I was recently in Iraq to report a section of my upcoming book, The Scarcity Brain. My business there frequently put me in situations that I wouldn’t exactly call “safe.”
Gear selection is critical for all adventure trips no matter who you are. But as a journalist, I not only have a target on my back, I’m also traveling alone and without backup. The right gear can mean life or death.
Here’s the gear I bring on any dangerous reporting trip. (Note: This isn’t a full list. I’m not sharing some critical items because they’re currently being used by conflict journalists and CIA agents to keep safe.)
GORUCK Heritage GR1
I love my classic GR1. But I’d also describe its aesthetic as pseudo-military. I avoid using gear that looks even remotely tactical anytime I’m in an unstable parts of the world. The Heritage GR1 has all the features of the classic GR1 but blends into a crowd. (Pro tip: Remove the zipper pull from the top compartment for a stealthy pocket.)
BUY IT HERE
Garmin InReach Mini 2
Cell service is never guaranteed anywhere. Ever. To make sure I’m safe, I always carry this InReach Mini on international trips. It helps me never get lost and allows me to send emergency rescue alerts and text messages no matter how remote I am.
BUY IT HERE
Anker PowerCore+
A dead phone or GPS unit can result in a dead person. This portable charger can fully charge a MacBook Pro and iPhone, and it’s TSA compliant.
BUY IT HERE
Gerber Dime Multitool
Adventure travel somehow finds a way of throwing odd scenarios at me. Which is why I carry this 2-ounce multitool. It discretely fits into a pocket and packs in 12 different tools.
BUY IT HERE
Burner Phone
It doesn’t matter what kind of phone it is. Something small and smart will do (I used the Apple iPhone SE for those reasons). But I want an extra phone that stays covertly located on me at all times. I share my location with various friends and family members, and use the phone when I need to give over phone numbers or download in-country apps, which are known for sweeping data.
BUY IT HERE
Uncharted Supply Co +Tourniquet + Chest Seal
This pocket-sized emergency kit from Uncharted Supply Co. has most of what I need for adventure travel. In addition to it, I pack a tourniquet and chest seal for serious wounds. With many wounds, the trauma from the wound doesn’t kill you—bleeding out from it does. Those two items can save you pints of blood loss and buy you hours of time.
BUY IT HERE (Triage Kit, Tourniquet, Chest Seal)
Rite in the Rain Notebooks + Fisher Space Bullet Pen
I use the exact same notebook every time I’m reporting and always have: An orange, 3×5 Rite in the Rain. Accept no substitutes. The notebook fits in a pocket and is weatherproof, so ink never smears in bad conditions. I pair it with the Fisher Space Bullet pen, which is compact and writes every single time without fail. Tip: Buy the pen with the clip and clip it to the top of the notebook.
BUY IT HERE (Notebooks, Pen)
Marlboro Reds
Good for making friends and getting people talking. (I don’t smoke.)
