Gear for Urban Exploring

The Essential Gear for Urban Exploring

If you are an urban explorer or thinking of getting started, you need to be prepared with gear that can set you up for success. In urban exploration, you are exploring abandoned structures, tunnels, and buildings where you can encounter a lot of the unknowns. You need to ensure you are wearing the right clothes, have the gear you need to keep you safe, and bring essential equipment to help you document the experience. Here is a guide to help get you set up with the essentials.

What to Wear
When you go out into the wilderness, you need to have durable clothing that can help shield you from the elements and keep you warm in cooler temperatures. The clothing you wear doesn’t need to be anything special, just enough to have a good experience.
When urban exploring, you might consider wearing long sleeve t-shirts, durable pants, a jacket, and a good pair of boots. The more clothing you have covering your skin, the more protected you will be from the elements, bugs, and sharp objects.

What to Bring
The essential gear you should bring on your adventures is a sturdy, spacious backpack. You will likely need a lot of gear for the best experience, especially when you’re a photographer looking to get the best photos. Urban exploring involves a lot of jumping and climbing, so you want to be sure your hands are free and have full mobility of your arms. Here are some things you should pack in your sturdy backpack and why.

Camera – Urban exploring is popular within the photographer community. You’ll need to bring your camera along with any gear that can help you get great shots, such as a tripod or any attachments. You can use any old camera or even the camera on your mobile device.

Protective Face Mask – Exploring old buildings doesn’t come without risk. Many buildings were built with dangerous materials and chemicals such as lead paint, asbestos, and more. Wearing protective face masks can help keep you healthy.

Gloves – You’ll need a good pair of gloves for protection against many of the dangerous objects you could come in contact with within these abandoned buildings. There could be sharp objects or broken glass, and gloves can protect you from cuts that could lead to infections.

Protective Gear – You may encounter dangerous people or animals when exploring abandoned locations. You’ll want to bring with you something to protect yourself, such as pepper spray, a taser, and potentially some bear spray, just in case you encounter dangerous wildlife or aggressive person.

Flashlights or Headlamps – The abandoned builds are often dark, and without power, so you will need lighting to navigate your way through. A headlamp can provide you with light while exploring hands-free, but it may be good to have both a headlamp and a flashlight. You may want to consider bringing backup batteries just in case.

First Aid Kit – Accidents can happen, and when you’re in a remote location, you may need treatment. A first aid kid can help you treat yourself to prevent further damage or harm.

Bug Repellent – Many locations have stagnant water, a prime breeding ground for mosquitos. Be sure to have some bug spray to help prevent bug bites.

Snacks and Water – You’ll be away from public places for longer periods when you are exploring, so you want to be sure to stay hydrated and ensure you have a snack to keep your energy up.

Portable Battery – You’ll need a portable battery to charge up your phone when you are out in a remote location. Your phone is your connection to the outside world in case you get lost.

Urban exploration requires a bit of planning to ensure you stay safe and are prepared to handle anything that comes your way. Remember, take only photos, leave only footprints.

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Little planet projection inside a cage at the abandoned Jungleland Zoo in Central Florida.