New to GoodNotGood? Start here. Every review on this site comes from a real person who actually used the gear, and each one ends with a plain verdict: Good or Not Good. Below are the standout reviews in each category.
Tactical Fitness
Gear that’s been through real tactical fitness training and competitions: plate carriers, weight plates, holsters, optics, mag pouches, boots and range bags. Every review comes from someone who actually trains or competes with it, and when something falls short, we say so.
- 5.11 Tactical TacTec Plate Carrier: Good. A hybrid plate carrier that excels in both tactical training and fitness competitions, plus Andrea’s take on the fit for a smaller frame.
- Holosun EPS Enclosed Pistol Sight: Good. A rugged enclosed red dot that has survived five tactical fitness competitions and counting. Just upgrade the mounting plate.
- Black Scorpion Gear Level II Duty Drop & Offset Holster: Good. Great retention and a smooth, natural draw for competition. It works, but it’s by no means perfect.
- Excellent Elite Spanker 500D Tactical Triple Mag Pouch: Good. A budget open-top triple that holds Gen 2 PMAGs tight and has survived five competitions.
- maglula UpLULA Universal Pistol Magazine Loader: Good. An easy, durable loader that has saved Will’s hands through thousands of rounds.
See all Tactical Fitness reviews →
Fitness & Training
Barbells, shoes, supplements and training clothes put through real workouts: Olympic lifting, CrossFit, rucking and running. Here’s what held up, what didn’t, and why.
- American Barbell Stainless Steel Competition Bar: Good. After nearly a decade of Olympic lifting and coaching, Chad still calls it worth every penny.
- Reebok CrossFit Nano X5: Good. A solid, stable all-around shoe for dedicated indoor gym and CrossFit use.
- Velaasa Strake Weightlifting Shoes: Good. Stable, well-built Olympic lifting shoes that deliver solid performance and hold up well.
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Shoes
Running shoes, lifting shoes and tactical boots, worn for rucking, CrossFit, Olympic lifting and road miles. When a shoe falls short, the review tells you exactly why.
- Altra Lone Peak 9 GTX: Good. A versatile do-all shoe for rucking and tactical fitness, with excellent waterproofing and a wide toe box.
- INOV8 Mens Roclite™ GTX®: Good. One of the best do-all outdoor fitness shoes Will has come across.
- Brooks Ghost Running Shoes: Good. A comfortable everyday road trainer and a great entry point for new runners.
- Garmont Nemesis 4 G-Dry Tactical Boots: Good. A snug, rugged hybrid boot with zero break-in. Pick it for function, not style.
- Brooks Cascadia 19 GTX: Not Good. Fell short for walking, running and rucking on mixed terrain.
Apparel
Training tees and leggings tested in real sessions, from hot-weather workouts to range days and tactical fitness events.
- NOBULL Men’s Tee: Good. A breathable workhorse that trades looks for pure training utility.
- Gymreapers Basic Tee: Not Good. An excellent fit, sabotaged by a fabric that can’t handle real sweat.
- Howitzer Viscusi Women’s Tactical Leggings: Good. A Medium that fits well at 5’1″, with belt loops that make sense in a tactical fitness event.
Women’s Gear
Tactical and training gear reviewed by Andrea, who stands 5’1″, with fit for a smaller frame front and center. Everything here has been used in training, competition or everyday life.
- Ferro Concepts Slickster Plate Carrier: Good. Sleek, secure and completely bounce-free; a plate carrier that actually fits a 5’1″ frame.
- Ferro Concepts Kangaroo Front Flap Magazine Carrier: Good. Very easy to grab a mag from, and it keeps the Slickster slick and streamlined for movement.
- Grey Ghost Gear UGF Battle Belt: Good. Easy to customize, fits all her pouches and stays securely in place on a 5’1″ frame.
- SIG Sauer P365-AXG Legion: Good. The dynamics of a full-size, metal-framed competition pistol in a compact footprint that’s easy to conceal.
- 5.11 Tactical PT-R 5.75 lb Steel Weight Plates: Good. Reliable, versatile steel plates that swap easily between vests.
See all Women’s Gear reviews →
Nutrition
Supplements Will has actually made part of his routine: protein, pre-workout and a daily multivitamin. Honest notes on taste, digestion and the trade-offs.
- MusclePharm Pro Series Clear-ISO: Good. One of the cleanest whey isolates Will has tried: light, refreshing and easy on an empty stomach.
- Naked Energy Pre-Workout: Good. Sustained energy and digestive comfort from a clean-label pre-workout.
- Ancient Nutrition Multivitamin for Men: Good. A multi that replaces a whole shelf of supplements; smells like ramen, works like a pro.
Electronics
Everyday tech we’ve actually lived with, from a smartwatch to a smart speaker setup and a Bluetooth tracker.
- Samsung Galaxy Watch9 40mm Black: Good. A comfortable smaller-wrist watch that lets Andrea leave her phone behind, with the familiar daily-charge tradeoff.
- Sonos Era 100: Good. Excellent, detailed sound in a small speaker, and a seamless, room-filling system when paired.
- Pebblebee Clip 5: Not Good. Well-built hardware undermined by unreliable software and a bulky design.
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