Gear Guide – Spring 2018

Last Updated May 03, 2018

Sure, the weather may still be suggesting winter, but we’ve been reading it’s actually spring! In the spirit of positive thinking, welcome to our first gear guide, a list of must haves for the season ahead.

From shoes to keep you comfortable for a long shift on your feet to the phone with the best camera, be ready for anything. Nothing makes for a great guest experience like happy and prepared staff, so share this article with your team!

Shoes 

Blundstone Boots
Image courtesy The Blundstone Instagram 

Keep your feet dry and comfortable to maintain your smile while scanning tickets.  Made in Tasmania, Blundstone Boot Company sells their stuff all around the world, and these boots are truly made for walking.  If you doubt how they’ll do in crazy weather, check out this read on their massive popularity in Canada.

At about $175 USD, they’re definitely an investment, but we’ve read that you’ll be enjoying these boots for 2 to 5 years. Just make sure to break them in before slipping in for a day at Coachella.

Check them out online at blundstone.com

Outer Wear

Perfect spring time outer layer from Arcteryx.

Take a cue from your mountain climber friends and think layers for the spring.  If you’re too hot or cold, it’s much easier to add or remove a sweatshirt than it is to lug around two different coats.  Grab a sweatshirt of fleece for the middle, and  focus on the shell – specifically one to keep out the wind and protect your snazzy hair do.

I’m personally a big fan of Arcteryx and their high quality gear. I survived a trek during Peru’s rainy season thanks to one of their shells. While you won’t need the technical jacket which kept me dry, check out their Squamish Hoody on Amazon (Women’s | Men’s) for around $150 USD.

Aside from the amazing quality, we loved the vibrant colours you could match up with your brand if you want to roll these out across your team.

Back Pack

Whatever you’ll need for the day should easily fit in this cutie.

Grab a bag for stuff like extra water and a first aid kit (don’t worry, we’ve got those coming up).

We trekked through Amazon to find something stylish, water resistant, and budget friendly.

Meet the Bolang Water Resistant Nylon School Bag. Just like the hoody above, you can find this handy little pal in a ton of different colours to fit your style or brand. It’s got large compartments inside for the extra gear you need and quick access mesh pockets on the side while only weighing a pound and a half.

It’s only about $50.00 USD on Amazon, just be sure to check if it ships to your country.

Smart Phone

If you’re a guide, life is easier with the EzTix App (iPhone | Android). Taking great photos, however, is a must to keep the content fresh on Instagram and Facebook.

I’m a big fan of the iPhone X because of the unreal camera and portrait mode! You don’t need any skill as a photographer at all to create stunning images with the subject in perfect focus and a blurry background.

Price wise, you may find a subsidized version through your carrier to save a little coin.  Otherwise, it’s about a thousand dollars to buy at the Apple Store.

Android fans, don’t @ me, but would love to read good alternatives in the comments.

BONUS TIP: A battery pack! I have an earlier model of this Anker battery pack and never leave home without it. In fact, it helped keep my phone alive on the last food tour I took.

First Aid Kit

This is likely the most important bit of gear you can bring along, because it’s life and death.

Swiss Safe has managed to pack a ton of great tools into this kit, which is also an “Amazon’s Choice”. I think that’s like the retail equivalent to an “Oprah’s Book Club” sticker.

The whole package weighs a bit over a pound with 120 items.  You’ll have bandages, scissors, and even an instant ice pack to help a rolled ankle. It also includes a 32-piece mini kit, handy at large festivals staffed by a medical team.

Thanks for digging into our first gear guide, let us know if we’ve missed any important stuff in the comments below.

We hope you have a great spring, beautiful weather, and happy guests!