The right hiking clothing can make or break your trip. This is especially true in hot weather environments, where heat can be a real killer if you’re not prepared.
Here are a couple of things to keep in mind before hiking in hot weather:
Know the 3 L’s of Summertime Hiking Clothing: Wear lightweight, loose fitting, and light-colored clothing.
- Light-colored clothing will reflect the sun and keep you cool. It also attracts fewer insects than darker clothes.
- Lightweight clothing protects you from the sun without trapping extra heat inside the clothing.
- Loose fitting clothing will keep air flowing around the skin.
Wide Brimmed Hats are a Must: When hiking in the heat, you need to do everything you can to protect yourself from direct sunlight.
- Wide brimmed hats will protect your face, head and neck from the sun’s damaging rays.
- To get more protection out of the hat, add a Bandanna to your hot weather hiking setup. Not only will it allow your to add extra shade to your neck area, but soaking the bandanna at stream crossings on a hot day’s hike can be just the relief you need.
- Look for a hat that also provides extra SPF Protection.
Clothing is your #1 protection from the sun. Sunscreens and lotions can sometimes actually interfere with the body’s ability to cool itself by blocking perspiration and it evaporation.
- Many experienced hikers will wear a lightweight shirt that wicks moisture, while carrying a fleece pullover and a waterproof jacket in their backpack.
- Wear your clothes lose and in layers.
- Always check the weather conditions before setting out on your trip.
