The Adventurer's Gear Thread

[Matt Deckard]

Now that's the ticket... Safari all the way. I need a big fat pith helmut. I have the hats, though I haven't found the right pith. I have a smaller not so cool lookin one that's very much Like you Indy's nemesis wearing in Raiders, though it doesn't suit me.

[Baggers]

Looking good Matt!

I have a couple of pairs of Filson's safari cloth poplin trousers as well as a shirt. I also recently added some of their feather cloth short sleeve shirts to the wardrobe, just the job for the hot, humid weather beginning to rear it's ugly head here in Texas. I also have an older pattern Filson bush jacket that I like a lot. Add a plain brown leather belt, my Courtney kudu skin suede "vellies" or my Aldens, an Akubra slouch hat with a proper British center crease and I'm good to go. I also have a Tilley T3 for when the weather gets really hot.

I've also have a pair of Orvis desert boots, but I never wear them around here for fear the light colored crepe rubber soles will get blackened from all the city soot. I'm saving those for trips into the desert southwest where the dirt is, well, desert colored.

I've got a couple of pith helmets as well. A Repro Wolesley from WPG, and a more traditionally shaped one made in Zimbabwe, but those are more for "fancy dress" than for real use. I've also got a repro Foreign Service helmet, like the ones worn in "Zulu," but that one is really just a costume piece that I bought to wear in a theatrical production I was in a couple of years ago.

Cheers!

[Tourbillion]

Here's some inspiration for you guys from the old family photo files. What I wouldn't give for my great-aunties jodhpurs...

[Kodiak]

I've always liked to look at myself as an "adventurer" of sorts. I've always loved "adventuring" gear. I've also always liked to dream of Africa and India in the Victorian era of high adventure.

To keep a long thread shorter, what are your opinions on vintage adventuring gear, from any time period? What "outfits" have you put together, and where have you gotten the pieces from?

[Spatterdash]

Ya know, your best bet might be to simply brew a pot of coffee, sit down and pull up the Search feature here at the Lounge.

You'll find a lot of commentary and sources for items like:
Safari Jackets
Safari Slacks
Knickers
Pith Helmets
Boots
Gaiters
Leather goods (braces, belts, holsters, bags, vests, jackets, gloves)
Hats
Oilskin Coats
Khaki/safari shirts

You'll even find some handy items by looking into "Travel or "Outdoor".
There is so much here. Get ready to start a list and keep Google handy for those times someone mentions something in an archived thread with no link.

[Hemingway Jones]

Kodiak is asking about the full kit and what inspiration people have had to complete theirs. It is separate enough from any existing topic, though many touch upon it.

[Mr_Misanthropy]

You know, I just started reading a book called "Into Africa". It's about Dr. Livingstone and Henry Morgan Stanley. So far it's very good. I'm amazed how enthralled the Victorian world was with exploration. It's hard to believe that just 150 years ago most of Africa was considered "savage land".

Anyway, it's got me thinking all about safaris and exploring and all that fun stuff. I'm interested to see where this topic goes. I personally don't really have any "gear", but I'll keep my eyes peeled for some links to share.

[Spatterdash]

Kodiak is asking about the full kit and what inspiration people have had to complete theirs. It is separate enough from any existing topic, though many touch upon it.

Well when it comes to inspiration, the first thing I always picture is Michael Caine in "Shaka Zulu"
More military than exploratory, though.
Maybe a list of films with accurate clothing would help get things rolling. Once that's done Kodiak can concentrate on a particular outfit piece by piece.

[Ken]

Dont forget the other extremes of adventures:

Shackleton, Scott, Mallory...

Ken

[Haversack]

Exactly. Your gear and kit will vary with where you are adventuring. Read some Jack London or Robert Service to get an idea what was taken into the Yukon.

Haversack