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Welcome to How I Pick My Picks — a kind-of-regular newsletter series in which we check in with the Strategist staff on the stuff they’re using day-to-day, the products they’re testing for stories, and the things their friends and family won’t stop asking them about. Consider it a peek into the always-whirring brain of a Strategist writer. Today, we talk to health and fitness writer Jeremy Rellosa.
I’m currently writing this from a coffee shop in Brooklyn, where I live. Someone outside of the shop has an electric cargo bike that I’ve heard a lot about — a Tern GSD — and I was hoping to chat with them about it for a story, but they left before I got a chance to flag them down. As soon as I finish this coffee, I’m also going to hop on my bike — a Bianchi Pista that my uncle passed down to me in college — and head home for lunch. When I get home, I’ll roll out on a new foam roller I’ve been testing, the Hyperice Vyper 3. It vibrates, which creates a massaging effect in addition to the rolling.
I just got back from a vacation out West to Boulder and Santa Fe, where I used to live. It was great to go on a few training runs around town (I’m running a marathon in November), but I quickly remembered how dry the air is out there. All of my sweaty running clothes dried in an instant in the sun — in fact, they rarely got wet during my runs. Here on the East Coast, the humidity can get crazy. I have to head to the laundromat every couple days because my workout clothes are soaked. Because of this, I like to wear loose-fitting, borderline baggy tops while I run. My go-to is the Outdoor Voices FastTrack Mesh Shortsleeve — which was sadly discontinued — because of the airflow it lends, though my favorite running weather is when it’s colder, in the high 40s, and sunny. That’s when I break out the long-sleeve tech shirts and gloves. (You can’t see it right now, but I just made a chef’s-kiss gesture with my hand.) Right now, I’m on the hunt for a deodorizing spray that I can use on my running clothes in between washes. If anyone has any recommendations, I’m all ears …
What’s the product that friends and family always ask for your advice on?
Hiking boots for sure. Most of the time, my friends are going on two or three day hikes a year in dry climates. They don’t need to invest in a pair of Gore-Tex-lined leather boots for that. So they’re often surprised when I recommend they buy a pair of trail-running shoes, which will suit them better for most outdoor activities. They’re often cheaper than a clunky pair of boots, too.
What’s the least amount of money you should spend on, for example, running shoes?
I would budget at least $100 for a reliable pair of running shoes. But I like to tell my friends to try shoes on in person, find out what’s comfortable and what fits well, and then look up last year’s version of that shoe online. They’re often the same shoe with just minor design tweaks (although, in some rare cases, it’s a big overhaul), and they’re almost always on sale for under $100.
Do you have any strongly held opinions that have changed after testing?
I’ve been a Patagonia Nano-Air jacket evangelist for the past five or so years. I actually have two. I was convinced that it was the most versatile outdoor jacket that I own until I tried the Arc’teryx Atom Hoody. I took it climbing and was blown away at how much more durable the face fabric was and how warm it kept me all day while still remaining breathable. As a gear reviewer, I can sometimes find it hard to be objective when I have an emotional connection to certain pieces (I wear one of my Nanos for special rock climbs), but I’m here to report that the Atom is an amazing — and yes, admittedly better — jacket than the Nano-Air. That said, Patagonia still holds a special place in my heart.
What are you currently testing and researching?
I’ve been testing a lot of running-related products these past few months. I’m currently training for the Philadelphia Marathon (as is our managing editor, Kelsie Schrader), so I’ve been using my training to try out all sorts of gear: running shoes, apparel, and recovery tools. Last night, I posted a photo to my Instagram account of me in my Normatec boots, and my friend replied, “You and your biohacking toys. You better live to see 200 at this point!” I thought that summed up my testing process pretty accurately.
What’s the last thing you bought?
I had my eyes on this retro-looking cycling cap from Corridor for the past few weeks, and I finally bought it when I saw it at the Canoe Club in Boulder. I also finally picked up Haruki Murakami’s memoir, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, after a few of my friends recommended it to me. It’s really great so far. It was nice to learn that Murakami and I both think about the same things while we’re running: nothing.
What’s the most expensive product that you own?
That would have to be my cold-plunge tub. The brand, Plunge, sent it to me for testing (I reviewed it in this article). I keep it on my back patio, and I use it almost every day. I’ve been slowly increasing the time I spend freezing in the tub. Now I’m up to three five-minute cycles.
If you had $1,000 to spend at Backcountry, what would you buy?
I’d use it to do my Christmas shopping, honestly. I’d choose cool hiking and camping accessories that I can vouch for and hopefully use with the giftee on a future trip. Anything Snow Peak is a surefire hit. You can’t go wrong with the Mini Flame lantern, which sets the mood at camp, or the collapsible pour-over dripper. Guide books to local national parks are another slam dunk. And then with anything left over, I’d probably put it toward stocking stuffers like hand warmers (I always wish I had them when it’s freezing out) and Honey Stinger waffles. Not only are they good sources of fuel for endurance athletes, they taste amazing, too. I have to keep those waffles away. I can eat them any time of day.
What are some open tabs on your computer right now? What’s on your list, but you can’t bring yourself to buy it just yet?
Right now I’m eyeing this pair of J.Crew chinos in a “dusty wine” color, but I’m waiting to buy them during the next sale. I already have a pair in navy — they’re my favorite pants. I also have been meaning to get an actually nice chef’s knife. I’m still using the same old knife I brought to college a decade ago, and it’s definitely time for an upgrade. I’m not sure if I should just get the Global knife or splurge on the Shun Hikari knife.
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