[arrowbreaker]

Obviously not something big on most peoples minds who are north of the equator at the moment - but where I am in Australia summer really hasn't let up at all - just took the dogs on a bush walk through the hills near my house and it's around 37C/100F this morning - and on the way back in particular the very dry heat was just nasty once the breeze died
I was just cowboy hat, t-shirt, BDU pants, hiking shoes, a backpack with my water and kit and my hiking stick before it cracked

Any recommends for when you have to travel on foot in the heat?

 

[letsgetreal]

Down (up)here in Florida, it's a subtropical climate, so 100F + 90% humidity. We like Linens and cotton, to whick away the sweat. Down(up) here, we've learned to use our sweat to cool us.

I lived out in the desert and one thing I learned is that long sleeved shirts and long pants are better, to keep the Sun off your skin.

 

[SouthernSassy]

Study the dress of people who live in extremely hot desert areas. I know most people on this board make fun of Arab countries, but their clothes are designed for hot survival: loose, flowing, allow heat to leave the body. The head/neck should be covered from direct sun both for comfort and to prevent skin cancer. Skip the underwear. I couldn't understand how the Arab women I know functioned in hijab until I realized most wore no slips, bras, and often no panties. The air circulates inside the clothes really well. An abaya is much cooler than tight slacks.

Any time you're wondering how to dress, just check out the indigenous people of the area. If they haven't figured it out, they wouldn't have survived.

 

[Sue Doh Myn]

Wide brimmed (boonie) hat, lightweight, light colored long sleeve shirt and long pants. Try to avoid the peak heat of the day. Dusk and dawn are your friends.

 

[TMcArthur]

Light colored, light weight loose fitting synthetics work best for me. My pants have zip off legs, the shirts' sleeves are designed to roll up and the back is vented. Nowadays they all come in SPF zillion. Same thing for a hat. Light in weight and color, well ventilated and with a broad brim.

Staying hydrated is the most important. Do that and the clothes are secondary.

 

[TMcArthur]

I don't have a clue why anyone would make fun of the world's best desert survivors.

 

[Sooner_Will_Survive]

Obviously not something big on most peoples minds who are north of the equator at the moment - but where I am in Australia summer really hasn't let up at all - just took the dogs on a bush walk through the hills near my house and it's around 37C/100F this morning - and on the way back in particular the very dry heat was just nasty once the breeze died
I was just cowboy hat, t-shirt, BDU pants, hiking shoes, a backpack with my water and kit and my hiking stick before it cracked

Any recommends for when you have to travel on foot in the heat?

do what the mexicans do. ad a top shirt that will block UV. the cowboy hat should shade your head, face and neck and if it is vented allow you to cool.

 

[arrowbreaker]

Study the dress of people who live in extremely hot desert areas. I know most people on this board make fun of Arab countries, but their clothes are designed for hot survival: loose, flowing, allow heat to leave the body. The head/neck should be covered from direct sun both for comfort and to prevent skin cancer. Skip the underwear. I couldn't understand how the Arab women I know functioned in hijab until I realized most wore no slips, bras, and often no panties. The air circulates inside the clothes really well. An abaya is much cooler than tight slacks.

Any time you're wondering how to dress, just check out the indigenous people of the area. If they haven't figured it out, they wouldn't have survived.

Well the indigenous here are the most primitive culture/people in the world (that's not a dig/attack) and were barefoot and wore little more than a loin cloth
Because they traditionally didn't wear hats eye disease and damage was common, they have serious survival ability but were totally hand to mouth, still are really

 

[arrowbreaker]

I don't have a clue why anyone would make fun of the world's best desert survivors.

The Arabs? Well plenty of reasons I suppose but they are hardly the worlds best desert survivors - without camels and oasis' they'd be screwed in the desert - but they do dress better
People like the Kalahari bushmen have that crown

 

[ninjasurvivor]

I'm a desert dweller too. For headgear I wear a legionnaire hat. The reason is because it is made of cloth and I can soak it in water and freeze it before I go out. Gives me a good hour of having a cool wet head. I also use those cooling towels which can also be soaked in water and frozen. Put that around my neck and chest.

One thing I've been thinking about making as I prepare for the coming hot season is a thin tunic. It will be made from a light colored linnen or cotton material and have long sleeves. The idea is to get full coverage over my upper body but let it be loose and not clinging to my skin. Open cuffs and plenty of room in the mid section. I can wear a belt with it or just leave it open at the bottom to let air current blow through.

You can get away with shorts, as long as you use sunblock, but terrain is a factor. If you are traversing areas that have sticks, thorns, etc., that will scratch your legs then you might as well just wear pants. I've never seen a Mexican wearing shorts, and they are masters of working in the desert heat. They always cover up from head to toe even in the dead of summer. A caucasion with lighter skin almost certainly has to as well.

 

[Bobegglach]

I can't.It's to hot to travel on foot in the heat.I have already experience before and that day was my last day to travel on foot in the heat.

 

[IlikeSa]

I wear linen or linen cotton blends for both shirt and pants. Old Navy actually has some good stuff for a fair price, and Target too. I know those are not in Australia but here are some links.

http://www.oldnavy.com/products/mens-linen.jsp

I also where straw hats in warm weather and wool hats in cool weather.

 

[Synical1]

Although I'm a big fan of cotton and cotton blends, apparel manufacturers are coming out with all kinds of moisture wicking and UV blocking apparel.

Unfortunately though, I really haven't found anything, that can compare to cotton, that I'm really comfortable in - yet.

As for hats, I wear one of these...
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41xOObznbsL._SX342_.jpg

 

[Nucky]

Umbrella?

 

[ninjasurvivor]

On those hats, what about in the late afternoon when the sun lingers low on the horizon in the summer sky for the last several hours of the day? You then are getting rays coming straight at you instead of on top of you. They hit you right in the face or on the back of the neck and get under the hat. That's why some where shemaghs, though I dislike them for several reasons.

 

[ppine]

I live in Nevada and worked in the field a lot in Utah and Arizona. Straw hat with a wide brim, loose cotton long pants and long shirts are preferred. The desert vegetation bites so do reptiles and arachnids, so wear long pants. I like a large cotton bandana and keep it wet. Shoes need to be sturdy but can be light.

When the sun goes down, it can get cold. Change into dry clothes and bring a warm jacket and hat for sleeping. Hydration needs to be automatic. Check your skin for rebound by pinching the skin on the back of your hand. Keep an eye on the behavior of your comrades. I have had many people on my crews crap out from heat exhaustion. They can't work and all you can do is rest them in the shade. Monitor your urine color. Carry salt. Wear eye protection from reflected UV light. Make up for any hydration deficits at night. Don't drink much coffee, tea or alcohol as all are diuretics.

 

[tsitenha]

A small tarp for shade, better staff(s), shades
What about the dogs, water etc... booties for the hot ground

 

[bigtexan99]

Down (up)here in Florida, it's a subtropical climate, so 100F + 90% humidity. We like Linens and cotton, to whick away the sweat. Down(up) here, we've learned to use our sweat to cool us.

How does cotton wick away the sweat? There are many other threads that say (in cold weather) cotton kills because when it gets wet it takes forever to dry.

 

[DomC]

How does cotton wick away the sweat? There are many other threads that say (in cold weather) cotton kills because when it gets wet it takes forever to dry.

Yeah they say cotton kills in cold climes but in weather such as the subtropical like summers in Florida, 100% cotton is the go to material.. some polyester blends are also good.
http://www.wisegeek.org/what-are-the-best-fabrics-to-wear-in-tropical-climates.htm

Dom

 

[letsgetreal]

How does cotton wick away the sweat? There are many other threads that say (in cold weather) cotton kills because when it gets wet it takes forever to dry.

By touching it, much like a paper towel. You can wear a long sleeve, cotton t-shirt and it will get wet from your sweat and then you could actually catch a chill from a good wind from the evaporative cooling effect.



Cold weather is whole 'nother issue( I use Marino wool in winter), this thread is about Summer heat.