The Gear Patrol Podcast

Latest Episodes:

What Makes a Great Office Chair? Jun 01, 2021

Show notes

Here's everything you need to arm yourself for a purchase, or at least to understand how your current chair is affecting your body.

Episode Navigation:

02:00 – Gaming Chairs Are Not Office Chairs
03:20 – Adjustability: What Makes an Office Chair Great
05:15 – Office Chairs Mitigate Pain
10:15 – Is There a Perfect Office Chair?
12:45 – Why are office chairs so expensive? Plus, our Top Three Picks.
22:25 – Ergonomics
25:00 – Should I Buy a Used Office Chair?
28:55 – Are Super Cheap Office Chairs Okay to Buy?
30:50 – Specific Office Chair Features and Extras (Pro Tip: Roller Blade Wheels)
35:15 – What Chair Does Will Use?
38:00 – Will’s Epic Rant Against Gaming Chairs
44:05 – What About Office Chair “Alternatives” Like Yoga Balls and Kneeling Chairs?
46:40 – Will’s Most Important Office Chair Buying Advice

Featured:

The 21 Best Office Chairs of 2021

6 Perfectly Fine Cheap Desk Chairs Available Under $250

Need a Better Office Chair? Just Get This

Absolutely Everything You Need to Know Before Buying an Office or Desk Chair

Still Working from the Couch? Upgrade Your Home Office with These Deals

Why Are Cassette Tapes Making a Comeback? May 27, 2021

Show notes

There's a lot more to the Cassette Boom that nostalgia alone.

Episode Navigation:

01:40 – Why are Cassette Tapes Making a Comeback?
04:00 – Cassette Audio Quality Is Different Than You Might Recall
05:45 – Memories of Cassette Tapes (and CDs) Are Powerful
08:45 – The Last Car With a Tape Deck, and Tapes in Current Pop Culture
10:45 – Current Artists Are Selling New Cassettes
12:00 – The Cassette Boom, by the Numbers
13:48 – Where Are We Supposed to Play Cassettes?
17:16 – Will Companies Make New Tape Decks?
18:25 – Companies Making New, High-Quality Cassette Tapes
20:00 – Where Do We Go Now (from MP3s)?
22:55 – Predictions: Will This Cassette Tape Trend Continue?
24:35 – Tucker's Advice for Aspiring Cassette Tape Collectors

Featured:

Classic Cassette Tapes Are Making a Comeback

Gear Patrol Magazine – Get an Annual Subscription for Just $39

Check out the Just Cassette blog and Instagram Profile

From Forbes – The Walkman And Cassette Tapes Are Making A Comeback

Buy New Cassette Players from Urban Outfitters ($30+)

Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 ($10)

Taylor Swift Evermore Album Deluxe Cassette ($13)

3 Ways to Reduce Your Electricity Bill This Summer May 25, 2021

Show notes

Product recommendations and further reading to streamline your home energy usage.

Episode Navigation:

01:35 – The 3 Tips
03:38 – Most Important: Up-To-Date Appliances
04:30 – Saving Money Is Mostly a Longer-Term Goal
05:20 – Being Mindful of How You Use Tech, and "Energy-Saver" Modes
07:15 – Gaming Consoles: an Example of Big Power Drains
08:42 – Different Energy Saving Modes
09:25 – TV Settings to Modify for Energy Savings
10:34 – What Energy Star Certification Means, and New vs. Old Appliances
12:05 – Bonus Nerd Fact: Chest Freezers are Very Efficient
13:25 – Some Specific Product Recommendations: Streaming Sticks and More
17:50 – LED Light Bulbs, Smart Home Products (and Dumb Home Products)
20:55 – Vampire Loads and Why Surge Protectors Are Super Important
30:00 – Eric's Top Recommendation for Energy Savings

Featured:

How to Save Energy When Your A/C Is Draining It

It's Time to Check Your Surge Protectors

The Best Apartment-Friendly Smart Home Devices

The Ultimate Guide to Making Your Home Smart

The Best Smart Thermostats: Which Is Right For Your Home?

The Best Smart Plugs To Buy in 2021

Google Finally Announced a New Chromecast: Here's What You Need to Know

All the Reasons to Still Buy an Apple TV In 2021

Whiskey Lovers: It's Time To Start Drinking Rum May 20, 2021

Show notes

Will Price gives us the download on why rum is finally having its moment.

Episode Navigation:

01:20 – Rum Is Excellent and Rum Is Complex
02:28 – Why Is This Rum's Moment?
04:40 – Has Good Rum Always Been As Prevalent As It Is Now?
07:40 – What Is Rum, Exactly?
08:39 – Light Rum vs. Dark Rum, and Other Varieties
12:28 – Isn't Rum Super Sweet Tasting?
14:55 – Why Will Considers Rum a "Loose Cannon"
17:25 – How Are We Supposed To Drink Rum? Neat? On The Rocks?
20:28 – The Fascinating Good and Dark History of Rum
21:25 – Why You Have to Buy Hampden Great House, "The Pappy of Rum"
24:05 – A Word on Age Statements, Rum Labels, and Prices
28:10 – How Will and His Team Picks Rums to Recommend
30:45 – Some Rums at Different Price Points That You Should Look Into
33:10 – Final Tips About Finding Interesting Rum Bottles

Featured:

Seasoned Whiskey Drinkers Are Switching to Rum. Why?

The 13 Best Bottles of Rums You Can Buy in 2021

From The Gear Patrol Archives – "A History of Rum"

The Best Sipping Rums from Around the World

Just Get This Rum if You're Tired of Bacardi-Induced Hangovers

A Rum That Tastes Like Dessert and 7 More Home and Design Releases

Why Does Your Rolex Dive Watch Have a Hole in Its Side? May 18, 2021

Show notes

Zen Love reveals what that hole in your dive watch is, and discusses why watch enthusiasts are enamored by watches with "unnecessary" functions.

Episode Navigation:

1:50 – What is a Helium Escape Valve (HEV), and Where on Your Watch Is It
3:30 – Why Helium Escape Valves Are Needed
4:12 – HEVs Are Needed Specifically for Saturation Diving
8:54 – HEV Watches Aren't Actually Used That Often, Even by Sat Divers
12:48 – Manual and Automatic HEVs, How They Work, and Some Issues
17:10 – Why Buy a Watch With Unnecessary Features?
26:00 – Other Watch Brands that Feature HEVs, like Doxa
28:45 – Are Dive Watches the Pinnacle of Watch Style Statements?

Featured:

Why Does Your Rolex Dive Watch Have a Hole in Its Side? We Found Out

The Ultimate Guide to Dive Watches

The 12 Best Dive Watches at Every Budget

Questions to Ask Before You Buy a Dive Watch

5 Dive Watches Worn By Professional Saturation Divers

Further Details: Ubiquitous but Overlooked Elements Hidden on Your Favorite Products

Your Vegan Shoes Aren't Sustainable. Here's Why. May 13, 2021

Show notes

Tanner Bowden discusses why vegan shoes aren't sustainable–despite being marketed as such–and explains how eco-conscious shoppers can spot dubious marketing.

Episode Navigation: