I’m asking this not for the sake of advice, but out of curiosity. What clothes do you prefer to wear while exploring? Like material or style wise, do you prefer to wear something that produces less noise? Or does it never really matter to you?

I always try to wear long pants, not jeans, and collared shirts, just enough to look respectable in most situations and not scream tourist.

Posted by ArcticRattler I’m asking this not for the sake of advice, but out of curiosity. What clothes do you prefer to wear while exploring? Like material or style wise, do you prefer to wear something that produces less noise? Or does it never really matter to you?

I dress fully covered, so pants and long sleeve flannel. I like wearing jeans when I explore because they're less scrape and cut resistant. I always explore with boots. I would say I do not stand out.

Depends what you're exploring, but normal clothes so once you take 3 steps away from whatever you're exploring, like Keyser Söze at the end of The Usual Suspects, you just blend into the crowd.

Don't wear all black like you would expect, you would seem more suspicious and malicious

naked wearing nothing but a cockring... and a stylish yet functional pair of boots.

Posted by Kabes I dress fully covered, so pants and long sleeve flannel. I like wearing jeans when I explore because they're less scrape and cut resistant. I always explore with boots. I would say I do not stand out.

Never really thought of boots. Most of what I want to/try to explore isn’t super wet, muddy, etc. Though there are a few places near me I’d imagine I’d use them.

Posted by Steed I always try to wear long pants, not jeans, and collared shirts, just enough to look respectable in most situations and not scream tourist.

Fair enough. In terms of material, Nylon pants are definitely a no go for me, too noisy. Cargo and regular sweats or joggers are a go to, if it’s not too hot.

Posted by ArcticRattler Never really thought of boots. Most of what I want to/try to explore isn’t super wet, muddy, etc. Though there are a few places near me I’d imagine I’d use them.

I wear boots so I don't sprain my ankle and they have good traction. Your heels are also protected from cuts.

When I explore storm drains I always wear junky clothes (old worn T shirts, sweat shirts, long pants, dirty socks, hiking shoes (now I'm wearing waterproof boots until my hiking shoes are fixed), dirty socks)so I don't ruin any of my good clothes (LOL). Most of my junky clothes I have I found in dumpsters and outside on the ground somewhere. I also wear a backpack to hold all of my exploring stuff like flashlights, headlamps, batteries etc. In the winter I wear sweat shirts, winter jacket (junky jacket), long pants (cargo pants, jean like pants like carpenter pants), waterproof boots or waders depending on the drain or sewer. In the winter I try not to get wet when it's cold outside but it's hard to do sometimes (LOL). The reason I always wear long pants when I go exploring is because I do a lot of walking in water and weeds, so you never know what you will brush up against and get cut up on. My years of exploring I've gotten pretty cut up, bruised up just walking in the woods to look for drains, so I can tell you that it's a great idea for me to cover up my legs while walking in the unknown and if you are like me who likes to walk in deep water, there might be bullheads in the water that might sting you for which that hasn't happened to me yet (LOL).

Posted by hoover 2 When I explore storm drains I always wear junky clothes (old worn T shirts, sweat shirts, long pants, dirty socks, hiking shoes (now I'm wearing waterproof boots until my hiking shoes are fixed), dirty socks)so I don't ruin any of my good clothes (LOL). Most of my junky clothes I have I found in dumpsters and outside on the ground somewhere. I also wear a backpack to hold all of my exploring stuff like flashlights, headlamps, batteries etc. In the winter I wear sweat shirts, winter jacket (junky jacket), long pants (cargo pants, jean like pants like carpenter pants), waterproof boots or waders depending on the drain or sewer. In the winter I try not to get wet when it's cold outside but it's hard to do sometimes (LOL). The reason I always wear long pants when I go exploring is because I do a lot of walking in water and weeds, so you never know what you will brush up against and get cut up on. My years of exploring I've gotten pretty cut up, bruised up just walking in the woods to look for drains, so I can tell you that it's a great idea for me to cover up my legs while walking in the unknown and if you are like me who likes to walk in deep water, there might be bullheads in the water that might sting you for which that hasn't happened to me yet (LOL).

And they still let you in the pub/bar after you've finished?

I stick to comfortable well used long sleeve shirts in darker colors. I prefer black work pants that won't easily tear, and have a long narrow pocket for a flashlight.
Quality light weight water proof boots are a must for me. you may not always encounter standing water on and explore. But even a walk through wet grass will soak you feet in sneakers. also bare in mind steel toes are not your friends when running or climbing a chain link fence. Its also very important to bring a pair of cheep work gloves. they're countless things to cut yourself on in old buildings, and blood trails are easy for cops to follow LOL.

I prefer all my exploring clothes be earthy shades of natural colors such as brown, grey, green, tan, and blue. Colors that don't attract attention, in other words. You can wear black, but just remember that an all-black outfit can sometimes look more suspicious. Also remember that your goal is to blend in, so you should be wearing something that allows you to fade into a crowd- urban tactical fashion is not that. Your exploring clothes should easily double as street clothes.

Shirt- plain single color t-shirt. No logos, names, or identifying features. In cooler weather I'll add a flannel or sweatshirt in similar earthy tones- again, plain with no logos or names.

Jacket- Whatever fits the earthy color scheme and keeps you warm. I'm particularly fond of my leather aviator's jacket, but whatever works for you. Just no bright neon athletic gear.

Pants- Something tough and durable, again in muted earthy tones. Jeans are popular options, though various fits have advantages and disadvantages. Loose fit jeans breath easier in the heat and grant more flexibility, while tight fit are less likely to get caught on pointy bits. I personally prefer cargo pants for the added utility of extra pockets, allowing me to carry a stripped down exploring kit without needing a bag that might attract attention. Long pants generally offer better protection than shorts, with the exception of extremely hot weather.

Shoes- Something water resistant and tough. I usually wear hiking boots sprayed with waterproofing spray, though many explorers just wear tennis shoes. Whatever you wear, make sure it's enough to protect you from stepping on nails and miscellaneous sharp objects. Have a pair of rubber rainboots for when you absolutely must get your feet wet.

Accessories- I usually wear a baseball cap, work gloves and a bandana around my neck. The work gloves to protect my hands (and avoid leaving finger prints) and the bandana as a makeshift mask to hide my face when necessary. As for the baseball cap, no designs or logos that could be tied back to you. Keep it generic.

Bags- whatever your gear fits in. Most explorers use backpacks, though some use satchels. Satchels are easier to rummage through on the move, but backpacks don't get in the way as much when running, jumping, or climbing. Or you could try and fit your entire gear loadout in your pockets and skip the bag, to be more discreet. Your choice.

So yeah. To sum it all up, function over form and discretion above all else. Dress for exploring without looking like you're about to explore.

Speaking of masks and hiding one's face, one very nice thing about COVID-19 is it really normalised wearing regular facemasks, at least over here. During the height of the pandemic I'd go out wearing a mask, and then once I crossed fences into abandoned sites, the mask would come off. I'd still consider wearing a mask when entering some sites.

I usually wear work trousers or jeans from the same manufacturer. Combined with boots and a zip hoodie.
I prefer black, grey and beige as colours.
As gloves I usually only have a pair of work gloves.
Usually I cut logos off the clothing or avoid buying clothing which is visibly branded.

Here in germany it is often a good idea to pretend to be a worker oder technician, then people usually don't ask questions and let you do everything.

Posted by Unknown Error I usually wear work trousers or jeans from the same manufacturer. Combined with boots and a zip hoodie. I prefer black, grey and beige as colours. As gloves I usually only have a pair of work gloves. Usually I cut logos off the clothing or avoid buying clothing which is visibly branded. Here in germany it is often a good idea to pretend to be a worker oder technician, then people usually don't ask questions and let you do everything.

I have often joked about getting a hard hat, orange Vest, and a clip board to go with my ex municipal work truck. I imagine it would work quite well until my luck ran out LOL.

Posted by ArcticRattler I’m asking this not for the sake of advice, but out of curiosity. What clothes do you prefer to wear while exploring? Like material or style wise, do you prefer to wear something that produces less noise? Or does it never really matter to you?

I usually just wear jeans or joggers, tennis shoes and a hoodie. Would definitely reccommend long sleeves just because of how much random stuff there is you can cut yourself on. Would definitely reccommend lighter shoes though, not boots in case you need to run.

Posted by SN95cowboy I have often joked about getting a hard hat, orange Vest, and a clip board to go with my ex municipal work truck. I imagine it would work quite well until my luck ran out LOL.

At this point it’s not even a joke for me haha. It’ll happen at some point.

Posted by Aran Bags- whatever your gear fits in. Most explorers use backpacks, though some use satchels. Satchels are easier to rummage through on the move, but backpacks don't get in the way as much when running, jumping, or climbing. Or you could try and fit your entire gear loadout in your pockets and skip the bag, to be more discreet. Your choice.

Satchels? Would be a first for me. They do sound pretty convenient for specific types of locations though.

i think as a coda to this thread is that you need to dress for the location... especially if it's recently closed. Be mindful of what is around you (and can get on you). Some shit, even if its been there for a while can still fuck you up).

and you can track it back into your car or house... just some experience to pass along after spending twenty years in various industrial jobs.