Jetboil Zip
I use this product every single day. No joke. I have had the same Jetboil for about 10 years. It’s followed me all over the planet and it’s never failed. It doesn’t do a whole lot of amazing things, but it does one thing amazingly.
David’s List
Field-tested. Nothing filler.
This is the most trusted travel and personal gear and destinations he uses himself. Nothing on the list is filler. Everything has been field-tested.
Some links on this page may be affiliate or referral links. If you buy through those, David may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Hotels, restaurants, airlines, hikes, and other stays or experiences without a public program are booked by inquiring with David.
Group travel: mission teams, Holy Land, and church groups.
Gear
AeroPress Premium
I make my coffee using this AeroPress every morning. I try to limit the amount of plastics in my life, so the glass/titanium version is a great fit for me. This makes perfect coffee every single time. I have used it for years. It’s durable and reliable.
Feathered Friends sleeping bags
You may be surprised, but it can get really cold in the jungles of Burma. Feathered Friends sleeping bags are a bit expensive, but they’re amazing — the best in the world. I use a UL Long unzipped as a quilt. They bring a bit of soft and cozy into the jungle. Two things the jungle isn’t known for.
iPhone 18 Pro
I previously had the 15 Pro, which I also highly recommend. The main reason I like the Pro model is the camera. All of the JDS TV show (on YouTube) was filmed on the iPhone. I don’t have the capacity to carry around extra camera gear, and the iPhone camera is top notch. It’s also a fairly durable phone, and I like that it’s waterproof. The downside is that I hate being sucked into the Apple ecosystem — it doesn’t play well with other ecosystems.
MacBook Air (M5)
They’re expensive, but they take a beating. My MacBook gets tossed into my backpack and then strapped to the back of off-road motorcycles. It gets stepped on in boats. It gets dusty and wet. And somehow (always to my relief and surprise) it always fires up.
Garmin Instinct Solar
I am not a watch guy at all. But I do occasionally wear this watch because I need to mark special points using GPS. What I like is that the solar background charges and extends the battery — I could wear it for two or three weeks without needing a recharge. Garmin is also great when it comes to GPS features. Downside: it’s a bit complicated to learn all the buttons and features.
Darn Tough Socks
We hike for days in the jungle. If your socks break down (or any of your gear), it can cripple you. Darn Tough Socks are by far my favourite. I’ve used hundreds of other brands of socks, but none of them hold up like Darn Tough. And they have a lifetime warranty (which I’ve never used), but they say if you return a pair of holey socks, they’ll replace them for free.
Danner Trail 2650
The jungle eats shoes. If there is a weakness in quality, the jungle will exploit it right away. And it’s not like you can just go to the nearest store when your shoes break. You’re hooped. Above all other brands, the Danner Trail 2650 are the best. I’ve used nearly every other major brand on the market and they just disintegrate in the jungle. I would buy 10 pairs of these shoes!
Go Fast Don’t Die
I love motorcycles, and these guys are an awesome motorcycle brand (and fun clothing/lifestyle brand). They are awesome dudes who make wholesome, down-to-earth products with good messages to live the best life possible. They’re worth checking out.
5.11 RUSH 72 2.0
I’ve done dozens of missions in Burma with this backpack. Reliability is always a top priority for me. The thing with backpacks is that they will always be full. This pack is the perfect size for a mission — I carry three days of clothes, my hammock, sleeping bag, computer, coffee, and a few other odds and ends. It all fits. The MOLLE outside also makes it easy to expand or strap extra gear on like a gypsy.
Starlink
We rely on Starlink to power our Jungle Discipleship School and missions we do. It’s incredible, game-changing hardware and software.
Wellness
AG1
I drank AG1 before it was even AG1… before it was even cool. I am a fan of gut health, and I think AG1 does it well. I enjoy their product, but they can get expensive. I am in the process of designing my own greens product, so stay tuned for that.
Blueprint Longevity
I think Bryan is a bit of a goober, but as I get older I start to pay attention to what my body needs for longevity. This mix checks a lot of the boxes. Again, expensive — but the quality and science are there.
Coffee & tea
Fortnum & Mason Fortmason tea
I come from a family that loves afternoon tea. For as long as I can remember, my mother would have tea time in the early afternoon and I can still smell Fortnum & Mason tea brewing. It was my mom’s favourite and has become one of my favourites too. I pick up a can of this tea every time I pass through London. Also, afternoon tea at their tea house is a great part of any afternoon out in London.
Jungle Blend Coffee
We have 3,000 coffee trees on our campus. This is a job for our students after they graduate — a way for us to provide employment opportunities, and a business project of a JDS graduate. But this isn’t just a promotion for our coffee. I literally drink Jungle Blend coffee every morning: on campus, in Thailand, and wherever I am travelling. You can get it in Canada, the USA, and Thailand.
Home
Dude Candle
There is a Danish word called hygge (hoo-guh) — creating an atmosphere of coziness, warmth, comfort, contentment, and togetherness (a guy wrote a little book about it that’s worth checking out). It may not be super manly, but I’m a candle guy. When I do my morning prayers or readings, when I am working, or just watching a show, I will often put a candle on. Dude Candle makes hygge a bit more manly. My favourites are the cigars and sawdust.
Restaurants & bars
B Sam Cook
My friend Chef Boy will knock your socks off with his multicourse meal. You must book a reservation in advance, and there is no menu — he will prepare your dinner for you. Let him. It’s totally worth it. I actually didn’t want to share this place because I didn’t want it to get too popular.
Pizzeria-Restaurant Meraner
This was the very first pizza I ever had in Italy — and I was in love. The owner, Talele, is a dear friend of mine now. On Sunday evenings, once the dinner rush was over, he’d call me and invite me down for a pizza. His dad would go down into the wine cellar and dust off a bottle of wine for us, and we’d get a pizza. Some of my best memories. The Walter is my go-to pizza here.
Honeypot Eatery & Pub
OK, this is an out-of-the-way hole in the wall. But when I was in the army I was posted to this little town for a few summers in a row. The Honeypot was a lifesaver. I still salivate when I think of their mushroom caps.
Granny Scott’s Pie Shop
I spend a week a year in the Lakewood/Denver area and I probably gain about 2 kg while I’m there — mainly because of Granny Scott’s pies. They are unreal. The staff is amazing. The sandwiches are good. But the pies. Oh the pies. If you’re ever in Denver/Lakewood, this is a must.
Pink Bench Distilling
Friends of mine own this place. Troy, Montana. Go visit this little town. They locally source the products for their alcohol — my favourite is their spruce tip gin.
Hanhenpoika
This translates to Goose Boy. Again, this bar is owned by my friends in Lahti. This is a grunge bar. Walking in you might feel like you’re going to get beaten up or something. But you won’t. They’re amazing people in there, and this is a super awesome place to go for a beer if you ever find yourself in Lahti.
Batzen Bräu
One time for Christmas we got a wooden keg of beer from this place — and then proceeded to blow it up accidentally. Who knew you were supposed to open a pressure valve… Their sausage and meat tray is so delicious and their beers are amazing. After a day hiking in the Dolomites, this place is a great spot for an afternoon pint or an evening meal. It’s fun and the beer is amazing!
Widmann Wines
Max, the winemaker and founder, is a friend of mine. He blew me away when he took me into the cellar and extracted some wines directly out of the aging barrels and he explained how such minor differences in the soil or direction of the vines can completely change the taste. Max’s wines are some of my favourite in Italy, and if you’re planning a trip to the north, you have to stop by for a tasting. I can help you arrange it.
Hotels
Hyatt Regency Koh Samui
You walk into this grand lobby and can feel the wind off the ocean. It is a beautiful hotel. My guest room was on an upper floor overlooking the pool and ocean. I have tried several hotels on Koh Samui and I would only ever return to this one or SAii Koh Samui.
Hyatt Regency Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
This is my go-to hotel when travelling in or out of Bangkok. Often I arrive after a 20+ hour flight and rather than rush up to Chiang Mai or another place, a good rest and reset helps me get over jet lag. They have a great spa — but my ultimate favourite thing about this hotel is their 24-hour check-in/check-out policy. They don’t have a dedicated check-in and check-out time; you can check in anytime and the room is yours for 24 hours from the time you check in. This is a game changer. The hotel has a great pool and spa and a decent lounge and restaurant, and it’s an easy walk through an underground tunnel back to the airport.
Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel
This has got to be my go-to hotel in Chiang Mai. I spend months at a time living in a bamboo hut in the jungle. When I go back to “civilization” I often want a bit of luxury — and the CM Marriott never ceases to deliver. It’s a beautiful hotel in the heart of the Night Bazaar. The staff is wonderful, the pool is great, the rooms and M Club are really great. It had a full hotel refresh a couple years ago. This hotel can be a bit pricey at times, but it is a gem.
Meliá Chiang Mai
This is a Spanish brand hotel and the interior and style are amazing. Only a block away from the Marriott, and owned/operated by the same Thai company, the Meliá is an amazing hotel. Their Level club lounge is well stocked and great — and their rooftop bar gives beautiful views of the city. I think they have the best breakfast buffet in the city.
Maladee Rendezvous Hotel Chiang Mai
This hotel is owned by a friend of mine. This is a boutique hotel only a few blocks from the Night Bazaar. It’s a beautiful hotel. Get a room that opens up onto the pool and you won’t be disappointed. Their bar staff are some of the best in the city — the care and time they take in crafting the perfect cocktail is incredible. The cocktails are worth a visit. Sometimes I don’t like supporting the big corporate chains but still want luxury — this is the hotel for that.
Pension Leuchtenburg
Jan and Kat who own this hotel are dear friends of mine. This boutique hotel only has about a dozen rooms, but they are some of the best rooms I’ve ever stayed in. I can’t say enough great things about this hotel. Their staff is superb, the breakfast is made-to-order and amazing. Their chef for evening meals is top notch — some of the best meals I’ve had in Italy. Kat knows her wines, and she will happily get you a bit tipsy on a lazy afternoon in the sunroom. Don’t visit northern Italy without staying here.
Babington House
Last I checked, non-members can book rooms here, but I’d have to check. This estate out in the British countryside is a hidden paradise. I spent several nights here as part of a wedding a few years ago and it was superb from start to finish. Utter luxury. The massage I had at the spa was one of the best I ever had. The guestrooms are brilliant, the food is amazing, the pool was wonderful, and walks in the beautiful British countryside were awesome. Let’s say you’ve got a novel to finish, or you need a place to find some inspiration, or just disappear for a few days — this is the place.
SAii Koh Samui
One of my go-to hotels. This is an adults-only hotel, meaning there aren’t a bunch of kids running around. Most guestrooms have their own private pool. If you want a place that is quiet, relaxing, and well priced — this is it. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here.
Vierumäki
I lived there for nearly three years while doing my undergrad. Hidden deep in the Finnish forest, this sports hotel/destination is a sports lover’s dream. If you’re in Finland and want an active holiday, you’ve got to come here. This is the home of the Finnish Olympic training centre. They have everything you can imagine and more, including an underground-heated soccer field you can play on in the middle of a cold Finnish winter.
Experiences
Seasmoke whale watching
I don’t include this just because it’s owned and operated by my brother — but because it’s truly an incredible experience. I have been out with him several times and we have always seen whales. He’s my younger brother but he always impresses me with his knowledge of the whales and other wildlife. I recommend flying into Comox airport, renting a car, enjoying a beautiful drive north along Vancouver Island, then taking the ferry across to Alert Bay — stay in a VRBO (I can book for you).
Airlines
EVA Air Premium Economy
This is by far the best bang-for-your-buck international seat. I often fly this on the Vancouver to Taiwan route. The seat is comfortable, good recline, you get a little sleeping kit, and a bit better food. Getting a decent sleep is worth the extra money. The seat is very similar to a domestic business class product on Air Canada.
EVA Air Business Class
If you can save up your points or afford flying international business class (there are hacks I can help you with), I recommend the EVA International Business Class product from North America to Asia or Europe to Asia. Not that this is worth the extra thousands of dollars — but this is one of the few airlines that gives you a nice set of pajamas to help you get a good night’s sleep. The staff are wonderful. The fully lie-flat pods are comfortable and private. There is no bad seat on the plane.
Finnair Business Class
European business class is the worst in the world. I don’t get it. But their international business class products aren’t bad, and you can occasionally find paid upgrades on Finnair for a really decent price (last time I paid $500 from Finland to Bangkok). Their seats are a bit different from the usual business class seat — they don’t recline the same way — but you can still get a great night’s sleep. The food is really tasty too. I list this because of their paid upgrades from economy to business for good prices.
Thai Airways Business Class
Both domestic and international, Thai Airways does a great job with their business class product. Their economy product is really good too. Thai friendliness and staff are top notch — Asian hospitality blows North American hospitality out of the water. I am a loyal frequent flyer with Thai Airways (their program grants Gold status for two years while most only give one year). Their website and call centre are a bit of a disaster, but once you get in the lounge or onboard, they shine.
Hikes
Camino de Santiago
I walked the full Camino a decade ago. If this is on your bucket list, let’s talk. I can help plan the trip for you. It was life-changing.
Italian Dolomites
I lived in the Dolomites for two years. There are multi-day and single-day hikes here that will take your breath away (literally and metaphorically). This UNESCO World Heritage site is a hidden gem. Let me help plan your trip to Northern Italy.
