Staff Picks: The Gear We Always Have On Our Desks
This is how we survive office work
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Here at Outside, our editors like to skin up the ski area before work and ride single track in the evenings. But during the heat of the day, most of us sit in front of a computer, often editing stories about far-away adventures. To keep us focused and motivated, we each have our own favorite piece of desk gear. Below is a sampling.
Satechi Smart Charging Stand ($35)
As a gear editor, it's hard to charge all the headlamps, fitness trackers, and smartwatches that come across my desk. That's why I like the Satechi Smart Charging Stand, which plugs into the wall and offers three USB ports and a special charging dock for my Fitbit Blaze. —Ben Fox, assistant editor
Yeti Lowball Coffee Cup ($20)
I use Yeti's stainless steel Lowball every day, throughout the day. Coffee in the morning, more coffee (and maybe some water) in the afternoon, and a nightcap of whiskey when I get home. It keeps drinks hot for way longer than it takes me to finish them, especially with the added lid, feels solid in my hand, and looks exactly the same as the day I got it two years ago. —Axie Navas, executive editor
Lasko Tower Fan ($65)
When the office air conditioner broke two months ago I got myself this Lasko fan and suddenly became the most popular person in the office. Bonus: it comes with a remote control which is completely unnecessary but really strokes the ego. —Jenny Earnest, social media manager
Yeti Rambler 18 Water Bottle ($30)
I live in the desert, run a lot, and drink a lot of coffee, so I'm constantly struggling to stay hydrated. I have a sticky note on my computer reminding me to drink water and I keep this Yeti bottle on my desk at all times. It keeps things cold for an unreasonably long time, which is perfect for days when I fill it in the morning and ignore it until 4 p.m. —Molly Mirhashem, associate editor
Clairefontaine Notebook ($10)
The work notebook doesn't need an introduction. You either use one or you don't. If you do, you're probably particular about it. My brand of choice is Clairefontaine. My model is wire bound, with graph paper, at 6×8.25 inches. It's the best tool I own. —Scott Rosenfield, digital editorial director
Nalgene Water Bottle ($10)
Here in Santa Fe, which sits at 7,200 feet in the middle of the desert, it's easy to get dehydrated during the workday. That's why I constantly keep a Nalgene in front of me to help fight off bad health, and hopefully, bad breath. I love the trusted and ubiquitous 32-ounce wide-mouth version because I'm not intimidated by that amount of water, and because the thing is easy to clean. I also think a Nalgene is the best water bottle for active sports because it's significantly lighter than its insulated, stainless steel counterparts. —Jakob Schiller, online gear director
Opinel No8 Beechwood Handle Knife ($15)
I get dozens of gear packages each week as the Buyer's Guide assistant, and the Opinel No8 Beechwood Handle knife has helped me efficiently open all of them. I like that it's only $15 so it's easy to replace if it gets lost, and I also appreciate the stainless steel blade and double safety ring for when package opening gets rowdy. —Nathan Allen, editorial assistant