Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How To Look Like a Grown Man While Camping Outdoors

California Cowboy Shirts
California Cowboy

As you’ve likely heard, recent travel restrictions have combined with the lifestyle limitations of lockdown to create an unheralded boom in outdoor travel. Campgrounds around the country are packed to allowable capacity, while sales and rentals of all camping-related gear are skyrocketing.

Outdoor industry leaders as well as environmental preservationists are trying to figure out how this exponential growth will impact the integrity of our shared outdoor spaces. Meanwhile, though, we at The Manual have already grasped the implications on a personal level: the boom in outdoor travel this year means you’re a lot more likely to run into somebody you know. No matter what form your camping trip takes — driving an RV to your state’s showpiece, backpacking along the coast, or posting up at your favorite KOA for a week— odds are good that you’ll cross paths with, for instance, your crush, your client, your boss (or someone you wish were your boss). Someone, in other words, whom you’d rather didn’t see you in a sweat-stained souvenir tee and cargo pants that haven’t been laundered since you followed Dave Matthews on tour.

With that in mind, we advise you to upgrade your camping wardrobe. Outdoor lovers tend to prioritize their resources on gear, while completely overlooking the gear they wear on their back. And we get it—bumming around in your ancient college fleece and gym shorts for a weekend is part of the charm of camping. But at a certain age, it stops being cute and starts being embarrassing. For others, even if not for you.

That’s why we’ve curated a shortlist of our tried-and-tested “camping couture.” Our recommendations are built with the outdoors in mind, offering the perfect symbiosis of comfort and style, along with some added functionality that makes a big difference when you’re roughing it.

So as you pack up for your outdoor adventure, leave the sweat-stained t-shirts in the hamper, and get out there looking like a grown-ass adult. You’ll be surprised by how good it feels.

California Cowboy Men’s High Sierra Shirt

California Cowboy Shirt
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’d described the California Cowboy shirt for us, we’d probably have scoffed at it. Lined pockets for stashing a cold beer? Terry cloth lining for a built-in towel? It sounded so crazy, we had to try it for ourselves … and now we’re obsessed. The short-sleeved version is the perfect thing to throw on after a morning surf session or a plunge into a cold lake, while the long-sleeved shirt with its plaid exterior and thermal lining gives you ultimate camp style and offers an extra layer of skin-soft warmth without the bulk of an actual base layer. Both models feature more ingenious compartments than a Winnebago, with all the iconic style of an Airstream.

Duer Live Free Adventure Pant

Duer
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The holy trifecta of camp wear is style, comfort, and functionality. We’ve yet to find a brand like Duer that offers all three in ample measure. This Canadian outfitter’s line of basics are tough as nails, with jeans, tees, shorts, and joggers that stand up to temperamental weather and the myriad indignities involved in roughing it, while still holding their shape for effortless casual style. You’ll want to spend the entire day in the Duer Live-Free Adventure Pant, an innovative pant-jogger hybrid that features DWR water resistance, zippered cargo pockets, and — man, do we love this — adjustable ankle cuffs for the most versatile fit we’ve ever seen.

Vuori Ponto Pant

Vuori Sweat Pants
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Real talk: Sometimes the greatest attraction of camping is the opportunity for 24-hour sweatpants without shame. We salute you, leisure lovers … while also humbly suggesting that the more committed you are to pure comfort, the more likely it is that your sweatpants could use an upgrade. We highly recommend you upgrade to the Vuori Ponto Legging. Your girlfriend will love the straight-leg fit that makes these modern sweatpants perfectly presentable outside the house. The real score, however, is trading in the traditional sweatpant fleece for this light, buttery-soft performance fabric that won’t bag out and puts an end to perspiration down under.

Editors' Recommendations

Chelsea Batten
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Chelsea Batten is a writer, photographer, and Kerouac groupie. One of the original digital nomads, she was seduced from life…
St. Patrick’s Day: What to wear (without looking like a leprechaun)
Look stylish while participating in St. Patrick's Day customs

Every holiday has its own traditions and customs. And St. Patrick's Day is no different. While it is customary for people to wear green to honor the patron saint of Ireland, one of the most significant customs is that you get pinched if you forget to wear emerald, forest, sage, or lime green. Here are a few ideas on subtly keeping your style intact while protecting against the invasion of pinches the day brings.

We've rounded up our favorite gear picks from our favorite brands for this green-centric holiday. You don't have to go over the top and throw on shamrocks left and right. Subtle retro sneakers, a handsome olive green crewneck, a classic green tie ... all of these picks will work more than acceptable for a day we love to celebrate (in style and responsibly, of course).

Read more
Signature style: How to look your best no matter the occasion
You already know your Signature Style. Now here's how to bring it all together to look your best in every scenario
David Beckham

Whether you're James Bond, Indiana Jones, or Don Draper, the ultimate goal of men's fashion is to be the best version of yourself and deliver your unique personal image to the world. Sometimes, we believe that the best way to do that is to funnel ourselves into one uniform and strictly adhere to the style we see ourselves embodying.

The truth about men's style is that most guys box themselves into a specific look and don't allow themselves to grow or diversify. If that sounds like you, you can find yourself ready for any situation. Once you have experimented with the rest of the Signature Style archetypes, The Debonair Man is the highest level of style, the image we all should strive for.

Read more
5 men’s winter trends that never go out of style (and still look good in spring)
Look good every winter with these fantastic trends

Cold weather can feel like you don’t have a lot of options with your wardrobe, and warmth takes center stage over fashion. Though December may be merry with its holidays and light, the long march from January to April can feel like a slog of dark colors, bulky coats, and sweaters designed to fight against the cold. However, that doesn’t mean you have to give up your sense of style to survive this frigid season.

To that end, here are five classic winter trends that are as stylish as they are practical. They run the gamut from casual to party-ready but are all unified by the fact that they’re utterly impervious to passing fads. Take advantage of these trends to ensure you stay warm all season, all while looking great.

Read more