What do you take?

[SNAKEBITE]

Having got the bug for a bit of exploring I was wondering what you lot wear on your trips.

Now obviously I'm a dedicated follower of fashion and only the best designer gear that matches the colour of my eyes will do

Seriously though I am thinking along the lines of sturdy boots that I can also run in if I have to have it away on me toes , Tough long trousers (work ones with the pads that slip in the knees?) and long sleeved top. I am thinking about the balance of protection and comfort.

Now, I was wondering about carrying kit, not that I want to take a lot but there is some essentials I would feel obliged to have to hand. My solution is a waistcoat with pockets, they sell them in some DIY shops. Similar to a fishing waistcoat but in black.
The overall effect is something that is going to offer protection from scrapes but will mean I'm mobile enough for anything a bit active.

The kit I want to carry is:
A basic "Ouch Pouch" for any cuts etc.
Snackages, depending on how long the explore is.
Water
Phone
GPS (Where's my car dude?)
Camera

I was also wondering about taking a Maglite, not only a torch but could be used as a prodder for moving any debris, glass etc. Only trouble is I don't want it mistaken for a truncheon should it all come on top.

Oh and a pair of gloves, those rigger ones should help protect me from the worst.

What do you guys use for head protection, if anything?
Some of the sites I have seen would definatley be a hard hat area in any normal circumstances, what about those "bump caps", like a hard baseball cap?

Sorry for all the questions, I wanted to find out from those more experienced.

Many Thanks.

 

[daimo_45]

Dark Jumper
Dark Dickies workman trousers
Steel toe boots
Rigger gloves
Dark hat
140 Lumen head torch
Extra batteries
Dark Bag
Water
Snack bar
Phone
Pliers
Half mask respirator w/ fpp2 particulate filter
Rope
Carabiners
Pliers

 

[Munchh]

I think you'll find several threads on here that have covered this subject comprehensively mate.

The only thing I would add is take something that makes it obvious that you're a harmless explorer rather than the covert black ops merc you're probably gonna resemble in the clothing you've described.

 

[SNAKEBITE]

Thanks for the reply.
I did a (brief) search but will dig deeper.

You are right about the "black ops merc", that did cross my mind after I posted it.
Its going to be mainly "work wear" rather than Military surplus, but from a distance it could look a bit imposing.

What about about a pink bobble hat?

 

[UEP-Wales]

Thanks for the reply.
I did a (brief) search but will dig deeper.

You are right about the "black ops merc", that did cross my mind after I posted it.
Its going to be mainly "work wear" rather than Military surplus, but from a distance it could look a bit imposing.

What about about a pink bobble hat?

When I first started, I wore a Black / Grey T-Shirt and Jeans. Now I tend to go out like this:

In terms of the kit I take out with me, it pretty much goes like this:

This was for my "Lancashire Road Trip" so obviously I wouldn't always carry an extra bag and a laptop - the tablet does normally come out though as it's fantastic to get hold of information quickly and with a small 7inch screen, it fits in my pocket very nicely.

I have stayed away from carrying pliers or multi-tools just to prevent anybody saying I used them to gain entry. Other items that I carry do include face masks, disposable gloves, hand sanitizing gel and a head torch.

I have thought about using a "Tac Vest" but I think that maybe taking things a little too far, not sure if others use them. Maybe I will later this year as I'm hoping to get a bit more kit such as ropes and associated climbing kit - Would love to abseil down a building! lol​

EDIT - Ignore Wolly, That's to do with my Wife

 

[SNAKEBITE]

Amazing reply, thanks for putting that together.

I was concerned with striking the right balance, I know what I want to wear, but should I get "discovered" I want to appear as harmless as possible. After all I wouldn't want to spoil anything for those who might be visiting later.

I'm always wary of taking anything to delicate out on trips, I'm not the daintiest of people and knowing my luck I'd break it!

 

[daimo_45]

Why wouldn't you go black/covert? Less chance of getting seen by sec when and entering. Wearing obvious explorer clothes isn't going to convince sec to let you continue on if you caught any more so than wearing black/covert so you might as well dress as stealth as poss so you don't get caught in the first place!

 

[UEP-Wales]

Amazing reply, thanks for putting that together.

I was concerned with striking the right balance, I know what I want to wear, but should I get "discovered" I want to appear as harmless as possible. After all I wouldn't want to spoil anything for those who might be visiting later.

I'm always wary of taking anything to delicate out on trips, I'm not the daintiest of people and knowing my luck I'd break it!

No worries I find that photographs explain things more so thought I would add them in there! Personally I don't think it will matter if you were wearing all black or a bright pink dress, the end result will be the same providing your not doing a criminal activity. You may get a question or two, especially if your wearing a tac vest but nothing else. Also, your choice of clothing will not have any effect on the building if you get caught but black will add a bit of covertness in most situations so hopefully will help to not get caught in the first place

I should add that obviously in some situations your clothing choice will make a difference if it's a sensitive site but even plain black will not be an issue here - its more about if you have activist logos etc splattered over you

 

[krela]

Why wouldn't you go black/covert? Less chance of getting seen by sec when and entering. Wearing obvious explorer clothes isn't going to convince sec to let you continue on if you caught any more so than wearing black/covert so you might as well dress as stealth as poss so you don't get caught in the first place!

Lol, unless you are a ninja it will make very little difference what colour you wear, as it is your movement that will give you away not what you are wearing.

Apart from in the dark with lots of deep shadows black is not generally covert.

 

[losttom]

I go in my normal clothes, if cold i wear my 'splooring coat' as it always gets ripped and some decent shoes in case of glass etc (i dont advise flip flops...)

Obviously, dress for where you are going, if your underground you will need a bit more kit......

 

[krela]

its more about if you have activist logos etc splattered over you

I know a *lot* of political campaigners and activists and not a single one has ever worn an activist 'logo'! I'm not even sure what one would be.

People are generally judged by what they're doing, not what they're wearing. The only caveat to that is that if you're wearing something that looks like you BELONG somewhere (hi-vis, hard hat, clipboard etc) then people are less likely to question you, anything else and you will stand out either way.

 

[SNAKEBITE]

I can see your point.
It's more how I am perceived that I was worried about, if that makes sense.

If possible I want to be a "bumbling harmless bloke" rather than a "tooled up nutter".
If that makes sense.

(I admit to be struggling a bit here now . I hope I haven't come over as some sort or newbie fool, apologies if that is the case).

 

[krela]

Wear whatever you feel comfortable in, it really makes very little difference. Just don't wear expensive stuff, it's likely to get covered in crap and torn at some point.

 

[losttom]

Wear whatever you feel comfortable in, it really makes very little difference. Just don't wear expensive stuff, it's likely to get covered in crap and torn at some point.

Fancy dress goes down well too

 

[UEP-Wales]

I know a *lot* of political campaigners and activists and not a single one has ever worn an activist 'logo'! I'm not even sure what one would be.

People are generally judged by what they're doing, not what they're wearing. The only caveat to that is that if you're wearing something that looks like you BELONG somewhere (hi-vis, hard hat, clipboard etc) then people are less likely to question you, anything else and you will stand out either way.

You do make a very good point about activists wearing logos lol, I meant things like badges and so on - but was more to make a point than anything about certain situations.

 

[night crawler]

In terms of the kit I take out with me, it pretty much goes like this:

This was for my "Lancashire Road Trip" so obviously I wouldn't always carry an extra bag and a laptop - the tablet does normally come out though as it's fantastic to get hold of information quickly and with a small 7inch screen, it fits in my pocket very nicely.

I have stayed away from carrying pliers or multi-tools just to prevent anybody saying I used them to gain entry. Other items that I carry do include face masks, disposable gloves, hand sanitizing gel and a head torch.

I have thought about using a "Tac Vest" but I think that maybe taking things a little too far, not sure if others use them. Maybe I will later this year as I'm hoping to get a bit more kit such as ropes and associated climbing kit - Would love to abseil down a building! lol[/CENTER]

EDIT - Ignore Wolly, That's to do with my Wife

Can't believe you take all that with you, I just take a camera with a spare wide angle lens which I hardly use. Only other thing I have when I'm at Fairmile is the tripod, if I need a torch I take one along with a phone.
Only advice I will give is don't wear shorts like I did once only to come back with my legs shredded by Brambles. On the boot front I'd advise you to wear toetectors with steel plates in the soles just in case there are nails in the floor, I came across them at Fairmile and soon got some but please yourself what you take just be safe and don't take risks.

 

[UEP-Wales]

Can't believe you take all that with you, I just take a camera with a spare wide angle lens which I hardly use. Only other thing I have when I'm at Fairmile is the tripod, if I need a torch I take one along with a phone.

I never used to if I'm honest but I found myself thinking "I wish I brought that". At the back of the photograph next to the laptop bag, the black long pouch is an advanced field medical kit just on a smaller scale. This were also taken just for the Road Trip but normally I will carry a smaller version

Oh and of course the pic was taken with a backup camera which is always on me too

Only advice I will give is don't wear shorts

Agreed!

 

[Ninja Kitten]

Always wear wellies

 

[strider8173]

THATS A LOT OF STUFF TO TAKE!
I TAKE MY CAMERA WITH 2ND LENS, 2 TOURCHES AND A HEAD LAMP, GLOVES, AND A TRIPOD THAT FOLDS UP AND HOOKS ON MY BELT FOR EASY STORAGE THIS ALL FITS IN POUCHES THAT HOOK ON MY BELT THAT FIT NICLY IN MY CAMERA BAG.

COMBAT TOUSERS AND SOME BOOTS...


061 by SMCGILL09, on Flickr

IM THE GOOD LOOKING ONE ON THE LEFT

THAT WAY I CAN WALK AROUND TOWN AND NOT LOOK SUSPECT.

 

[mookster]

Camera
Tripod
Torch
Battery packs
Food
Water

Job done.

I wear my normal clothes, you'll look like even more of a nutter if you're caught wearing full camo gear.