Gear colour

[Lophophaps]

Tents, packs, pack covers, blizzard jackets, sleeping bags, sleeping mats and footprints are the biggest items in terms of area that bushwalkers carry. They can be any colour or shade, bright red to black or grey. Bright colours are happy and can give a psychological boost, especially for items inside the tent. Less bright colours and shades are unobtrusive when walking, making parties and campsites blend into the bush from a distance. In particular, tents, packs and pack covers can be quiet colours or shades, which is less of a visual impact. Or they can be bright, which makes finding them in poor conditions easier, perhaps in an emergency.

I'm interested in your views. Should bushwalkers aim to blend in or should our gear be bright, making them easier to spot?

[JohnStrider]

I get the safety aspect behind having bright colours, particularly for guy lines, but for me it's not a fashion content when I'm on the trail. If something is comfortable, then it doesnt matter if it is bright green or olive green.

[Empty]

I crave anonymity. Seriously though I prefer stealthy colours on the premise that I can stash my pack or have a secluded camp that I can leave unattended if I want to do longer side trips with a little more comfort that my gear is not so easily visible to passers by.

The downside is being harder to spot in an emergency. I think if you are going to dress like Dr Karl or Stephen Fry you are better off indoors anyway.

[beardless]

I little while ago I realised much of my gear was black (jacket, pack, woollen t-shirt, gloves, gaiters, sleeping bag sac). Apart from looking like a burglar it also means it is harder for me to find what I need in my pack. So I am choosing a bit of colour for future gear. Probably not one of Karl's shirts though.

[Moondog55]

We have been through this a few times before
I have both types and sometimes make gear purchases based on/depending on season and my intended use but often it's also a money thing. An ugly/unfashionable colour at half price would sway my decision

[wayno]

not fussed except outer layer i prefer to be bright for safety.. high visibility if you ever need it.... ever seen photos or footage taken from rescue helicopters trying to play spot the missing person in the wilderness when their colour blends in? colour makes a massive difference in how well you can be seen..

[Gadgetgeek]

I have been trying to get most of my colors into the non-natural range, but its not always possible. My current hammock tarp would be near invisible from the air, and I'd like to change that. I don't need to match, besides, when it comes to convincing people I know what I'm doing, it helps to have gear that looks like I didn't buy it all the same day.

[GPSGuided]

I would avoid red in bull country, especially in Spain. Otherwise I like bright colours.

[perfectlydark]

I avoid bright colours but hey, a bargain is a bargain. I always have something with me thats bright if needed, otherwise i see no need to advertise my presence

[Suz]

I love bright colours but have black / dark grey for my $$$ outer gear. I expect this gear to have the durability to last beyond the point where the more awesome neon gear is fashionable (and then it will look horridly dated even to us and we'll wonder why we bought it) although I do have a neon yellow fleece. Black will never get me funny looks, not now, not in years to come.

If someone brought out neon tie dye gear I would go absolutely crazy for it for the more 'disposable' short term items. I would also like to learn how to knit my own acrylic wool beanies and they can be psychedelic to the max - and thus I'll be findable for rescue if I ever get round to do it that is

[corvus]

Apart from a nice Red ABC Beanie and cheap Red fleece Jumper all of my gear is Green Grey and Blue ,perhaps I should pack my 133gm Hi Viz Vest that I wear on the Treddlie but on reflection my STS pack liner is bright yellow so that may suffice if required .

[calliejane24]

I go for the most drab and dull clothing I can find because I am a birder and like to move around without scaring the wildlife away. My work (ecology) requires me to wear high-vis clothing whilst doing surveys which is very frustrating, for obvious reasons.

So many outdoor clothing manufacturers seem to only make women's outdoor shirts in bright pink, lilac or some other candy-coloured hue....another bug-bear of mine with women's outdoor clothing is the lack of pockets, or if an item does have pockets, they are so small that you can't carry anything in them. Anyway, that's a soapbox issue for another day...

[north-north-west]

Fashion doesn't come into it. I wear what fits and is practical. Colour is essentially irrelevant, although I don't do pink and have this obsession with bright red. Not for safety, I just like it. But that only comes into purchases when all else is equal.

[Bluegum Mic]

I walk in more drab colours though I do have a few bushwalking shirts that are checker. But for some reason I like bright coloured gear so my pack, rain jacket etc is often bright coloured. Dunno if its a cheery thing but I just like it.

[Suz]

I go for the most drab and dull clothing I can find because I am a birder and like to move around without scaring the wildlife away. My work (ecology) requires me to wear high-vis clothing whilst doing surveys which is very frustrating, for obvious reasons.

So many outdoor clothing manufacturers seem to only make women's outdoor shirts in bright pink, lilac or some other candy-coloured hue....another bug-bear of mine with women's outdoor clothing is the lack of pockets, or if an item does have pockets, they are so small that you can't carry anything in them. Anyway, that's a soapbox issue for another day...

Wow - great job you've got there. Have you read about how cats wearing brightly coloured scrunchies helps to save bird life?

I also do not understand why women are denied pockets! This is why our sex has a handbag fetish - we got no pockets and we can't keep it ALL down b'twixt the (.)(.) I resolve the problem by wearing a lot of men's clothes.

[north-north-west]

I also do not understand why women are denied pockets! This is why our sex has a handbag fetish - we got no pockets and we can't keep it ALL down b'twixt the (.)(.) I resolve the problem by wearing a lot of men's clothes.

I do not understand why we have to put up with fashionable walking clothes instead of comfortable and practical garb.
Pockets. Loose fit to make scrambling easier. High waists so the pack's hipbelt isn't directly over the waistband. Reinforced seats and knees and elbows. Decent belts or drawstrings.

Aaaaaarrrrrgggghhh! don't get me started. I don't care what I look like when I'm out bush. I want clothes that are appropriate. WHY CAN'T SOMEONE MAKE THEM???!!!

[beean]

Buying mountain-specific clothing could help with your problems.. Many climbing brands have higher waistbands, well placed pockets, reinforcing patches and are tight and loose in the right places to allow for freedom of movement. The downside is they cost three times as much as the ought to...

[Hiking Noob]

With tents and packs I like them to blend in with the background but I do try to avoid beige everything just so I don't look like a hiker.


I do buy pretty bright rain jackets as I have a habit of heading out for a dig or a stroll without telling anyone where I am.

[Turfa]

I try to avoid blue...it seems to attract more flies !!!

[Strider]

Bumblebees like blue too.

[Empty]

And mozzies

[Mitchc]

I like to blend in. Will generally pick plain colours as Empty said, so I can stash my stuff without people finding it; had stuff nicked in the past. However, in saying that, I did choose to have my EE quilt in bright red, which I can use to attract attention if need be