Best brands for authentic outdoor gear?

renegade211 · Aug 27, 2009

Hi everybody,

we've had discussions about North Face, and how it's usually worn by non-ourdoorsy people.

So what brands would you consider if you're looking for functional, technical outdoor clothes and equipment?

Like a brand that is popular with people who really climb mountains, and designed to work well rather than be fashionable and convey an outdoor image.

Preferably something that is mainstream enough to be affordable and readily available, but any suggestions welcome.

I'll start it off with:

Non-authentic: North Face, Jack Wolfskin, Patagonia

Authentic: Lowa for hiking boots

countcount · Aug 27, 2009

Vasque for hiking boots

RichValentine · Aug 27, 2009

Buffalo Special 6 shirts are incredible. Windproof, lightweight and keeps you very warm. http://www.jackson-sports.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=222 Infact Buffalo products in general are very very good.

gdc_2008 · Aug 27, 2009

throwing down TAD Gear again www.tadgear.com Some of my favorites: http://www.tadgear.com/shop.php?id=7

http://www.tadgear.com/shop.php?id=588

zissou · Aug 27, 2009

The TNF thread was full of suggestions.

Gradstudent78 · Aug 27, 2009

Originally Posted by gdc_2008

throwing down TAD Gear again www.tadgear.com

I like Tadgear, but their stuff tends to be a little expensive and their colors in gear tends to be limited to black, green, and maybe camo, with overly military look.

I've have good experiences with outdoor research clothing.
http://www.outdoorresearch.com/site/index.html

bobyoung7 · Aug 27, 2009

Would there be any advantage to wearing hikers instead of running shoes when walking for exercise? I'm thinking about a pair of Pantagonia Drifters.

Chrispy · Jan 5, 2011

I wore pendelton board shirts all summer when doing trail work ac ouple of years ago. Rained almost everyday so I gave up on raingear and started wearing lots of wool.

edit: ****, didn't see that was a spammer.

stevent · Jan 5, 2011

Originally Posted by bobyoung7

Would there be any advantage to wearing hikers instead of running shoes when walking for exercise? I'm thinking about a pair of Pantagonia Drifters.

Looks like a spammer brought this thread out.

Trainers/running shoes are much lighter and breathable. Just did a trek in Nepal in trainers and it was fine.

Boots are good if it's really rocky terrain and if you are a bigger guy / need more support. But if you don't do that much outdoorsy stuff then boots might make you feel better. But it could also slow you down and give you blisters. Whatever you do, make sure your boots/shoes are broken in.

As for brands just go to REI, every one has their own preference. North Face isn't bad, but for the money you pay it you can get better. It comes down to personal preference.

stevent · Jan 5, 2011

Originally Posted by Chrispy

I wore pendelton board shirts all summer when doing trail work ac ouple of years ago. Rained almost everyday so I gave up on raingear and started wearing lots of wool.

edit: ****, didn't see that was a spammer.

Wool is great since it doesn't smell. You can wear the same pair of of merino wool underwear for a week straight and there is no smell.

cb_32 · Jan 5, 2011

Oakley makes various technical outerwear http://ca.oakley.com/store/products/...ical-outerwear

canstyleace · Jan 5, 2011

Originally Posted by stevent

Wool is great since it doesn't smell. You can wear the same pair of of merino wool underwear for a week straight and there is no smell.

Maybe you just lost your sense of smell?

aphextwin07 · Jan 5, 2011

Originally Posted by renegade211

Hi everybody,

we've had discussions about North Face, and how it's usually worn by non-ourdoorsy people.

So what brands would you consider if you're looking for functional, technical outdoor clothes and equipment?

Like a brand that is popular with people who really climb mountains, and designed to work well rather than be fashionable and convey an outdoor image.

Preferably something that is mainstream enough to be affordable and readily available, but any suggestions welcome.

I'll start it off with:

Non-authentic: North Face, Jack Wolfskin, Patagonia

Authentic: Lowa for hiking boots

ROFL @ calling north face fashionable!

Chubbs · Jan 5, 2011

Originally Posted by aphextwin07

ROFL @ calling north face fashionable!

Where in his post does he state specifically that North Face is fashionable? I only see that he says its non-authentic.

zissou · Jan 5, 2011

Well, for the most part, TNF focuses on 'fashion' (i.e., making ****** stuff that the average person wears, but fits like a snuggie) these days. But, they have a longer history of making excellent technical gear. SF is not the right place for the OP to be asking this question.

And, who cares about 'authentic' (whatever that is) when we're talking technical gear?

Best brands for authentic outdoor gear?

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