If you want to know how much mess you own it – if you want to look straight into the blinding abyss of your materialism – I have the perfect solution.
I will admit that I felt pretty good about the state of my belongings when I decided to move to Park City, Utah. I had lived in New York for almost five years, and the spatial realities of that lifestyle had kept my closet small and my closets bare.
I rarely bought new clothes. I often emptied drawers and donated unused items. The only worldly possessions I bought in bulk outside of underwear and socks were their vintage replicas The New Yorker. i was living leanbaby.
But then came the day I realized I would have to fit the lion’s share of my earthly possessions into half the trunk of a 2011 Toyota Highlander … and my life changed.
I consolidated my things. Then I consolidated again. Then for the third time. And a quarter. Finally, on the fifth split, I got to a decent amount. It was disconcerting to see how many once-necessary things were left behind (when faced with a thick soup, I still wistfully remember my immersion blender), but it was strangely exciting to see the things that had made it IN.
These things, the list of items that can roughly fit in one hand? THESE it was my travels, the things that had survived the Great Decline. Items I can say for sure will travel with me in the instance of a Zombie Apocalypse.
They were excellent EITHER because they did something essential that could not be repeated, or because they did so much things I couldn’t justify leaving behind. These items, at the intersection of agility and substance, are listed below.
1. Normatec boots
I wrote about Normatec’s foot compression boots for for the first time last year and was surprised to learn how many golf fans had never heard of the product. These LeBron-approved space-age recovery products are my go-to after a long day on the course or a long workout at the gym. The pants are essentially large balloons, trained to inflate and deflate in specific patterns to promote blood flow and speed recovery. The secret sauce is called something dynamic compression technologywhich encourages circulation, clears metabolic waste and mimics a natural muscle “pump”.
I’m recommending this product first because it was the product that I struggled the most with including in the packaging process. At the time, it felt like a lot to give up trunk space in the name of recovery. But since arriving in the west, any initial headaches have proven to be worth it. Pants are a weekly staple in my routine and while we’re now in the off-season, they’re also a great way to stay cool between rounds on 36-hole days or multi-round weekends.
HyperIce Normatec 3
Normatec 3 is the next evolution of the iconic Normatec series, using dynamic air compression to advance your well-being, recover faster, improve your training and maximize your performance.
2. Rhone Commuter Pro Pants
If you have seen my face inside a GOLF.com video in the last two years, you have possibley saw a Rhone Commuter polo in action. And, if you’ve seen me in person, you’ve probably seen me rocking these Commuter Pro pants.
Most of Rhone’s sports gear lives in my favorite crossover of high-quality, understated, non-cookie-cutter, but these pants are at the top. They’re heavy enough to wear in the cold, flexible enough to wear in the heat, flavorful enough to wear to a nice meal, and athletic enough to wear on the course. If you need a versatile pant, a king of versatility, look no further.
RHONE Commuter Pro Pants
Crafted from an evolution of our best-selling fabric with a structured yet flexible feel, these pants feature an adjustable button waistband and permanent printed pleats for a sharp, refined look.
3. Stio Hometown Down Jacket
A decade ago, I made the worst decision of my life and chose to go to Syracuse for four winters to attend school. For the uninitiated, Syracuse is one of the snow capitals of the world. Winters last from October to May and are a mix of endlessly cold and perpetually gray.
I got into the golf industry mostly because I had been getting freezer burn from my time at Cuse, and even though my career brought me to greener (and warmer) pastures, I found that I hadn’t quite held back the chill of my younger years. I dreaded the winter months with a passion and hated dressing up to play golf in the cold so much that I hardly ever played when the temperatures dropped below 50.
Earlier this year, with the arrival of winter, I was gifted the jacket that changed my world view: The Stio Hometown Down Jacket. Stio says the Hometown Down is a “mid-weight jacket,” but I can attest to having already worn it successfully in well below freezing temperatures. It doesn’t take long to see why it’s such a popular buy among those in cold-weather communities: it’s thick but not bulky and versatile enough to wear for a variety of activities. If you’re going to a sporting event in the cold or just have plans to winterize on the golf course until the snow arrives, I can confidently say that the Stio is the best bang for your buck.
Stio hometown down jacket
The Stio Hometown Jacket is a mid-weight option with heavyweight versatility. Filled with responsibly sourced and recycled fabrics, it’s a winner across the board.
4. Current supplements
I’ll be honest: I’m not really an extra guy. It took many years before I led myself to the altar of protein powder and many more to reach my final flirtation with creatine.
Part of the reason for my hot temper was that I was angry SENSE like a gym bro. My brother (who is studying to be a doctor) often reminds me that eating widely in moderation is good enough for the vast majority of people. Adding powders and large bottles of water seemed like a great way to lose what little dignity I still held onto with little apparent gain.
But then I found Momentous. Their branding is subtle (sensing a theme here?), their recipes are minimalist, and their standards are top notch. I still don’t carry around the chunky water bottle or tank top, but their products make me feel strong and energized without feeling bad about it.
Essential plant protein powder
Essential 100% plant-based protein is designed for high performers who demand the best from their nutrition. With 20g of pure plant-based protein per serving, using pea + rice protein sourced exclusively from the US and Canada, it provides a complete amino acid profile for fuel recovery and performance optimization.
5. Proton Arc’Teryx Jacket
A funny thing happens when you get deeper into the world of golf: you learn that some of the best golf apparel brands aren’t necessarily marketing for golf. Like Arc’Teryx, whose hiking and outdoor gear is some of the best all-weather golf gear on the market.
Now, I’m not sure I’d recommend it intentionally walking in a rainstorm in the Proton hoody, I’m not even sure it would be suitable as a one-layer solution for a 35 degree day – but if anything were to happen while you were wearing it, I’d feel pretty good that you’d survive in one piece. That’s the essence of the Proton jacket: Its value comes from its ability to work in any conceivable Scottish weather pattern…which means a bit of space saved in your trunk (or trunk) in the packing process.
Arc’Teryx Proton Jacket
Designed for hikers – including on the golf course – the Proton Hoody is the breathable insulation layer for high-scoring missions. The compact 80gsm Coreloft™ insulation works with the breathable fabric and face lining to regulate temperature and vapor build-up. The Fortius Air 20 nylon shell is light and durable, the articulated design removes restrictions.
6. Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Speaker
I replace portable speakers less frequently than the presidents of the United States, so when it finally came time to buy a new one over the summer, I took the task seriously.
I ended up with the Bose SoundLink Flex (which is on sale for around $100 for the holidays) and well, I’m glad I did. The thing is basically indestructible (waterproof, dustproof), its battery lasts 12 hours at a time, and the sound quality is good enough to fill a quad on opposite sides of the freeway in the summer (thought you might not want to play at that volume).
Bose SoundLink portable speaker
Meet the updated SoundLink Flex speaker. Amazingly big and bold sound in a super packable size — perfect for sharing tunes and good times anywhere on the planet. It’s also built to last, so you can go where the pace takes you.
7. Blue Tees Portable Speaker
I don’t own this speaker, nor did I pack it with me on my trip, but it deserves to be on this list for one simple reason: I witnessed a friend’s willingness to drive three hours to rural Michigan to retrieve this speaker from the course where he accidentally left it. If that’s not a resounding endorsement of a product, I don’t know what is.
