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The gear I actually use, named and linked. Short on purpose.

A man new to any front wastes months guessing which gear is worth it. This is the short version: what I own, what I train on, and where to get it.

It is not a buying guide and it is not long on purpose. Most of what you need, you already have. Nothing on this page is a substitute for showing up — a better bar has never once made a man train.

What’s in here

What I
actually use.

Free, and open to anyone. No login, no account, nothing to join.

  • 17 brands, linked straight to the source
  • Iron, footwear, striking gear, and instruction
  • If it’s on this list, I’ve used it
  • Recommended because they work, not because they paid
  • Any budgeting app in an app store will work. That one needs no link.

Iron

Racks, bars, plates. Buy once.

—Rogue FitnessOverbuilt to the point of absurdity. Costs more and outlasts the argument.
—Rep FitnessWhere I'd send a man building his first rack. Most of the quality, less of the price.
—Fringe SportGood iron without the noise. Bumpers and bars that hold up.
—Texas Power BarsOne bar, made right, since before it was a brand. If you pull heavy you already know.

Striking and grappling

Gear that survives a real class.

—RevgearBags, pads and gloves built for volume, not for a shelf.
—Winning USAThe gloves you buy once and keep for a decade. Priced accordingly.

Footwear

Your feet are load-bearing equipment.

—Xero ShoesZero drop and a wide toe box, cheap enough to test the idea before you commit.
—VivobarefootThe step up. Better build, higher price, worth it if you're on your feet all day.

Training and instruction

People, not products.

—LMS DefenseInstruction that treats you like an adult and expects you to work.
—Baer SolutionsSerious coursework from people who have actually done the thing.
—Greenline TacticalStructured training with a clear progression, not a weekend of noise.

If this is your world

Only if it already is. Skip this block otherwise.

—AimpointOptics that work when nothing else does.
—SureFireLights and suppressors. The reference standard.
—MagpulFurniture and mags. Cheap, everywhere, and it does not fail.
—Bravo Company USABuilt to a spec, not to a price.
—SafarilandRetention holsters and armor. The boring, correct choice.
—ESEE KnivesA fixed blade you can abuse and hand down.

How this list works

Earned, not paid for.

Two rules, and both of them are about you getting the truth.

—No affiliate spam.Recommend what works because it works, not for a kickback.
—General guidance only.Do your own homework before you buy or train. This isn’t professional advice.

Take what you need

Nothing on this page costs anything to read. Buy none of it and still do the work.

Free. The twelve-page Free Guide is free too — that’s the place to start.

Get the free guideBack to the Library