Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Fortunately I had about every other useful GoPro mount ever made, which I bought for previous models and other knock-off cameras that used the same mount system.

 

My new Xero Hana shoes are scheduled for delivery today. I love their minimalist sandals, so I can't wait to try out their brand new canvas shoe. I'm hoping that these will be my new closed-upper lightweight camp shoe to help keep my feet from getting dirty the way that sandals do.

 

I'm a fan of the Xero sandals as well. I'll be interested to hear what you think of the new shoe, thinking they might be a little wide for me.

 

Wide is good though. You want your feet to naturally spread out when you walk. It's much healthier for them, and they strengthen up that way.

 

Yeah, I backpack, hike and run in Altras

 

Question. Who here picks and chooses gear to stand out versus blending in? Do you do it because of color preference, or do you deliberately either try to stand out for safety reasons or blend in to be unnoticed?

 

I pick to blend in. As a solo hiker, I try to make camp way off trail and not be noticed. I do carry a couple bright things (space blanket, hunter orange pack cover) in case I ever have to be seen.

 

I wish others would choose to blend in more. If I'm out in the middle of nowhere and I look around the area, I don't want to see a bunch of bright yellow or red shapes moving around. Blending in helps others keep that feeling of solitude. @Cuffs is right though.. carry something highly visible in case you NEED to be seen.

 

I buy what's on sale, haha. Sometimes that means I get ugly colors, but not always. I like stuff that blends in though if I had to choose. I like dark grays and neutral colors.

 

As a hunter I prefer others to sport something bright even if its small.

 

I like both dependent on my reasons for being out. I like people on popular trails to stand out so I don't set camp 50ft from them unknowingly. Or when walking I can easily see who I'll be walking up on and can pull my dog in if he has a long lead on.

Less popular trails or when hunting it's nice to feel alone. I met a guy this elk season after hunting the same area. We both could hear each other's bugle nearby, but never actually saw each other. We didn't meet until we both happen to be at our trucks at the same time. Cool, but also unnerving.

I am torn between making gear with brighter colors such as blaze orange, or making everything mute and boring to blend in. Or a happy medium with a nice green that isn't an eyesore, but also won't blend in with the environment.

 

Them nebraskans and their shoot at noise mentality.

 

I'm with Mt Girl on this one. I don't stalk moose, but if I go camping into a remote location I go more toward blending to trees & the more Greens & Browns. When I go canoeing I want Stand out for safety.

 

That's the exception to the rule. I totally agree that wearing something unnaturally visible to humans is a requirement for proper hunting safety. Too many people out there who get giddy and want to shoot anything that moves.

But lately I've only been backpacking in areas where hunting is strictly prohibited.

 

I don't backpack in hunting areas so I prefer to blend in. I use the same philosophy when traveling to any foreign territory, big cities included. IMO, blending in helps keep a target off your back.

 

I tend to hike in brighter colors. Yellows, reds, and blues. Most of my around camp stuff is neutral to darker colored (greys and blacks).

Out skiing I try to wear brighter colored jackets just in case of emergency I can be warm and have something easier to spot.

 

I do however try to find bright colors in my smaller gear so they are easy to find. Bright towel, bright JetBoil, etc. Makes them much more difficult to leave behind when you do that final sweep before heading out.