jade@vandor.sx

What I bring on the road as an Amazon DSP driver

*

I’ve been delivering packages for Amazon as a DSP driver for a bit over a month now, and, largely speaking, I’m enjoying it, I find it to be engaging work and I work alongside a lovely team.

I wanted to share what I bring with me on the road, as many of the items I carry greatly enhance my experience as a driver.

More information on why I picked up this job can be found in my previous post, “My summer plans.”

* This post was last updated on August 29, 2025 as I’ve continued to refine my clothing and gear picks.

Clothing

Clothing is the category that I’ve most heavily invested in. I’ve come across a few garments that I think are perfect for this kind of work and that I love wearing.

Specialized x Fjällräven Field Suit

A young woman stands wearing a black one-piece field suit that zips up the front and has short sleeves. The fabric features numerous zippered and flap pockets across the chest and thighs.

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/womens-specializedfjllrven-field-suit/p/221234

This might be my favorite piece of clothing that I own. It’s incredibly versatile, but, perhaps more notably, it’s quite fun to wear!

It has a ton of pockets to store: work phone, personal phone, power bank, van fob/key, and more. As well, the cuffs can be folded to expose reflective details, which is helpful for if I’m delivering later in the day.

I originally got the smallest men’s size1, and it fit me fine. The woman’s small, however, fits me perfectly. I like this field suit so much that I ordered a second black one and a green one to wear outside of work.

Shoutout to Jane Manchun Wong for making me aware of this item’s existence!2

The North Face Horizon Breeze Brimmer Hat

A model wears a lightweight, wide-brimmed black boonie hat with mesh panels around the crown for breathability. An adjustable chin cord hangs loosely beneath the wearer’s chin to keep the hat secure on windy days. The brim is wide enough to shade the face and neck, and the fabric carries a UPF 40+ rating for sun protection.

https://www.thenorthface.com/en-us/p/shop-all/brimmer-and-bucket-hats-554777/horizon-breeze-brimmer-hat-NF0A5FX6

As will be made apparent throughout this post, sun protection is a top priority for me. I wear this hat every day, and it does a great job of providing shade for my face and neck. It’s very lightweight, has a wide enough brim to be effective, and—most importantly—has a high UPF rating of 40+.

At REI, I tried on Outdoor Gear Lab’s top pick3 for a sun hat—the Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure—but I wasn’t impressed with how the hat felt. Meanwhile, this North Face hat doesn’t even make the list, but I think it’s great.

Specialized Seamless UV Arm Covers

A man wearing black cycling bib shorts over a white short-sleeve base layer with black arm sleeves stands against a plain light background. He is looking to his left, showing the snug fit and functional design of the cycling gear.

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/seamless-uv-arm-covers/p/216685

Going into the job, I thought I would simply wear sunscreen on my arms and legs. But, I found that it was too much of a hassle to continually reapply multiple times a day — there’s not really enough time for that. So, I went with the arguably-better alternative: covering up.

These arm covers are the best I’ve tried. The material feels very nice while remaining breathable and durable. Compared to other arm covers, they are thicker and have a soft, almost-knit feel.

Lululemon Fast and Free Tight 28”

A man is shown from the waist down wearing fitted black athletic leggings with subtle reflective accents above the knees.

https://shop.lululemon.com/p/men-tights/Fast-and-Free-Tight-28/_/prod11520444

Continuing with the goal of covering up, I wear these Lululemon leggings to protect my legs. I’ll admit — they’re not the most breathable, but they are comfortable and durable. I could’ve gone with something less pricey, but durability was a key factor for me — leggings are sort of what Lululemon specializes in.

Dust is a reality of the job, however it doesn’t seem to stick to these leggings much at all; a quick brush with my hand is enough to get them looking clean.

Darn Tough Men’s Run 1/4 Ultra-Lightweight with Cushion Sock

A single black ankle sock with a ribbed cuff and subtle diagonal knit pattern along the midfoot. The sock has a snug, athletic fit designed for comfort and support.

https://darntough.com/products/mens-merino-wool-run-quarter-cushioned-ultra-lightweight-running-socks

Merino wool socks are great — comfortable, breathable, and odor-resistant. These 1/4-length socks align perfectly with my leggings, leaving no skin exposed.

PEARL iZUMi Elite Gel Gloves

A pair of black Pearl iZumi Elite Gel cycling gloves is shown, photographed from both the palm and back sides. The back features a smooth, breathable fabric with a Velcro strap at the wrist, while the palm side has gel padding and perforations for grip and ventilation.

https://www.pearlizumi.com/products/mens-elite-gel-gloves-14142002

I tried a few different pairs of gloves, and I ultimately ended up with these PEARL iZUMi Elite Gel Gloves. They are durable while remaining breathable and comfortable. I used NRS Boater’s Gloves for a while, but they started to wear out quickly. I also tried Specialized Body Geometry Dual Gel gloves, but I found them to be too short and not as comfortable.

Hoka Bondi SR

A single all-black athletic shoe shown in profile, featuring a thick, cushioned midsole for maximum shock absorption. The slip-resistant outsole has a textured tread pattern for grip, and the low-cut collar and tongue are lightly padded for comfort during long hours on foot.

https://www.hoka.com/en/us/mens-recovery-comfort-shoes/bondi-sr/1110520.html

Amazon offers a ~$100 shoe credit on Zappos for work-approved shoes. I got these Hoka Bondi SR shoes, which are a slip-resistant version of the Bondi shoe. The credit didn’t cover the full price, but I was okay with paying the difference — I knew Hoka shoes fit me well and offer great comfort.

Gear

Fjällräven Färden Carry-On Pack

Front and rear views of an olive green travel backpack with a 42 L capacity and multiple external zippered compartments. The back panel is padded and includes adjustable shoulder straps and a removable waist belt. Several grab handles around the pack allow it to be carried like luggage or worn as a backpack.

https://www.fjallraven.com/us/en-us/bags-gear/backpacks-bags/travel-bags/farden-carry-on-pack/

I was very lucky to find this bag heavily discounted. It’s a 42-litre backpack with plenty of storage for a day’s worth of gear. Mostly, it carries a dozen water bottles, but also charging cables and other miscellaneous items.

It’s quite the durable bag, which is key as it’s stuffed away in the back of a dirty van all day.

Hydro Flask 8L Insulated Lunch Bag

A square, sage green soft-sided lunch tote with a zip-around lid and top handle, shown front-facing. The insulated interior walls are designed to hold ice packs around food, and the exterior fabric wipes clean easily. The matching Hydro Flask logo appears discreetly on the front panel.

https://www.hydroflask.com/8-l-lunch-bag

Other drivers like to just eat snacks, but I prefer to bring a full lunch. I pack a sandwich, some fruit, chips, a Spindrift, and a few miscellaneous snacks. This bag holds all that, plus a number of ice packs to keep everything fresh.

I like how easily this bag wipes clean, as it gets a bit dirty from its time in the van.

Apple AirPods Pro 2

An open white charging case reveals two wireless earbuds nestled in molded slots, each with silicone tips and short stems. A small LED indicator on the front of the case shows charging status. The glossy finish and smooth, rounded design reflect light, emphasizing the premium build quality.

https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-airpods/airpods-pro-2

The last item on my list is perhaps my most valued; I don’t think I would be able to do this job without them.

Ear protection is essential when I’m not driving an electric Rivian van, as the traditional vans are LOUD. Adaptive Audio helps to tone down the loud sounds, while still allowing me to be aware of my surroundings. In the EDV, I can do without AirPods, as it’s a much quieter environment — plus the van’s Bluetooth system is well integrated.

Of course, they also allow me to listen to music, podcasts, and livestreams while I work — which usually makes the day fly by. The Lex Fridman Podcast is particularly great as the episodes are almost the length of my entire shift!

Conclusion

The things I bring with me on the road all enhance my everyday experience as a delivery driver. I find value in investing in quality gear, given how much use I will get out of it.

Footnotes

  1. I’m looking to sell my men’s field suit. If interested, shoot me an email!

  2. https://x.com/wongmjane/status/1903890479005204904

  3. https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-sun-hat