Gear Talk: Gaeez Sothy

Gaeez Sothy is a Berlin-based Designer for Performance and Outdoor-Apparel. He has been the Design Lead for Peak Performance’s Active category and has worked for various other brands such as District Vision, Nike, Adidas, Lululemon, or The North Face. Since 2023, Gaeez has his own design studio.

Freitag Bag

As a frequent traveler, cable management has changed my life. Knowing where my chargers, cables, and storage devices are gives me peace of mind. This bag has the perfect size and is extremely durable – I have over five different cables in here with all of the international outlets, all my storage devices, and a full kit to clean my tech. I’m always surprised how many cables I need and I hope that tech companies will align on a simpler solution in the future. For me, this pouch is also about brand allegiance. I like the idea of brands using surplus than making new materials. It has this nostalgic DIY feeling, which is refreshing in a sea of Gore-Tex and Cordura.

Norda

I have been using Nordas since their inception and having these has changed running forever for me. I can finally focus on the run and not whether my shoes are wet, slipping, or losing traction. They’re designed with stealth in mind, waterproof and sleek. Too many brands have too many gimmicks. I prefer minimal shoes that ensure the least amount of maintenance. The functionality is top tier, and I feel like when I’m barefoot, my feet are even stronger.

Fuji

Nostalgic, durable, never fails, ease of use, and unbeatable colours. It’s sleek design is a plus for someone who has little camera knowledge. I have captured some incredible memories with it. After more than 8 years of use, an iPhone 15 Pro still can’t beat it in terms of colour and that natural film look. I use it for traveling, portraits, and basically anything where I know I might want to print something out very large without losing any resolution. The maintenance is easy, and the software is straightforward.

Notebook

A good notebook will always beat an iPad – it’s a must have for any writer, or designer. I often have my best ideas on the go, and the easiest place to record is my notebook. Ciak exemplifies Italian elegance – the spine shape makes it easy to open flat and is easier for left handed users who don’t like ring formats. The paper also works well with any pen. I use it for designing on the go, journaling, drafting concepts and writing down quick ideas. Compared to others, the leather is extremely durable, and the paper type is sturdy. I will use this brand from now on.

AESOP

Skincare is paramount when traveling weekly. Using one of the best in the market but also trying to use the most natural and least ingredients is beneficial. Simple and elegant branding, easy to refill and it lasts longer than you’d expect. I literally have it with me at all times. It is loaded with anti-oxidants, which is great for us city-dwellers. I have been using Aesop products for almost a decade and they have kept me feeling fresh. I have also tried switching but this just works best for me. I recommend people experimenting with skincare options to optimize their skin health, especially runners who need lots of hydration and are out in the sun quite often for long periods of time.