Surfing the web it becomes apparent that outdoor gear is indeed, a very important part of what outdoor enthusiasts look for; it also becomes apparent that outdoor apparel has become fashionable. That's okay, as long as the main point of getting gear and equipment is not missed: You don't guy gear to look cool, but to be more comfortable and safe.

Of course, we are free to purchase whatever we want, and if you are not a pilot you are still entitled to get a flight jacket if that's what you like; what would be bad is to believe that you are actually a pilot just because you bought that jacket, and while this example might sound a little bit outlandish or extreme, such things do happen, for example, when someone interested in mountain climbing but with relatively low experience buys climbing gear and attempts to use it in ways that go well-beyond his or her skill level believing that using such stuff depends just on buying it.

In the case of some outdoor or extreme activities people know where the limit are; for example, regular pilots generally know and assume that they should not get into the cockpit of a plane designed for aerobatics without proper training. That is so because the whole learning system in aviation is constructed on the basis of getting licenses to use increasingly complex aeronautical equipment. You can buy a plane all right, but you will not be able to use it if you don't get first the proper license. Something similar happens in the case of nautical activities and a few others, but there are many fields in which, while it may be discouraged to act without proper training, it is actually very easy to do so: If you have a brand-new plane sitting on the tarmac at your local airport, it would be hard to attempt to fly it without a license because airports are generally filled with people - even small ones - and someone in a position of authority will probably stop you, but who will take a look at what climbers or hikers or kayaking enthusiasts do?

Don't forget that the single, most important piece of equipment that you have is your own intelligence; if you are getting started in something like mountain biking, kayaking, climbing, etc. it is fundamental that you don't try to do more than you are capable of. Getting new gear is great, but sometimes it could lead to a false sensation of security when experience is somewhat lacking.

Source: Pablo Edronkin, Andinia.com

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