Why Do Metal Detectorists Wear Camouflage?

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Cory Haasnoot

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Whether you’re a metal detectorist or see one, you might wonder about the clothing they wear. It’s a good question, and knowing the answer can help you make sense of the work. So consider why you will typically wear camouflage as a metal detectorist.

Metal detectorists wear camouflage because they have plenty of pockets to store findings. The outfit is also usually loose and comfortable to wear for a long period. And metal detectorists don’t have to worry about the clothing getting dirty after searching for metal. Consider why this matters.

If you want to be a metal detectorist, you need to have the right gear. And that includes having the right outfit to wear when you go out. Read on to learn why camouflage is a popular clothing choice among metal detectorists.


Plenty of Pockets

Levi's Men's Washed Cotton Military Jacket, Camouflage, Medium

One of the most significant reasons why metal detectorists wear camouflage is because the clothing usually has a lot of pockets. That makes it easy to store what you find when you’re out searching for metal.

You don’t have to worry about carrying a bulky bag to use as storage. And you’ll have space for things you don’t search for, such as:

  • Keys
  • Wallet
  • Cell phone

Having pockets gives you more freedom to move around when searching for metal. If you had a bag to worry about, you’d need to secure it to yourself, making it harder to move. Or you’d need to make sure not to leave it somewhere.

Loose and Comfortable

Metal detectorists also need to be comfortable, especially when they go out for a long day. If you wear tight-fitting pants, you may get uncomfortable after an hour or so. Then, you’d need to stop searching for metal, or you’d have to change clothes.

If you can start off by wearing something comfortable and that lets you breathe a bit more, you can search for treasure for much longer. You won’t have to worry about your legs feeling tight.

To be successful as a metal detectorist, you need to be as comfortable as possible. That way, you won’t have to stop your search for something trivial.

Not Too Fancy

Camouflage also isn’t too fancy, so it’s perfect for getting dirty in. You never know if you might need to trek through mud or water, so you don’t want to wear clothes you care about. Instead, have a good set of camouflage you can use just for metal detecting.

If the clothes get dirty, you can throw them in the wash. However, you won’t have to worry about getting them super clean for a fancy event next week.

That can take a lot of the pressure off of your detecting sessions. You can start somewhere less dirty, such as a trail. But if your metal detector takes you away from the trail, you need to be able to follow it without ruining your favorite pair of pants.


Look Good

man-wearing-camouflage

Even if it’s not the fanciest, camo can be a fashion statement in its own right. Sometimes, you may want to wear camouflage simply for your appearance.

However, you can also wear camo in other environments. People may compliment you on your outfit, and if they notice you, it could be a great way to start a conversation. Then, you can tell people about what you’re doing if you want to.

Wearing camo can also help you stand out from others in the area, even if it’s hard to notice. Since you aren’t wearing casual clothes, people may be able to tell you aren’t just there for leisure. So they might leave you alone to do your work.

Already Owned

Some metal detectorists already own camouflage, so it makes sense to wear it. This is especially true of people who have been in the military or people who go hunting. You don’t have to buy a whole new wardrobe for metal detecting.

Instead, use what you have already. If you don’t own any camo, you can use other durable clothes, such as cargo pants or other casual wear.

Then, you don’t have to dirty your nicest clothes. And you’ll be able to dig into different areas where you might find some amazing pieces of metal.

Durable

Speaking of the military, you may find some camouflage that is military-grade. The material is plenty durable for you to wear while looking for metal. You shouldn’t have to worry about ripping the fabric on just anything.

And you can make sure to keep your arms and legs from getting scratches with that durable material. Plus, some camouflage is also fire retardant. So if you come across some fire or if your metal detector has an issue or explodes, you will have some protection.

Of course, you need to be safe when using your metal detector. But having a bit of protection on your body can be nice.

Knee Protection

Along with general durability, you can find camouflage with special knee guards. So if you need to get on your knees to dig for something, you don’t have to worry about ripping the fabric or exposing your skin.

The protection may also provide some extra padding for your knees. That can be nice if your knees tend to hurt when you get on them. And if your knees don’t always hurt, then you have extra padding for more support.

Even if you don’t plan to get on your knees, you never know what you might encounter. Having the option to kneel down to find something is useful as a beginner or an experienced metal detectorist.


Final Thoughts

Metal detectorists need to be comfortable and have storage space for what they find. A lot of camouflage clothing meets those needs with pockets and a loose fit. The durable nature of the fabric is also useful for a long day of metal detecting. That way, you don’t have to bring an outfit change to last more than a few hours.

I hope you enjoyed this article. If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them below. Until next time Happy Treasure Hunting!

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Author: Cory Haasnoot

Cory Haasnoot is an author, entrepreneur, metal detecting enthusiast, antique, coin collector, and founder of Treasure Seekr.

4 thoughts on “Why Do Metal Detectorists Wear Camouflage?”

  1. If I ever do your camouflage outfit LOL I will definitely get a orange hat so I don’t get shot by some hunter out there it doesn’t know how to hunt. I have seen people get shot before out hunting and he’s obviously you’re standing there I still got shot buy some dumb ass.

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  2. Urban SWAT members also wear camo, even though it makes them stand out more than blend in. A good example of effective urban camouflage is the brown uniform of a UPS driver. It is designed to make him look ordinary and not stand out.

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