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Let me let you in on a little secret. Outdoor experts have a really simple way of recognizing one another in the backcountry; they see each other wearing Arc'teryx clothing. I'm not trying to to sound like a brand loyalist here, but I spend over 100 days each years in what me and my colleagues call the "Arc zone." Days of walking just to get to the nearest trailhead, pushing the limits of what is possible in survivalist scenarios and unimaginably hostile conditions and terrains. Running into another human is rare in these situations, but when I do my eyes will inevitable flicker down to the deadbird (what outdoorsman call the Arc'teryx logo) on the front of their jacket. It's almost unconscious at this point. I see their eyes flicker down briefly to mine. No words are exchanged, because in a moment, with a quick nod, we know the other person is prepared. I've had this exact scenario hundreds of times. And when I see people in inferior gear, patagonia, MH, OR, I see a person who is willing to put their own safety and possibly the safety of their whole team in jeopardy for saving a few bucks or for some kind of fashion statement. These are people I may very likely have to save in the coming days or even hours. I'm not saying adequate gear is cheap; but it's a worthwhile investment. If you want people to take you seriously in the outdoors you need to have real equipment. It's that simple.
