How to Fix the Fashion Issue

[Whyherro123 2283]

Let us examine "clothing" from a real-world "point of view":

 

The game-world Day Z takes place in apparently is in the middle of the Autumn season. The chlorophyll counts in deciduous trees are decreasing, leading to the "leaves changing color". Pumpkins are fully grown in gardens. Apples are ready to be picked, if not even slightly overripe (can you still find "rotten ones" every once in a while?).

 

It is October 19th, and all of those things mentioned above has already or already "happening". Pumpkins and apples have been ready for at least a couple of weeks, and the trees are already changing. Hell, up where my sister goes to college, they have had a dusting of snow! Right now, it is 40 degrees F outside, and overnight, it got below freezing. I am sitting at my computer wrapped up in blankets.

 

What does that mean for the game?

 

Really, the "game-world" should be colder. Sure, in a New England autumn, being in the sun on a nice sunny day can be pleasant, warm even, but being in the shade or getting exposed to a gust of wind can and will make you shiver. Getting wet should be a problem, even during the day. At night, it should get down close to, or even below, freezing.

 

What does that mean for clothing?

 

Well, firstly, let me describe what I wear in weather like this. ( I am a Boy Scout leader, so I spend a large portion of the Autumn season out in the woods). 1) Wool. Wool is probably the "best" fabric to wear, as it is both warm, fire-resistant, and keeps it insulating properties even when wet. I usually wear a light wool shirt under a heavier wool sweater. This lets me either take off the sweater if it gets too hot (from walking or exerting myself), or put it on when it gets too cold. 2) Pants. My go-to pair of pants is actually a milsurp pair of camo trousers. While they are cotton, they have a tight weave and are treated with water repellent, making them relatively resistant to water. Plus, they are tough (have never ripped), and have plenty of pockets for storage. After those, I wear a pair of canvas trousers. 3) Extras (hats, gloves, socks). I will almost always carry a "emergency" cap, made from fleece pile, in a side pocket. I also usually have on a knit wool cap as well. I will throw on a pair of gloves if the temp drops, and ALWAYS wear wool socks, maybe even double up.

 

So, what does that above mean for the game?

 

Firstly, if you actually look, most of the "beginning" clothing (T-shirts, Check-shirts, jeans, etc) are either of a cotton blend or made of 100% cotton. This means they would be less than useless (read: actively harmful) at keeping you warm. Remember: "cotton kills". Cotton loses all insulation properties when it gets wet, and actually actively sucks body heat from you. 

I am assuming that much of the "military clothing", with the exception of GORKA, is also of cotton/polyester blend. Not great, but only a little better than cotton.

 

There are, of course, articles of clothing that would be great at keeping you warm (puffy jackets, wool coats, knit caps, etc), but many people only wear them until they get "military clothing", which is yet another aspect of "end game" equipment that I 100% disagree with. I dislike the whole "endgame" concept to begin with, but clothing being better than other clothing simply by being "military" is asinine.  

 

The fact that we don't have a "proper" layering system to clothing ( long-sleeved shirt under a hoodie, all that under a raincoat, with a knit cap, etc), is what is fueling this idiocy, I am willing to bet. In real life, I don't take off my shirt when I throw on a jacket. I can fit a "windbreaker" (aka those new athletic jacket things) over a hooded sweatshirt or a wool coat, etc.

[Whyherro123 2283]

Yes.  When I walk in the rain with clothes on, I get wet and cold.   Then I either dry those clothes or put on new ones, once I am out of the rain.  Just like i would do in the game.  To wear everything waterproof is to remove one of the survival experiences in the game.  I don't play the game to dodge the experiences presented by it.

 

 

Ok now let's move the setting to one where you're in a survival world. There is no way you're going to get deliberately wet because of the risks associated with that. You might like to get wet and you can do that now anyway. Most people want to stay dry throughout the day - day after day, month after month, year after year.

 

I am sorry, but I must agree with Jexter on this one, and say that has to be one of the most asinine things I think I have ever read.

 

Of course, what would make the above better is if a raincoat protected you from rain, but also drastically increased your body temperature (causing you to sweat), you then "got wet", and caused you to develop hypothermia as a result. Happened to one of the kids in my survival class, and he had to be rushed to the hospital as a result.

[Jex 1104]

I am sorry, but I must agree with Jexter on this one, and say that has to be one of the most asinine things I think I have ever read.

 

Of course, what would make the above better is if a raincoat protected you from rain, but also drastically increased your body temperature (causing you to sweat), you then "got wet", and caused you to develop hypothermia as a result. Happened to one of the kids in my survival class, and he had to be rushed to the hospital as a result.

 

You not allowed to be sorry when you agree with me, you must celebrate with furious zeal!

 

;) :P

[klesh 2423]

and say that has to be one of the most asinine things I think I have ever read.

 

 

You two have been talking to my ex-wife, haven't you?

[pilgrim* 3514]

..//..

I think it's entirely realistic for me to shove a raincoat into my backpack and put it on when it starts raining. That's exactly what I used to do as a boy scout when we were on long hikes

I don't see a need for improvised rain gear unless they make raincoats harder to find. As it is, they take up very little inventory space and can be put on at a moment's notice.

..//...

 

So why can't we put on a plastic raincoat over our jacket or shirt, or whatever gear we wear ?

In real life, I've never had to strip down to my undershirt to put on a raincoat....  really, not even once. Has anyone ever done that?

 

tell me about it - You had a raincoat that you could only wear over a t-shirt?  You had to take your clothes off to put it on?

 

Good survival gear = an undershirt +  a wool sweater or a felt jacket + a raincoat + gloves and a hat - kind of old fashioned but works 100%. Put the raincoat on when it rains. Take the sweater off when you're hot.   -  (this is not rocket science)

Edited October 20, 2015 by pilgrim

[Bororm 1156]

I was thinking of balance issues with allowing layering of clothing with pockets, but then again maybe it would decrease dependence on backpacks.  With a weight system it would probably be less of an issue too.

 

So layering shirts would be nice, provided they aren't all still acting like bullet proof vests too =P

[Whyherro123 2283]

I was thinking of balance issues with allowing layering of clothing with pockets, but then again maybe it would decrease dependence on backpacks.  With a weight system it would probably be less of an issue too.

 

So layering shirts would be nice, provided they aren't all still acting like bullet proof vests too =P

 

Pretty much.

 

When I wear a hoodie under a sweater, I tend to not shove stuff into the front pockets. It gets bulky and ungainly otherwise.

[☣BioHaze☣ 7337]

This will be my 5th Fall>Winter cycling around NYC in all conditions and it's taught me a lot about exposure and gear.

 

Much of what is appropriate to wear depends largely on the intensity of the activity you are undertaking.

 

Wool layering, a balaclava, and water proof boots, is most of the cold/wet weather protection anyone needs for moderate activity but you will be heavy and slow.

 

If given the choice, I would personally choose microfiber layering, neoprene lined rubber boots (Boggs), a variety of gloves in different fabrics layered (including water proof fishermans gloves for the worst stuff), rain pants, and a modern raincoat.

 

Everything there except the boots is relatively light weight and would certainly allow you to exert yourself more in those conditions.

 

The way I see things going with the current clothing mechanics I start to think that having different sets of clothes at your camps and stash spots will become the norm.

 

If it seems like a rainy day, you go get your raincoat.

 

If it's warm and sunny, go lightweight and camo.

 

If snow, that white get up.

 

If it's night, go black, wet or dry.

 

It gives us a reason to loot/stash sets/outfits for different conditions.

 

[q.S Sachiel 470]

I was thinking of balance issues with allowing layering of clothing with pockets, but then again maybe it would decrease dependence on backpacks.  With a weight system it would probably be less of an issue too.

 

So layering shirts would be nice, provided they aren't all still acting like bullet proof vests too =P

still can carry but can not access?

[pilgrim* 3514]

WOW.. really ought to have mentioned SOCKS too  (sorry guys, Totally Off Topic but I need to say it)

 

A player who claims to be into military kit and does not worry about his SOCKS

just does not know the first thing about military life

 

Gorka Freaks or not, DayZ socks don't cut it

ya need a GOOD pair of socks before you go out there, else you won't survive to see your first firefight

xx

Edited October 21, 2015 by pilgrim

[Jex 1104]

So why can't we put on a plastic raincoat over our jacket or shirt, or whatever gear we wear ?

In real life, I've never had to strip down to my undershirt to put on a raincoat....  really, not even once. Has anyone ever done that?

 

tell me about it - You had a raincoat that you could only wear over a t-shirt?  You had to take your clothes off to put it on?

 

Good survival gear = an undershirt +  a wool sweater or a felt jacket + a raincoat + gloves and a hat - kind of old fashioned but works 100%. Put the raincoat on when it rains. Take the sweater off when you're hot.   -  (this is not rocket science)

 

Because all their clothes would show through and they'd need to go through the lot and redo something so they wouldn't. They'd also need to add code to make a layering affect and how warm or over warm it could make you.

 

Or we could have an RPG.

[pilgrim* 3514]

Because all their clothes would show through and they'd need to go through the lot and redo something so they wouldn't. They'd also need to add code to make a layering affect and how warm or over warm it could make you.

 

Or we could have an RPG.

 

 = The Struggle for Socks =

[Jex 1104]

WOW.. really ought to have mentioned SOCKS too  (sorry guys, Totally Off Topic but I need to say it)

 

A player who claims to be into military kit and does not worry about his SOCKS

just does not know the first thing about military life

 

Gorka Freaks or not, DayZ socks don't cut it

ya need a GOOD pair of socks before you go out there, else you won't survive to see your first firefight

xx

 

LOVED my socks! lol :)

[pilgrim* 3514]

LOVED my socks! lol :)

 

ah, OK sorry Jexter - I thought you meant an RPG

but you meant an RPG

wow, not "a RPG about Socks"

ok.. duh..

xx