I was just browsing through a few of the photos of you guys on your many adventures and it got me thinking about a few things. Now I don't mean to sound insulting, I am just asking.
I notice that many of you get all decked out in the full on Indy gear when you go on your adventures. Do you ever regret wearing your gear apposed to actual clothing designed for the situation?
I think back to when I hiked the West Coast Trail, and I can tell you that the last thing I would want to be wearing was a leather jacket and a bullwhip.
I personally think the Indy outfit is suited for outdoor adventures. Well, as long as it wasn't 90 degrees with 99 per cent humidity. Other than that, I can't imagine better protection than a leather jacket and fur felt fedora. Then, I always wore wool pants in cooler temps when I was backpacking. If wool gets wet, it still insulates. Boots? I prefer hiking boots, but any pair of boots would beat athetic shoes. Safari type shirts? Perfect for adventures. The epaulets are very useful for holding your camera strap to your shoulder. Plus, two pockets are always better than one. Just my opinion of course. Fedora
A light leather jacket is great for basic protection on the trail. You can plow through brush without worrying about getting perforated by thorns and sharp sticks. The fur felt fedora serves a similar function, and has the added bonus of keeping the sun out of your eyes and off of your face. For any casual hikes the MKvii is great for carrying your odds n' ends, not to mention water bottles, but for anything resembling a serious hike I'd leave it at home in favor of a backpack. As for the footwear, I leave my aldens at home. You can't beat the traction and ankle support of a good pair of hiking boots.
So to answer your question crazylegs, you have to use your head before you use your gear. If you know you're going to be hiking in a rocky area with some tricky/slippery parts of the trail you shouldn't bring your aldens. If you need to carry a sleeping bag and 3 days worht of food, I wouldn't suggest an MKvii. If it's going to be 90 degrees I'd leave the leather jacket. I've found that I've never regreted bringing my gear out, because I've usually planned my wardrobe around the purposes and limitations of my excursions.
I guess it depends on what one feels comfortable wearing. I can hike in a fedora and wool pants. I know people who will only venture out with the latest engineered clothing and gps devices! Technology is wonderful but I tend to lean towards the 'good old fashioned' approach to things.
Hat, jacket, bag(w/plenty of junk in it) and I am set to go!
LOL, well from my opinion it depends, like for me I don´t feel confortable wearing a fedora to Law School, but I feel great when i go to the mountains, or to any trip I make, beach, snow whatever.
And for adventure, I really think there is nothing better than a leather jacket and a Fedora
Well for the Sahara desert I plan to be taking the Fedora which I am guessing I shall be wearing pretty much all the time, the Wested though I think this will probably be more for the evenings/nights and the drive through Europe. Indy shirts will be going as well - very practical as both lightweight and have long sleeves, ideal for the desert. Web belt, whip too (its a legal weapon!). Not so sure about the pants. I would wear my Aldens only I dont have a servicable pair at present but got some really nice Indyesque boots of ebay really cheaply recently and currently breaking them in. Will bring the MKVII as well though not sure how much use it will get.
I will most likely therefore not be wearing all of this gear together but each item of gear does have practical functions in the right situation.
You'll probably LOVE the Wested on the desert. Temperatures can plunge up to 70 degrees in difference from daytime highs to nighttime lows, so even though the thermometer may show 70 degrees F, that's after a daytime high in the triple digits, so a jacket will feel REAL good at night. Regards. Michaelson
Also a good chance for some good ol' fashioned NATURAL distressing - yes I do like to naturally distress gear as well and I am sure sand will help things along!
Indiana Ken wrote:...Not so sure about the pants. ...
I will most likely therefore not be wearing all of this gear together but each item of gear does have practical functions in the right situation.
Ken
Beware of the gear with shorts look. Or else you will look like this:
Personally, I use technical gear for extreme conditions and Indy Gear when and where it is appropriate. I wouldn't snowboard in my Fedora and I wouldn't wear Gore-Tex to day trip to Newport, R.I. or site-seeing. -Personal opinion. I do try to get as much use from it as possible.
I find much of ithe gear practical- As many here have said, the jacket is great for temperature dips, and the bag is great for holding items I couldn't carry in my pockets.
As far as the hat goes, it comes in handy for keeping the sun/rain out of my eyes as well as making me look good doing it!
I do draw the line at carrying the whip around, even on hikes. There can be such a thing as too much, although I would carry it if I were deep in the back country- I understand the occasional sound of the whip-crack tends to keep bears away.
I always try too keep my gear with me.I have a leather backpack that holds everything.So I just throw that into my jeep & when the acasion comes for when gear is needed I have it with me.
There are times when I dont have my gear handy & then I have to improvise.I feel like Jones in the tombs in Venis.
Gear can be practical in certain sittuations but not if you wear it alone in ten below weather,Iv tried it it gets cold real fast!
Well anyways in my oppinion as long as your having fun wearing your gear then its practical.
Wear in great health & with attitude.
copper
I've been an outdoorsman my whole life. I find much of the Indy gear very practical. On cool days the leather jacket is great. Especially in my prat of the country because the heavy underbrush. The fedora works well to keep the sun out of your eyes and off of your face and neck. Besides its just so cool.
But I've developed Indy gear into part of my gear. Although I have a fedora and a Wested I never plan to buy a whip or a bag. I have Filson shoulder bag that my dad bought for me years ago. Its the perefct size for day hikes and is nearly bomb proof. I've got various bush shirts and pants, none of which are all that "Indy" When hiking of a summer I wear a pair of Russell snakeboots. In other seasons I wear a pair of Alico heavy weight mountaineering boots. A leather jacket and fedora doesn't work too well for rock climbing. I just use whats practical.
J_Weaver wrote: I never plan to buy a whip or a bag.
Yes... thats the way we all thought in the beginning... in a few years time you might have to retract that statement
Ken
Lol, that true. I remember someone saying that when you get your first Wested you think it will be the only one you'll buyy, but that you'll eventually have a few. Well, thats true. I've had my ToD Wested for 6 months and I'm already wanting a horsehide Raiders.
Other than that, I can't imagine better protection than a leather jacket and fur felt fedora. Then, I always wore wool pants in cooler temps when I was backpacking. If wool gets wet, it still insulates. 
Boots? I prefer hiking boots, but any pair of boots would beat athetic shoes. 
