5 Things I'm Digging: Everyday Carry & Daily Drivers — Gozney, Peak Design, and More

Sometimes writing is hard. Especially if you're supposed to do it everyday. As the creative juices run low, an easy list may have to suffice. Yes, a listicle. We're doing a listicle.

Why five things? Attention spans are too short for ten, and three isn't much of a list. So, five it is. Over the coming weeks I'll drop five things across an array of categories — everyday carry, boardshorts, camera gear, wellness products, cannabis, beer, wine, spirits, apparel, cars, and whatever else I happen to fall down a rabbit hole for.

The intersection of journalism and commerce is a tricky one. Can you ever fully trust someone who's trying to sell you something? I'd like to think so, though I'm deeply skeptical of every unsolicited pitch that lands in my inbox. It comes down to trust, if you know the person making the recommendation, it can feel genuinely useful, especially when it lands at the right moment.

There's a big contradiction and that is that surfing is a minimalist pursuit at its core. Truthfully, you don't even need a board —you could bodysurf naked. Yet, I'm a full blown gear head.

Boards, wetsuits, backpacks, cameras, gadgets, clothes. I love all of it. What I gravitate toward tends to have a few things in common: premium materials, solid craftsmanship, durability, good design, and smaller production. The trick is not letting the things get in the way of the actual doing. External validation is the cornerstone of consumerism and it's a slippery slope. If in doubt, go out naked.

Here are five things I've been digging lately.

Mulch Boardshorts + Natural Fibers

Athough the cotton boarsshorts from Mulch are truly a game changer, this is less about a single product, more so a choice I've been increasingly making over the years. I used to not even think about whether or not something was made with synthetic fibers and no I can't un-see them, better yet, un-feel them. Sure, I still wear a wetsuit and waterproof gear but when it comes to my essentials I'm looking for organic cotton or hemp. Don't even get me started on bad bed sheets, I've spent too many hots nights tossing and turning on God-only- knows what kind of material. For tee-shirts, I love the ones made by hemp-specialist Jungmaven. I have had some in heavy rotation for years and they hold up, look great, and feel amazing. The real game-changer though has been these 100% cotton boardshorts from Mulch. They feel incredible and they come with king size papers and tips, you know, if you're into that kind of thing.

100% cotton boardshorts may raise some eyebrows out there but I'm telling you these baddies really hit. We tested out two pairs on the North Shore over the winter and they quickly became the go-tos but you don't have to take my word for it; Tommy Witt tested them out over months in the Dominican Republic and would tell you the same thing. Still not convinced? They come with a lifetime guarantee. Drop the plastic, grab the Mulch.

Peak Design

Picking one Peak Design product to highlight is like picking a favorite surfboard, the juice is in how they all work together. That said, their new crossbody strap has been a welcome addition. Pure simplicity. Nylon cord that's durable yet light enough to barely notice. Naturally, the hardware is next level and clipping my camera on was a breeze. I've started using it with my Nikonos II but would also be great for something like a Leica Q3 or Fuji X100. You can also use to clip other thing--keys, air pods, phone, etc. They've also got a mobile wrist strap that my girlfriend quickly stole, I don't think I'm getting that one back...

SPC/LST Origin Carpenter Pant

I've never been too comfortable rocking carpenter pants because, well, I'm much closer to a keyboard warrior than I am to a craftsmen. That being said, the Orange County-based SPC/LST has a way of doing things different. Right off the bat, their Origin pant fit more like a favorite pair of jeans than anything. Well-built yet not too bulky. You could just as easily make these your go-to skate pants as you could your daily driver for the job site. Me? Well, I most wear them when I'm tinkering in the garden or checking the surf.

The DRY Brand Deck Boots

The DRY Brand, is a new name in waterproof footwear that's backed by some serious hitters including Bucky Lasek, Mike Escamilla, and Todd Richards. They caught my eye right in time as I got a pair just before the winter rains hit in California and everything went to muck for over two weeks. These became my daily drivers and, after the rain stopped, I kept rocking 'em on the regular. Comfy, easy to put on and ready for whatever the day holds, these are a no brainer. I got the 6 inch deck boots and am eyeing up the clogs as the perfect complement to my soft-core gallivanting.

Gozney Arc XL

As much as I love pizza, I never thought I would get this much use out of pizza oven. Truth is, I'm using it for almost everything else: steaks, chicken, veggies, fish, and yes, of course, killer pizza. The Arc XL runs hot enough to cook things in minutes that would take my oven half an hour, and since it lives outside, I don't have to beg my smoke alarm to calm TF down. The build quality is exactly what you'd expect from Gozney. Serious, considered, and worth the investment. If you're inner Napolitano isn't satisfied, if you're grill just ain't cutting it, or if you're tired of waging war with your smoke alarm, a Gozney will do the trick.