Ask the Expert: Clothing

Kyle VanDeursen

Kyle VD, Real World Hunger Games Director of Soil and Climate and experienced tribute, has some additional clothing advice for potential tributes:

    "The Hunger Games begin with your preparation. Tributes should use layering in order to prepare for any situation. Much of the arena is swampy, and there is a river in the middle. Be prepared to cross it. Wear extra socks and pants so you can change them when they get wet. I recommend long sleeves and pants in order to resist thorns, mosquitoes, and cold. You can always remove layers, but you cannot add them if you didn't bring them. A two stage camouflage plan is optimal. You could have a green layer and a black layer. When night comes, switch to the black layer in order to stay well hidden. My final point of emphasis is Weight. Each additional clothing items adds weight that will slow you down. If you don't plan to get wet, you won't need extra pants. If you don't plan to hide, you won't need camouflage. If you believe the chances of you surviving until night are low, you may want use better daytime camouflage such as a Gillie suit instead of having a dark layer. Fine tune your clothing to YOUR strategy not to everyone else's strategy. Tributes should check the weather before the Hunger Games so they can best prepare for the conditions."

Kyle VD was Game Maker for the 2nd Real World Hunger Games. He finished in the top 5 in the 3rd RWHG largely due to his planning and clothing choices. He has spent the past three years critically studying the Soil and Climate of the RWHG arenas, and has quickly become a leading expert in his field.