Staff Picks: Jack Seemer, Associate Editor

Editor’s Note: As a collective, the Gear Patrol staff is a wealth of knowledge about products. This series is our way of showcasing and sharing our insights and endorsements. Our hope is that you enjoy it all — and perhaps discover something new you’ll love too.

I don’t have a fleshed-out philosophy on products. I like a lot of different things for a lot of different reasons, be it emotional or just ’cause it’s shiny. That said, I get most excited about the small stuff — those quotidian details that nestle into everyday life without notice or fanfare. These are some of my favorites things, in no particular order of incredibleness.

Gir Ultimate Spoonula

GIR, short for “Get It Right,” is a brand based in Brooklyn. The sharp, flexible edge of this “spoonula” is amazingly efficient at scraping the contours of a pan. There may be no better tool for making scrambled eggs. I really mean that.

Claus Port Ach. Brito Lavanda Cologne

I stumbled upon this stuff at a store called Labour and Wait in London. It’s made by Ach. Brito, a Portuguese company that’s been making soap since the 1800s. The scent is fresh and clean, like your classic barbershop, and disappears after about an hour or so. It’s not a full-day commitment.

Kem Arrow Plastic-Cellulose Acetate Playing Cards

I host a semi-regular card game with some friends. After a while, we made the switch to plastic cards, the kind used in casinos and that movie Rounders. They’re slick, and so much easier to shuffle. It was one of those purchasing decisions where you look back and wonder what took so long.

The Doctor’s Brushpicks

My mom never let me use toothpicks growing up and I later rebelled with a full-blown habit. While I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone, these bristled brush picks are very — and I mean very — nice.

H&M Sweatpants

You can spend more than a hundred bucks on tailored sweatpants from Nike or Lululemon. Then again, you could just buy a pair of these. They’re cozy and keep their shape. I like them a lot.

HyperX Cloud Stinger Gaming Headset

I’m a born-again gamer. Not a serious one, but I play enough Xbox to know that the stereo headset from Microsoft is atrocious. This one’s better. A nice feature: The ear cups rotate 90 degrees and rest squarely on your chest when wrapped around your neck.

S&B Layu Chili Oil

La-yu, basically just sesame oil infused with chili pepper, is like the Japanese equivalent of ketchup. It goes on everything but I like it on white rice with a bit of Kewpie. The perfect snack? Just maybe.

Muji SUS Steel Shelving Unit

Muji’s SUS shelving system is the poor man’s version of the Vitsoe 606, though more elegant than, say, an HDX or ULINE equivalent. It’s modular so you can keep adding as you go. I’m currently building out my living room and kitchen.

How I Built This

This is a recent discovery for me. I’m still working my way through the back catalogue, which has all but replaced Spotify during my long runs. If you’re not familiar, start with the Five Guys episode. Then go eat a burger.

The Grail

Simplehuman Rectangular Step Trash Can

So $130 really isn’t all that much in the grand scheme of things. But it is for a trash can. I’ve thought about buying this Simplehuman for two, maybe three, years, and always psych myself out. One day, on a whim, I’ll pull the trigger.

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