outdoor gear for indoor people

why you need a fishing vest

If you're "outdoor curious," like me, you've probably accumulated a lot of niche gear you rarely use. That stand-up paddleboard when you thought you'd become a water sports enthusiast or those moisture-wicking socks that never saw a trail. Fear not. There are ways to repurpose these items.

A camping headlight is much better than your phone's flashlight for surgical precision when pimple-popping and old hiking boots make decent planters for your succulents. I have one of those beach tents from when I thought I'd spend every summer day by the water, but now I use it inside. It makes for a great den in which to sob quietly during those tough work-from-home days. Outdoor gear is expensive, so I'll do anything to get my money's worth.

Then there’s my fishing vest.

Last year, while covering a story in Belize, I bought a fishing vest. The trip itinerary was packed, visiting different towns every day for ten days, with interviews all day long in the sun, on boats, and under forest canopies. I needed something to keep my gear organized. I needed a fishing vest.

So much of feeling capable in the outdoors is simply looking the part.

There are two kinds of people who travel: "light packers" and "just in case" people. To no one's surprise, I am the latter. The person who brings backup batteries for my headlamp and a backup headlamp in case the batteries fail. As a result, I have a lot of stuff with me. All the time. Rather than test the physical limits of my carry-on, I opted for a vest.

After overcoming the initial shock of having ten pounds of assorted items distributed around my torso, this vest had me in my safari bag. No longer would I have to reach into an endlessly deep tote bag and fish for my sunglasses or juggle three different chapsticks in my hand to find my charger in my cross-body.

Before you laugh this newsletter into your junk folder, consider this: Fishing vests are no longer just for the Eddie Bauer trout-hunting Dads of the world. Everyone—yes, even you: person who thinks "roughing it" means no Wi-Fi—needs a fishing vest.

Real places I've worn my fishing vest besides the great outdoors:

• The airport. With sky-high luggage fees, you won't see me wasting my Patagonia Baggies money to check a bag. If you're traveling anywhere in the next few months, you need a fishing vest. Show me another garment that allows you to carry a portable speaker, deodorant, pack of cards, bikini, and a footlong sandwich on your person. I'll wait!!! Will you get some weird looks unzipping eight pockets in search of your credit card to pay for your chai latte? PROBABLY. It will be worth it.

• Driving around running errands. I drive in Boston, which means I spend most of my car time under duress. My fishing vest keeps my hands free so that I can reach out of my window and deliver a heartfelt hand signal to whoever decides to merge into my lane without signaling.

• Grocery shopping. Whether you're hitting farmers' markets in the summer or pulling up to Costco in deep winter, navigate the organic kale and artisanal cheese stand like a pro. Vest pockets are perfect for stashing samples and flexing on the 60-year-old+ shoppers who favor fanny packs.

• Movie theaters. Picture this: You're settling into your theater seat, and just before the trailers start, you’re two bites into a Trader Joe's dark chocolate bar. Pita chips in the left chest pocket, dried mango slices in the right. And, we can't forget the built-in drink holder (aka that weird net pocket) for one of those skinny Izze sodas. You sit back and close your eyes; life is good.

be ridiculously over-prepared for any situation

Bonus: What’s inside Moo Deng’s fishing vest?

• Laneige lip sleeping mask

• Dried seaweed snacks

• Unpacking Pretty Privilege: A Primer

• SPF 1000 sunscreen

• Instax Polaroid of her and the girls

• Pocket tiara

• Collection of shiny pebbles

New Work

• I wrote about this amazing wetlands restoration project in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans - worth a visit!

• I interviewed Ayanna Elizabeth Johnson about her new climate book, What If We Get it Right?