forums
new posts
donate
UER Store
events
location db
db map
search
members
faq
terms of service
privacy policy
register
login




UER Forum > Rookie Forum > Gear for Exploring (Viewed 1296 times)
BoringEye 


Gender: Male
Total Likes: 2 likes




 |  | 
Gear for Exploring
< on 6/11/2021 6:34 AM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Hi. I'm relatively new here and to Urbexing in general. I have wanted to get into it with a small group of buddies (3-4 of us) and I'm curious what sort of gear we would need for starting off.

I'm curious about things like jackets, bags, shoes and such. I am also from Alberta, Canada so the weather can be kind of crazy too mind you.

Any advice or such would be great, thank you!

~Boring




~Stay Frosty
DuckSauce 


Location: Melbourne, Australia
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 12 likes




 |  | 
Re: Gear for Exploring
< Reply # 1 on 6/12/2021 2:37 AM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Hello!
Welcome here if you're new.
What sort of exploring do you and your friends like(or are interested in)?
That being said, a few must-haves for any exploring are:


  • A good torch (or two), preferably water proof, with spare batteries.
  • Good footwear, somewhat obvious, but strong, comfortable shoes will do wonders on a long explore.
  • Long pants, not only warm but will save you skin if you encounter some nasty stuff like: barbed wire, thorn bushes, or putting your foot through a floor/roof
  • Useful tools such as a leatherman, swiss knife, or multi-tool
  • First aid, just the basics will do, but handy in a group situation, someone always gets a cut.
  • Mobile phone or radio for emergencies, interpersonal communication, mapping ect.
  • Specialty tools if need be, such as manhole keys, UDT, picks, ect.
  • A bumbag, backpack, or dry bag for storing these items.

I can assist further if you have an idea of what sort of exploring you're likely to be doing. Eg. abandonments, caves, mines, drains, industrial buildings, active sites ect.




Don't slip in poo!
BoringEye 


Gender: Male
Total Likes: 2 likes




 |  | 
Re: Gear for Exploring
< Reply # 2 on 6/13/2021 5:43 AM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Posted by DuckSauce
Hello!
Welcome here if you're new.
What sort of exploring do you and your friends like(or are interested in)?
That being said, a few must-haves for any exploring are:


  • A good torch (or two), preferably water proof, with spare batteries.
  • Good footwear, somewhat obvious, but strong, comfortable shoes will do wonders on a long explore.
  • Long pants, not only warm but will save you skin if you encounter some nasty stuff like: barbed wire, thorn bushes, or putting your foot through a floor/roof
  • Useful tools such as a leatherman, swiss knife, or multi-tool
  • First aid, just the basics will do, but handy in a group situation, someone always gets a cut.
  • Mobile phone or radio for emergencies, interpersonal communication, mapping ect.
  • Specialty tools if need be, such as manhole keys, UDT, picks, ect.
  • A bumbag, backpack, or dry bag for storing these items.

I can assist further if you have an idea of what sort of exploring you're likely to be doing. Eg. abandonments, caves, mines, drains, industrial buildings, active sites ect.



We're mainly interested in abandoned locations and more industrial places. I know about two of us have some N95 respirators for stuff like mold.




~Stay Frosty
ryanpics 


Location: Central Va
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 447 likes




 |  |  | 
Re: Gear for Exploring
< Reply # 3 on 6/14/2021 12:40 AM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
I personally always explore in shorts and a t-shirt and sneakers. I like to be comfortable. But pants and boots are a smart thing to have. Bring a jacket if you think you'll need one, inside temperatures generally don't vary too much from the outside at abandoned places. Generally, industrial places have better air than more enclosed places like hospitals, but it's always good to have a respirator. A decent headlamp is a worthy investment too for industrial places because climbing ladders one-handed holding a light and climbing in the dark are both pretty bad options. Food and water is also nice to have on longer days. Don't stress too much about stuff to bring, you'll learn with time. As you get more experience finding and getting into places you'll probably start needing or not needing certain things.

Anyway, good luck and have fun!




BudPiffo 


Total Likes: 26 likes




 |  | 
Re: Gear for Exploring
< Reply # 4 on 6/15/2021 4:53 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Basically the same stuff as a day hike, plus some extras


  • Water
  • 2 headlamps and extra batteries
  • First aid - Duct tape, superglue, tweezers/scalpel blade, benadryl, and an epi-pen
  • N95 mask or respirator
  • Multitool
  • Binoculars
  • Work gloves
  • A hat - For gross crap in hair
  • Layers of clothing; long pants and sleeves - For gross crap, but also for bugs and poison ivy
  • Waterproof-ish boots with good ankle support
  • Bird guide - I like to "look for barn owls nesting"
  • A (cheap) bicycle if it's sketchy - It can be abandoned if necessary. Typically don't park cars too close.
  • NO tools for gaining access - wink wink


Minimally, just some water and the clothing I'm wearing



[last edit 6/15/2021 4:54 PM by BudPiffo - edited 1 times]

roue_libre 


Location: Tio'tia:ke / Montréal
Total Likes: 58 likes


freewheelin'

 |  | 
Re: Gear for Exploring
< Reply # 5 on 6/15/2021 7:35 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Posted by BudPiffo


  • Bird guide - I like to "look for barn owls nesting"
  • A (cheap) bicycle if it's sketchy - It can be abandoned if necessary. Typically don't park cars too close.
  • NO tools for gaining access - wink wink




F*ing brilliant, the bird guide prop.

Look what was circling right over me head a little while ago, high high over the city...
So, in a similar vein to your ornithology alibi:

"I was just innocently climbing this abandoned 40-floor facility so I could get up real close to the... turkey vultures?"

Does someone know for sure what species this raptor is?
Taken with 70mm lens + huge digital zoom.



edit: used [inp] instead of [pic], to make the photo appear in-post (no thumbnail)



[last edit 6/15/2021 7:50 PM by roue_libre - edited 1 times]

The best time to explore was [however long] ago; the second best time is now.
– Chinese proverb
ordille 


Location: New Jersey
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 11 likes




 |  |  | Instagram
Re: Gear for Exploring
< Reply # 6 on 6/19/2021 1:40 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Welcome to the urban exploration community!

I bring some basic things but they're still quite needed in given situations.

- Waterproof/Puncture-proof boots (I wear either DocMartens or Timbs)
- Adjustable Flashlight (Nitecore MT10)
- Gloves (Black Diamond Brand)
- Jacket/Hoodie
- T-Shirt
- Joggers/Jeans
- Knife (Ya never know what kinda things you'll have to cut through, hopefully, nobody gets shanked though)
- Respirator
- Hat
- Camera Bag
- Extra change of clothes just in case I happen to get soaked or any unfortunate situation unfolds

Stay safe and have all the fun in the world!




"Everyone can break the rules, few can face the consequences"
Explorer Zero 


Total Likes: 2026 likes




 |  |  | 
Re: Gear for Exploring
< Reply # 7 on 6/19/2021 5:54 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Posted by roue_libre


F*ing brilliant, the bird guide prop.

Look what was circling right over me head a little while ago, high high over the city...
So, in a similar vein to your ornithology alibi:

"I was just innocently climbing this abandoned 40-floor facility so I could get up real close to the... turkey vultures?"

Does someone know for sure what species this raptor is?
Taken with 70mm lens + huge digital zoom.

447474.jpg (71 kb, 1300x813)
click to view



edit: used [inp] instead of [pic], to make the photo appear in-post (no thumbnail)


Black Vulture / Coragyps atratus




Aran 


Location: Kansas City
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 1839 likes


Huh. I guess covid made me a trendsetter.

 |  | 
Re: Gear for Exploring
< Reply # 8 on 6/20/2021 5:26 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
I've seen so many posts talking about what gear you "need" to get started over the years, but honestly urbex doesn't require much. At it's core all you really need is a phone with a camera and a cheap flashlight.

Does investing in more gear make life easier? Absolutely. I have a messenger bag that I load up with my camera, tripod, flashlight, respirator, spare batteries, work gloves, water bottle, emergency snack, and cigarette pack (for bartering with homeless people) and I usually wear hiking boots and jeans. I also own rubber wading boots and an inflatable raft, which are necessary for select locations. Plenty of other explorers invest in drones, climbing gear, police scanners, and multi-thousand dollar camera setups.

But you don't need all that. It makes life easier and can help you access high difficulty locations, but in reality the actual gear requirements for this hobby are extremely low. Hell, in some circles a pack of cheap beer and a headlamp are all you really need.



[last edit 6/20/2021 5:30 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.

blitz 


Location: Cumberland, ME
Gender: Neither
Total Likes: 330 likes


Good news!

 |  |  | AIM Message
Re: Gear for Exploring
< Reply # 9 on 6/21/2021 5:13 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
less is more when it comes to exploring. simple: shirt & shoes required.

tools = evidence of breaking & entering...




I may not believe in marriage, but I do believe in best men.
fr00tCake 


Location: 0.506953, 73.450199
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 218 likes




 |  | 
Re: Gear for Exploring
< Reply # 10 on 6/21/2021 5:34 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Posted by Aran
I've seen so many posts talking about what gear you "need" to get started over the years, but honestly urbex doesn't require much. At it's core all you really need is a phone with a camera and a cheap flashlight.



+1

Before I brought anything, I explored literally decades with nothing, not even a flashlight. Not exactly smart, but the point is I didn't "need" anything. My kit is minimal, usually long pants, good shoes, cell camera, pocket knife, ball cap, flashlight. At an absolute minimum, I won't enter a structure without a flashlight. If I am exploring alone, which I usually do, I won't enter without a cell phone and at least 2 bars signal. I also will turn my GPS on before entering so my GF can track me, cause you never know - hell holes have eaten bigger men than me....

But I do also travel in a Jeep that is always ready for most anything. Full tool kit with spare parts, a "Bug Out Bag" which is filled with all kinds of apocalyptical nerd-a-liscious survival gear, and a well stocked first aid kit with everything from sutures to burn gel. How ever far my walk in is, is worth a walk back for paracord, extra flashlights, first aid, tools, gloves, bug spray, water, whatever.



[last edit 6/21/2021 5:35 PM by fr00tCake - edited 1 times]

UER Forum > Rookie Forum > Gear for Exploring (Viewed 1296 times)


Add a poll to this thread



This thread is in a public category, and can't be made private.



All content and images copyright © 2002-2024 UER.CA and respective creators. Graphical Design by Crossfire.
To contact webmaster, or click to email with problems or other questions about this site: UER CONTACT
View Terms of Service | View Privacy Policy | Server colocation provided by Beanfield
This page was generated for you in 93 milliseconds. Since June 23, 2002, a total of 737023078 pages have been generated.