The Xbox is now childish
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| The Verge: Image, Microsoft |
A line of camping-themed apparel and accessories has been made available by Xbox. Microsoft's initiative is about actually going outside and touching grass, not the video game kind that esports organization 100 Thieves criticized with its own apparel line. The camper line consists of several shirts, shorts, and headgear in addition to camping chairs and hammocks.
Some of the offerings on the list actually seem good considering that most people don't often equate gaming with being outdoors. To be fair, every other camp chair looks like the Helinox Chair Zero; however, the Xbox version is neon green and twice as heavy. However, given that it is substantially less expensive than the Helinox, it is difficult to criticize the weight. The hammock also appears to be OK; once more, weight-conscious individuals are definitely not going to want it, but it appears ideal for tossing up between two trees at a campsite. And although I appreciate Microsoft's efforts to promote water consumption by using this Nalgene water bottle, I wish it weren't double the normal retail price now that its undeniably cool topographical branding has been applied.
But even while I enjoy being in the great outdoors, I'm not sure how well Microsoft's "camper" marketing fits with the way some of these things are actually constructed. Although it advertises its T-shirts, caps, and sweaters as being for "exploring the great outdoors," their spec sheets reveal that they are actually made of 80 to 90 percent cotton. The statement "cotton kills" is perhaps one of the most frequently used pieces of advice in the hiking and camping community, so if you've ever been within spitting distance of an REI or other outdoor store, you might understand that's a bit of an issue. To be clear, the slogan is overly dramatic.
Although cotton clothing has been linked to a few exposure-related deaths over the years, wearing this ABXY heather tee won't necessarily result in your death the moment you set foot on a trail. Cotton doesn't keep you warm when it gets wet, so if you find yourself in poor weather, you could be in big trouble. Even if the rain stops, your wet cotton clothing may continue to drain heat from your body since it dries out so slowly. Sans from Undertale said that while it probably won't kill you unless you're in a very isolated location, "you're going to have a horrible time."
Additionally, moisture won't always come from I don't want to exaggerate the risk at this point. You don't need to go trekking in a wool shirt or in nice athletic clothing, but you'll appreciate it more if you do. (And if you're going to be spending a lot of time outdoors, at the prices Microsoft is asking for these shirts, you could easily acquire a nice hiking shirt.) What's odd, though, is that some garments in Microsoft's line, like this nylon windbreaker or these nylon shorts, are constructed from a fabric that is truly appropriate for trekking.
No, I'm not saying you shouldn't get any of this clothing; in fact, I think the Xbox-inspired outdoor patterns are very interesting. But if you do decide to buy them to add to your collection of Microsoft t-shirts, you might want to leave the shirts behind on your upcoming camping trip—unless your idea of camping is lounging next to a Call of Duty spawn point.
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