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What is some typical gear that you usually take with you when you go exploring? I'm just curious as to what everyone uses!
- Laurel Twitter: @laurelexplores | |
My usual outfit is as follows: - Plain T-shirt - Dark/Earth colors sweatshirt or hoodie - Jeans or cargo pants - Hiking boots or tennis shoes, depending on the terrain - Baseball cap - Work gloves - Dust mask - Flashlight - Camera - Water bottle - String backpack Clothing should be in dark or earth colors- blues, blacks, browns, tans, or dark greens. Not black- wearing all black is a surefire way to look suspicious. Bright colors, on the other hand, stand out like a sore thumb, and draw the eye when you don't want to be seen. Clothing should also be plain, with few or no logos or distinguishing features, so you are harder to describe if seen by someone who reports you. Work gloves can provide a barrier against mold, feces, glass, or splinters. Dust masks, while not effective against asbestos or bad air, will still keep dust out of your lungs. A flashlight and camera is self explanatory. Water is to stay hydrated, as climbing or exploring for hours can be thirsty work. The string backpack is to carry it, and to conceal your gear when in public- blending into the crowd is the best stealth there is.
You don't need a whole lot of gear, and what complex or specialized gear you do need will be for very specific locations. You don't need climbing gear for a factory, after all. Simple is better. It makes you less suspicious if caught and searched.
[last edit 7/25/2017 6:19 PM by Aran - edited 1 times]
"Sorry, I didn't know I'm not supposed to be here," he said, knowing full well he wasn't supposed to be there. | |
I wear whatever clothes I have to hand, take two torches/'flashlights' for you Americans reading this, my camera, my tripod and maybe some drinks and snacks. Oh and a small backpack to carry it in. Anything else is extra weight.
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I almost always wear shoes. Almost. I try to always have a light and a pocket knife. I prefer to wear a hat. Everything else is situational and if you're passing a chance to explore something because you're wearing the wrong color shirt, you're doing it wrong. I mean, yeah, I'll forgive you for not crawling into a sewer in your work suit on your way to the office, but still... If I'm going on a photo trip, I'll bring a bunch of photography stuff. If I'm planning on being underground for hours, I'll bring a bunch of lights and batteries and beer. But if I'm floating down the river and I see an outfall I haven't been in before (or that a friend hasn't been in) I'll climb in barefoot if that's what needs to happen. Don't sweat the gear unless you're doing something that requires gear.
I'm a "Leave only footprints, take only pornography" kind of guy, myself. | |
A lot when I do go out, but I'm spending a lot of time in rural Alaska. Haven't done much of anything like that this summer though.
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I try to wear long pants, hoodies etc. I adapt what I am wearing to the specific location. I sometimes bring extra clothes or a jacket if I have places to go after the location (you don't want to be smelling like mold and rotting carpets. You also can get very dirty during trips) I always have a flashlight on me, even if I don't think I will need it. I make sure my phone is charged beforehand (this is very important, you never know what could happen) And like most people, if I know I am going to be there for long periods of time,I bring food and drinks.
I may or may not have a backpack, I try not to over pack. It stresses me out knowing I have to worry about so many things besides myself and where I am. It might be better safe than sorry, but don't over do it
feel. alive. | |
Basically what everyone else is saying. Pack light, but also bring a baggie of baby-wipes when you're somewhere really dirty. Oh, and the gorilla suit. Can't forget the gorilla suit, they protect against all kinds of shit.
New. Improved? ... Extra shiny! | |
(You can skip this if you want, just describing how I blend in) Personally, I almost always wear black clothes. It's really all I own. I never really get any second looks because my style is described by most as emo/gothic or whatever they call me behind my back. Because of this, nobody really expects me to be a suspicious person when I'm scouting. I usually wear my earbuds and connect them to my phone without playing any music so people don't bother me and I can stay focused on my task better. When it's time to jump a fence or squeeze through a tight space, I do it as quickly as possible and then get away from the public areas such as sidewalks. I make sure to turn off my phone beforehand so the IP devices don't pick me up. (Here's where the important crap begins) I usually carry: Tick repellent, after literally being covered in them before, I always carry it. My tripod sometimes My camera of course My mask, protects against a lot of airborne nasties Gauze and hydrogen peroxide Gloves Most important thing is closed toed shoes Flashlight. Some places may be darker than you think Some snacks and water, just remember to throw the crap back in your bag after you're finished If you're a lady, feminine products if you may need them on the go A long sleeved overshirt, mosquitos are bad here in Florida
There's a concrete jungle calling my name out there. | |
Posted by NotBatman I almost always wear shoes. Almost. ....
....But if I'm floating down the river and I see an outfall I haven't been in before (or that a friend hasn't been in) I'll climb in barefoot if that's what needs to happen. Don't sweat the gear unless you're doing something that requires gear.
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This only applies if you're current on your tetanus shots.
I wandered till the stars went dim. | |
Posted by Floridian Risk Taker .... Some snacks and water, just remember to throw the crap back in your bag after you're finished ....
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This reminds me of something that I can't believe I didn't think of in the very beginning because it's so damn simple... I've recently started stuffing a small plastic shopping back into my backpack to throw my trash in. I feel better when I do and it goes a long way to corroborate my story as to why I'm at a location, and if I'm noticed on a property, that I'm considerate enough to not leave my waste behind. It's just a good habit that I try to make myself do - especially on longer explores. *** I forgot to mention an extra change of clothes - usually just stored in a duffel bag in the car trunk. I can't count the times (well, okay, I guess I can) that I've torn jeans on metal, barbed wire, etc. The first time this happened, it was winter and about 15F in a downtown area. I tore a hole in my (favorite) jeans from my ass cheek down to my shin, lol. It sucked, it was damn cold, and I had to walk through a busy downtown section of street to get to my meter-parked vehicle while trying to cover my exposed ass cheek. That was awkward, but I definitely started throwing in some extra clothing after that, and that was not the last time something similar happened, unfortunately! As a general rule, I pack as light as I can on my person, but I stock up my trunk pretty generously with many "maybe" and "just in case" items.
[last edit 7/26/2017 8:05 PM by Dee Ashley - edited 1 times]
I wandered till the stars went dim. | |
Thank you all for some tips! These really are helping me plan for the future. Anything else you guys think of feel free to post it!
- Laurel Twitter: @laurelexplores | |
I used to explore with very little gear. Black t-shirt, blue jeans, boots, cell-phone camera, and that's about it. These days I'm almost always exploring on my dirt bike so I'm already geared up for that. I leave all of my gear on when I arrive at a location in case I have to split quickly. - Full-face helmet - Lightly armored black jacket (elbows, back, shoulders) - Leather gloves - Jeans - Knee pads and shin guards - Steel toed boots - Backpack (first-aid, tools, emergency supplies, fuel) - Cell-phone camera (S7) On the bright side I feel a lot more safe and confident exploring unknown locations in full gear and my helmet prevents any cameras or pedestrians from seeing my face, on the down side it's extremely hot and I can only explore for about 15 - 20 minutes max before I'm drenched in sweat and have to either take off my gear (adding time to my departure) or leave and get back on the bike to cool off.
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Specifically brought with me for exploring: -camera -remote shutter -flashlight -kazoo -work ID showing I'm a "journalist" -business cards -scooter -Galaxy Note 7 -GoPro Hero 4 Session -a can or two of cat food -a can or two of beer -bottle opener -Ikea hex key -miniature action figure of myself -hoodie -torn winter jacket (even if it's summer) -black or grey pants -stolen goon squad jacket -either steel-toed black dress shoes or floppy laceless slip-ons -black biking gloves -white cotton(?) gloves -pirate flag -cloth facemasks -wooden masks -knife And if I'm draining: -fireworks -steel wool -sound system -raspberry wine -Santa suit if it's December -clown mask if I'm angry at people or want to get naked
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- Laurel Twitter: @laurelexplores | |
Posted by Steed Specifically brought with me for exploring: -camera -remote shutter -flashlight -kazoo -work ID showing I'm a "journalist" -business cards -scooter -Galaxy Note 7 -GoPro Hero 4 Session -a can or two of cat food -a can or two of beer -bottle opener -Ikea hex key -miniature action figure of myself -hoodie -torn winter jacket (even if it's summer) -black or grey pants -stolen goon squad jacket -either steel-toed black dress shoes or floppy laceless slip-ons -black biking gloves -white cotton(?) gloves -pirate flag -cloth facemasks -wooden masks -knife And if I'm draining: -fireworks -steel wool -sound system -raspberry wine -Santa suit if it's December -clown mask if I'm angry at people or want to get naked
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Yes, that's what I forgot! The raspberry wine!
- Laurel Twitter: @laurelexplores | |
Posted by Dee Ashley
This reminds me of something that I can't believe I didn't think of in the very beginning because it's so damn simple... I've recently started stuffing a small plastic shopping back into my backpack to throw my trash in. I feel better when I do and it goes a long way to corroborate my story as to why I'm at a location, and if I'm noticed on a property, that I'm considerate enough to not leave my waste behind. It's just a good habit that I try to make myself do - especially on longer explores. *** I forgot to mention an extra change of clothes - usually just stored in a duffel bag in the car trunk. I can't count the times (well, okay, I guess I can) that I've torn jeans on metal, barbed wire, etc. The first time this happened, it was winter and about 15F in a downtown area. I tore a hole in my (favorite) jeans from my ass cheek down to my shin, lol. It sucked, it was damn cold, and I had to walk through a busy downtown section of street to get to my meter-parked vehicle while trying to cover my exposed ass cheek. That was awkward, but I definitely started throwing in some extra clothing after that, and that was not the last time something similar happened, unfortunately! As a general rule, I pack as light as I can on my person, but I stock up my trunk pretty generously with many "maybe" and "just in case" items.
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Really good idea. I feel like people would be more inclined to trust you (since, of course, you aren't leaving trash on the property).
- Laurel Twitter: @laurelexplores | |
Posted by NotBatman I almost always wear shoes. Almost. I try to always have a light and a pocket knife. I prefer to wear a hat. Everything else is situational and if you're passing a chance to explore something because you're wearing the wrong color shirt, you're doing it wrong. I mean, yeah, I'll forgive you for not crawling into a sewer in your work suit on your way to the office, but still... If I'm going on a photo trip, I'll bring a bunch of photography stuff. If I'm planning on being underground for hours, I'll bring a bunch of lights and batteries and beer. But if I'm floating down the river and I see an outfall I haven't been in before (or that a friend hasn't been in) I'll climb in barefoot if that's what needs to happen. Don't sweat the gear unless you're doing something that requires gear.
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Beer is an essential.
- Laurel Twitter: @laurelexplores | |
Posted by Aran Clothing should be in dark or earth colors- blues, blacks, browns, tans, or dark greens. Not black- wearing all black is a surefire way to look suspicious.
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Not only is all black suspicious, it really pops in low light, oddly enough. Dark green, dark red, and grey don't stick out so much at night.
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I tend to pack light, but I'm someone that tends to do active sites more than abandonments and lives in the city. -dark casual clothing + running shoes -backpack (I have a navy-coloured lightweight drawstring one I use for most casual stuff) -phone, portable battery pack, charging cord (phone dying on an explore sucks 0/10 recommends) -very basic first aid stuff + small compact mirror (trust me it's useful if you hit your head or get a scratch on your face) -water, snacks (I like granola bars) -backup flashlight (I tend to use my phone as my main flashlight out of convenience but switch when my battery is low) -pocketknife -notebook + sharpie -ID (just in case) For draining a ziploc bag for your electronics and first aid stuff is useful, as well as a smaller ziploc for just your phone. And a change of clothes (or at least dry socks and shoes and maybe a towel) to leave in the car. Learned that the hard way. I tend to toss my trash back into my bag and just clear it out at home later.
"That sounds like a horrible idea! Let's do it!" | |
Not sure if this has been done before. How about a list of gear we all take with us while urbexing? I usually take my camera, lenses and tripod. Flashlight and fenix headband. Mask, smoke grenades if that's what I'm doing. Knife, multitool. Work gloves.
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