The outdoor gear industry

[Anonymous]

I have been shopping at many of these outdoorsy stores and while I like the practicality of many of their clothes, I sometimes wonder if they have a way of making you believe that you need to go running when it is icy outside and climbing in 105 degree heat. The marketing of these dangerous extreme sports seem to go overboard, and the gear companies push the sports. I have been convinced that I need wicking fabric and so on, but really what I need to do is stay out of extreme temperatures and weather and use good judgment. I am not implying that there are no avid outdoorsy people who need these fancy items, but really most of us just want a nice hike or walk every now and then.

[Anonymous]

I used to run year-round when I lived in Chicago. I had no extra gear for winter; I wore sweats and started the first few blocks with a scarf, which I took off as soon as I warmed up (which was pretty quickly). I'm a minimalist tho.

[Anonymous]

They're just trying to sell clothes. 99.999% of people who buy them have no intention of hiking Everest or trekking the Serengeti. They just like to have the fancy gear.