Let me start with a confession: I once thought I could surf in board shorts I bought at a gas station. Spoiler alert: they ripped mid-wave and I exited the ocean with more exposure than dignity. Lesson learned—when it comes to action sports, the right gear can make or break not just your performance but also your pride.
If you live for the thrill—whether it’s bombing hills on a longboard, chasing waves, or scrambling up volcanic ridgelines in Southeast Asia—you need gear that can keep up. Here’s a not-so-ordinary, been-there-tried-that guide based on five years of chasing adrenaline for offMetro.
Sunglasses: No-Slip, No-Bounce or No Deal
Let’s be real: if your shades bounce off your face mid-air on a downhill ride, they’re not sunglasses—they’re a liability. I used to think any ol’ polarized pair would do. Then I tried Goodr’s No-Slip, No-Bounce technology. Life. Changed. These sunglasses actually stay on, even during trail running on wet boulders or when you’re dripping sweat and speed on a mountain bike.
Brands like Goodr get that performance shouldn’t cost you your sense of style. Their frames are feather-light, don’t slide off your nose, and somehow make you feel like a superhero disguised as a chill beach bro. What’s more, they’re affordable—which means you don’t cry when you scratch them, scrambling through jungle vines in Bali.
Need proof they work? Runners World named them Best Running Sunglasses, and frankly, I’d trust a sweaty distance runner over a fashion blogger any day.
Backpacks: The Unsung Heroes of the Wild
Don’t get lured in by backpacks that look like they were designed for a Brooklyn coffee run. I made that mistake in Patagonia. My hipster-chic pack looked great in photos, but by hour three of hiking, it was cutting into my shoulders like a vengeful ex.
The Osprey Talon 22 saved me on my next trip. It breathes, balances, and hugs your back like a koala in a good mood. Bonus: The hydration sleeve doesn’t leak, and the zippers don’t catch. NYTimes has a great breakdown of performance packs if you’re still deciding.
Footwear: It’s You vs. Gravity
There are sneakers. And then there are shoes you trust with your life. I learned the difference on a canyoneering trip in Utah when a pair of budget trail shoes betrayed me mid-repelling. Enter: the La Sportiva TX4. Think of them as the James Bond of shoes—tough, grippy, and a little sexy.
These aren’t casual walkers; they’re for people who treat gravity as a suggestion. Bonus: they double as conversation starters at base camps. GearJunkie has a great roundup of other serious options here.
Action Cameras: Capture or Regret
Look, your phone is not built for a 40-foot cliff jump. I nearly lost my iPhone to the gods of saltwater filming myself cliff diving in Palawan. If you’re serious about your stunts, get a GoPro Hero12 or DJI Osmo Action 4.
I’ve strapped these to helmets, surfboards, and once (don’t ask how) a llama. The stabilization is smoother than a jazz sax solo and low-light clarity is insane. Just don’t forget to charge your batteries—because reliving that perfect wave matters more when the moment is already gone.
Wirecutter did a solid comparison of the best options.
Watch this video to learn more:
Hydration: Because Dehydrated You Is Useless
If your water bottle can’t survive a fall from a Jeep roof, it’s not a travel bottle. I swear by Hydro Flask. It keeps drinks cold longer than most of my relationships and doubles as a dumbbell when needed.
Hydration packs (like the CamelBak M.U.L.E.) also earn their keep. I once went six hours biking through Oaxaca with only my hydration pack and a bag of salted peanuts. Was it ideal? No. Did I survive? Yes.
Outside Magazine did a full hydration pack test that’s worth checking out.
Helmet or Hail Mary?
If you’re riding anything faster than your thoughts, wear a helmet. I used to think helmets were bulky and lame—until a friend got a concussion mountain biking without one. Now I treat mine like a lucky charm.
Smith, Giro, and Bern make sleek, lightweight helmets that look good and save lives. You’ll get over the helmet hair. You won’t get over a cracked skull. Enough said. Bicycling Magazine did a good job reviewing new models.
Watch this video to learn more:
Final Thoughts From the Road
The truth is, your gear becomes part of your story. That t-shirt you ripped jumping waterfalls in Laos? It’s now a badge of honor. The scratched sunglasses that survived the Thai full moon party? They’re not junk—they’re relics.
Invest in equipment that backs you up, not holds you back. The thrill of action sports isn’t just in the stunts—it’s in knowing you’re ready. And trust me, there’s no better feeling than looking down at the drop, heart racing, and knowing: your gear’s got you.
