When I first read the Rik's post I thought it may raise some 'interesting' replies, but to be honest there seems to be rather a lot of muted hostility against anyone that dares go against the grain, or pose these sort of questions. As someone mentioned above it's forum, where people come to communicate and exchange ideas. Part of communication is asking these sort of questions.
I disagree, I think that the replies were a bit defensive because people didn't take kindly to the implication that they're a joke due to what they wear or use, or that because someone thinks that they should change. I know that Rik didn't outrightly say that, and I honestly don't know whether he thinks it or not, it's just the implication of the OP. I definitely don't think that people are being hostile against anyone who goes against the grain. I've never been slated or looked down upon the various times I've mentioned that I wear jeans, a t-shirt and leather jacket pretty much wherever I go, even though the impracticalities of jeans in wet weather has been mentioned many times. In fact, there've been no complaints whatsoever about the fact that I have no designer gear whatsoever, carry my kit around in a cheap ebay shoulderbag and that I'd be lucky enough to figure out how I'm supposed to wear a modern rucksack, never mind work what I'm supposed to do with all the straps. And I don't think it's my natural charm and charisma either, that never seems to come across online
i think the point rik was making is he doesnt understand why the diverse world of bushcraft in the UK is turning into some sort of gang in which we all look the same.
I don't necessarily see a problem with that, though. If people wear what works, and (pulling statistics outta thin air time) say 80% of bushcrafters dress the same, then I'd call it a damn good review for the product more than anything else. Dressing to look different is as or more pointless than dressing to look the same.
In short (heh) I agree, there's nothing wrong with asking. But this is past flogging a dead horse.
Pete