The Gear Patrol Podcast

Gear Patrol built its reputation as one of the internet's most trusted product journalism outlets, and their podcast carries that same editorial rigor into audio form. The show features rotating editors from the Gear Patrol team -- including co-founder Ben Bowers, Johnny Brayson, Tucker Bowe, and others -- having real conversations about why certain products matter and the stories behind them. With 89 episodes and a 4.8-star rating, the show recently relaunched in late 2024 with a miniseries called Know Your Stuff that zeroes in on how they pick the most important products each year. What makes this one stand out from typical review podcasts is its focus on consumer culture at large. Instead of just rattling off specs, the editors actually debate what makes a product worth caring about. You will hear field recordings, candid disagreements about design choices, and deep-dives into categories ranging from watches and bags to kitchen tools and outdoor equipment. Episodes vary from quick 11-minute takes to full hour-plus explorations. The tone feels like sitting in on an editorial meeting at a magazine that genuinely cares about the things people buy and use every day. If you read Gear Patrol's website, this is like getting the director's commentary -- the reasoning and taste-making that happens before a recommendation hits the page. Product journalism done right, with personality to spare.