Gear Talk: Gaeez Sothy

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May 10, 2024

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.

WORDS & IMAGES by GAEEZ

Use Case

Intended use case by the brand, broken down into three categories: Trail, Road, and Race

Cushion

The softness of the shoe’s sole, determined by it’s use of foam. More cushioning increases the level of impact protection while running with minimal cushioning comes closer to a natural running experience (e.g. barefoot). Since there are different types of foams, the equation of “the more foam the softer” does not always work. It is crucial to consider which type of foam it is. Ranging from Hard to Super Soft.

Padding

The amount of padding in the upper. Ranging from No Padding to Very Padded.

Flexibility

The ability to flex when compressed from heel to toe and when twisted. Flexibility and Stability are highly interdependent. As a rule of thumb you can say: the more flexible, the less stable. Ranging from Stiff to Flexible.

Stability

The amount of support provided to the natural rolling movement of the foot. The main factors influencing stability are the sole’s construction and its width. The construction of the upper and the type of lacing can also add to stability. Special Lacing is not considered within this category. Ranging from Free to Supportive.

Traction

The ability of the shoe to maintain stable contact with the ground, mostly determined by the construction of the sole. Added components from external brands such as Vibram or Megagrip can highly influence traction. Ranging from Slick to Very Grippy.

Breathability

The overall mesh density of the upper. Ranging from closed to open

Propulsion

The amount of forward pushing energy return determined by the construction of the sole. Various sole types can add a propulsive effect to the sole such as a Rocker construction or a carbon plate in combination with an energy-returning foam. Ranging from Relaxed to Aggressive.

Drop

The difference in height from heel to forefoot. Ranging from 0mm to 12mm.

Stack Height

Width

The shoes overall width at its base. This category only refers to the upper to provide information for the overall fit. Ranging from Narrow to Wide.

Width

The overall weight of the shoe. For comparison, we always use the weight of size US 9 for men. Ranging from Ultra Light to Heavy—Ultra Light (<240g), Lightweight (240–280g), Medium (280–320g), Heavy: (>320g).

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