What’s a field gear item/brand you’d recommend?
Ask a Biologist Monday 8/29/22
Answers from Biologists:
Sun hat
Carpenter’s pouch to hold bird bags while working at banding sites.
A buff or similar gaiter with UV protection.
Double front pants/bibs. Especially if you work in dense, brushy habitat.
Asolo hiking boots.
Under armor. Field gear that lasts a decade and can be found cheap at TJMaxx.
Lightweight long sleeve white shirts and wet bandana for the back of your neck on hot days.
Osprey packs. Mine has held up to a lot of abuse in wetland and you can get pro deals up to 40% off.
Osprey packs-most durable and comfortable.
Tactical boots instead of hiking boots. More comfortable, functional, and last longer.
Lacrosse rubber boots.
A leatherman.
Darn Tough wool boot socks for any weather, any season. Great warranty and product.
Dovetail work pants are so nice. They’re a female owned company for feminine workers.
Smartwool socks.
REI long sleeve sun shirts for desert and high elevation.
Duluth trading company women’s firehose pants. They have multiple great pockets.
Hot water/drink in a large thermos.
Dry socks in a sealed plastic bag.
Small dry bags for your phone/small things you want to keep dry.
Dan’s hip boot/waders. Expensive but worth the investment since they’ll last multiple seasons.
Frog toggs cooling towel during summer field work.
A good pair of wool socks.
5.11. Their rip stop pants.
Fleece lined field pants for the winter.
SIMS chest waders. Worth the price.
Kuhl women’s splash pants for working in the summer heat. Quick drying and pockets.
Decathlon field pants. So many pockets.
Bucket hats. Especially water proof and SPF gear.
Fanny packs are super useful for things you want access to.
Neck gaiters. Can be used to ward off bugs. as an eye mask to sleep, etc.
Kuhl cloth for those who squat to pee!
NRS straps.
Sun gloves. I hated that my hands were a completely different shade of brown.
Dry bag for personal gear so you don’t need to bring wet things inside the truck.
Duluth Trading Co’s gardening vest. Good for summer and more stylish than a fishing vest.
Gerber for multitools.
Coleman camping equipment.
The Original Bug Shirt! So much better than a head net.
Frog Togg cooling towel.
Venus to Mars pee funnel. Easy to travel with and use.
Kula cloth. I have 3. Support a small, women-owned, LGBTQ+ business and “Leave No Trace”.
Re-usable soft cups (great if you can’t use a Diva cup).
Gaiters. Helpful for keeping ticks and debris out of boots and socks while hiking.
Period underwear.
Outdoor Research wool gloves. Game changer!
Outfoor Edge knives with replaceable blades.
Headlamp>flashlight for night work. I try for 100 lumens and rechargeable.
Carhartt leggings. Durable , moveable, comfy and tons of pockets.
Boot/glove dryer. You can’t put a price on dry feet!
First Lite and Duluth Trading Co for women’s pants.
Ray Allen and Active Dogs for working dog gear.
Get a bug net for your head.
Prana Halle pants are the best.
Insulated water bottle to have cold water at the end of the day.
Columbia field/outdoor shirts. They keep the sun off, are breathable, and have pockets.
Snake gaiters. They don’t always rattle!
A multi-tool, particularly one with a scalpel.
Darn Tough socks are the only ones worth wearing in the field. Your feet will thank you!
Long sleeved, but lightweight clothing. Keeps you cool and sun safe.
Goodr sunglasses. Polarized, lightweight, fun colors, and affordable.
Gaiters for general fieldgear but @gowworkwear is my new favorite brand for field clothes.
Dickies pants are just as good as Carhartt and way cheaper.
A Leatherman multi tool.
Eddie Bauer petite pants are great for us short folks who have a hard time finding pants.
First Lite women’s pants. Quiet, comfy, 6 pockets, built in stretch, durable.
Coaltree trail pants.
Electric hand heaters. Any brand. Reusable and acts as back up battery.
Tasmanian Tiger backpacks. Expensive and modular but absolutely indestructible.
Muck boots consistently hold up in the wetlands and they’re comfy enough for hiking.
5.11
Camelbak.
Merrell for boots.
Dovetail workwear field clothes. Designed specifically for women.
A lunchbox you can use as a little stool for lots of squatty work.
Travel bidet (Tushy or Culo clean). No more leaves when you run out of toilet paper.
5.11 tactical pants. Durable and lightweight plus many pockets.
Work gloves. They keep the bugs off and protect my hands while bushwacking.
Outdoor Research, especially their head nets.
Grunden’s women’s Maris fishing leggings. So warm and comfy for winter fieldwork.
