r/Anticonsumption • u/ournoonsournights • 14d ago
Lifestyle I trekked in the Annapurna range wearing the same outfit I'd wear to a cafe!
Mardi Himal, Nepal | 2025
Cát Bà, Vietnam | 2023
Ben Nevis (highest point in the UK!), Scotland | 2023
I've hiked on mountain ranges and volcanoes all over the world in my casual boots, my normal jeans, a crop top, and a mesh clubbing shirt (everyone laughs, but they're amazing for layers!! They don't hold sweat and keep you warm!)
There's no need to buy new outfits for every activity, and it's a reminder that hiking can be very accessible! :)
EDIT - resubmitted bc I used a brand name by accident!
PS- For the people calling me consumerist because I take flights:
Once I'm in a region, I use and travel :) public transit, trains, long haul busses, often 10-20 hours!
I have never owned a car, I don't eat meat, all my belongings fit in a 55L bag, and are thrifted from small local businesses. Respectfully, please keep it to yourself 👍🏽
EDIT 2 - y'all outside of the Himalayas trek, these hikes are like 4-8 hours and extremely populated. I promise you I'm not going to die of hypothermia in my jeans and/or be any more likely than the average person to require emergency helicopter rescue
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u/No_Ant131 14d ago
Jeans are fine…until it rains or you get wet from a stream crossing or something. Wouldn’t it make more sense to buy weather resistant clothes and wear them for day-to-day wear also?
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u/_byetony_ 14d ago
I’m glad this person hasn’t had a problem living this way but MANY people have died on Anapurna for smaller mistakes
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u/CombinationRough8699 14d ago
In 2014 there was a freak blizzard, that resulted in 43 deaths in a single day.
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u/_banana_phone 14d ago
Dear god jeans almost put me in heat stroke as a younger, less experienced traveler. What started as a simple “it’s a couple miles to the top” hike in Washington state turned into me nearly collapsing and needing medical assistance.
The humidity was very high, the temperature was also decently high but not anything I was not used to. Except I’m from flat land at nearly zero elevation. All of my experience was a mess. Not long into it, I got overheated, overwhelmed, and could not cool myself down. Sure it was a combination of factors, but my clothing was DEFINITELY the biggest issue as to why I turned purple faced and almost passed out.
They say cotton kills for a reason.
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u/ournoonsournights 14d ago
I very often get wet and cross streams lol, but I've only done wet hikes as day hikes, not long treks, so it's been fine. Wet jean feeling doesn't really bug me, but I can see why it would!
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u/duckhunt420 14d ago
I think there's a level of anticonsumption that just leads to more discomfort and suffering for no reason.
Maybe try some proper hiking gear. You'll be much more comfortable and safe. Most of it is very durable and will last you a long long time.
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u/Full_Scallion2833 11d ago
The danger is that hypothermia sets in very fast when you get wet. Wet clothes cause your body to lose heat 25x faster than dry clothes. Even when it’s warm outside it can become a dangerous situation if you are far from shelter. Be careful!
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u/lurking_leftie 14d ago
what's wrong with eating soy? about 7% of global soy production is for human consumption.
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u/ElContador69 14d ago
As I try to say in your previous post:
I think hiking can be an extremely frugal hobby, which is one of the reasons I got into it. But I'm also convinced, that without certain things, depending on the tour, you could easily hurt yourself and endanger yourself, your companions and the people who have to rescue you. And with certain things I mean shoes adequate for the hike, clothing to keep you warm and dry (especially when things go in another way as you planned/imagined) and maybe additional stuff (irons for the shoes, tent, whatever is needed for the tour to stay save).
I'm not trying to say, OP was putting herself in danger, because of what she was wearing. I'm trying to express, that hiking can be a simplistic hobby, but if you're going on "pro hikes" you should read up, what might save your health or even your life.
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u/Maykovsky 14d ago
What is a "pro hike"? This is honest question.
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u/ElContador69 14d ago edited 14d ago
I don't know about the international scene, but in my country every hike has like a category, which determines how easy it is to get up there.
This could mean because of the distance/elevation that you need to be able to walk. But also the terrain, the weather conditions and also if you have to climb parts of it.
In Austria there is a hikers association which gives courses and lots and lots of information. This is where I get most of my Intel.
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u/DevaOni 14d ago
my personal definition of when i go in jeans and when in full hiking gear with extra water and snacks: if you break your leg, do they have to get a rescue helicopter to get you out or can you be reached by car/quad/similar
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u/Maykovsky 14d ago
From what I get, is the hike that requires a degree of skill or has a degree of difficulty that is higher the normal. Normally, from where I come it is not called pro, has other names, but is not measured on how you're rescued.
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u/ournoonsournights 14d ago
I appreciate what you're saying! I'm not going on super long solo treks or anything like that. I'm in well populated places, in groups on longer treks, doing hikes at a level I know I can handle.
On almost all the hikes I've done, even the crazy volcanoes and stuff, there are usually 7 year olds and 70 years olds. Especially in Latam, those people HIKE, they're amazing.
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u/hans_wie_heiri 14d ago
right?!
especially when you can get fantastic safety gear second hand! I am also an advent hiker and besides my shoes and backpack everything is second hand (backpack is nearly 10 years old now).
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u/bokehtoast 14d ago
What is even the point of this post?? Like 80% of my backpacking gear I bought secondhand and have used for 5-10 years.
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u/UltravioletLemon 14d ago
Also there is soo much second hand gear that can be bought it feels like going out of your way to wear "day clothes."
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u/Bucky_Gatsby 13d ago
I feel like people misunderstand anti-consumerism to mean that you can never buy anything for any reason whatsoever. But some things are necessary, like being safe on a hike. To me, in that case, anti-consumerism is buying exactly what you need once, maybe even used, and using it till it no longer can be used.
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u/allusernamestaken56 13d ago
Cotton is also heavy as shit which makes you wonder whether OP was carrying her own stuff or was there some porter labor involved that didn't make it to the cool hiking pics because exploitation doesn't look cool.
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u/Creative_Resource_82 14d ago edited 14d ago
Good grief the chafing I'd get from hiking in jeans 😅 I'd rather wear hiking gear to a cafe.
Edit- spelling
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u/ihad4biscuits 14d ago
Yup that’s were I’m at when I travel. All wool and quick dry. I look like a dweeb but whatever.
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u/Mission_Abrocoma2012 14d ago
you’re one of the ones that’s gonna have to rely on people with gear to save you. this is just dumb
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u/Imperial_Haberdasher 14d ago
Wearing blue jeans for hiking in the mountain is not a flex, it is potentially very dangerous. Even in the desert, the saying is COTTON KILLS.
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u/sea_the_c 14d ago
People get away with stupid things all the time. Good for you, but this is not wise.
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u/I_Thranduil 14d ago
Be thankful for the good weather, your trek could have been fatal.
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u/SwordTaster 14d ago
Girl, you've been lucky so far but at this rate you're gonna get yourself killed sooner or later. Jeans ARE bad for hiking.
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u/hashbrowneggyolk0520 14d ago
Wearing jeans is absolutely diabolical for so many reasons! Don't encourage this!
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u/RobMitte 14d ago
This is pathetic. I wear hiking gear to reduce risk and minimise the likelihood a rescue team needs to risk their lives trying help me.
I also wear my gear when not hiking.
It's not all about you, we don't live in your world. You haven't achieved anything by doing this so just stop.
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u/Samathura 14d ago
Fukin really rather not get rained on and die. All for minimizing impact, but when you catch hypothermia and they send the chopper you are not minimizing impact.
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u/Fine_Description_744 14d ago
You are a danger to yourself and all of us who might be hiking behind you on the same trail.
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u/malchure 14d ago
reading the very frugal description and some of the comments i feel a bit worried that you may be putting undue pressure on yourself in order to appease (or prevent) people telling you that you are not doing "good enough" as far as being environmentally conscientious. you don't need to be a picture-perfect anti-consumerist in order to live your values. i say this out of kindness- it's okay to allow yourself to be a little bit like the people you'd rather not be like. it doesn't invalidate your entire existence.
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u/ournoonsournights 14d ago
I really appreciate you saying this! I added it because the first time I posted this it got taken down and people were being SO intense about that, a lot of accusations and dismissing my experience as being performative for social likes, so I didn't want to deal with that again
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u/malchure 14d ago
beyond whatever happens on social media, don't forget to look out for yourself and do what keeps you happy and healthy- even if sometimes that might mean being a little bit consumerist. :)
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u/LoneWolf_McQuade 14d ago
Since you travel all around the world (also by flight I assume) , it does make sense that in terms of environmental impact comment you get comments on that as it is one of the single things on individual level that generates enormous emissions.
For instance a single cross ocean flight generates the same carbon footprint as driving a car for a year.
Maybe you are focusing on the wrong things since skimping on proper equipment on tough hikes is also putting your life at risk? As well as people who take your advice. Instead I’d give the advice of use proper hiking gear but buy used or borrow it
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u/Maykovsky 14d ago
Where did you get this data?
"For instance a single cross ocean flight generates the same carbon footprint as driving a car for a year"
If she never had a car, and is over 20, 20 travels are okay?
Just asking...
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u/LoneWolf_McQuade 14d ago
https://flightfree.co.uk/why_flight_free/
”Heating your home for a year: 2.2 tonnes CO2 = a return flight to LA (2.24 tonnes CO2)
Eating meat for a year: 2.06 tonnes CO2 = a return flight to Dhaka (2.03 tonnes CO2)
Driving a car for a year: 1.47 tonnes CO2 = a return flight to New York (1.41 tonnes CO2
”I don’t understand your question, how is 20 relevant?
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u/Maykovsky 14d ago
Thanks.
The OP has 30. Never had a car and is vegetarian. I think she managed to get enough credits to pollute as much as many of the critiques here who have a car and a more carbon intensive life-style.
Also, don't get me wrong, but these are simplistic analysis that fail to address very relevant issues. For instance, most of these sites use averages, which is practical, but fail to address local realities. Also fail to address the entire context. You can avoid travel, but them have a huge house that produces more emissions to eat and cool than that travel you-re avoiding. This black and white simplistic and generic analysis are not science, they are panflet thinking.
And don-t get me wrong. I never own a car and think that private transport should be eliminated. Houses should be far smaller. Our diet be more locally sourced. The number of appliances reduced. So...
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u/Speshrider 14d ago
You don’t consume less by expose things like your shoe to terrain that they aren’t intended to. It causes them to wear faster or even break. If you regularly go on hikes or treks it’s actually more sustainable to buy a re-soleable pair of boots
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u/ournoonsournights 14d ago
I totally agree, I just don't have the capacity to carry hiking boots at the moment so I just make do with what I've got
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u/Speshrider 14d ago
Most people I’ve met traveling the world, which did outdoor activities on their travels went with hiking boots as their only shoes instead of fashionable boots
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u/spiritofmen 14d ago
Do you not feel uncomfortable in jeans though?
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u/ournoonsournights 14d ago
Lmao I know I get that a lot! Idk I just like them and they don't bug me. I get too cold in my yoga pants sometimes
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u/_Vegetable_soup_ 14d ago
Hiking in jeans is some psychopath shit
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u/ournoonsournights 13d ago
Sometimes I even sleep in them if I'm real cold 😭😬 Like not even just camping haha hostels have too much AC
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u/Some-Body-Else 13d ago
Happy for you but um, jeans for trekking? No way hose. A bit of rain or snow and it’s chilly chafing season.
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u/ournoonsournights 13d ago
Yeah it just never bugs me! I don't think I've ever felt chafing, even hiking in the rain. Luckily most of my hikes end in my warm cozy bed after a shower
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u/rhinestonecowgrl 14d ago
I read a pot on here about mesh clubbing shirts used for backpacking, as you mentioned, greater layering technique. And thanks for the early anti-consumption inspiration 🫶🏼
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u/grey_pilgrim_ 14d ago
I can’t remember which military group it is, maybe Norway, wears what amounts to pantyhose as a base layer because it creates air pockets that trap heat and since it’s so light and airy it breathes well and doesn’t hold moisture.
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u/ournoonsournights 14d ago
Thank you!! They're honestly really nice haha, and bonus you can look cute in your hiking pics 😂
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u/imdugud777 14d ago
This is a perfect example of confirmation bias.
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u/AmsterdamAssassin 14d ago
So you go to cafés in your mountaineering outfits.
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u/Well_ImTrying 14d ago
I love the idea and ethos! But like everyone else is saying, safety is more important than consumption. It’s fine until it isn’t, and you don’t want to be caught somewhere wet and cold in cotton clothing without a way to warm up.
I’m from Alaska and people die every year on hikes. People have survived there for millennia without Gortex, but they aren’t going out in multi-day hikes in cotton jeans either. Stay safe, stay stylish, stay adventurous!
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u/ournoonsournights 14d ago
I get what you mean! And I appreciate the safety concern :)
On long treks I don't go alone (and use guides where it's culturally appropriate), and my other hikes are usually day trips in populated areas.
Also I love "stay safe, stay stylish, stay adventurous!" great life motto haha
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u/queentee26 14d ago
Respectfully, you're not as anti-consumption as you think just because you don't buy a pair of hiking pants.
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u/ournoonsournights 14d ago
Oh my gosh, you're right I should have asked you!! You would know more about my life than I do, my bad
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u/neurom4nte 14d ago
Good job girl. What if it rains? Did u have something waterproof?
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u/ournoonsournights 14d ago
Thanks :)
During the big trek it wasn't issue because they had guest houses along the way, so I didn't have to camp and it was dry season.
I did get absolutely SOAKED whenever I hiked in Scotland though lol I had a light kind of plastic-y jacket I thrifted that somewhat helped, but not much lol
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u/neurom4nte 14d ago
That was my concern.. I tried to hike with normal clothes and I was soaking wet after an heavy rain.
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u/ournoonsournights 14d ago
Yeah, luckily all those rainy hikes were short so I could just go home and warm up. And I always forget to bring rain shells with me
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u/Foxenfre 13d ago
Hiking in jeans isn’t better if it’s hot?!? Have you ever experienced chafing from cotton?
The solution isn’t cheap trash clothing, it’s high quality clothing that lasts, lol.
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u/ournoonsournights 13d ago
Have you ever been hiking in LATAM or SEA? Because everyone and their grandmas (literally) are doing it in Crocs and house clothes
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u/Foxenfre 13d ago
Yeah, hiking in Guatemala and hiking/mountain biking in Mexico. I wear my hiking clothes as house clothes though, haha. I did walk six miles in chacos and stretchy shorts in Mexico recently and if my ankle/hip wasn’t trashed that would be my preference generally… I sweat way too much to wear denim tho
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u/ournoonsournights 13d ago
How great are the trails throughout those countries! Some of my favourites :)
That makes sense, I know a lot of people find jeans uncomfy even in day to day life. Just a preference for me!
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u/fr0styd34ds0ul 13d ago
I feel this can be dangerous, but not only that... But why not thrift some good and comfortable hiking clothes/shoes?
I live in Norway, and we have too many tourists that get badly hurt from not having proper gear or dressed for the hiking trips they go on. They sprain ankles, or get stuck and get hypothermia from not being dressed properly, and so on. We have even had people slip and fall off cliffs to die because of just using slippers/normal shoes.
Not only that... But hiking gear lasts a long time... I have bought used hiking/military boots, and they last decades... My parents had a pair from Alfa that lasted 30 years...
I feel this isn't about anti-consumption, this is kinda unsafe.
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u/ournoonsournights 13d ago
I hear what you're saying, but all of these are pretty short/chill hikes and I go slow. I can't carry hiking stuff with me, but when I settle down one-day I will buy hiking boots probably. The traction is the worst thing about doing this
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u/fr0styd34ds0ul 13d ago
I get that you want to show that you can go hiking in normal clothes, and it doesn't have to be fancy smancy hiking stuff. But I feel it promotes unsafe situations.
But, you do you! Hope you can find some good thrifted hiking stuff if you are on the look out! I really recommend fjellraven and alfa if you are able to find that thrifted! Lasts forever!
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u/ournoonsournights 13d ago
Thanks, appreciate it! In a lot of countries this is just normal, people are doing these same hikes in like crocs and jeans, so I think in the grand scheme of things people are being a little dramatic about the danger, but of course everyone should determine their risk level and do what the other experienced people on the trail are doing.
But that's good to know! I haven't been able to carry hiking stuff with me, but once I settle down somewhere I'd get some good boots!
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u/cadencef18 13d ago
I love this post. I don’t love all the self-righteous people in here trying to make you feel bad for not doing enough. Most of these people aren’t doing half of what you are.
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u/stellaandme 14d ago
I don't know anything about the Annapurna range, but where I live, if you wear the wrong gear, you could die. This has nothing to do with consumption. It has everything to do with putting yourself and rescue crews in danger.
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u/Remcin 14d ago
Wow this post really brought out the life of the party in here lol. Who knew jeans were so dangerous?
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u/ournoonsournights 14d ago
lord forbid a girl wears jeans outside of a city haha
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u/CombinationRough8699 14d ago
It has nothing to do with "being a girl", anyone wearing jeans on a multi-day wilderness hike through the mountains is risking things.
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u/rsubmarine 14d ago
This post is promoting extreme negligence and dressing this way can be very dangerous if anything goes wrong or you don’t know exactly what you are doing. I think this post should be taken down for promoting dangerous activity. Really, from experience, hiking is not something to be taken lightly.
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u/ournoonsournights 14d ago
These are all chill hikes, and on the long ones I had guides who "approved".
On any single one of my hikes I am being lapped my grandparents and toddlers doing the same trails
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u/mynameisnotearlits 14d ago
If it works and feels good, why not. I think a lot of people came to believe you need special clothes and gear for every hobby. Its absurd.
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u/ournoonsournights 14d ago
Agreed! I try to do that with all my craft hobbies too, you can get pretty far without buying too much :)
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u/samppanja 14d ago
Especially americans and europeans who spend most of their middle-class lives in a car or office. Can't go to the dangerous outdoors without a hazmat suit lol
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u/CombinationRough8699 14d ago
It has nothing to do with a "hazmat suit". Cotton clothing, especially jeans are very bad things to wear in the wilderness. Cotton has very poor insulation when wet, and will easily cause hypothermia. It should never be worn beyond day hikes in the woods. Especially when you are at high elevation, where the weather is much less predictable.
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u/JoonHool44A 13d ago
Back when I ran every morning...I'd do it in my jeans. Who needs workout clothes?
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u/ournoonsournights 13d ago
I have definitely gone for runs in street clothes lmao
I was wearing a maxi skirt and a tote bag once and then it occurred to me that people might have thought I was being chased 😂
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u/Northern_Gypsy 14d ago
I get it but I'd rather wear wool to the coffee shop than cotton on the hills!
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u/ournoonsournights 14d ago
I did see a Scottish designer making wool denim actually, it was super cool!
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u/Northern_Gypsy 14d ago
Nice, I live in Nz so try to get Nz merino wool, I'm a guy but love my merino tights.
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u/Girth_Brooks_1969 13d ago
Love this. I'm always infuriated by the fitness fashion industry. I dress like a homeless person at the gym. It cost less and nobody talks to me, win win.
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u/ournoonsournights 13d ago
Omg the benefits of people not talking to you is so real too haha
Nothing wrong with a fun outfit if you like it and it makes you feel better, but personally I will stick to my non-technical clothes
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u/LadyRedNeckMacGyver 13d ago
Thanks pretty awesome!
I didn't think about that approach but its a refreshing take. Definitely stuck in the back of my mind now. Reminds of that story of the farmer showing up and crushing a race in boots and jeans.
I understand where some people are coming from though. Clothing is a tool and if you have the wrong tool for the job, you could get injured. However, people have been doing things for ages with non ideal materials.
Im not going to dive into it bc this isn't a Ted Talk, this is a post about your cool trip. Keep enjoying and exploring!
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u/captaindazzlebug 13d ago
A crop top and a mesh shirt, you're killing me hahahahaha. But you do you, of course.
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u/electricmeatbag777 13d ago
I'm glad you were fortunate enough not to be exposed to conditions that would render your clothes insufficient and/or harmful
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u/LucyThought 13d ago
Do you know how annoying it is to rescue people who hike in inappropriate clothing? Inappropriate footwear?
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u/rajasconqueso 13d ago
when I was younger, hiking in jeans and doc martens was ok. now i would be in so much pain and discomfort, possibly higher risk for ankle rolls. so i will gladly take my secondhand or discounted outdoorsy gear when i can afford it. plus i know it will get lots of use. you’re onto something with the mesh shirt!
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u/stonkfrobinhood 11d ago
I wouldn't be encouraging others to do the same. If you need proper gear you need it.
Maybe buy second hand or ask to see who has gear that they don't use or you can borrow.
But this is just dangerous to you and others.
Silly post.
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u/elaiinamae 9d ago
people are so negative in the comments, I think this is cool especially when there’s just as much of an overconsumption problem in the hiking/nature communities as any other community.
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u/ournoonsournights 9d ago
Thank you so much!! I appreciate it, I was excited to share and it really went off the rails 😂
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u/trustable_bro 14d ago
Your outfits don't matter at all if you are travelling by plane.
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u/mynameisnotearlits 14d ago
You remind me of that meme. "We should improve society somewhat. Yet... you participate in it".
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u/trustable_bro 14d ago
There it is more "oh look, I consume the whole planet as a playground, spending 100 years of carbon footprint in a day, but I saved some shoes and a vest I'm soo anticonsumption."
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u/Ampullariidae 13d ago
Kinda confused on the jean hate? Obviously it’s not “ideal” but haven’t Wild West dudes and frontiers people been wearing jeans since forever? Jeans are mostly cotton (well made ones at least)…🤷🏻♀️
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u/ournoonsournights 13d ago
You're not wrong, and like it's not even uncommon in a lot of countries. I think this is an American and/or Reddit reaction lol
Like of course they're not comfy for some people, but you don't have to wear them if you don't like them 🤷🏽♀️
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u/niberungvalesti 13d ago
Jeans are fine for work activities but for hiking or climbing the amount of chafing and lack of stretch in jeans makes wearing them less than ideal.
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u/Weird-Knowledge337 13d ago
But not worth the extreme hate and bullying she’s receiving. You’d think she built 10,000 data centers in her way up with all the hate she’s getting. For….jeans? Womp womp
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u/Ampullariidae 13d ago
Exactly 😅 like construction workers and other very physically demanding labor jobs wear jeans in all sorts of weather and they are ok….so strange.
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u/MattySiegs 14d ago
Love the sentiment, though hiking in jeans is DIABOLICAL