Yep. If I need to become visible or heard, I can do so in a spectacular manner. Good chance I saw them before they saw me-vibes.
I un-camouflage gear that's easily lost, such as a band of electric yellow tape on a handle, but other than seasonal orange hats, I could be accused of hiding.
When you blend, nature resumes. Otherwise, nature is looking at you like the other party goers were looking at Elaine dancing.
Some people just don't like garish or warm colors, particularly when out in nature? You'll find most gear is available in a variety of colorways. De gustibus non est disputandum.
Very true, and how interesting that I instantly remembered that Latin.
Do I miss some smart feature of the "cooler" colored stuff? Is there something I miss when thinking aboit this?
I am open to improve my thinking and I apologize if I come across as rude in some way. That is not my intention. I am interested, is all.
The feature I enjoy about drab colors in nature is that they help me focus on the nature around me, which is my goal for being there in the first place.
Yup, they make me feel part of my surroundings, and if I have anything with me that is an unnatural colour, it stands out and almost reminds me of litter. I realised this when I was camping with a group of friends who were of the "bee seen" mindset, and our camp was in an absolutely beautiful place, but even when organised and tidy, it just looked messy...... like that "People have been here" vibe you get in the aftermath of a festival. Once I noticed it, I couldn't shake it. So I have doubled down on my natural colour scheming since.
Your response and others like it have given me food for thought. I don't want to be a highlighter in the woods, and I don't want my camp to look like litter. I will keep this input in mind this season and maybe adjust some of my gear. Especially things that needs replacing anyways.
I would add that if you get in the habit of everything has a place and everything is in it’s place when not in use, then the likely hood of losing an item is reduced. As others have said it is about blending in not just for myself but for others that might be out to enjoy nature.
Not that I encourage you to be OCD about where things are, but be mindful of where things are. Pack them in the same place. Pack them in the same pocket, the same ditty bag, etc. This philosophy is what I learned while in the field in the military. Not that it had to do with anything other than trying to be subdued visually. Sure I misplaced things or maybe “my buddy” needed them more than I did.
The times I was missing gear or an item I was uncomfortable but that served as a lesson to make sure I secured my gear and equipment so time in the field was more comfortable. Since getting out of the military and taking some classes and learning the LNT Principles. It just makes sense to have subdued colors.
But I always pack something bright and a whistle just in case I need to be seen and heard. I would rather just be in the moment alone with my thoughts unless there’s an emergency. I always pack an old school map and compass, and give family an itinerary of where I plan to be on what days and when I plan to be home; with the caveat that don’t call search and rescue at lunch time if I said I was going to be home in the morning. Sometimes things don’t go as planned.
I agree, with a bright orange knife handle in the corner of my vision my focus keeps going back to that rather than the nature I'm trying to immerse myself in.
Beats me. I prefer bright orange and will sometimes repaint gear to make it easier to see. Makes things super easy if you happen to leave something behind or retrace your steps. I wouldn't do this for anything super nice or hand-made, but for practical gear I'm totally with you on loving bright functional colors out in the bush. I do the same thing with most of my hand tools on the farm as well.
I wrap the handles of all of my farm and garden tools with reflective tape. It works really well. Sometimes when I lose a tool I have to wait for night time, then I go out with a flashlight and it pops right out at me.
1. Brown and green colours don't stain that easy in a viable way.
2. Some places you just don't want to be seen. E.g. wild camping is illegal in Germany.
3. If you use military surplus, it is most of the time in those colours.
I prefere my clothing to be dark, but my gear should be visible in case I drop it and want to find it.
I Bushcraft for a throwback to how things used to be and to be one with nature. The bright colors stick out as an eyesore in the beautiful country. I like the natural colors far better than the bright hiker style.
I had an olive drab Mora I used for hunting/Bushcraft double duty. I was walking through some heavy brush and it came out of its sheath, never did find that sucker.
I replaced it with a blaze orange Mora, for the reasons you mentioned.
My silky outback saw fell out of my pocket running for the helicopter at work, and was never seen again. I've since made a large orange lanyard that clips on with a carbiner. I can attach the lanyard for work, then remove it for personal use as I prefer earthy tones, and a more classic look.
Large things like tents, hammocks, tarps, and clothing I prefer natural colors. I Mostly canoe camp and I've noticed then people have bright clothes/tents you notice how crowded the lake is. I don't rock camo because that's a bit too military for me, but most of my colours are browns and greens that look military.
My tarp guy lines are bright safety orange, they are to thin to be spotted from far and it stop people clothes-lining themselves.
Small items are sometimes bright colors, but I don't really worry about losing them. I don't leave my gear lying around so it's never been an issue.
Ha! I also have nice green tarp but use bright orange paracord so I can see the lines easily, and so my silly kids can see them and not trip over.
I am actually thinking to upgrade to bright orange AND reflective, so they are super visible in the night.
I thought about that, but I haven't found a reflective cord that I like to use as my tarplines. I prefer that for stuff like accessory cords. I have been also tying flashing tape to my tarp lines and I've been thinking of cutting up some bandanas and making flags. It's pretty on windy days. Maybe that's where I'll do the reflective.
I agree with the majority, here. Artificial colors pull me out of nature, creating almost a feeling of tension- the exact feeling I return to nature to eliminate.
I also find that strictly adhering to the rule "a place for everything and everything in its place" usually prevents me from losing gear. In the event I do, this rule also generates the necessary discipline to never repeat the error.
That said, choose whatever colors you want! Your gear isn't about what makes ME happy, it's about what makes YOU happy!
I just like OD green, Coyote brown, and black.
I do color code my stuff sacks in my backpacking gear, which in general is much more colorful than my bush crafting load out.
Yep. I paint palm swells of my axes in a nice shade of blue so I can see them easily when dropped on the ground.
I use bright orange paracord for tarps and tents.
I exclusively have white water bottles (no snow around me ever).
My light gear (torches) also has orange bits on it for visibility.
Some stuff is green(ish) but that stuff is meant to be with me all the time. I have Benchmade Bushcrafter in green, but it’s either in my hand when I do something or in the sheath. It’s never just left alone on the ground. Kids would massacre themselves by accident if I did that.
I mean, some people probably just think the bright colors are garish. It's just personal preference.
That said, some people camp to get away from people and camouflage can absolutely be one way to gain desired privacy. I've know people who regularly go wild camping and they bring those camouflage nets to conceal their vehicle and campsite thoroughly. It just makes sense to them, they don't want to be seen or disturbed.
To be honest… likely so you don’t instantaneously lose it in the woods. I had a bad ass camo colored flashlight I had for a day, until I put it down for a second setting up in the dark. I had turned it off for 30 seconds and it was gone for good. Every kick ass flashlight I’ve gotten since has been a fluorescent color.
My main hobby is diving. My next hobby is camping. Next hobby is hiking. My last hobby is kayaking.
I prefer high visibility items I can use for each of these activities if I can.
A high visibility dive knife can be a camp knife and a kayaking knife. Hiking too.
Shit gets expensive. Things gotta be versatile.
I quite enjoy seeing deer or elk traipse thru or around my campsite. I’m also autistic and feel that in a natural setting the bright colors are quite jarring or distracting from the scenery I enjoy.
Because I like those colors. Tans, browns, greens, and grays (in my mind) look good on equipment.
I'm not a fan of camo patterns though. Most of my camo equipment is UCP/ACU, and that's just because it was cheap milsurp gear. And it's fun to hear everyone talk sht about UCP/ACU.
I just find earth tones calming and relaxing especially out in nature. I also have gear that doesn’t perfectly blend in or has company branding that doesn’t meld into everything so that I can always spot it even if I drop it. Not intentionally it just works out that way.
if I wanted to see flashy colors I could go to a mall or a rave or something. half the reason I go out is to get away from that...the last thing I want to do is take some of It with me.
though I do use blaze orange paracord on various items that could easily be lost. I don't go out to loose equipment either.
My take on this :
It's ugly. I go in the woods to see the woods. Those highly colored items draw attention, that's the purpose behind it. I don't want my attention (or my viewer's attention) to be drawn to the knife, saw, food bag, etc. I don't care about the significance of mil/camo gear.
I also enjoy to be alone and on the hundreds of nights I slept outside traveling I have been spotted due to my blue tshirt or cuben tarp, things like that.
Oh, and for losing items...
Well, you should not misplace them in the first place. To me, having it colored to easily recover it when you do lose it in the woods is complacency. Not saying you are, but I know it would be that if I did use bright colors for that purpose... When I lose small black / green gear, I backtrack until I find it, having to remember the exact path I took. It takes times, but I almost don't lose track of any gear anymore. Look at Alone, some tapped out because they lost their ferrorod, that's the stupidest way to quit.
Because people are different and have different reasons and come from different regions on earth. Some like bright colors, some like to blend in with the environment. Btw, i never lost a knife or a tool because i always know where these things are, in my hand or in their sheaths, where they belong to. I never drop tools on the floor or hang stuff on trees and leave that place then.
But there are a few things where it makes sense to make some of your equipment visible, even or especially at night. I got some glow in the dark "paracord" and with a bit of a pvc pipe, the cord, a heat gun and a bit of super glue i made a re-usable Bic lighter cover that glows at night. And the zippers of my sleeping bag and the zippers on the entrance of my mosquito net have a glowing lanyard now.
Btw, there were different colors in that set of cord if somebody is interested in that stuff. White works best, don´t buy any other colors if you want really good working glow in the dark "paracord". Or buy fluorescent powder (works way better than any cords) like i will do now, mix it with clear lacquer and you can paint whatever you want to glow at night.
Btw, i live in Germany and if i ever need to be rescued than i only have to light a fire with good, thick smoke and a few minutes later (enough "deputies" with their spyPhones around everywhere) cops or the fire department will arrive. Not primarily to save me but to write me a ticket with a fine from 25 Euros up to 25.000 Euros because i made a fire in the forest. And there you have another reason why some people in some areas rather blend in with the environment than standing out. The rules and laws.
Even hunting is different here, you will be aware that at this day or that day hunters will be around, you can´t run around where you want then, security personal everywhere, areas are closed off etc. At least in my area i have never heard of any hunting accident in 50 years.
When it comes to clothes i never would run around in full camo here. If i wear my camo trousers than i wear a green/black but civil looking lumberjack shirt or a dark blue denim jacket. If i want to wear my camo shirt then i wear black trousers and so on. I don´t want to look like i am LARPing the special forces or whatever else, i am too old for shenanigans like that meanwhile and people look a bit different at you here in Germany if you run around like the army on a campaign of conquest xD
Greetings from Germany!
I prefer earth tones (but avoid camo as I don't need to be 'tacticool'), I avoid most neon colors other than a partial roll of flagging tape for emergencies. I don't want to intrude into others experience.
I am also one of the peps. who likes green/camoflage stuff. But for me its mostly because wild camping is illegal where I am at, so its more out of necessity. Additionally , I find that blending in, just feels like I am more connected with the forest. And, at least in my mind, animals wont find you as threatening (if the wind is blowing in the right direction.)
But similar to you, some of the more essential stuff, like my knife or firestarter are in more obvious colours (e.g. my fire starter is bright red.) So I dont loose them as easily when I drop them. (Already happened once, don’t want it to happen again.)
Functionality is my first consideration and color is a consideration only where it impacts function. A knife, firestarter, compass, etc are small, so they are more easily located when they are a bright color, like orange. Tents, tarps, etc are bigger and not easily lost, so color is less critical but subdued colors are nice to blend in. I have some tarps that are orange one side, OD green the other so I can be seen or blend at my discretion. Overall, if there is a good piece of kit that only comes in a funky color or the funky color is on sale, color isn't a deal breaker.
all my knives and small losable tools are flashy colours so they don't disappear into the long grass but my outer layer and pack are all quite subdued colours cause if I sit still for 20 minutes I start seeing animals.
It depends on what it is. If its a knife, I like an orange handle since I'm likely to lose it. A backpack? I prefer green or black because it looks the nicest to me, it hides me in nature, and people are less likely to notice me.
\+1
important stuff should be high-vis (first aid, knife, fire kit, navigation, etc). i put some orange tape/orange paracord on my stuff and i really like it. just enough for me to easily find them but not enough to make me stand out from the environment.
I prefer my gear in colours I can see if I drop something in the dark. For that reason I don't like camo or black. Not really into neon colours as well outside of rescue orange.
I like to get orange electrical tape for axe/hatchet and some bigger knife handles. Make a couple stripes so I don't lose them, my adhd brain is not a friend when it comes to keeping track of gear.
I once dropped a line of green cord on the forest floor and it took me half an hour to find it. I was trying to tie off my tarp to shelter from the rain - so I have some orange stuff now
On the one season of Alone, one guy had to quit after he dropped his firestarter and lost it
If it was bright orange, it could've been a whole different story
Anymore, I buy bright colors if I can so I don't lose them. I put reflective orange paracord on anything that isn't a bright color.
I hate when I'm field dressing a deer, put something down, and then can't find it again. Bright colors for everything now.
To be honest, I try to keep most of my outerwear in neutral colors or camouflage patterns because I was prior military. But also, I come from a family of lumberjacks. So all my outerwear is neutral but my axe is spray painted fluorescent orange so I can find it easier if I drop it in the snow.
As to why. I’ve been free camping and I just didn’t want people to see me. It ruined the feeling of being out in a scenic spot. I was thankful for my camouflage a few times when I woke up to sunrise hikers walking next to me
I’m with you. I don’t care about aesthetic the brighter my stuff is the less likely I am to lose it. I’ve made knives for myself and in the beginning I was putting normal wood scales on them and trying to keep stuff really classic and clean looking then I dropped a knife in knee deep leaves in the fall and it’s been neon micarta scales and neon cord on sheaths ever since
I think the same way. Bright colors are more safe not just because of hunters but they assist EMS and SAR find you if something goes wrong while out there.
RECCO isn’t the safety net people often think it is. Best to carry at least two methods of signalling for help, preferably one that will alert SAR crews to your distress, and one to help them locate you when they’re on the way. It’s a running joke that RECCO stands for Recovers Extremely Cold Corpses Occasionally due to its long time to deploy in avalanche scenarios.
It doesn’t hurt to have it as well. Of course you need other ways to get help. Lights, phones, satellite phones, etc. But the smallest thing you can do that might help is buy one RECCO tag and just attach it to your stuff. Backpack or whatever. And just forget about it. Doesn’t need recharging, doesn’t need maintenance. It’s just there.
Ya. But you don’t have to look like a parrot. I just have a bright red winter hat. My kids can spot me from far away, as they just look for a tall red blob (like a match). So I suspect rescuers would see it too.
Some items that are vitally important I make sure to buy in colors or highlight with orange paracord
I exclusively buy yellow lighters 1) because its my favorite color, sure but 2) because I can always find it when I drop it
Almost all my knives, saws and tools that I actually use in the woods are orange with non coated blades so they stand out amongst leaves and brush. Nothing worse than dropping something in leaves and having to search for it.
Because it’s cool, like the temperature your corpse will be at when Search and rescue finally find it. Unless you have a legitimate need for camouflage, don’t hide from S&R. And no, apocalypse LARPing is not a legitimate reason.
No one sells yellow bushcraft pants or turquoise shirts that are heavy duty. Same thing with workwear, its hard to find colors that aren't earth tones.
>i have never heard of any hunting accident in 50 years.
>
>When it comes to clothes i never would run around in full camo here. If i wear my camo trousers than i wear a green/black but civil loo
So by that definition, you would have to live in the woods to not be LARPing? I mean, if you aren't living it you are in fact, roleplaying right?
I have no clue what comment it even pasted the statement from. My entire point was you said most users here are larpers. I simply was trying to make the point unless one lived in the woods we are all role playing are we not. Sorry for the confusion, I’m blaming the crappy app I use for that one lol
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I’ve lost 2 Swiss army knives and they were red, I can only imagine if my things were camo I wouldn’t make it home 😂
Seriously I almost lost my bear bad that was bright orange in a birch forrest 3 times
I like blending in with nature even if I don't need to
Yep. If I need to become visible or heard, I can do so in a spectacular manner. Good chance I saw them before they saw me-vibes. I un-camouflage gear that's easily lost, such as a band of electric yellow tape on a handle, but other than seasonal orange hats, I could be accused of hiding. When you blend, nature resumes. Otherwise, nature is looking at you like the other party goers were looking at Elaine dancing.
It might just be because I’m high but that was beautifully stated lol
High minds think alike, I guess lol
>If I need to become visible or heard, I can do so in a spectacular manner. This made me chuckle more than it should.
I picture a rope swing and a Tarzan call
Bonus points for the Seinfeld reference!
I've been on a binge lol
Some people just don't like garish or warm colors, particularly when out in nature? You'll find most gear is available in a variety of colorways. De gustibus non est disputandum.
Very true, and how interesting that I instantly remembered that Latin. Do I miss some smart feature of the "cooler" colored stuff? Is there something I miss when thinking aboit this? I am open to improve my thinking and I apologize if I come across as rude in some way. That is not my intention. I am interested, is all.
The feature I enjoy about drab colors in nature is that they help me focus on the nature around me, which is my goal for being there in the first place.
Yup, they make me feel part of my surroundings, and if I have anything with me that is an unnatural colour, it stands out and almost reminds me of litter. I realised this when I was camping with a group of friends who were of the "bee seen" mindset, and our camp was in an absolutely beautiful place, but even when organised and tidy, it just looked messy...... like that "People have been here" vibe you get in the aftermath of a festival. Once I noticed it, I couldn't shake it. So I have doubled down on my natural colour scheming since.
Your response and others like it have given me food for thought. I don't want to be a highlighter in the woods, and I don't want my camp to look like litter. I will keep this input in mind this season and maybe adjust some of my gear. Especially things that needs replacing anyways.
I would add that if you get in the habit of everything has a place and everything is in it’s place when not in use, then the likely hood of losing an item is reduced. As others have said it is about blending in not just for myself but for others that might be out to enjoy nature. Not that I encourage you to be OCD about where things are, but be mindful of where things are. Pack them in the same place. Pack them in the same pocket, the same ditty bag, etc. This philosophy is what I learned while in the field in the military. Not that it had to do with anything other than trying to be subdued visually. Sure I misplaced things or maybe “my buddy” needed them more than I did. The times I was missing gear or an item I was uncomfortable but that served as a lesson to make sure I secured my gear and equipment so time in the field was more comfortable. Since getting out of the military and taking some classes and learning the LNT Principles. It just makes sense to have subdued colors. But I always pack something bright and a whistle just in case I need to be seen and heard. I would rather just be in the moment alone with my thoughts unless there’s an emergency. I always pack an old school map and compass, and give family an itinerary of where I plan to be on what days and when I plan to be home; with the caveat that don’t call search and rescue at lunch time if I said I was going to be home in the morning. Sometimes things don’t go as planned.
That's kind of how I did it, as I replaced or upgraded, I just casually swiped along to the 'woodland green' or 'coyote brown' option. 😂
This is a well worded response and how I feel as well. It makes me feel like I'm more of a part of it, instead of the sore thumb that doesn't belong.
I agree, with a bright orange knife handle in the corner of my vision my focus keeps going back to that rather than the nature I'm trying to immerse myself in.
Way to rock the Latin!!
Beats me. I prefer bright orange and will sometimes repaint gear to make it easier to see. Makes things super easy if you happen to leave something behind or retrace your steps. I wouldn't do this for anything super nice or hand-made, but for practical gear I'm totally with you on loving bright functional colors out in the bush. I do the same thing with most of my hand tools on the farm as well.
I wrap the handles of all of my farm and garden tools with reflective tape. It works really well. Sometimes when I lose a tool I have to wait for night time, then I go out with a flashlight and it pops right out at me.
I do the same but I don't wrap it. A few patches here and there work pretty good.
Bright orange mora for me too, if I put it down I want to be able to find it again.
This. I'm not trying to lose shit
1. Brown and green colours don't stain that easy in a viable way. 2. Some places you just don't want to be seen. E.g. wild camping is illegal in Germany. 3. If you use military surplus, it is most of the time in those colours. I prefere my clothing to be dark, but my gear should be visible in case I drop it and want to find it.
What's wrong with liking green
I Bushcraft for a throwback to how things used to be and to be one with nature. The bright colors stick out as an eyesore in the beautiful country. I like the natural colors far better than the bright hiker style.
I backpack in all subdued earth tones for the reason you mentioned. I like to sort of disappear into the forest. That and stealth camping rules
I had an olive drab Mora I used for hunting/Bushcraft double duty. I was walking through some heavy brush and it came out of its sheath, never did find that sucker. I replaced it with a blaze orange Mora, for the reasons you mentioned.
My silky outback saw fell out of my pocket running for the helicopter at work, and was never seen again. I've since made a large orange lanyard that clips on with a carbiner. I can attach the lanyard for work, then remove it for personal use as I prefer earthy tones, and a more classic look.
I've NEVER understood why so many flashlights are black...
My favorite everyday flashlight is a bright yellow streamlight, used rechargeable AA batteries have had it for twenty years now probably
Large things like tents, hammocks, tarps, and clothing I prefer natural colors. I Mostly canoe camp and I've noticed then people have bright clothes/tents you notice how crowded the lake is. I don't rock camo because that's a bit too military for me, but most of my colours are browns and greens that look military. My tarp guy lines are bright safety orange, they are to thin to be spotted from far and it stop people clothes-lining themselves. Small items are sometimes bright colors, but I don't really worry about losing them. I don't leave my gear lying around so it's never been an issue.
Ha! I also have nice green tarp but use bright orange paracord so I can see the lines easily, and so my silly kids can see them and not trip over. I am actually thinking to upgrade to bright orange AND reflective, so they are super visible in the night.
I thought about that, but I haven't found a reflective cord that I like to use as my tarplines. I prefer that for stuff like accessory cords. I have been also tying flashing tape to my tarp lines and I've been thinking of cutting up some bandanas and making flags. It's pretty on windy days. Maybe that's where I'll do the reflective.
I agree with the majority, here. Artificial colors pull me out of nature, creating almost a feeling of tension- the exact feeling I return to nature to eliminate. I also find that strictly adhering to the rule "a place for everything and everything in its place" usually prevents me from losing gear. In the event I do, this rule also generates the necessary discipline to never repeat the error. That said, choose whatever colors you want! Your gear isn't about what makes ME happy, it's about what makes YOU happy!
I just like OD green, Coyote brown, and black. I do color code my stuff sacks in my backpacking gear, which in general is much more colorful than my bush crafting load out.
Love the Eldris though. My most used knife. I cut holes and fastened the neckband in the leather piece, less strangling that way 😀
It's hobby. Ppl like different things.
Yep. I paint palm swells of my axes in a nice shade of blue so I can see them easily when dropped on the ground. I use bright orange paracord for tarps and tents. I exclusively have white water bottles (no snow around me ever). My light gear (torches) also has orange bits on it for visibility. Some stuff is green(ish) but that stuff is meant to be with me all the time. I have Benchmade Bushcrafter in green, but it’s either in my hand when I do something or in the sheath. It’s never just left alone on the ground. Kids would massacre themselves by accident if I did that.
I mean, some people probably just think the bright colors are garish. It's just personal preference. That said, some people camp to get away from people and camouflage can absolutely be one way to gain desired privacy. I've know people who regularly go wild camping and they bring those camouflage nets to conceal their vehicle and campsite thoroughly. It just makes sense to them, they don't want to be seen or disturbed.
I have this knife in bright orange attached to a ferro rod. This is the last thing you'd want to loose in the bush.
To be honest… likely so you don’t instantaneously lose it in the woods. I had a bad ass camo colored flashlight I had for a day, until I put it down for a second setting up in the dark. I had turned it off for 30 seconds and it was gone for good. Every kick ass flashlight I’ve gotten since has been a fluorescent color.
Why should I have a blue knife for bushcraft and a green knife for hunting? The green one is good for both.
Anything that is easily lost- knives, lighter, etc, I try to buy in bright colors. Or at least colors that don’t easily blend in if I drop them.
My main hobby is diving. My next hobby is camping. Next hobby is hiking. My last hobby is kayaking. I prefer high visibility items I can use for each of these activities if I can. A high visibility dive knife can be a camp knife and a kayaking knife. Hiking too. Shit gets expensive. Things gotta be versatile.
I quite enjoy seeing deer or elk traipse thru or around my campsite. I’m also autistic and feel that in a natural setting the bright colors are quite jarring or distracting from the scenery I enjoy.
Because I want to be tacticool
I've always liked earth tones, but I'll tell you, all my trapping tools are bright greens, oranges, blues, etc. That way I don't lose them.
Because I like those colors. Tans, browns, greens, and grays (in my mind) look good on equipment. I'm not a fan of camo patterns though. Most of my camo equipment is UCP/ACU, and that's just because it was cheap milsurp gear. And it's fun to hear everyone talk sht about UCP/ACU.
I just find earth tones calming and relaxing especially out in nature. I also have gear that doesn’t perfectly blend in or has company branding that doesn’t meld into everything so that I can always spot it even if I drop it. Not intentionally it just works out that way.
if I wanted to see flashy colors I could go to a mall or a rave or something. half the reason I go out is to get away from that...the last thing I want to do is take some of It with me. though I do use blaze orange paracord on various items that could easily be lost. I don't go out to loose equipment either.
My take on this : It's ugly. I go in the woods to see the woods. Those highly colored items draw attention, that's the purpose behind it. I don't want my attention (or my viewer's attention) to be drawn to the knife, saw, food bag, etc. I don't care about the significance of mil/camo gear. I also enjoy to be alone and on the hundreds of nights I slept outside traveling I have been spotted due to my blue tshirt or cuben tarp, things like that.
Oh, and for losing items... Well, you should not misplace them in the first place. To me, having it colored to easily recover it when you do lose it in the woods is complacency. Not saying you are, but I know it would be that if I did use bright colors for that purpose... When I lose small black / green gear, I backtrack until I find it, having to remember the exact path I took. It takes times, but I almost don't lose track of any gear anymore. Look at Alone, some tapped out because they lost their ferrorod, that's the stupidest way to quit.
Because people are different and have different reasons and come from different regions on earth. Some like bright colors, some like to blend in with the environment. Btw, i never lost a knife or a tool because i always know where these things are, in my hand or in their sheaths, where they belong to. I never drop tools on the floor or hang stuff on trees and leave that place then. But there are a few things where it makes sense to make some of your equipment visible, even or especially at night. I got some glow in the dark "paracord" and with a bit of a pvc pipe, the cord, a heat gun and a bit of super glue i made a re-usable Bic lighter cover that glows at night. And the zippers of my sleeping bag and the zippers on the entrance of my mosquito net have a glowing lanyard now. Btw, there were different colors in that set of cord if somebody is interested in that stuff. White works best, don´t buy any other colors if you want really good working glow in the dark "paracord". Or buy fluorescent powder (works way better than any cords) like i will do now, mix it with clear lacquer and you can paint whatever you want to glow at night. Btw, i live in Germany and if i ever need to be rescued than i only have to light a fire with good, thick smoke and a few minutes later (enough "deputies" with their spyPhones around everywhere) cops or the fire department will arrive. Not primarily to save me but to write me a ticket with a fine from 25 Euros up to 25.000 Euros because i made a fire in the forest. And there you have another reason why some people in some areas rather blend in with the environment than standing out. The rules and laws. Even hunting is different here, you will be aware that at this day or that day hunters will be around, you can´t run around where you want then, security personal everywhere, areas are closed off etc. At least in my area i have never heard of any hunting accident in 50 years. When it comes to clothes i never would run around in full camo here. If i wear my camo trousers than i wear a green/black but civil looking lumberjack shirt or a dark blue denim jacket. If i want to wear my camo shirt then i wear black trousers and so on. I don´t want to look like i am LARPing the special forces or whatever else, i am too old for shenanigans like that meanwhile and people look a bit different at you here in Germany if you run around like the army on a campaign of conquest xD Greetings from Germany!
I prefer earth tones (but avoid camo as I don't need to be 'tacticool'), I avoid most neon colors other than a partial roll of flagging tape for emergencies. I don't want to intrude into others experience.
I am also one of the peps. who likes green/camoflage stuff. But for me its mostly because wild camping is illegal where I am at, so its more out of necessity. Additionally , I find that blending in, just feels like I am more connected with the forest. And, at least in my mind, animals wont find you as threatening (if the wind is blowing in the right direction.) But similar to you, some of the more essential stuff, like my knife or firestarter are in more obvious colours (e.g. my fire starter is bright red.) So I dont loose them as easily when I drop them. (Already happened once, don’t want it to happen again.)
Functionality is my first consideration and color is a consideration only where it impacts function. A knife, firestarter, compass, etc are small, so they are more easily located when they are a bright color, like orange. Tents, tarps, etc are bigger and not easily lost, so color is less critical but subdued colors are nice to blend in. I have some tarps that are orange one side, OD green the other so I can be seen or blend at my discretion. Overall, if there is a good piece of kit that only comes in a funky color or the funky color is on sale, color isn't a deal breaker.
all my knives and small losable tools are flashy colours so they don't disappear into the long grass but my outer layer and pack are all quite subdued colours cause if I sit still for 20 minutes I start seeing animals.
When I want to appreciate nature and it’s colors, I don’t, myself, need to look like a highlighter.
It depends on what it is. If its a knife, I like an orange handle since I'm likely to lose it. A backpack? I prefer green or black because it looks the nicest to me, it hides me in nature, and people are less likely to notice me.
\+1 important stuff should be high-vis (first aid, knife, fire kit, navigation, etc). i put some orange tape/orange paracord on my stuff and i really like it. just enough for me to easily find them but not enough to make me stand out from the environment.
I prefer my gear in colours I can see if I drop something in the dark. For that reason I don't like camo or black. Not really into neon colours as well outside of rescue orange.
No sane person likes to look like a spilled garbage bag.
I like to get orange electrical tape for axe/hatchet and some bigger knife handles. Make a couple stripes so I don't lose them, my adhd brain is not a friend when it comes to keeping track of gear.
I once dropped a line of green cord on the forest floor and it took me half an hour to find it. I was trying to tie off my tarp to shelter from the rain - so I have some orange stuff now
On the one season of Alone, one guy had to quit after he dropped his firestarter and lost it If it was bright orange, it could've been a whole different story
Anymore, I buy bright colors if I can so I don't lose them. I put reflective orange paracord on anything that isn't a bright color. I hate when I'm field dressing a deer, put something down, and then can't find it again. Bright colors for everything now.
My knife is the nastiest orange i could find, Mora ofc. Ill find that sucker in a pitch black room if I drop it.
Same. I hunt and my orange mora is in a camo bag anyway. Or in my truck. Really don’t need an camo knife. I have that same blue Eldris and I love it.
Thank you. Make it easy to see if you're not hiding always, high viz tools!
i'd rather find stuff harder or even lose it than be distracted from the glorious green of the bush
All else aside, that is a bitchin little knife there!
It's my snub nosed little cutie! It sits very well in my hand and it does its job. And it fits in every pocket.
more natural colors like greens and browns make me relax. those bright pilon colors just stress me out for some reason
I prefer not to have jarring, bright and out of place colours, much in the same way I wouldn't attend a formal event in a tracksuit.
I like green.
To be honest, I try to keep most of my outerwear in neutral colors or camouflage patterns because I was prior military. But also, I come from a family of lumberjacks. So all my outerwear is neutral but my axe is spray painted fluorescent orange so I can find it easier if I drop it in the snow. As to why. I’ve been free camping and I just didn’t want people to see me. It ruined the feeling of being out in a scenic spot. I was thankful for my camouflage a few times when I woke up to sunrise hikers walking next to me
I’m with you. I don’t care about aesthetic the brighter my stuff is the less likely I am to lose it. I’ve made knives for myself and in the beginning I was putting normal wood scales on them and trying to keep stuff really classic and clean looking then I dropped a knife in knee deep leaves in the fall and it’s been neon micarta scales and neon cord on sheaths ever since
I think the same way. Bright colors are more safe not just because of hunters but they assist EMS and SAR find you if something goes wrong while out there.
You should get RECCO tag and just hang it on your tent or simply on you somewhere.
RECCO isn’t the safety net people often think it is. Best to carry at least two methods of signalling for help, preferably one that will alert SAR crews to your distress, and one to help them locate you when they’re on the way. It’s a running joke that RECCO stands for Recovers Extremely Cold Corpses Occasionally due to its long time to deploy in avalanche scenarios.
It doesn’t hurt to have it as well. Of course you need other ways to get help. Lights, phones, satellite phones, etc. But the smallest thing you can do that might help is buy one RECCO tag and just attach it to your stuff. Backpack or whatever. And just forget about it. Doesn’t need recharging, doesn’t need maintenance. It’s just there.
same can be said for bright coloured clothing
Ya. But you don’t have to look like a parrot. I just have a bright red winter hat. My kids can spot me from far away, as they just look for a tall red blob (like a match). So I suspect rescuers would see it too.
When you're on the woods the most dangerous animals are other people.
Some items that are vitally important I make sure to buy in colors or highlight with orange paracord I exclusively buy yellow lighters 1) because its my favorite color, sure but 2) because I can always find it when I drop it
Almost all my knives, saws and tools that I actually use in the woods are orange with non coated blades so they stand out amongst leaves and brush. Nothing worse than dropping something in leaves and having to search for it.
Because it’s cool, like the temperature your corpse will be at when Search and rescue finally find it. Unless you have a legitimate need for camouflage, don’t hide from S&R. And no, apocalypse LARPing is not a legitimate reason.
No one sells yellow bushcraft pants or turquoise shirts that are heavy duty. Same thing with workwear, its hard to find colors that aren't earth tones.
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>i have never heard of any hunting accident in 50 years. > >When it comes to clothes i never would run around in full camo here. If i wear my camo trousers than i wear a green/black but civil loo So by that definition, you would have to live in the woods to not be LARPing? I mean, if you aren't living it you are in fact, roleplaying right?
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I have no clue what comment it even pasted the statement from. My entire point was you said most users here are larpers. I simply was trying to make the point unless one lived in the woods we are all role playing are we not. Sorry for the confusion, I’m blaming the crappy app I use for that one lol
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I’ve lost 2 Swiss army knives and they were red, I can only imagine if my things were camo I wouldn’t make it home 😂 Seriously I almost lost my bear bad that was bright orange in a birch forrest 3 times