🚀 go-pugleaf

In message <7uvekmlu6rj.fsf@ipana.research.nokia.com>, MB <*@*.*> writes
>Chris Townsend >
>> Black goes with everything!
>
>Uhm, actually, black sucks.

I don't think a black trash bag skirt is going to have deleterious 
effects. At least not in terms of performance :-)
>
>Never mind the looks, but black isn't a very good
>choise for outer clothing, or eg sleeping bags. It's hot
>in the sunny summer, and cold in the dark winter, as it
>absorbs or emits thermal radiation efficiently, respectively.
>From the point of view of thermal effiency, white, and
>better still, shiny silver, is cooler in summer and warmer
>in winter. Yet, the "technical" gear seldom comes in white,
>silver being rarer still.

And black is currently very popular - most soft shell clothing seems to 
be black.

I can't say though that I've really noticed the difference between pale 
and dark coloured clothing in terms of warmth. Dark clothing shows the 
dirt less and isn't good for photography however.

I suspect "technical" clothing doesn't come in white or silver often 
because it shows the dirt.

I like black sleeping bags - they absorb heat and dry fast when damp.
>
>Another rationale for choosing the colour of one's
>gear is observability. I can somehow understand the
>desire for "noisy" high-visibility gear from a safety
>point of view on high-risk trips - not that I'd
>approve of being noisy in vain though. Another approach,
>usually much more sound imo, is to be "quiet", and go
>with minimum visual impact, ie camouflage(*). And, again,
>typically the fancy "technical" gear - from respected
>manufacturers too - comes in colours and patterns
>that represent pitful compromizes in this respect, not
>being good at either. But, the colours of which are
>consistent with current outdoor fashion. So much for
>being "technical"... <g>

I agree completely here. I don't wear camo but I do prefer dull greens 
and browns.

I did raise the question of "fashion" colours with an outdoor company 
once and they told me that it was what they were offered and that 
technical clothing didn't utilise enough material for fabric makers to 
make it in special colours. This may be partly true.
>
>(*) Usually, when visual camo is discussed, people point
>out that "animals" don't perceive colours. This, of course,
>is nonsense.