck in place. These type of grips are also great when transitioning from the pull-up bar to other movements that don’t require grip support, since they don’t have any openings that affix to your fingers, which is one less thing to worry about in the middle of the WOD.
A Cold Investment
The biggest and most expensive item on the list…the Ice Barrel 500 (cold plunge) has been the most significant modality I’ve added to my routine this year. I like this option because it has built in steps, a low seat with lots of room inside, and holds the temperature impressively (even in the Texas heat). I use it just about every morning, and have noticed a significant improvement in my resilience (breathing under stress), improved testosterone, and better muscle recovery. For more benefits and use tips, check out this post.
The Stocking Stuffer
There’s something magical about a pair of boxer briefs that work for any event throughout the day. No need to switch to compression shorts in the afternoon (though these are ideal for long runs), these A-L Boxer Briefs work well as a base layer in the gym and as regular underwear throughout the rest of the day. Unlike most underwear brands, which begin to lose their shape after several uses, these will hold their value for quite a while. You’ll know when it’s time for a new pair.