So how many spare sets of clothing do you have and where ya got um stashed? How complete are these sets?

While at walmart I noticed I can put together a head to toe set of clothing for cheap and now I wanna throw a set in the car. Pants for 14$ shoes for 14$ a hat for 10$ so on so forth.

Would having a cheap 14$ pair of shoes be worse then no shoes when you need a quick replacement pair?

i would buy good used clothing at places like Goodwill before i would get anything cheap at one of the "Marts" where it would be made in China of who knows what quality.shoes i would spend a bit more on as ill fitting shoes can be very painful.

Depends on what you need to do. If I was relying on those shoes to carry me on a year of living in the mountains then I'd want them to be good. However, if I just want a spare dry pair to potter round my survival shelter anything will do.

Also bear in mind that if these are 'one use only' then cheap ones might do - the spare hikers in my car are nearly new cheapish 'trainer/boot' hybrids. I don't have huge longevity expectations, but I need them to swap for dress shoes for a maximum 45 mile hike to get home. They'll last for that.

I've had some really cheap shoes that were extremely comfortable. At Wally-World they sell TreadSafe shoes; they're sold mainly to cooks and other people who need non-slip soles. They don't last very long but they're extremely comfy. A pair of Redwing's will last me a couple years in the kitchen (and by then they're blown up) whereas the TS will only last maybe 6 months, tops.

Shoes are the critical item. I don't like wearing dress shoes or anything I can't walk five to ten miles in comfortably. I usually stash a pair of well worn but still serviceable light boots in my car. I also have an ActionPacker filled with a complete set of clothing stashed in the garage - something to wear in case I have to leave the house in the middle of the night.

While a spare set of clothing is a good idea, it's also worth mentioning that toiletries tend to go hand-in-hand with spare clothes. That's why I always keep a Dopp Kit (or toiletry kit) made up for myself. Whenever I pack spare clothes it gets tossed in the bag.

Having that kit means I have soap, a washcloth, shampoo, deodorant, shaving stuff, toothpaste/toothbrush/floss, hair brush, a little mirror, tweezers, band-aids, Tums/Advil/Pepto, and some other little miscellaneous items.

More often than not, I've found the Dopp kit to be more important than the spare clothes. I mean, there have been plenty of times where I've had to sleep in my clothes overnight (college memories anyone?), but it was never really a big deal as long as I could find somewhere to clean myself up a bit in the morning until I could get home.

I mean, my clothes might have been a bit dirty/wrinkled, but at least I looked and smelled kinda clean (even if I was suffering from a terrible hangover).


[On a side note, if you're looking to make up a cheap toiletry kit, check out your local dollar store. They usually sell all the basics and in small travel sizes, perfect for making up a little kit.]

I keep a complete set of clothes for 1 adult in our family BOB in my Jeep. (Socks, unders, LS t-shirt, fleece pants, rain pants and wool jacket.) They're not all fancy and they'll be wrinkly but they are clean and dry.

DS has a complete set in his survival kit, which also lives in the Jeep. Having an adventurous 8 year old boy means that his spare clothes have gotten a work out on several occassions. What a relief it is to get arrive in the parking lot after a hike or something, him covered in mud, and be able to clean him up before he gets in!

Inexpensive footwear could be a good option for emergency/occassional use. Other than figuring out how rough and tumble they vs what you plan to do with them, I'd also make sure you break-in shoes and boots before you expect to cover in distance or time in them. Blisters will not make for a happy day!

I typically wear athletic style shoes, and New Balance and ASICS tend to fit better than the rest...also tend to pronate, so I try to get a pair every year or so.. older pair make it to the car for backup...down here a good pair of moisture wicking socks is pretty important... rest of clothing is long sleeved nylon caped back flats fishing shirt....nylon shorts... old pair of sweat pants and GoreTex parka and fleece jacket always in car..

I have a small duffel with spare clothes I keep in my truck. I didn't go out of my way to buy cheap clothes. A couple pair of quality wool socks & liners is a good start, followed by a pair of jeans that are well worn in and comfortable. If you're in a humid climate, think about materials that wick. For shoes think about replacing your hiking boots while they still have lots of life and putting the comfortable pair that are just right into reserve status.

My philosophy on spares is wrapped around the idea that whatever makes you go to spares/back-ups may be serious and that is no time to be wearing cheap Wal-Mart specials that may not cut it in your hour of need. Don't set yourself up to fail. Don't forget a good belt and you may need a spare multi-tool also.

My auto BOB has a complete set of clothes in several vacuum pack pouches (used my old Foodsaver). Waterproof, very compact.

The BOB I keep in my car has a rain suit but no other clothes in it, although there is a full toiletry kit including contact lens support infrastructure, spare lenses and spare glasses.

In a separate duffel bag I have a medium jacket, ski gloves, work gloves, a sweater, a belt, a full change of clothes with extra socks, and a pair of broken-in but not broken-down sneakers, with a pair of boots in the same state. Since I always have a warm fleece and a rain shell in my car I can start with no clothes and layer for just about any weather conditions short of the Arctic.

I've found the clothes handy in everyday situations like getting soaked in an unexpected downpour. I've also had my pants tear at work, so having Emergency Pants in the car is essential. There's a reason I chose this screen name.

At the office I have a light kit that includes a change of clothes, since I take the train instead of driving most days.

Maybe people should stop buying iphones, ipads, Nike's, Pierre Cardan, Hermes and all sorts of quote/unquote 'name brand, really good stuff' because its made in China. Apple isn't shy telling consumers its products are all made there and they are the richest company in history.


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Why do you need to buy new stuff for back ups? Just take items that are serviceable in your closet but not worn often and use that. Extra pair of BDU bottoms, belt extra pair of wool socks, extra tee shirt and jacket. We all have these items in our closet that are perfectly fine except they no longer fit our 'current' fashion style this year. But remember this, dry and warm: never go out of style.

Specifically for Walmart footwear, I was on a trip and needed a pair of gortex boots really quick and Walmart was the only place open I could get to, and they were just fine. in fact I used them for yard work and back ups for a couple more years. They weren't even their name brand stuff like Caterpillar and Wolverine

I'm all for not buying iphones, ipads, and Nike's, don't know what Pierre Cardan, and Hermes are so I can't say if they are crap like the others.
I use mu older clothes for spares. the jeans that ripped at the knee go in and the jeans that get more too many holes or shrink to where they no longer fit get cut up to make patches for the ones with just a hole in the knees.
Faded or just worn work clothes, usually they wear at the bottom of the cuff, so when they get too worn for work I rip the seam, cut at the fold then fold and sew and those become spare and around the house clothes.
Back to the first point comms made I'm trying to search out more USA made products, they last longer usually anyway. So far this year its been a Buck knife and Henry rifle