Culture | Aug. 2025
UNDERCOVER COMFORT
By Morgan Hogerty
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATRINA WITTKAMP
STYLING BY THERESA DEMARIA
Zach Goldstein wearing Vince with his dog, Dash
ZACH GOLDSTEIN is the CEO and founder of Public Rec, a men’s leisure apparel brand he launched 10 years ago on Kickstarter with a single product: the Gamechanger Rec Pant—a refined take on sweatpants, designed with a waist and inseam sizing for a tailored fit. Since then, Public Rec has sold more than a million pairs of pants, helping men experience what the brand calls “Undercover Comfort”—styles polished enough for business meetings or dinner with the in-laws, without sacrificing comfort. Outside of work, the North Shore native lives in Chicago’s West Loop with his wife, their 7-month-old son, and their dog, Dash. Goldstein takes a break from running Public Rec to share how he stays current in a world focused on comfort.
ON HIS NIGHTSTAND
“Three books—two of which I like to revisit regularly. Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight is one I’ve read multiple times. While Public Rec isn’t Nike (now), reading about Phil’s trials and triumphs as he built the brand is both energizing and reassuring. I return to specific passages depending on where I am in my own business journey. The Green by Troon McAllister is one of my favorite fictional books about golf. It’s a great way to detach and unwind. I’ve read it more than a few times and often flip to my favorite parts just to relax. Finally, I’m currently reading Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended on It by Chris Voss. I believe a lot of my role—and the value I bring—comes from my ability to navigate conversations productively, whether with an employee, a vendor, or an investor. I’m hopeful this book will offer fresh insight into managing those relationships effectively.”
IN HIS EARBUDS
“For podcasts, I enjoy SmartLess, All-In Podcast, On Fire with Jeff Probst: The Official Survivor Podcast (I love Survivor, my wife got me into it during COVID), and Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend. I embarrassingly don’t listen to that much new music. I have my Spotify playlists that are a mix of Motown, country, and R&B/rap.”
ON HIS MOBILE
“To stay current on news, I’ll go between The Wall Street Journal, Twitter, CNN, and Bloomberg at different points throughout the day. I’m also keyed into the DTC, startup, and business-building space. I digest a lot of that content through different channels like email newsletters, blogs, LinkedIn, and YouTube.”
