Walk through the aisles of REI, L.L. Bean or any outdoor retailer with a clothing section, and you will find a piece of apparel with an outrageous price tag.
Take an item like the Beta SL rain jacket by Arc’teryx. It’s one of the more luxury-focused outdoor brands and the jacket retails for $500, an unfathomable amount for most people.
Although items like this are marketed as ideal for extreme weather, the intended purpose is often underutilized by those actually wearing such clothing, and much lower-priced pieces serve the same function.
Unfortunately, prices like this are not all that uncommon in the outdoor world. Although certain brands like Arc’teryx and Patagonia have always been pricier, primarily due to using higher-cost materials and paying employees relatively higher wages, this doesn’t negate the barrier these prices create. Yes, these items may last longer due to expensive materials used, but as with many products nowadays, high-quality does not ensure it will last longer.
Stemming from rock climbing and backpacking culture, the idea of “Gorpcore” gained popularity in 2017. It took the sleek, functional designs of outdoor clothing and shifted it into high fashion, mixing traditional luxury fashion with outdoor wear. In the decade since its beginning, luxury brands have begun emulating outdoorsy styles in their own apparel.
To be clear, super expensive clothing or gear is absolutely not necessary for getting outside. All that is necessary is the will to explore.
Unfortunately, many may see expensive apparel as a barrier preventing them from experiencing the outdoors, especially those who have long been marginalized in outdoor spaces.
People with lower income, as well as people of color, lack access to the outdoors to begin with. When primary companies supplying outdoor gear are marketing mostly toward a higher-income, white demographic, there becomes a clear bias within the outdoor industry.
Not to mention people over 181 pounds, the average adult weight in the U.S., or those with physical disabilities, receive little representation in outdoor marketing or sizing. Most outdoor brands do not even sell sizes larger than extra large for most clothing items.
It should be said that no fancy clothes are required to get outside, just that it’s comfortable. If someone wants to go for a hike on their local trail in jeans and a hoodie, go for it. Yes, there are some limitations in terms of how those clothes respond to moisture and heat, but if someone is recreating outside and experiencing nature in the way they want to, that is a win.
If someone is a serious backpacker, hiker or anyone else who spends more time outside than in, certain items are worth splurging on for high-quality gear. Maybe not $500 for a rain jacket, but it can be more of an investment than one from Walmart.
But that decision comes down to needs as well. Someone recreating in the desert will have different needs from someone in the Pacific Northwest, and therefore should allocate their budget differently. The same goes for a casual weekend hiker in Ohio versus someone consistently doing 14ers in Colorado.
Again, unless someone is doing extreme treks through the Canadian wilderness or scaling the world’s highest peaks, there is little reason for the vast majority of people to spend hundreds on an item like a rain jacket or shirt. However, it would not be wise to buy the absolute cheapest gear available, with every item the customer has to find a nice balance between price, function and longevity that suits their needs.
Ethan Herx is a junior studying photojournalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnist do not reflect those of The Post. Want to share your thoughts? Let Ethan know by emailing or finding them on Instagram at eh481422@ohio.edu or @ethanherxphoto.