Every community has something which they invariably spend a disproportionate amount of time discussing. For Urbex, it’s gear. At its most basic level, the only thing you need to take with you is common sense, caution, and a large share of curiosity. But on the other end, if you go draining without any flashlight, you’re gonna have a tough time.

above: The equipment should match the trip.

With that in mind, here is the gear which we consider essential on our trips.

Flashlight

I resist saying that the stronger the better, for a few reasons, mainly because why seek out the dark places of the world if you don’t want to experience all they have to offer. But honestly, in a big tunnel– complete darkness- anything less than one hundred lumens just isn’t going to be any help when it comes to moving and taking a look around. Anything from one hundred to two hundred lumens is going to be reasonable as long as there are no lines of sight. Just in case, I carry nine fifty lumens which can light up a tunnel like the sun, but don’t use it when I don’t have to. Extra batteries always are good to have. A secondary light source is necessary for any trip, even if it is only a cell phone.

Water

This one should be obvious. Urbex means walking, whether it’s underground, bushwhacking across a forest, or jumping fences. It’s as strenuous an activity as any.

Good Shoes

“Good” here has a different meaning each trip. There is a type of shoe which is good for trudging a mile through thick mud, and a type of shoe you can bushwhack across a thick forest in which normally most people would describe with a different word. Good shoes are whatever shoes match the terrain.

Camera

Urbex is usually married to photography (or cinematography), either in a big way or a small one. Whether it’s a smartphone or a DSLR, you’ll wish you had a camera.

Map

Usually as simple as knowing roughly where the portals are, a smartphone is most of the time good enough. For more technical navigating, a compass and practice using bearings is necessary.

Rope

Rope is always good to have, even if most times it isn’t strictly necessary.

Reasonable Clothing

No neon does not mean head to toe black. Yes, people have interpreted those instructions like that before. Don’t wear bright clothes if you don’t have any desire to be seen a mile away. It can get cold underground- a sweater goes a long way.