Waiting for rescue in a survival situation can be made unimaginably harder if you’re not wearing appropriate clothing. Though the stars of Naked & Afraid may be able to get by without wearing any clothes at all and with only a single piece of survival gear each, for most, it would be nigh impossible to survive without adequate apparel.
Of course, it’s not likely that you’ll be able to predict when an emergency will take place and you’ll find yourself stranded, but if you feel that there’s even a remote, insignificant chance that you may end up in a survival situation, you’ll want to stay clear of wearing these types of clothing for the day. After all, if you find yourself stranded in the middle of the wilderness, you’re going to wish your clothing helped more than hurt.
Without further ado, the absolute worst kinds of clothing you could possibly be wearing in a survival situation…
The Worst Clothes You Could Be Wearing in a Survival Situation
1. Uncomfortable Clothes
If you really have no idea when rescue will come and you’ll be able to leave the wilderness, the last thing you want to be wearing is a set of heels and a really uncomfortable dress. Or even a shirt that’s incredibly itchy. Sure it’s not quite the time to be picky about what you’re wearing, but you sure as hell don’t need one more thing to get on your nerves. You’ll likely find yourself wishing you wore those other shoes in no time.
2. Clothes Not Appropriate for the Weather
If you’re in a hot environment, you can typically peel off a few layers and be okay, but if you’re in a cold environment and just aren’t properly dressed for the weather, things become a little more difficult. Absolutely always dress appropriately for your environment, and if at all possible, make sure you have a backup plan on you. For instance, keep a spare coat in the car, or even go so far as to pack a space blanket in a purse or an EDC bag. You never know when a freak weather condition may take place leaving you desperately in need of a way to keep warm.
3. Clothes That Are Not Durable
Really and truly, you don’t need your flip flops snapping on you in the middle of the wilderness. Yes, technically you can take your shoes off and walk barefoot if they become more of a burden than a blessing, but it’s not going to be easy if you’re not used to walking around without shoes. You don’t just become Cody Lundin overnight.
4. Natural/Muted Coloured Clothes
Although that green shirt and those camouflage pants certainly look good, when you’re trying to stand out so that you can be seen and rescued, blending in with the natural environment is the last thing you’re going to want. You can do yourself a favour by packing something neon orange: an easy-to-spot thermal blanket should do the trick, and it of course has the added use of being able to keep you warm.
5. Clothes That Don’t Offer Protection in Adverse Situations
Sandals may be alright in some natural environments, but being stranded in the jungle, you’re going to wish you had more protective footwear. Same is true about running shoes in swamp or wetland environments. A sprained or twisted ankle in a survival situation is something you’ll always want to avoid.
In an ideal world, we’d always happen to have a bug out bag, filled with useful survival gear we’re experienced at using, on us in every emergency. Unfortunately, however, since we never know when these situations may occur, the best we can ultimately do is to try to predict and prepare for when they might happen.
Though it’s unlikely you’ll want to avoid these types of clothing every day of your life, it would prove useful to be at least a little conscientious on mornings where you know you’ll be doing activities away from places where it’s difficult to get help if you need it.
An orange handkerchief can be tied to a long limb to project higher above some tree canopies. The fluttering can be seen from quite a distance. Two corners should be tied to the limb to form a flag.
Good tip mate, thanks for sharing!
Good stuff! I would also recommend a tough knife and at least a good pellet gun or small survival rifle. Years ago we had a farm with cattle in Kansas and I was attacked by an immense owl (3′ span). I had to take him out as he hit me between my legs and disappeared into our wheatfield near dark. Wild dogs are sometimes a problem and had that also.
Damn, never heard of an owl attacking humans- is this a regular occurence?
Love, love, love your site!! This article makes me smile since one of my best friends insists on wearing her fav pair of beat to hell and back Berkinstocks…everywhere! Since she, her husband, their 12 yr old son and I often go hiking in nature & generally try to get ourselves into learning situations to help us increase our level of self-sufficiency (often during impromptu walks) her “Berks” are a source of equal parts frustration & humor among us. Her hubby (ex-Delta force) & I often joke openly and in her hearing about our planned demise of said footwear. After 4 yrs of this we’ve almost, almost got her trained to wear better shoes every…single…time we go out “for a walk..”
That’s impressive – getting her to upgrade I mean, haha!
I love my Birkenstocks. Have flat feet so for years that’s all I could wear around the house, but while I *might* wear them gardening (even that’s pretty hellish if you need water for anything) hiking?? I cannot imagine using them for at all. Oh my goodness how many times I could see myself trip if I did that. I’m klutzy enough as it is without the Birks on hikes.
As kid, (just a older one now) I had one of those COOL buckskin jackets with the fringes.
Thought fringes were just to look cool, WRONG.
The ancient ones rarely had time or resources to make something to hang around looking pretty !
Fringes where highly functional as they did not have fancy waterproof/breathable fabrics. Aren’t we lucky?
Fringes dried the jacket/pants quickly, due to Capillary action wicking the water away for prompt evaporation..
Bob
Legitimately did not know this bit of information! I also thought they were just for decoration. Very cool indeed!
Also, I love sandals in the tropics (there now) for ventilation and protection against nasties Check out “Stonefish”.
Tevas, to my knowledge, are STILL the ONLY company to have straps that go completely under the sole and wrap the foot.
The straps therefore cannot pull out like other brands!
Bob
Clothes TO wear, in my opinion,
A LONG sleeved shirt.
The sleeves CAN be rolled up if too hot, then Down again for weather or insect protection or camouflage.
Bug liquid (toxic) CAN be applied to fabric rather than skin.
Dry Vegetation (or anything) CAN be stuffed up sleeves for insulation.
Collar Can be put up for wind/sun protection or against Bugs.
What are you going to do with that “T” shirt you are wearing?
Same rules can be applied to short pants.
Bob
Yup, long sleeve and layers layers layers. So you can adapt when the weather changes.
Pockets are also excellent for stuffing vegetation or extra tinder, say, into. A good hoodie – I’d say worth its weight in gold. Cargo pants – so worth it.
Cargo shorts are not too bad if the weather is not an issue. I’d say pretty high up thanks to the number of pockets (and the likelihood that you’ll be carrying more stuff in them)!
Survival also includes the urban areas – and most of the “rules” apply here as well …. if you commute daily into the city you need to ready for a SHTF that disrupts your normal transportation/route …. could mean walking out
Being a “Grey Man” among the other fellow stranded commuters should be your objective …. standing tall in an expensive suit and carrying a briefcase is just asking for trouble – not to mention totally uncomfortable and incompatible for the job ….
Great points! Thanks for bringing this up. :)
What about the “Battle Briefcase”?
You know, that one with the Uzi built into the inside?
It had a trigger under the handle so you didn’t have to open it to fire.
The Grey Man indeed..
Loving the site – if you couldn’t tell by the influx of my comments. I would say formal attire, like prom or wedding stuff would be the worst to get caught out in!
Thanks for that influx of comments, btw! :) Glad you’re digging the site!
Definitely formal attire would be pretty damn bad! Would imagine a wedding dress/ball gown would be the absolute worst.