Camping Gear: How Important Is The Cute Factor?
I recently returned from a camping trip to Priest Lake, Idaho, and now I’ve got camping fever (the kind that makes you want to do more camping. Not sweaty-with-chills where you can only drink Sprite and watch TV.) Even after almost two years in the Inland Northwest, I still underestimate the weather.
I’m from West Virginia, where the summers are muggy and hot, even at night. I’m still getting my head around the idea that you can camp by a beach and need your fleecy pants and ski jacket more than your swimsuit (I brought two). I’d intended for my fleecy pants to be my pajamas. But after the first evening’s skirmish with mosquitos, I didn’t remove my tights until I got home (even after our friendly camping neighbors gave us some bug spray and fragrant white pine for our fire pit).
I could write praises unto my black fleecy tights. I will love them for the rest of their life. Still, my wandering eye couldn’t help notice these Poconos Sweater Pants (both photos below from Refinery29’s article about Extra-Cute Camping Gear.)
On a 7-mile hike at Upper Priest Lake, I carried my 2-liter Camelbak, which I also love. My hiking companion grabbed the little bright grass-green Embark pack I’d picked up at a thrift store. I have to say that this LeSportsac Ikat Print backpack also calls out to me. There’s gear I’d buy before another pack, but I’ll add it to my wish list.
The comments section of Refinery29’s article surprised me. Take, for example, this response: “i feel like if you need cute camping gear you probably shouldn’t go camping?” or “this list is good only if you’re ‘camping’ in an arboretum. I go cute in the city. I go rugged in the forest.”
Granted, if you’re really roughing it, then yes, you want to make sure that the gear you buy will withstand the hardships of the out-of-doors. But to claim that a desire for cute threads is incompatible with Real Camping seems wrongheaded to me. So the article includes more outdoor-inspired treasures rather than hardcore backpacker’s accoutrements. It’s a fashion site, not an REI catalog. If you don’t like cute, maybe you should find your own ugly forest (good luck).
Now I’m all worked up. Pass me that camp-friendly unicorn flask.
2 comments
Great inquiry and question Nicole. As a tree-hugger myself with a few thousand backpacking miles under my feet I would like to weigh in. I’m a tom-boy who doesn’t traditionally subscribe to trendy fashions – urban or nature. However, I thoroughly enjoy form and function, and if outdoor clothing functions for the outdoors, but has a cool hip print, then I’ll make the purchase.
What I don’t appreciate from the clothing manufacturers in common trend towards girly colors and patterns. I personally would not be caught skiing in a hot pink shell, or backpacking with floral print leggings. – but I would consider the leggings you feature in your article if they were not made of cotton and kept the cool air out. Again, form and function play a big role in my purchasing decisions.
the other aspect I consider is that when I am out in nature, one of the reasons is to get into nature and so much of my camping gear and clothing while perfectly functional for the activity, are also in colors and patterns that are harmonious to my surroundings.
I tend to keep away from loud colors or patterns for my tent, backpack and outer wear. While my shell is bright for rescue efforts (i.e., easier to be seen), everything else is more subtle so as not to distract from the beautiful (or ugly) landscape I am visiting and the original reason why I left the urban-landscape to enjoy the more natural one.
Thank you for the opportunity to share insights and I look forward to hearing from other women regarding your inquiry.
Happy Trails,
Kris
Kris,
Thanks for your insightful comments! You raise several good points here, not least that the definition of “cute” can be equated with “girly colors.” There are many ways for outdoor wear to be stylish. I’m one of those people with the hot pink ski jacket (who, sweet irony, doesn’t ski). But neon colors aren’t the only road to style (perhaps the whole world would be blind if it were?)
I’m more of a car camper, which definitely mitigates my risks if I bring the wrong clothes or gear. It makes sense that function trumps other considerations when you’re carrying all of your materials with you.
The search for stylish (and functional!!) gear continues…